INNER SOUTH

Southside style

This small yet perfectly formed neighbourhood south of the river is a shopper’s paradise and an endless playground for foodies and night owls

SOUTH YARRA Set aside a day or an entire weekend to experience the tempting offerings on Toorak Road and Chapel Street, including haute couture and exclusive boutiques. Treat yourself at Alannah Hill, Decjuba and Scanlan Theodore, to name just a few (chapelstreet.com.au). Former brewery and jam company the Jam Factory houses a 15-screen cinema complex including Cinema Europa and Gold Class. After the movie, update your wardrobe at Cue or Cotton On, then grab a bite at the expansive food court (thejamfactory.com.au). At Como Centre treat yourself to a massage or makeover, vintage fashion and French pastries, or enjoy an arthouse flick at Palace Cinemas (comocentre.com.au) Dine on yum cha at The Oriental Tea House (orientalteahouse.com.au), traditional Italian fare at Caffé e Cucina (caffeecucina.com.au), or have a long lunch at France Soir (france-soir.com.au). Get a taste of life as an 1850s aristocrat at the historic Como House and Garden, where you can join a historic house tour or wander beautifully manicured gardens. Bring a picnic, or head next door to the stables which have been converted into a trendy cafe (corner Williams Road and Lechlade Avenue).

PRAHRAN In Prahran, experience everything from discount stores to high street fashion. Fossick through stalls packed with retro homewares, vintage clothes and collectables at Chapel Street Bazaar, or visit vibrant Greville Street, with its vintage stores, edgy cafes, local designers, and an iconic record shop (grevillerecords.com.au). Enjoy divine pizza and beer at Ladro TAP (ladro.com.au) or Parisian chic at Chez Olivier (chezolivier.com). While at Pran Central your favourite fashion brands come together under one roof, along with food, entertainment and a range of useful services (prancentral.com.au). Australia’s oldest continuously running food market, Prahran Market has been in operation since 1864 and specialises in hard to find specialities. The market traders take pride in stocking the highest quality ingredients and source locally wherever possible. Offerings include heirloom produce, cheeses, small goods, artisan products, certified organic fruit and vegetables, beef, pork, poultry, game and sustainable seafood, including crustaceans (prahranmarket.com.au).

For classic American burgers and fixings, head to Misty’s Diner on High Street (mistysdiner.com.au). After dark, enjoy the offerings at Revolver Upstairs with its rotating calendar of DJs and live bands and a funky Thai restaurant (revolverupstairs.com.au), or hit the dancefloor at OneSixOne (onesixone.com.au) or Boutique (boutique.net.au).

WINDSOR In the Windsor quarter, one-of-a-kind designers rub shoulders with funky second hand shops selling recycled books, music, antiques and fashion, along with happening bars and foodie favourites. Enjoy brunch through to late night drinks with a side of garage glam at Tyranny of Distance (tyrannyofdistance.com.au), Asian street food at Hawker Hall (hawkerhall.com.au), rare whiskies and creative cocktails at Woods of Windsor (thewoodsofwindsor.com). Try Woodland House for a special occasion (woodlandhouse.com.au), sop up the vodka with scrumptious sausages and dumplings at Borsch, Vodka & Tears (borschvodkaandtears.com), and kick on at Hoo Haa (hoohaa.net.au). Away from the hustle and bustle of Chapel Street, Windsor Castle’s lime facade and parade of pink rooftop elephants heralds classic pub fare and drinks and cosy nooks aplenty, along with a leafy courtyard that is popular in summer (thewindsorcastle.com.au).

HAWKSBURN Situated between South Yarra and Prahran, Hawksburn is the perfect destination for a spot of retail therapy with a wealth of riches contained within one compact block along Malvern Road, between Williams and Mathoura Roads. Get your fill of boutique fashion, homewares, beauty salons and independent bookstores, along with fresh pasta, French pastries and sidewalk cafes. DV

Getting there

TRAIN: Prahran and Windsor are both on the Sandringham line, while Hawksburn is serviced by the Cranbourne/Packenham and Frankston lines. South Yarra is a premium station and is serviced by all three lines. TRAM: From the city, take the Number 8 tram to Toorak Road and Chapel Street, Number 72 to Malvern Road and Chapel Street, or Number 6 to High Street and Chapel Street.

