Duration: 1-2 hours
Price Guide: $0-$unlimited, depending on how much shopping you do!
Last Reviewed:

Sunday: 9am-4pm (limited stalls only)

Catch a train to Melbourne Central Station.

Follow the signs to the Elizabeth Street exit of the station and turn right when you exit so you’re facing north up Elizabeth St. Walk, or catch the tram, up the the Queen Victoria Market. It’s four short blocks and all flat walking. Alternatively, all three tram routes on Elizabeth St will drop you at the door.

Officially opened on 20th March 1878, Queen Victoria Market stands strong as one of Melbourne’s most historic landmarks. Its colourful (sometimes controversial) past includes time as a school, a livestock market, a drill hall and a cemetery. I do not exaggerate when I say you can buy almost anything here! The food halls are worth a visit, boasting copious amounts of fresh fruit, veg and seafood, all of incredible quality. In the section over the road (the market is huge so take your time and explore) are stalls, stores and shops selling fashion, gifts and souvenirs.

Head back down through the market to the food area.

If you’re hungry, the food halls are an amazing experience, so don’t be unadventurous and slope off the nearest cafe. Inside the halls it can be jam packed with buyers and sellers haggling over a crate of asparagus or scrabbling for the last swiss loaf, so push your way through and nab yourself a sandwich brimming with fresh meat and antipasto, or treat yourself to a slice of heavenly mudcake from a selection of cake stores. Or, cherry pick from the different stalls – bread here, cheese there, fresh fruit somewhere else – make up a picnic and go on to our next stop.

Walk out of the market back onto Elizabeth Street, turn right and go back the way you came until you reach the corner of A’Beckett Street. From there, turn right and walk up two blocks to William Street, across the road you’ll see the Flagstaff Gardens.

* a great view through to Docklands.
Enjoy.

Duration: 1-2 hours
Price Guide: Nil
Last Reviewed:

Nice little coastal walk with plenty to do and see. There are swimming spots along the way, so bring your swimming gear if the weather is suitable. There are also a number of picnic spots along the way if you’d like to bring a packed lunch.

I caught a bus from Bondi Junction which took around 5-10 minutes. However, if you go to Central Station, you can get buses from outside the station.

The bus from Bondi will drop you right at the beach outside The Coogee Brasserie. Directly in front of you will be the beach.

Your first destination is Coogee Beach. Enclosed by cliffs on either side, this beach is quite small but definitely nice and cosy. To the left of the beach, on the cliffs, is a Bali Bombings Memorial and a good view of the beach. There are some shops and restaurants across the road from the beach, a nice grassy area for picnics and bbqs, and last but by no means least, the beach is really nice and the water is extremely inviting.

Make your way back to the promenade and continue along it south towards Maroubra. Once you get to the end of the beach, you will want to keep going past the Coogee Surf Life Saving Club (on your left). There is a children’s play area on your right if that’s of interest to your group.

After about 10 minutes of walking along this path you will come to the south head of Coogee Bay. There will be a large, open grassy area on your right hand side, directly in front of you will be an awesome view of the ocean and Coogee beach to your left. There are various benches facing the sea, or again you could use the grass for picnics etc. This would be good for photo opportunities.

Now you want to keep following the path with amazing sea views on your left (Plant lovers – According to the signs there are various rare plants along this part of the walk etc). You will hit a wooden walkway that will go under a canopy of trees (like something from Rivendell). After a while the pathway will cease and you will have to continue following the coast keeping on the yellow footpath that veers away from the road to the left.

There is an excellent view point on the left along this path which you may want to stop at.

If you stay on this path, you will come to a point where the path ends and you will be in a small cul de sac. Once the path ends, you will want to take the first right onto Palmer Street. At the end of Palmer Street, turn left onto Close St and then take the first right onto Cuzco Road. At the end of Cuzco Road turn left onto Malabar Road. Follow the main road south until you get to the first set of shops, keeping a look out for Torrington Road on your left. Turn left down Torrington Road, and keep walking to the end.

At the end of Torrington Road is a beautiful memorial park. There are rocks to your left that you can sit on, good grassy areas, good views, toilets, a small pool on the rocks and areas for bbqs etc. To your right you can see our final destination, Maroubra Beach, home to the infamous Bra Boys.

Once you are ready to move on, you just need to continue along the various pathways towards Maroubra (only about 5 – 10 minutes away from the memorial park).

Maroubra beach is longer and more open than Coogee, and there seemed to be more people there as well. There are opportunities to surf or skate as well as the usual beach activities. If you have time, I recommend following the beach round to the other side of the bay up onto the cliffs, as the views are amazing. Again there are shops and restaurants opposite the beach as well. If needed, you can catch the 395 bus from Maroubra to Central Station, which cost me $3.90.

Duration: More than 3 hours
Price Guide: $0-29
Last Reviewed:

Prices were correct at the time of publication.

Catch a train or a tram to Melbourne Central (on the city loop). All train lines, except Sandringham and Williamstown, have loop services. Any of the Swanston Street tram lines (1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 16, 64, 67, 72) will take you to the Melbourne Central corner.

As you exit the station (Swanston Street entrance) turn left and walk up the hill to put yourself on the corner of Swanston and Latrobe Streets.

There is lots to see on this corner. Directly opposite is the State Library, whose magnificent recently restored domed reading room is well worth a visit (walk straight through the library and go up via the stairs or the elevator to access it). There is also free internet access here.

Diagonally opposite the station entrance is the vivid green 3D facade of RMIT University’s Storey Hall. This building caused a lot of controversy when it was first built, but is now a much loved part of the city’s architecture. If it is a weekday you may be able to go in and look around (though the interior is not as exciting as the exterior), but it is University property so be careful not to interrupt any events they may be hosting there.

As you exit Storey Hall or the Library, turn right. If you cross to the opposite side of the road and look up you will see Hardrock: Melbourne’s indoor climbing centre.

Whether you’re a hardcore cliff scaler or a complete novice, hardrock is suited to all types. Be aware that you must come with someone else as it’s a two-person operation. On your first session you’ll be given a basic introduction (around 15 mins) showing you the ropes (literally, excuse the pun) and safety measures. After that you and your fellow climber are free to climb any walls you wish, for as long as you want (although I wouldn’t get too cocky and try the advanced walls straight away; you’ll just scrabble around trying to get higher than 10ft and fall off). Overall, it’s a lot of fun, not to mention a great way to get fit!

Cross the road opposite Hardrock – you will see a large red brick building with steps leading up to it on either side; this is Melbourne City Baths.

Another way to keep fit! Facilities include a 30m lap pool, spa, sauna, gym and squash courts. You’ll note that each side is marked Male or Female over the entrance. The pool no longer has separate entrances for the different genders, nor does it have gender-segregated facilities.