Text and photos by Nicole Smith *
The world’s most liveable city and the most European Australian city, Melbourne is the perfect location for the solo female traveler.
Full of chic bars, little boutique shops (hello, shopping!) and plenty of activities to see and do, Melbourne is my favourite city in Australia – and I hope you agree to!
Flinders Street & Federation Square
Flinders Street Station is not only a pretty sight, but also the end of the line for most trains in Melbourne. Walk out of the station and on the corner of Flinders Street and St. Kilda Road you will see a number of clocks at the top of the staircase informing you of what time the next trains leave – this place is a popular place where people say they will meet “under the clocks.” So be sure to do some people watching!
Across the road is what is rated as one of the ugliest set of buildings in the world – Federation Square. Despite it’s ugly exterior there is always something going on in the square. Here, you can watch a sports event flashed on the big outdoor screen, appreciate an art exhibit, participate in an event at the ACMI (Australian Centre of Moving Image) or buy in a flea market. There’s also plenty of bars and restaurants around – be sure to have a drink at Transport Bar or get a meal for reasonable prices in Time Out.
Eureka Sky Deck
If you look skywards in the city and look for the tallest building with what looks like gold on it, that is Eureka Tower and near the top is Eureka Sky deck. At 88 stories high this is place to go to get the best views of Melbourne, overlooking the city, the Melbourne Olympic Parks, down to St. Kilda, and on a good day you can just see Tasmania!
It’s well worth buying a day & night ticket so you can see the city during the day and after dark, two completely different views and if you time it right you’ll be able to see the fire show at the Crown Casino on the hour each night.
You can even post yourself a postcard from Australia’s highest post box or take a walk on ‘The Edge’ a platform which takes you outside the building and looking – down to street level down – woah!!
Degraves Street
Degraves Street is probably one of the most famous streets in Melbourne. Centrally located, just a short walk from Flinders Street station, it is home to quirky boutiques, street art, plenty of patisseries, and of course cafes – lots and lots of coffee!
Try Little Cup Cakes for sweet petite size cupcakes in a Parisian style setting, and try Cup of Truth for their amazing coffee – actually located in Campbell Arcade under Degraves Street but well worth the short trek.
Chinatown
Andrew Evan’s from National Geographic Traveller once said that you can tell what a city is like from its Chinatown, and Melbourne’s does not disappoint.
Three blocks long, with more stores and restaurants spilling into the cross streets, it is the cultural mixing pot of Melbourne with the smells and tastes of not just China, but the whole of Asia!
For the best dumplings or Yum Cha, try Shanghai Village. Walking into this restaurant will make you feel as if you’ve been transported to a hidden restaurant in Hong Kong. Or visit the Supper Inn – the grumpy Chinese woman will want you to get in-and-out but the food is divine!
Shopping in Melbourne
Fancy a shopping spree? Melbourne is definitely the place to do it! Take the free Fashion Shuttle from the city at 10am or 11am daily to Chadstone Shopping Centre, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest shopping centre.
Visit Bourke Street Mall for the city’s major department stores – David Jones and Myer – as well as local and International favourites such as Zara.
Perhaps Chapel Street is more your style with boutiques lined up alongside major brands, including Top Shop; or maybe you’re style is more vintage chic, then shopping Brunswick Street, Fitzroy would be more your style.
There is plenty of quirky boutiques and beautiful stores for people of any fashion style or budget, be sure to check out some of Melbourne’s fashion bloggers for styles that might best suit your taste!
Brunetti’s
Located just off of Lygon Street in the Italian quarter of Melbourne; Brunetti’s is a Melbourne institution. Famed for traditional Italian pastries, the bakery has taken off in popularity over the years and now offers a restaurant alongside its pastries. Dinner and dessert – delicious!
St. Kilda – Beaches and Pastries
Famed for its beach, Luna Park theme park, and Acland Street – the centre of the Jewish community that emigrated from Eastern Europe… and a lot of cake shops!
The oldest is Monarch Cakes at 103 and still bakes very traditional cakes using only butter, eggs, flour and sugar.
Today, the most popular cake shop is the Chocolate Kugelhoupf.
Along with the cakes there are a number of funky modern restaurants springing up, as well as quite a large ‘hippy’ community. Be sure to listen out for the bongos playing in the park during summer.
***
Tempted to go to this lovely Australian city? Go ahead and book one of the several flights to Melbourne now!! 🙂
*****
About the author:
Nicole Smith is a twenty-something female explorer, living somewhere between Melbourne and London. Growing up she hated Melbourne, but learned to love it after moving there to go to journ school. Read more of Nicole’s travel adventures at Bitten by the Travel Bug or about Melbourne life at Love Live Melbourne.
*(This is a guest post. Please read the guidelines if you’re interested to submit your guest post in The Gypsygals.)
***
Resources:
1. Want to know more how to travel alone as a woman? Then grab this solo female travel guide and start crafting your own journeys now! *
2. Want to explore more of Melbourne? Then sign up for this wonderful day tour by Urban Adventures and explore the renowned city of style, fashion, food, architecture, theatres, galleries, trams and gardens.*
###
Disclosure:
*This is an affiliate link