Life’s a beach

With high end dining, boutique shopping and outdoor attractions galore, Melbourne’s stylish bayside suburbs have a lot to offer the discerning traveller

ALBERT PARK Only three kilometres from the heart of the city, Albert Park is a popular destination for a range of outdoor and aquatic activities. Apart from the lake itself, attractions include sporting facilities, ovals, playgrounds, restaurants and a five kilometre walking and running track. Enjoy a barbecue or picnic with the family, or hire a boat and explore the lake (theboatyard.com.au). Walk, cycle or jog around the track, past green lawns and playing fields. Watch colourful sailboats bobbing on the lake and take in magnificent views of the city skyline. Sporting facilities include a driving range, gymnasium and the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (melbournesportshub.com.au/msac).

BRIGHTON One of Melbourne’s most exclusive suburbs, Brighton is located south of the city between Elwood and Hampton, with stretches of sandy beaches flanked by colourful bathing boxes and the hazy city skyline. Along Church Street you’ll find supermarkets, a cinema and a selection of high-end fashion and beauty stores including Country Road, Siricco and Witchery. Bay Street in North Brighton is home to cafes, restaurants, fashion and gift shops, while Martin Street has gifts and clothing, along with a host of dining options from mouth-watering fish and chips to a chilled neighbourhood wine bar with regular live music sessions. Pedestrian and bike paths run along the foreshore, lined with parks perfect for picknicking. The Middle Brighton Baths date back to 1881 and still provide opportunities for exercise and play, as well as an onsite cafe and

gym (middlebrightonbaths.com.au). Designated areas of Brighton’s beaches are perfect for waterskiing, windsurfing and kitesurfing. Learn the craft at one of the many surf schools along the bay, concentrated around Brighton and St Kilda.

ELWOOD Eight kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD, between St Kilda and Brighton, Elwood is home to a number of shopping strips, including popular Elwood Village on Ormond Road. Elwood’s beaches are lined with parks and paved walking and cycling tracks, luring both sun lovers and fitness fanatics. Enjoy safe, sheltered swimming in front of Elwood Life Saving Club, with kiosks and a restaurant nearby.

SOUTH MELBOURNE In this ever-changing bayside suburb, watch as some of Melbourne’s oldest streets transform before your eyes, with leafy avenues and heritage buildings restored to house chic boutiques, cafes and restaurants. Start the day with a lazy brunch on Clarendon Street, Dorcas, Park or Bank streets. Get your caffeine fix at St Ali and The Kettle Black, or indulge in a decadent brunch at Chez Dré and Bibelot. Stock up on fresh produce at the South Melbourne Market for a picnic by the seashore (southmelbournemarket.com.au), or browse specialty shops along Coventry Street and visit the Australian Tapestry Workshop in Park Street (austtapestry.com.au). After dark, experiment with the multi-sensory menu at Lûmé or tuck into Italian fare, oysters, cheese and charcuterie at Bellota Wine Bar.

PORT MELBOURNE At first glance Port Melbourne is a sunny bayside subub with gleaming modern architecture, but look closer and you’ll find restored workers cottages and grand old pubs offering a glimpse into Melbourne’s history. At Beacon Cove and Station Pier don your designer gear and pound the palm-lined path that hugs the Port Melbourne foreshore. Catch your breath at Beach Street eateries and find the perfect spot for a beachfront beverage. Share snacks and sea breezes at Tenpin, or splurge at Waterfront and people-watch as the Spirit of Tasmania ferry arrives and the international cruise ships dock. Step back from the beach to Bay Street and shop up a storm at swanky boutiques. Enjoy quality coffee and cafe fare at Balderdash and My Sister Says, and find French provisions at Noisette. The Graham, the Local and the Railway Club Hotel are perfect for craft beers and pub grub, while Dalmatino offers rustic Croatian fare. DV

Getting there

The inner south is served by a number of buses and trams from the city, as well as trains on the Sandringham line. To plan your route, go to ptv.vic.gov.au

By the

Seaside

Spend a day on the water, enjoy festivals, live music and performing arts, or indulge at cocktail bars and cake shops in the bayside suburb of St Kilda

Just six kilometres from the city centre, St Kilda is Melbourne’s playground by the bay, beloved by residents and visitors alike. This personality-packed seaside suburb is renowned for its expansive views of Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne’s most famous beach, a palm-lined boardwalk, and activities ranging from boating to Stand Up Paddleboarding. It also has big skies, beautiful sunsets, parks and gardens, top notch restaurants, bars and cafes, fabulous old buildings, and a colourful past and present.

