Melbourne Family Escape

Known for its eclectic arts and culture, Melbourne is Australia’s hip, trendsetting city in the southeastern state of Victoria along Port Phillip Bay. Downtown Melbourne—the Central Business District, or CBD—is broken up into distinct neighborhoods with a range of attractions, art venues, restaurants and bars to appeal to the tastes of any visitor. Visit Melbourne’s historical quarter on Collins Street where you’ll find designer shops and classic Gothic architecture. Gallery hop along Flinders Lane or stroll along the Southbank’s promenade on the Yarra River, which offers many fine dining options.

In the city fringe, visit swanky St Kilda, a seaside district with high-end and second-hand shopping and classy restaurants on Fitzroy and Acland streets. The Richmond district offers authentic Greek and Vietnamese cuisine; you’ll find Little Saigon here. In bohemian Fitzroy, find art galleries, hipster cafés and great bars and nightlife; walk down Brunswick Street to get a feel for this bustling neighborhood.

Melbourne hosts a wide range of internationally acclaimed arts events throughout the year. Top events include the Melbourne International Film Festival, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival and the Melbourne Fringe Festival. Outside Melbourne, explore the Yarra Valley, a thriving wine region and visit attractions like the expansive Werribee Open Range Zoo for a close look at zebras, hippos and rare southern white rhinos.

This elegant hotel offers upscale accommodations with Art Deco-inspired interiors. Located at the top end of Collins Street, the hotel is a 30-minute drive from the Melbourne airport and a five-minute walk from the rail station. Onsite, guests will find a health club, pool, tennis courts, massage services, bars, and multiple restaurants.The new restaurant at Grand Hyatt Melbourne, Collins Kitchen, is now open. This new dining destination features open kitchens, serving five different dining concepts, Sushi, Deli, Grill, Wok and Patisserie. The a la carte menus for lunch, dinner and all day dining use local and organic produce, along with both buffet and a la carte menus for breakfast. Collins Kitchen is open daily from 6.30am to 10.30pm. The new bar at Grand Hyatt Melbourne, RU-CO, is also now open. RU-CO has an extensive wine list which draws from the 2700 bottle wine room, as well as an impressive list of signature martinis, classic cocktails and single malt whiskeys and scotches. RU-CO is open daily from 5pm until late.

At almost 300 meters from the ground, Eureka Skydeck 88 is the highest public viewing platform in the southern hemisphere. Located on the eighty-eighth floor, the viewing platform reveals sky-high views of central Melbourne, including the Yarra River and Federation Square. For the thrill seeker, an added attraction is The Edge, a glass cube which is gradually extended out from the building, giving the sensation of being suspended in space. Not for the weak-kneed, but an original way to see Melbourne. You have to pay admission charges to get there, and the rates vary for children and adults.

Multicultural Melbourne has been created by people from all over the world. Whether they left their homelands by choice or by force, their experiences are relived at the Immigration Museum, beginning with the long sea voyage on a real sized boat, brought to life with true stories from past immigrants. The Museum is often used by researchers and schools to trace migratory patterns and family trees.  The cafe and the gift shop will tempt you to prolong your visit.

Founded in 1862, Melbourne Zoo is Australia's oldest and the third oldest in the world. It has changed greatly over the years, replacing the old barred cages and pits with more animal friendly enclosures. The zoo is divided into bio-climatic zones using landscape immersion to help animals acclimatise to the Australian environment and is at the forefront of the captive Lowland Gorilla breeding program. The butterfly house, lion park and primate enclosure are among the highlights. In summer locals flock to the twilight jazz sessions.

Flower Drum consistently lives up to exceedingly high expectations, stemming from its reputation as being (probably) the best restaurant in Melbourne. With no windows, this restaurant subtly suggests that what it offers needs no distraction from the outside world. True! There is plenty to occupy the senses, and the staff will skillfully meet your every desire, without effort, with delight! The Cantonese food is exquisite and far beyond the comprehension of any part-time home-cook. How can food can be so perfectly and beautifully prepare, so timely, so consistently, so tastefully! There is a touch of class in every morsel.

Nothing attracts people more than the prospect of a bargain. Combine that with a vibrant mix of cultures, a century of history and you have a full day's activities in one location. There is plenty on offer here; from meat, fish, vegetables and fruit to aromatherapy, arts and crafts and bargain clothing. There are also regular lectures by leading chefs and market tours; check website for updated program. Built in 1878, the Market comprises several classified historic buildings meaning that its future is certain to be protected, much to the relief of the 130,000 shoppers that visit every week. Admission is free.

Situated on the outskirts of the city, Carlton Gardens surround the magnificent Royal Exhibition Building and new Melbourne Museum. Built in 1880 as an exhibition centre--and still used as such--the Royal Exhibition Building housed the Victorian Parliament for 27 years, when Victoria's parliament building was borrowed by the National Legislature! A short walk from Brunswick Street's trendy cafés and shops, the Gardens' numerous walking and cycling tracks provide a peaceful respite from the city's bustle. The beautifully landscaped lawns also boast a Children's Traffic School, where youngsters learn road rules, and the huge Imax theatre. Admission is free.

