The El Camino Travel Guide to Melbourne, Australia
Written by Kayla Doris
Welcome to Melbourne! Located in the southeastern part of Australia, Melbourne is the capital of the state of Victoria and the second largest city in Oz. The vibe? Think of it as Sydney’s cooler and slightly grungier little sister. While Sydney can feel more polished and upscale, Melbourne has a grittier vibe with graffitied laneways filled with hidden cafes and distinctive bohemian neighborhoods. It isn’t a city you come to for its beaches. As the cultural capital of the country, Melbourne is your go-to for galleries, museums, live music, film festivals, and sporting events such as Formula 1 and the Australian Open. As one of the country's most multicultural cities, it’s also where you can enjoy incredibly diverse cuisine and festivals that celebrate its many communities. While nature can be found in its parks and botanical gardens, you’re just a short trip away from the Great Ocean Road and the Yarra Valley, where you can experience stunning coastal views and world-class wineries. Ready to experience it all?
We’ve collaborated with local insiders, Kate Horton—Guest Services Agent at United Places, and Rahel Lawton, owner of vintage store Moods, and included tips from ECT members to curate a list of insider recommendations for eating, drinking, shopping, and sightseeing your way through the city.
Eat/Drink
“Savor fine wines while listening to curated vinyl records at Waxflower Bar,” says Kate from United Places. Located in Brunswick, the bar serves minimal intervention wines and local beers on tap, alongside a hybrid of European and Peruvian-influenced plates. The venue itself has taken inspiration from listening bars in Tokyo and London, with a record wall featuring over 3500 vinyl’s and an ever-changing art collection by local artists. Tip—local resident and Moods boutique owner, Rahel Lawton says that you have to try the yuzu cocktail.
Also included in the guide:
The best sandwiches in Melbourne that can sell-out before lunch
Iconic Asian classics with a modern and vibrant twist
A sake bar within a heritage-listed shopfront alongside a cobbled alley
Image credit: Moods
Stay
Check into United Places, a stunning boutique stay that exudes quiet luxury. Located in Melbourne's leafy South Yarra district, it sits directly opposite the Royal Botanical Gardens amidst a village-like precinct of local boutiques, cafes and restaurants. The 12-suite hotel redefines traditional hospitality—in place of a conventional lobby and reception desk, you’ll be greeted by a dedicated butler who provides personalized concierge services throughout your stay. The suites are generous in size with plenty of room to lounge and relax, every suite features separate living and dining areas, kitchen and laundry facilities, large sleeping quarters and an en-suite bathroom with a rain shower. Downstairs, you’ll find the acclaimed Matilda 159 restaurant specializing in wood-fired, modern Australian cuisine.
Also included in the guide:
An art-filled hotel themed after an Australian creative with a Basquiat vibe
A raved-about apartment that champions quality, community, and the artisan. Our member said she can’t recommend it enough.
Image credit: Waxflower Bar
Shop
Discover an excellent selection of handpicked vintage pieces from the Moods boutique in Thornbury. The highly curated store is filled with quality pieces from the 90s and early 2000s-era (an ode to the founder's memories of her mum in the 90s). Expect rare high-end vintage dresses and skirts, a handbag wall of dreams, plus fresh designer and contemporary items that are updated each week. The shop is open on Saturdays only.
Also included in the guide:
Where to shop statement wardrobe staples—think balloon-style jeans, asymmetric tank tops, and cocoon pants
A one-of-a-kind creative residence and retail space selling eclectic artisan homewares
A store that champions local independent designers and counter culture
Image credit: United Places
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