TIME TO PLAY St Kilda hosts countless attractions including the thrills and spills of Luna Park, which has been entertaining families for over a century with a mix of classic carnival rides and modern delights. You’ll find picturesque Catani

Gardens, Acland Street with its iconic cake shops and bustling Fitzroy Street. It’s also home to renowned theatres including the Palais, Theatre Works and The National Theatre, and several major events. Held annually in February, St Kilda Festival delivers big name acts on stages dotted across the beach and parks, along with a host of attractions, from volleyball to dance classes, live wrestling, street theatre and a popular market (stkildafestival.com.au). While in May, St Kilda Film Festival supports local and emerging talent in an Academy Awards qualifying event (stkildafilmfestival.com.au).

St Kilda Rickshaws provide a novel way to get around. Dreamed up by a trio of friendly Americans and an Aussie, this grassroots business is both taxi and tour guide, taking you where you need to be or simply lapping up the sights (stkildarickshaws.com.au).

EAT & DRINK The cafe society of Acland Street first bloomed with the influx of cosmopolitan European migrants in the 1950s. That heritage can still be seen in the European-style cake shops, cafes and designer shops that line the street.

Fitzroy Street is St Kilda’s main drag, and it’s lined with outdoor pubs, cafes and restaurants serving a wide variety of cuisines showcasing Melbourne’s multicultural heritage. With so many to choose from, you’ll satisfy every taste bud with the array of options available in this foodie paradise. Wander Fitzroy and Acland Streets for a mix of moody wine bars, summery outdoor terraces and fine dining restaurants, all within a short walk of Port Phillip Bay. DV

Getting there

TRAM: Take Number 16 from Swanston Street, Number 96 from Bourke Street, or Number 112 from Collins Street (around 25 minutes) to St Kilda; or Number 3 from Swanston Street or Carlisle Street (around 35 minutes).

MAIN IMAGE: Aerial view of St Kilda Beach flanked by the Melbourne city skyline.

Editor’s picks OUR

DFO South Wharf is the place to find over 180 leading Australian and international brands - all at up to 70 percent off! With all brands under the one roof, you will be sure to find everything you are looking for with the latest ladies’ and men’s fashions, children’s wear, sportswear, footwear, handbags and luggage, homewares, manchester, lingerie, jewellery and loads more. Plus, while you are here, enjoy a unique dining experience at one of South Wharf Promenade’s large variety of restaurants, cafes and bars – all with beautiful waterfront views of the Yarra River.

dfo.com.au Southgate dining and shopping precinct is located in the heart of Southbank, right next door to Melbourne’s Arts Precinct. With a variety of restaurants and cafes bound to tempt your tastebuds, a riverside food court and unique stores, Southgate is an ideal location to experience the best of Melbourne. Open year round, 7 days a week.

southgatemelbourne.com.au

at The Block Shop

With mosaic-tile flooring, a glass canopy and carved stone, the Block Arcade is one of the world’s finest examples of a 19th-century shopping arcade. It was built between 1891 and 1893, and modelled on Milan’s grand Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. Stock up on fashion, jewellery, art and gifts, then tuck into something sweet at Haigh’s Chocolates, or the famous Hopetoun Tea Rooms, whose windows are filled with delicious – and highly photogenic – cakes! The Block Arcade is the place to shop and be seen.

Editor’s picks OUR

Royal Botanic Gardens

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria is one of the world’s finest botanic gardens and a leading destination for nature, culture and science. With two locations in Melbourne and Cranbourne, the Gardens is home to stunning horticulture displays and unique experiences.

Melbourne Gardens is an oasis in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD. Stretching over 38 hectares, the Gardens is a picturesque landscape of tranquil lawns and lakes that feature more than 8,500 plant species from around the globe.

rbg.vic.gov.au

THE DISTRICT DOCKLANDS

The District Docklands is your new go-to destination for shopping, dining and entertainment with all your favourite brands including H&M, UNIQLO, BONDS and Cotton On. Now open, a new state-of-theart entertainment precinct with HOYTS and Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq, plus and a world of flavour with over 35 dining options in the one place. Located in Docklands, next to Melbourne Star.