CBD West

Queen Victoria Market
David Browne

This part of Melbourne stretches from the Queen Victoria Market down to the Yarra River, taking in the city’s legal district including the Supreme Court of Victoria on William Street. Bounded by Spencer Street to the west, the old Spencer Street train station was replaced in 2006 with the sparkling-new, architecturally superb Southern Cross Railway Station. It’s worth a visit even if you’re not planning a train ride. The ‘wave’ roof allows train fumes to be naturally dispersed without the use of electric fans. Next to the station is DFO, a large factory outlet centre with clothing and other products at bargain prices.

Hardware Lane

Sitting between Bourke and Lonsdale streets, west of Bourke Street Mall, Hardware Lane comes alive at lunchtime and in the evening when office workers and bar-seekers crowd the outdoor tables. The feature of this city laneway is that, being a wider street, the sun actually shines here, making alfresco dining all the more pleasant. The cobblestone paving, the window boxes and the brightly painted facades of the old buildings add to the atmosphere.

Former Royal Mint

Two blocks north-west of the Supreme Court of Victoria, the Old Royal Mint was built in Renaissance Revival style, set off by a dazzling coat of arms. Originally constructed to mint the bounty from Victoria’s goldfields, it operated until 1968 and is now home to the Hellenic Museum, which holds items from the Byzantine period and displays related to Greek migration to Australia. Cnr William and La Trobe sts; (03) 8615 9016; open 10am–3pm Tues–Thurs.

Melbourne Aquarium

Beside the Yarra River, partly underground, is the Melbourne Aquarium. While the aquariums of northern Australia are devoted to the brightly coloured fish and corals of the tropics, here the creatures of the Southern Ocean and Victoria’s inland waterways get a chance to grab the limelight. Take a journey into the depths of the ocean, past rock-pool and mangrove habitats and a surreal display of jellyfish, into a tunnel and the ‘fishbowl’ for a close-up encounter with sharks, stingrays and multitudes of fish. For kids there is the interactive ‘Fishworks’, and for those still yearning for the colours of the tropics, an impressive floor-to-ceiling coral atoll. Take a glass-bottomed boat tour or, if you’re keen, a dive with the sharks. The spectacular new Antarctica exhibition, featuring King and Gentoo penguins amongst other Antarctic creatures, is a must-see. Cnr King and Flinders sts; (03) 9923 5999; open 9.30am–6pm daily.

Immigration Museum

At first glance this might seem like a specialist museum, but no subject could be more generally relevant in Australia, where migration has been constant since the first days of European settlement. Soon after the British landed, a new stream of people began flowing in, mostly by boat. This museum is about journeys, tumultuous new beginnings, and people coming from all corners of the world and bringing their traditions with them – traditions that became so much more important once they arrived. It also investigates Australia’s changing government policies on immigration, and how they continue to shape the country. 400 Flinders St; (03) 9927 2700; open 10am–5pm daily.

Koorie Heritage Trust Cultural Centre

As you walk through this centre you realise the drastic, violent and totally irreversible changes made to a culture over 40 000 years old. For example, most people are unaware that the Aboriginal people of Victoria made clothing out of possum skins and built stone huts. Displays take you through the local traditions and lifestyle, including food and crafts, as well as events that have occurred in the last two centuries. There are also changing exhibitions by local Aboriginal artists. 295 King St; (03) 8622 2600; open 10am–4pm Tues–Sun; entry by gold coin donation.

Queen Victoria Market

This famous market is spread across 7 hectares under the shelter of a massive shed. The meat hall is at the Elizabeth Street end, while outside all manner of fruit, vegetable and herb stalls extend towards the horizon. On weekends, Saturdays in particular, the aisles are crammed with shoppers from all over Melbourne, and the wide range of clothing and souvenirs make this a hot spot for tourists as well. Main entrance cnr Elizabeth and Victoria sts; (03) 9320 5822; open 6am–2pm Tues and Thurs, 6am–5pm Fri, 6am–3pm Sat, 9am–4pm Sun.

On Wednesday evenings during summer, the ‘Queen Vic’ takes on a whole new character with the Suzuki Night Market. At these times it feels more like a festival than a market, with live music, international food and a healthy dose of alternative-clothing and craft stalls. The whole area is licensed, which means you can wander around at your leisure with a beer or wine in hand.

Rialto Towers

Before Eureka Skydeck 88 and the Southern Star Observation Wheel stole the limelight, the Melbourne Observation Deck at Rialto Towers was the place to get your bird’s-eye view of Melbourne. While its 55-storey view might now pale in comparison with Eureka Skydeck 88, it’s still a great vantage point from which to get a different perspective on the city, particularly of the CBD. 525 Collins St; (03) 9629 8222; open 10am–10pm daily.

Flagstaff Gardens

Originally known as Burial Hill – many of the early settlers ended up here –Flagstaff Gardens were Melbourne’s first public gardens and once served as a signalling station for ships arriving from Britain. With open lawns, mature trees (including several lovely Moreton Bay fig trees and avenues of elms), a rose garden, public barbecues and tennis/netball/handball/volleyball courts, it’s a lovely space in which to have some time out from the city bustle – many legal professionals and office workers do just that. Bounded by William, Latrobe, King and Dudley sts; sports bookings (03) 9663 5888.