Lifestyle in Melbourne

Melbourne is popular with expats from around the world and brims with interesting attractions and activities. Fabulous shopping opportunities, an active nightlife scene and an eclectic mix of eateries are complemented by a variety of entertainment venues, world-class sports facilities, highly anticipated annual events and luxurious spas.

Melbourne’s nightlife is fairly evenly spread across the city, with cocktail lounges, underground dance clubs, pumping bars, and live music venues found all over town.

Shopping in Melbourne

Melbourne has a reputation as a shopper’s city. Whether expats are looking for elegant arcades, bustling markets, quirky laneways or shiny megamalls, Melbourne has something for every occasion.

Shopping centres

Shopping enthusiasts will be spoilt for choice in Melbourne. A great place to start is Melbourne Central Shopping Centre – this five-storey mall is one of the city’s premium shopping venues, with more than 300 shops to explore. Other must-see malls include Chadstone, which brands itself as ‘the shopping capital’, and Bourke Street Mall, located in the heart of the CBD.

Markets

Melbourne loves a market and is proudly home to the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere.

Queen Victoria Market has been serving up fresh produce and hawking clothes, shoes and various trinkets since the late 1800s. Shoppers will find plenty to taste, try and buy in hundreds of on-site stalls. Many locals travel to the markets to buy fresh fish, but it is also possible to find almost any ingredient imaginable here, from fragrant herbs and vegetables to delicious cheeses and spices.

There are plenty of markets in the Melbourne suburbs as well, ranging from fresh produce or farmers’ markets to arts and crafts or trash and treasure markets.

Arcades and laneways

This is where the true heart of Melbourne lies – in the twisting laneways and hidden arcades that host unique boutiques and oddity merchants. It is possible to live in Melbourne for years and still stumble across a great new shopping find in a laneway, and it can be fun to devote a day of aimless wandering around the city centre discovering hidden gems. Degraves Street, Royal Arcade and Block Arcade are some of the most highly recommended spots.

Sports in Melbourne

Melbourne is well known as the sporting capital of Australia. The Australian Football League (AFL), or Aussie Rules football as the locals call it, is by far the most popular sport played in the city. Expats can join a team or spend a weekend attending one of many AFL games held from March to September at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and the Docklands Stadium.

The 100,000-seater MCG has an electric atmosphere. Watching a cricket game here is an essential experience, and expats should certainly not pass up the opportunity, particularly if a touring international team is in town.

The tennis at the Australian Open in January is another sporting highlight, attracting hardened tennis fans and new supporters alike.

Nightlife in Melbourne

The hidden ‘laneways’ – narrow pedestrian pathways – are a distinctive part of Melbourne, and many drinking establishments catering to countless different crowds can be found here. Once the workweek is over, those who have put in hard hours tend to head straight to happy hour at their favourite bar or pub. There’s everything from upmarket bars and cool lounges playing funky tunes to backpacker pubs and edgy watering holes.

See and do in Melbourne

National Gallery of Victoria

The National Gallery of Victoria, or the NGV, is a must-see for art lovers. It is Australia’s largest, oldest and most visited art museum. With more than 75,000 pieces in its collection, the NGV boasts a wide selection of art for visitors to explore.

Federation Square

Federation Square is a public open-air area popular with locals. There is always a hive of activity here with various events, cultural showcases, art displays and public broadcasts on the go.

Old Melbourne Gaol

This three-storey museum once functioned as a prison between 1842 and 1929. During this time, more than a hundred criminals were hanged, including serial killer Frederick Bailey Deeming and bushranger Ned Kelly.

What’s on in Melbourne

Australian Open Tennis Championships (January)

The Australian Open is one of the biggest sporting events, not only in Australia but the world. Sports lovers will be enthralled as some of the biggest names in tennis come to Australia to compete in this renowned competition.

Moomba Festival (March)

The Moomba Festival has been around for decades, attracting millions of attendees annually. Featuring activities such as parades, watersports, fireworks and carnivals, Moomba is one of Melbourne’s biggest and brightest festivals. Best of all, attendance is completely free.

Melbourne Cup (November)

One of the most popular events on Melbourne’s social calendar, the Melbourne Cup has been going since 1861 and is a prime opportunity to get dressed up and enjoy a day at the races.

Carols by Candlelight (December)

The Sidney Myer Music Bowl is the setting of Carols by Candlelight, a festive Christmas Eve event attracting large crowds. The melodies range from contemporary to traditional, and the proceeds go to Vision Australia.