Getting Oriented
The Yarra River cuts through the city center; the main business district is on the northern side, the southern side has arts, entertainment, and restaurant precincts. Several exclusive suburbs hug the southeastern shore of the bay. The Yarra Valley wineries and the Dandenong Ranges are an hour's drive to the east. The beaches and vineyards of the Mornington Peninsula are a 90-minute drive south.
The Great Ocean Road begins at Torquay and continues along the Southern Ocean coast to Portland, about 350 km (217 miles). The goldfields, spa country, and Grampians are between one and two hours northwest of Melbourne; the Murray River Region and its wineries is about a three-hour drive north to northeast.
- City Center. Why come? For arts, funky back alleys, shopping, and Australia’s best food. Explore the Southgate development, the arts district around the National Gallery of Victoria, and the King's Domain.
- Richmond. Heaven for foodies and fashionistas in need of retail therapy. Come here for a new wardrobe, a Vietnamese soup kitchen, a Korean barbecue, a Laotian banquet, or a Thai hole-in-the-wall.
- East Melbourne. The harmonious streetscapes in this historic enclave of Victorian houses, which date from the boom following the gold rushes of the 1850s, are a great excuse for a stroll.
- St. Kilda. Dozens of alfresco restaurants overflow into the streets and the cafés and bars are buzzing with young fashionistas.
- Fitzroy. Come here if you're looking for an Afghan camel bag, a secondhand paperback, or live music and a beer in a backstreet beer garden.
