Most Liveable Melbourne
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Lana McCartney

Most Liveable Melbourne

I've traveled all over the world but lived in Melbourne all my life. It's incredibly laid back, friendly and a great mix of cultures. The food, beaches and surrounding National parks bring people from all over the world - many people end up never leaving. Highly recommend a visit!!

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Activities in the City

Things to go see and do in the city of Melbourne.

Image - Luna Park Melbourne
Place
Luna Park Melbourne
Lana:This original theme park of Melbourne opened in 1912 and is always a fun time. Great history and great location in St Kilda near the beach.
Image - Melbourne River Cruises
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Melbourne River Cruises
Lana:Great way to see a large amount of the city without all the walking.
Image - Eureka Skydeck
Place
Eureka Skydeck
Lana:Our tallest building at nearly 300m high, great views.
Image - Skydive Melbourne
Place
Skydive Melbourne
Lana:Best way to see Port Phillip Bay, landing on St Kilda beach.
Image - Global Ballooning Australia - Melbourne and Yarra Valley
Place
Global Ballooning Australia - Melbourne and Yarra Valley
Lana:Another great way to see the city from above!
Image - Yarra Valley Winery Tours
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Yarra Valley Winery Tours
Lana:Just an hour outside of Melbourne - you can arrange to be picked up at Federation Square. This wine Region is one of the best in Oz.
Image - Queen Victoria Market
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Queen Victoria Market
Lana:A great place to go for the night markets during Summer & Winter they run special night markets with great food trucks and entertainment.
Image - Night Noodle Market
Place
Night Noodle Market
Lana:In November this market is the place to go out and experience all things Asian. Located inner city at Birrarung Marr.
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Beaches around Melbourne

No beach is better than any Australian beach. Clean, white sand, hot sun, just be aware of shark warnings in the area and swim between the flags if you're at a surf beach with little surf experience! Most of the best beaches are a fair way out of Melbourne, but highly recommend the trip!

Image - Mount Martha Beach South
Place
Mount Martha Beach South
Lana:This is where I grew up and one of my favourite beaches ever. Located on the Mornington Peninsula
Image - Squeaky Beach
Place
Squeaky Beach
Lana:Out near Wilson's Promontory, the sand squeaks as you walk on it... hence the name.
Image - Portsea Surf Beach
Place
Portsea Surf Beach
Lana:The back beach right at the end of the Mornington Peninsula is great for surfing.
Image - Bells Beach
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Bells Beach
Lana:Big surf comps are held here and worth a watch if you are in town at the right time. Located about an hour from Melbourne.
Image - Black Rock
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Black Rock
Lana:A hidden gem about half an hour from the city.
Image - Gunnamatta Beach
Place
Gunnamatta Beach
Lana:Another well known surf beach down the Mornington Peninsula.
Image - Woolamai Surf Beach
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Woolamai Surf Beach
Lana:Not only an incredible looking surf beach on Phillip Island, this beach has great hikes surrounding it.
Image - Torquay
Place
Torquay
Lana:A very popular beach down the Great Ocean Road.
Image - St Kilda beach
Place
St Kilda beach
Lana:Definitely not one of Oz's best beaches, but the convenience is great if you're in the city. Being right at your door stop its not too bad!

Road Trips just outside the City

Some of the best road trips in the world are just outside of Melbourne! Hire a car and beach hop and hike to some of the most beautiful regions of Victoria.

Image - Great Ocean Road
Place
Great Ocean Road
Lana:About 240km long, this is one of the best drives in Australia, following cliff sides and never-ending beaches. The 12 Apostles along the way
Image - Sorrento
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Sorrento
Lana:Beautiful drive from Mornington along the esplanade down to Sorrento. Stop at the Portsea Pub for lunch and a beer!

Live Music/ Bars

Melbourne is re-noun for a great social scene. From the fancy Chapel St, to great backpacker bars in St Kilda, theres everything and anything.

Image - Northcote Social Club
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Northcote Social Club
Image - Corner Hotel
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Corner Hotel
Lana:Big headline acts at the corner hotel, be sure to look up the gig guide on their website before you arrive.
Image - The Brunswick Mess Hall
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The Brunswick Mess Hall
Image - The Precinct Hotel
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The Precinct Hotel
Image - Howler
Place
Howler
Lana:My favourite place to go for a gig. Very well decorated, great music and good vibes all night.
Image - Hotel Esplanade
Place
Hotel Esplanade
Lana:Located right on the beach in St Kilda with good food and great music. Recently went through a $15 million renovation. worth a look!
Image - The Rum Diary Bar
Place
The Rum Diary Bar

The best Hikes Around the city

Things to do

Image - Wilsons Promontory National Park
Place
Wilsons Promontory National Park
Lana:Beach and forest hikes to die for
Image - Halls Gap
Place
Halls Gap
Lana:Drive out to the Grampians and camp or rent a cabin! The hikes around here are breathtaking.
Image - Hiking Australia
Place
Werribee Gorge Circuit Track
Lana:Only about 40 minutes from city centre, can do this one beautiful hike in half a day!

