Ditch those boring travel itineraries packed with endless sightseeing and photo-ops without being able to truly soak in the essence of a destination. We recommend these tried, tested, and approved ways of discovering the wonders of Melbourne and Victoria.
Gourmet Experiences
Australia is a melting pot of cultures and flavours, and gourmands can savour it in exciting ways other than just hitting top-rated restaurants. Here’s what you can try in Victoria.
Eat at one of Melbourne’s oldest markets
For a chance to experience a quintessential village market that was established in 1867, head to the South Melbourne Market at the corner of Cecil and Coventry Streets. Stroll around and stop for all kinds of delicacies ranging from freshly-baked goods with an enchanting aroma that wafts through this covered market area and warrants a stop, to fresh oysters, kangaroo jerky, different varieties of cheese, fruits, coffee, and more. Apart from food stalls, this 150-year-old market is also home to Australian goods and produce, jewellery, clothing, homeware, et al, making for a fun few hours of shopping and eating on the go. Shut on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, the market remains open on other days from 8 am onwards. Stroll at your own pace to discover the various options housed here or book a tour from South Melbourne Market’s website for a guided session.
Attend the world’s longest lunch and brunch
An annual feast part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival that began in 1993, World’s Longest Lunch followed by World’s Longest Brunch are two days of celebration of delicious food and Victorian spirits. Serving a multi-course set menu and championing local chefs, the event usually takes place in a park, where communal tables are lined up for several hundred metres, making it the longest lunch and brunch in length, respectively. From Indian-origin chefs like Harry Mangat, Mischa Tropp and Helly Raichura, to renowned Australian chefs such as Curtis Stone, Andrew McConnell, and more, have been part of this event’s lineup. Held in March every year, tickets go live in advance on their website, and food connoisseurs and enthusiasts gather to celebrate Australia’s culinary feat. If epicurean experiences are often part of your travel itinerary, planning a trip to Melbourne around this event is a good idea.
Wildlife Wonders
For animal lovers as well as nature enthusiasts, a trip away from the chaos of the city is the ideal way to rejuvenate oneself, and these activities offer the perfect chance to do so.
Camp around kangaroos
Spotting Australia’s national animal can be exciting but living around them and experiencing the outdoorsy life Aussies are known for is taking it a notch higher. Head to the Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park where you can explore the Grampians region, and live amidst kangaroos in a cabin or glamping tent. From watching them jump around, feed, to spotting a joey in its mother’s pouch or even kangaroos boxing in the open grasslands is a sight to behold. When here, enjoy the heated pool, barbeques, campfires, and the serene mountain views. And if you crave Indian food, head to the nearby Spirit of Punjab restaurant for a meal.
Explore a dormant volcano site
For seeing native animals in their natural habitat, head to the Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve that sits in a large volcanic crater. The magnificent but dormant volcano site is home to kangaroos, koalas, blue wrens, emus, and more, and can be explored with a walk across its wetlands, craters and bushland. Volcanic cone-shaped hills rising from lakes, koalas curled up on trees, and emus strolling across are just some of the wonders to witness here. A guided walk by a First Peoples naturalist from the Worn Gundidj collective is the best way to get to know the history of this natural landscape and its first inhabitants.
Thrilling Activities
If you seek adventure or simply a new way to get a better perspective of a place, we recommend adding these to your itinerary.
Take a chopper ride
One of the most scenic and popular tourist attractions in Australia is the Twelve Apostles which are essentially natural rock stacks as high as 45 metres that were created due to the constant erosion of the limestone cliffs millions of years ago. While the scenic four-hour-long drive from Melbourne along the Great Ocean Road is worth your time, the best way to see them is to hop on a helicopter. 12 Apostles Helicopters take you on this mesmerising adventure, giving you a bird’s eye view of the ocean, the rock formations, and the surrounding area. The shifting hues and vastness of nature is a captivating sight to witness from a chopper.
Self drive a boat
Finding calmness in a bustling city can be difficult, but when a river runs through it, you can find moments of peace. A fun way to do so is by renting a self-drive electric boat from GoBoat to cruise gently on the Yarra River. Make a picnic out of it by carrying some food and drinks on board that you savour as you sail along. Ranging from one to three hours, the activity is perfect for catching the sunset and seeing Melbourne’s vibrant dining scene from a distance. The boat is easy to manoeuvre and does not require a boat licence, letting anyone be the captain for a few hours.
Recommended flight: Singapore Airlines from Mumbai or Delhi for its comfortable seating, food options, and relaxing airport lounge.
Picture Courtesy: Kriti Saraswat
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