The new Melbourne Museum tags itself as a museum for the 21st century and reflects a move to merge major museums and galleries under one roof. Three particular focal points of the Melbourne Museum are: Bunjilaka, providing a focus for Aboriginal activity in Victoria; the Children's Museum, in the form of a tilted cube, and the open-air Gallery of Life, exhibiting Victoria's flora and fauna. Improved Internet access is also a key feature, providing better public access to superb collections, research, exhibitions and educational packages. Three theme cafe/restaurants provide refreshments.

Flowing through the heart of Melbourne is the Yarra River. Originally known as Birrarung or the river of mist to the city's Aboriginal inhabitants, the Yarra played a vital role in the development of the city. Today, it is lined with some of Melbourne's most popular attractions. A 10 minute stroll along its banks in the city centre will take you past the World Trade Centre, Exhibition Centre and other monuments. To the East of the city centre, the river is lined with grassy green parks with picnic areas and barbecues that are thronged on sunny weekends with locals and visitors.

Melbourne's once much maligned Yarra Riverhas been undergoing a facelift in recent years and is now an excellent way to get a different perspective on the city. Melbourne River Cruises is one of the tour operators now making the most of the waterway. Its fleet of six sleek vessels are specially designed for sightseeing with large windows and sundecks. They are also low enough to pass under the many bridges that straddle the Yarra. The captain provides a commentary on the sights you pass by and there are refreshments available on board. There are three cruises to choose from.

Longrain in Melbourne is just like its sister in Sydney. Lively, with a classy undertone to it, the decor is pleasing with elegantly laid tables and light bulbs all around. Chef Boetz's signature dishes don't fail to impress as do the friendly staff, which happen to be enjoying themselves more than the diners. The center stage bar concocts potent cocktails and the menu is pretty much satisfying. The delicious entrees and desserts, and the cheerful staff will surely make your dining experience memorable.

Federation Square is bustling with activity throughout the day. It is a cultural precinct to the city of Melbourne, and over here one finds a number of cafes, galleries and cinemas. Visit the Australian Centre For The Moving Image and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia for the latest in art. With a number of events held throughout the year which include festivals, screening of films, sports and cultural events, there's a lot one can explore. Visit this bee-hive of activity to play tourist, explore art or simply socialize.

Located beside the Victorian Arts Centre, the National Gallery of Victoria has been the focus for the local arts community for years. Its world renowned collection of European Masters includes Rembrandt, van Dyck, Picasso, Monet and Turner. A fine display of contemporary Aboriginal art sits alongside works by famous Australian artists such as Sidney Nolan, Arthur Boyd and Albert Tucker. The redeveloped gallery will include a new water wall, a Federation Hall and the Grimwade Gardens. It will also boast better physical access, teaching facilities and an improved range of eateries.

Located at the bustling Federation Square, you have to visit Ian Potter to get a glimpse of Australian Treasures. The building is a beautiful glass matrix structure which is visually appealing in itself. Housed here are beautiful paintings of Australian artists like Barak, Judy Watson, Emily Kngwarray and Uta Uta Tjangala. Known to be the first gallery dedicated to Australian Art, the center has regular exhibitions on a number of themes. A permanent exhibition of Aboriginal and Tiwi Islands artists is on display here.

Imaginations spring to life in this garden developed especially for children. Snuggled into a fenced-off corner of Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens, the garden provides a fantasy-like landscape to explore. Young adventurers can climb the lookout tower, scramble through plant tunnels, discover ruins in a rain forest grotto, and float leaf boats downstream by the wetlands pond. Many of the garden's plants have been chosen for their fairy-tale shapes, such as pygmy trees with bottle-shaped trunks. Children's activities are held regularly, including plant crafts and theatrical performances. 

You have seen the penguins, you have been to the seals, you have done the koalas, but for those times when too much wildlife isn't enough you can still stop by the Phillip Island Wildlife Park. With a range of native animals from all over Australia, this small zoo boasts crocodiles, emus, wombats, wallabies and aviaries full of colourful parrots. There are also gardens to wander, picnic facilities, a kiosk serving light refreshments and the inevitable souvenir shop.

Werribee Open Range Zoo's wide plains have that are proved ideal for African, Asian and North American wildlife. The park is home to giraffes, hippos, zebra, antelopes, monkeys and cheetah, as well as native Australian animals such as kangaroos and koalas. Visitors can tour in safari buses to take a closer look at the inhabitants. There are plenty of picnic spots and walking areas if you prefer to do your own thing. The Zoo is part of historic Werribee Park Mansion, which is only a five minute drive away.

The nondescript frontage of Claypots can be misleading. While it may not be high on decoration, the food is hearty and very flavorsome. It looks small too but is almost tripled in size when the long and narrow back courtyard is included. For seafood that does not have the usual seafood price tag, you really cannot beat what Claypots offers. Choose from four different clay pot meals in two different sizes: simple, straightforward and tastes great. You may like to try Maghirabi fish soup or a whole flat-head with Cajun spices. The restaurant opens daily at 10a.