Australian Wildlife

You can't go to Australia and not see our favourite unique animals. Lots of them you can see in the wild on hikes or even in any backyard outside the city - but if you wanna get up close and personal go to some of these parks!

Image - Phillip Island Wildlife Park
Place
Phillip Island Wildlife Park
Lana:A great little park you can hand feed and hold all the Aussie animals you wish to, even the snakes
Image - Penguin Parade
Place
Penguin Parade
Lana:Sit on the beach at night and wait for the little fairy penguins to run up the beach to their huts in the sand. Always amazing.
Image - Healesville Sanctuary
Place
Healesville Sanctuary
Lana:Another great wildlife park less than an hour away from Melbourne, its got everything you want to see.
Image - The Nobbies
Place
The Nobbies
Lana:If your looking to see seals, go on the boat ride out to the Nobbies (theres also a hike). Many Great Whites hang around the area too!
Image - Melbourne Zoo
Place
Melbourne Zoo
Lana:If your looking for a day of not only Australian animals.

Restaurants/ Cafes/ Coffee

Melbourne has some of the best variety of Restaurants in the world. And even better Coffee. A "Melbourne Brunch" is something that has to be experienced by anyone who comes here.

Image - Mamasita
Place
Mamasita
Lana:Amazing Mexican fusion food.
Image - The Brunswick Mess Hall
Place
The Brunswick Mess Hall
Image - Tipo 00
Place
Tipo 00
Lana:The best pasta/Italian I've ever had. Including pasta I ate in Italy...
Image - Hotel Esplanade
Place
Hotel Esplanade
Image - Hawker Hall
Place
Hawker Hall
Image - Mr. Miyagi
Place
Mr. Miyagi
Lana:Japanese Fusion on Chapel Street. The best cocktails and incredible food.
Image - Chin Chin
Place
Chin Chin
Image - Auction Rooms
Place
Auction Rooms
Lana:If you're looking to "brunch" like a Melbournian - here is where you start.
Image - Code Black Coffee
Place
Code Black Coffee
Lana:GREAT coffee
Image - Seven Seeds Coffee Roasters
Place
Seven Seeds Coffee Roasters
Lana:Inner city, the best coffee and breaky you can get.
Image - Commonfolk Coffee Company
Place
Commonfolk Coffee Company
Lana:Located 1 hour drive from Melbourne on the Mornington Peninsula - If you are down this way I highly recommend grabbed a coffee here!
Image - Matcha Mylkbar
Place
Matcha Mylkbar
Lana:Great for any Vegan or health nut or just someone who loves brunch. So good.

Wonderguide map

  1. Luna Park Melbourne
  2. Melbourne River Cruises
  3. Eureka Skydeck
  4. Skydive Melbourne
  5. Global Ballooning Australia - Melbourne and Yarra Valley
  6. Yarra Valley Winery Tours
  7. Queen Victoria Market
  8. Night Noodle Market
  9. Mount Martha Beach South
  10. Squeaky Beach
  11. Portsea Surf Beach
  12. Bells Beach
  13. Black Rock
  14. Gunnamatta Beach
  15. Woolamai Surf Beach
  16. Torquay
  17. St Kilda beach
  18. Great Ocean Road
  19. Sorrento
  20. Northcote Social Club
  21. Corner Hotel
  22. The Brunswick Mess Hall
  23. The Precinct Hotel
  24. Howler
  25. Hotel Esplanade
  26. The Rum Diary Bar
  27. Wilsons Promontory National Park
  28. Halls Gap
  29. Werribee Gorge Circuit Track
  30. Phillip Island Wildlife Park
  31. Penguin Parade
  32. Healesville Sanctuary
  33. The Nobbies
  34. Melbourne Zoo
  35. Mamasita
  36. The Brunswick Mess Hall
  37. Tipo 00
  38. Hotel Esplanade
  39. Hawker Hall
  40. Mr. Miyagi
  41. Chin Chin
  42. Auction Rooms
  43. Code Black Coffee
  44. Seven Seeds Coffee Roasters
  45. Commonfolk Coffee Company
  46. Matcha Mylkbar

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