5 things you must absolutely include to complete your Melbourne experience

As one of Australia's largest capital cities, Melbourne has often been touted as the "cultural capital" of the country. There's always a whiff of art, culture and coffee at every turn and alleyway (go to Hosier Lane and you'll understand) and is home to some of the most laid-back and friendliest people in the world.

We've pulled together a couple of things to include in your itinerary, so you'll get a sense of what you should look out for while in the land down under.

1. MUST-SEE: Fitzroy Gardens

We love nature as much as the next tree-hugger, and Melbourne certainly delivers in that department.

Once you've fuelled up on some of the best brunches the city has to offer, take a nice afternoon stroll through Fitzroy Gardens, a historic and beautiful garden that was originally earmarked as a reserve back in 1848. The lavish landscapes in the garden bear the elements from the Victorian era, and feature pathways lined with glorious Elm trees, a variety of flowers, ornamental shrubs and large lawns.

 

But beyond just plant-life, there are a couple of other points of interests in the Gardens worth checking out, like the Model Tudor Village, which was a gift to Melbourne from the citizens of Lambeth, England as a show of appreciation for sending food parcels during WWII.

 

 

There's also Cooks' Cottage, whose history can be traced back to the parents of Captain James Cook. To enter, make sure you get your tickets at the visitor centre beforehand. More info here.

2. MUST-EAT: Top Paddock

Anyone who knows Melbourne's food scene will be familiar with Top Paddock.

While the owners are no stranger on the food circuit, it was really this joint that put them on the map. Opened during a time when people started posting pictures of food on Instagram, Top Paddock hopped on that very bandwagon and became frontrunners with its gorgeous (and delicious) offerings on its inventive menu which changes every season. It sits on the outskirts of the city on the bustling Church Street, and occupies a building that was once the site of an old, unloved carpark (which explains its size). Step inside and you'll be greeted with wood-topped communal tables, café-bar-style seats, contemporary lighting fixtures, and floor-to-ceiling glass windows that keeps the café well lit.

If you're overwhelmed by their extensive all-day menu, just go for their hotcakes, which have deservingly attained cult status among both locals and tourists. You can't go wrong with the Blueberry & Ricotta hotcakes, which come served with berries, organic maple, seeds and double cream. Yum.

3. MUST-EAT: Lune Croissantarie

Here's a patisserie that quickly gained traction just months after being birthed in 2012, when it was just a small lil' one-woman show running from a hole-in-the-wall outlet.

Located in the hipster neighbourhood of Fitzroy, Lune is housed in a spacious, sleek warehouse where you'll find slabs of concrete coming together with a glass-and-metal Cube (where the magic happens) to create a beautiful, minimalist aesthetic. It was founded by one-time Formula One aerodynamicist, which probably explains why her croissants are made to such a degree of accuracy; and why renowned cult chef and foodie Yotam Ottolenghi dubs them "the prototype for all others".

 

 

The croissants you'll find here are the epitome of a beautiful balance of salty and sweet, and butter and flakiness. Sure, there are other goods like pain au chocolat, croissant pastry twists and cruffins; but what you should really go for is the three-course pastry tasting on the weekends, where you'll be presented with a classic croissant, an innovative savoury croissant from "The Lune Lab", followed by a sweet patisserie. You can have it with coffee or hot chocolate; or even champagne, if that floats your boat.

4. MUST-DO: Yarra Valley

If you didn't visit the many, many, MANY vineyards of Yarra Valley, were you really in Melbourne?

This gorgeous, cool region is home to the producers of some of the best chardonnay, pinot noir and sparkling wine; and is just less than an hour's drive from Melbourne's CBD. Unfortunately, there's no public transport to get there, so it's best if you go on an organised tour or by hire car (please appoint a designated driver for everyone's safety!).

It's the state's oldest wine region — dating back to 1838 — with about 300 vineyards and 160 wineries. The drive up is beautiful, and serves as a nice build-up and precursor of what's to come. Most people do at least a three-day bender. But if you're there for a touch-and-go kind of experience, you might want to drop by Innocent Bystander; where you can get a taste of delicious wine, local produce and artisan pizza, all in one place. Otherwise, visit cellar doors that come with stunning views like Domaine Chandon, Medhurst Cellar Door and Café, and the award-winning Seville Estate.

5. MUST-DO: State Library Victoria

Okay, so you might be thinking, "Who goes to a library while on holiday?" But this isn't just any ordinary library.

Established in 1856, this is the central library of the state of Victoria (yes, Melbourne is just the name of the city), which happens to be Australia's oldest public library. It's conveniently located opposite Melbourne Central mall, so getting here is not a feat at all. Take a look-see and gawk over the La Trobe Reading Room, a magnificent six-storey high domed room that you've probably only seen on your friend's Instagram feed (tip: you can book a free tour to get an aerial view of the space).

Once you've gotten the pictures, head back outside and do as the locals do — lounge on the lawn and enjoy the company of your friends.