Melbourne, city, capital of the state of Victoria, Australia. It is located on the southeast coast at the top of Port Phillip Bay. The central city is home to approximately 136,000 people and is the center of an extensive metropolitan area – the southernmost region in the world with a population of over 1,000,000. In Australia it is second only to Sydney in population, and there is a good-natured rivalry between the two cities, for which geography and history have inherited diverse characteristics.

Climate
Melbourne weather results from an eastward flow of high pressure cells separated by low pressure pools. These patterns follow a path that passes south of the continent in summer and over northern Victoria in winter. Annual rainfall of 26 inches (660 mm) is evenly distributed throughout the year, with October typically being the wettest month and January the driest. Temperatures are moderate, only rarely falling below freezing; Average daily maximum temperatures vary from 55 °F (13 °C) in July to 79 °F (26 °C) in January. Winds associated with the weather systems’ eastward passage ensure that Melbourne escapes the severe air pollution of some other large cities.

Best RESTAURANTS  in MELBOURNE’S

FARMER’S DAUGHTERS

The Farmer’s Daughters is a celebration of the season of Gippsland and the bounty they produce. The seasonally driven menu is designed to showcase regional ingredients, wine and spirits, producers and stories from the coast to the mountains. Dishes are created in the open campfire kitchen, each cooked over charcoal and wood to bring out the rustic country flavor of the ingredients. The venue also features a deli on the ground floor and a greenhouse-inspired rooftop bar, which is made with native plants and herbs used in many cocktails and dishes.

FLORENTINO

Since opening in 1928, Florentino has had a significant impact on the Melbourne food scene and is one of its best-known restaurants. Helmed by respected chef and owner Guy Grossi, Florentino’s cuisine is proud of its Italian and Australian cultures, showcasing the best locally sourced ingredients through classic Italian cuisine. The menu is designed to offer a choice of three or five courses, and there’s also a sensible wine list to match, spanning Italy, Australia, and France, so you’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to enjoy this fine dining experience.

GIMLET

Located inside the beautiful heritage building Cavendish House, Gimlet exudes classic European charm. Ultra-high ceilings, dark wood floors, plush booths, black marble bar and Art Deco columns and light-fitting set a charming yet comfortable scene, making this cocktail bar and restaurant ideally suited for any occasion . The Mediterranean-style menu features fresh seafood, seasonal vegetables and wood-fire roasted meats, while the bar serves fresh and inventive cocktails. For the ultimate indulgence, treat yourself to decadent caviar service.

TIPO 00

Named after the super fine Italian dough, Tipo 00 is a trendy Italian restaurant where the spotlight shines on their fresh, house-made pasta. Choose from starters like chargrilled calamari and beef carpaccio, then move on to pasta and risotto, followed by a few different options as a second. But leave room for dessert with the ‘tipomis’ and ricotta donuts offered under Dolci. Alternatively, go for the chef’s menu and leave it to the kitchen staff to choose for you.

WHERE TO STAY IN MELBOURNE

QT MELBOURNE

A winning combination of quirky design and playful approach has made QT Hotels Australia’s favorite boutique hotel group, and the Melbourne outpost one of the best. In addition to the typical QT touches that regulars love — from striking art installations to lifts that flirt with guests as they’re carried into their rooms — the rooms are filled with clever design details, like graffiti-inspired rugs. and Japanese-style sliding doors that let you close the bathroom open for privacy. The rooftop bar and luxurious in-house restaurant, Pascal’s, are popular with guests as well as locals.

CROWN TOWERS MELBOURNE

For big city glamour, Crown Towers Melbourne is the property to beat. Its plush rooms tick all the boxes with their front and center views of the city and the river, their sink-in beds, and their large bathrooms. Arguably, the hotel’s biggest draw is the extraordinary range of restaurants located within the Crown Complex, manned by top chefs such as Neil Perry, Guillaume Brahimi, and Nobuyuki Matsuhisa. Throw in a gorgeous spa, and there are plenty of reasons to stay. If you decide to venture out, the city center is an easy walk.

OVOLO LANEWAYS

Most hotels know their customers, either pitching themselves to the business traveler or holiday crowd. In Ovolo Lenves, they like a little of both. The central city location and apartment-style rooms are designed to attract business trippers, but playful design touches—including silver shells scattered throughout the lobby—will appeal to vacationers as well. Ovolo’s no-frills approach means there’s no hot breakfast and no swimming pool, but most guests agree that the free mini-bar more than makes up for it.

ADELPHI HOTEL

Yes, the Adelphi is a dessert-themed hotel, but no, it’s not as spooky as it sounds. In fact, this inner-city hotel will appeal to fans as well as those with a sweet tooth, with its velvety chocolate decor and its stools inspired by colorful liquorice, with geometric rugs and brushed steel bathrooms. The in-house dessert bar, Om Nom, is justifiably famous, but there are many other reasons to stay at Adelphi, from generously sized rooms to a free mini bar. Oh, it also has the city’s most famous rooftop pool.

W MELBOURNE

Taking inspiration from the streets of Melbourne, W Melbourne is as stylish and charming as the city itself. Located on trendy Flinders Lane, Laneway’s eclectic style pervades the inside with unique design elements that weave art, fashion and music. To reflect the vibrant culture and history of Melbourne. Each of the nearly 300 rooms and 29 suites has a bold look and feel, with luxurious marble bathrooms and floor-to-ceiling windows that offer expansive skyline views. Don’t miss a dip in the charming gold-roofed indoor pool with poolside bar and DJ.

Places Near Melbourne

• MELBOURNE CRCIKET GROUND (MCG)
• THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD
• THE MORNINGTON PENINSULA
• DAYLESFORD AND THE MACEDON RANGES
• PHILLIP ISLAND
• GIPPSLAND
• VICTORIA’S HIGH COUNTRY & KING VALLEY
• THE GRAMPIANS
• THE YARRA VALLEY AND DANDENONG RANG