See and Do in Melbourne

Expats will find weekends in Melbourne vibrant and exciting. An event calendar filled throughout the year means there’s always something new on the agenda, and an assortment of restaurants, bars, museums and gardens presents expats with plenty of opportunity to enjoy themselves. Not to mention, Victoria's capital city is a hotspot for those who love both shopping and sports.
 

Expats moving to Melbourne will fast find themselves growing a fashion conscience; locals have a stylish and classy dress sense, and with so many great opportunities for shopping it's hard to resist a bit of aisle cruising. In Melbourne’s CBD, Bourke Street Mall offers standard departments stores, like Myer, and various chain clothing stores. Alternatively, DFO South Wharf, Spencer Street Mall and Harbour Town Shopping District are the best places to be if you're looking to bag a bargain in clothes, shoes and accessories.
 
Furthermore, just a short tram ride from the city is Bridge Road in Richmond, where many affordable clothing stores can be found. Chapel Street in South Yarra / Prahran is where those looking to drop some serious cash can find high-end boutiques.
 

Melbourne is well-known as the sporting capital of Australia. AFL, or Aussie Rules as the locals call it, is by far the most popular sport played in the city. Expats can join a team, or opt to spend a weekend in Melbourne attending one of many AFL games held from March to September at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) or Etihad Stadium. Don't forget to buy a beer and a pie; it's a local tradition, and expats should indulge to get in the spirit.

The MCG is one of the largest stadiums in the world with seating for over 100,000 spectators. Watching a cricket game at this venue is an essential experience so don't pass up the opportunity, particularly if a touring international team is in town.

Soccer is also popular, and games are held from August to February.

Additionally, the tennis at the Australian Open in January is definitely a sporting highlight, regardless of whether you're a tennis pro or simply a professional people watcher.
 

Beyond all else, it's easy to eat your way through a weekend in Melbourne. The city is well known for its diverse culinary climate, and food lovers will certainly find themselves spoilt for choice. Chinatown is always a favourite for those looking for authentic Eastern fare; the Greek precinct on Lonsdale Street and the Italian district on Lygon Street corner the Mediterranean market; and fragrant Vietnamese food is easily accessible only a short tram ride away on Victoria Street in Richmond.

For those who fancy haute cuisine, the city also claims some of the nation's most well-known restaurants, including the Flower Drum, Circa, Movida, Gingerboy, Cutler and Co and Cumulus Inc., among others.
 

The hidden laneways are a distinctive part of Melbourne, and is where newly arrived expats will find a cross section of drinking establishments with countless different vibes catering to countless different crowds; from cool lounges playing funky tunes, to upmarket bars, to backpacker pubs to edgy watering holes. Once the working week is over, it's normal for those that put in hard hours to head straight to happy hour at their favourite bar or pub. From then until the weekend draws to a close, you will find Melburnians having social drinks either in the city or close to the city centre. Just on the outskirts of the city centre, Brunswick Street in Fitzroy and Chapel Street in South Yarra / Prahran/Windsor, are also popular places to go and feature a variety of bars and clubs.
 

During summer, from December to February, the gardens are an ideal place to relax, chill and soak up the surrounding serenity. A local favourite is the Royal Botanical Gardens, where many a Melburnian will make time to have a picnic, read or take a leisurely stroll. The Moonlight cinema is held here from December until March, with old classics and new movies shown on a large portable screen in an outdoor setting. Flagstaff Gardens, Fitzroy Gardens and the Treasury Gardens are also nice places to relax, and are located within Melbourne’s city centre.
 

Expats moving to Melbourne will almost certainly be overwhelmed with the number of events that take place throughout the year. The flood of festivals was initially an integral tactic instituted by the city as a way to attract tourists, and has now become a regular way for residents to spend a weekend.

To name a few: the St Kilda Festival, Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, Fashion Week in March, the International Comedy Festival in April, International Film Festival in July / August, the Winter Masterpieces at the National Gallery of Victoria and the Melbourne Museum during April-October and Spring Racing in September-November.
 

Melbourne offers a variety of attractions for expats to enjoy.

►Federation Square
Federation Square is the meeting point for many locals. It is also a public open air area where there is always a hive of activity hosting various events, cultural showcases, art displays and public broadcasts.

►Eureka Skydeck
The Eureka Skydeck is a popular attraction to get a bird’s eye view of Melbourne as it is the tallest building in Melbourne. For thrill seekers, step into ‘The Edge’ which is a glass cube that projects out of the building for a breathtaking view of the city’s skyline.
Hours: 10am to 10pm

►National Gallery of Victoria
The National Gallery of Victoria is a must see for art lovers due to its sheer size and the number of levels with different artwork.
Hours: 10am-5pm (closed Tuesdays)

►Queen Victoria Market
The Queen Victoria Markets is a premier open-air market in Melbourne where an expat can find affordable fruit, vegetables and meats and also clothes, souvenirs, shoes and accessories.
Hours:  Tuesdays, 6am to 2pm, Thursdays, 6am to 2pm, Fridays, 6am to 4pm Saturdays, 6am to 3pm, Sundays, 9am to 4pm

►Old Melbourne Gaol
The Old Melbourne Gaol is a place to go to in order to learn about the darker side of Melbourne where 135 people were hanged. Feel the eeriness by visiting the place where Australia’s most famous bushranger Ned Kelly was hanged.
Hours: 9.30am to 5pm