Plan
perfect pair
Sister cities Melbourne and Osaka WORDS SOPHIE CULLEN
Images: Visit Victoria
MELBOURNE
10
Packed with murals, markets and museums, Melbourne shares Osaka’s obsession with all things arty and gourmet. Queen Victoria Market has become something of a Melbourne institution with its fresh produce, artisanal souvenirs, flower nurseries and food trucks. Hosting food and music festivals, Federation Square is another top stop on a culture-vulture’s tour of the city. It is also home to the Australian Centre For The Moving Image, an interactive museum of movies, video games and television that will open again in 2020 after an exciting revamp. Next door is the National Gallery of Victoria’s Ian Potter Centre, dedicated to showcasing the work of Aussie artists. Flinders Lane, Hosier Lane and Blender Lane boast paintings of a different kind: graffiti and street art that can be enjoyed on foot or bike. If you’re still feeling active, St Kilda Adventure Playground and Werribee Open Range Zoo are great for getting wriggles out. For more of a fix of feathers, fur and fins, head to Melbourne Zoo and Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium. Victoria’s coffee-craving, footy-mad capital is also the starting point for the Melbourne Osaka Cup. Spanning 5500 nautical miles south to north, this doublehanded yacht race will next kick off in 2023.
