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Melbourne

Australia’s style capital, Melbourne is the birthplace of many of the country’s hippest fashion labels, not to mention home to some of the best dining and

coffee you’re likely to find Down Under.

Demure and sophisticated, Melbourne coyly hides many of its best attributes out of sight in lanes and

arcades, which makes discovering the town’s treasures all the more enjoyable. be warned that getting

around can be somewhat challenging beyond the city centre, and the unpredictable weather will

undoubtedly try to upset your plans at some stage, but never mind that. Slip on a few layers, pack your

umbrella, and dive into the fascinating cultural hub that is Melbourne.

The cult pocket city guides and mobile apps for the busy, sophisticated travelerwww.luxecityguides.com

Citi presents LUXE City Guides

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blah blah

Weather: Melbourne has Spring,

Summer, Autumn and Winter

almost every day. Three words:

learn to layer

Melbourne International Airport

to CbD by cab: 30-40 mins

/ AuD$50, take the Citylink

freeway (toll applies)

At times it can seem as if there

are only three taxis in the whole

of this vast city, so you’ll need to

book well ahead at peak times

http://www.silvertop.com.au

If you are lucky enough to hail

a taxi, make sure you know the

area and street you are heading

for, unless you want to end up in

Fiji via Sydney

The tram system is convenient

in the CbD, but can be slow

elsewhere, where cabs/driving is

more efficient

events: What a busy, busy town.

Jan: Australian open;

Mar: Melbourne Grand Prix;

Mar: Melbourne Fashion Week;

Mar-Sep: AFl (Football)

Premiership season;

oct: Melbourne

International Arts Festival;

1st Tue in nov: Melbourne Cup;

26-30 Dec: Cricket

International Test

In peak summer season (Dec-

Jan) and during many of

the aforementioned events,

it is essential to book way

ahead for everything

Smoking is not permitted at

indoor restaurants and bars

Goods and services tax (GST) is

10%, tip an extra 10%

beer. If you are keen on a

tankard, remember: a glass is

200ml, a ‘pot’ is 285ml, and pints

are for Guinness

Coffee: discussed more heatedly

than politics, sports or religion.

Any person proclaiming the

city’s best coffee risks public

humiliation and being garroted

Coffee etiquette: strong means

two shots; skinny is skim. Don’t

be surprised if a café doesn’t

serve skinny/soy

International code for Australia is

+61 and 3 for Melbourne, neither

need to be dialed locally

emergency number is 000 for

fire, ambulance and police

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MATT WIlkInSon

lUXE insidEr

originally from england, Matt trained in Michelin-starred

chef Martin Wishart’s kitchen before arriving in Melbourne

in 2000. He was sous chef to Shannon bennett at acclaimed

Vue de Monde, before moving into his first head chef role at

Alevansi in 2004. After a subsequent successful stint as head

chef at Circa the Prince, Matt left to open Pope Joan in east

brunswick with business partner ben Foster in 2010, followed

by sibling bar bishop of ostia in 2012. His cookbook ‘Mr.

Wilkinson’s Favourite Vegetables’ was released in 2012.

www.popejoan.com.aubishopofostia.com.au

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MATT WIlkInSon

lUXE insidEr

1) Where would you go for a cocktail and what would you order?

Get into the Melbourne way of life by heading for a cocktail or cheeky beer at Madame

brussels. What to order? leave yourself in the hands of the proprietress Miss Pearls. You won’t

leave disappointed – I never do! (see luXe loves)

2) What are 3 of your favourite restaurants in Melbourne and why? What dishes do you order at these places?

Circa the Prince, newly fitted out and with new food direction, a must-have being the clam and

shrimp ma pu. Then try Cutler and Co. in Fitzroy, and make sure you try the five or so snacks

on the menu before ordering your entrée and main. A must if you like Vietnamese pho is Pho

Dzung. I order the beef and chicken medium with fresh rolled prawn cakes, mint and iceberg.

Pho Dzung / 234 Russell St / +61 3 9663 8885 www.circa.com.au • www.cutlerandco.com.au

3) What is your favourite patisserie/cake shop or bakery in Melbourne,

and what do you order?

Head to Burch & Purchese Sweet Studio in South Yarra. Darren the owner makes the best

chocolates and cakes in town and if you manage not to eat them all before you go, he has great

little packaged treats to take home for gifts. everybody needs a sweet treat on holiday.

www.burchandpurchese.com

4)What restaurant offers the best breakfast or brunch in Melbourne, and what do you order?

To enjoy the delights of early morning eating and sipping a coffee, head to The European

for breakfast. It’s got the feel of a euro setting, with delicious food and views across

to Parliament House.

www.theeuropean.com.au

5) What is your favourite neighborhood to visit for a day of shopping?

Most people will tell to you Chapel Street, but I’m a north-sider, so I say head to the corner

of Gertrude and Smith streets. Within 20 minutes of walking you have three awesome record

shops, six cracking galleries showcasing the best of Australia’s art (including everything from

modern to street art), a great cookbook shop, and amazing vintage, second-hand and clothing

stores. Add to all that some great restaurants, cafes and an organic bakery and you’ve got the

best corner in Melbourne, trust me.

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ThE OlSEn

named for the renowned Australian artist

whose works line the hotel walls,

The olsen is a fittingly stylish tribute to

the 2005 Archibald Prize-winner, with

its effortlessly chic suites, cool icy-white,

silver and charcoal color palette, glass-

bottomed pool, norbu day spa, Spoonbill

and Steer restaurants, plus fabulous retail-

central position.

637-641 Chapel St / South Yarra /

+61 3 9040 1222 www.artserieshotels.com.au

Hotel

lUXE lovEs

ThE PrinCE

The sweet, boutique Prince is just minutes

from the seaside, as well as all that vibrant

St. kilda has to offer. It packs a lot of punch

behind its Art Deco exterior, including 40

uniquely laid-out rooms featuring natural

timbers and neutral tones, renowned foodie-

haven Circa, and excellent Aurora Spa.

2 Acland St / St. Kilda / +61 3 9536 1111www.theprince.com.au

Hotel

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GramErCy BiSTrO

An homage to the big Apple, slick

shop-house Gramercy bistro offers

a Melbournian take on what the uS

does best – classic hearty breakfasts,

chopped salads and deli sandwiches

for lunch, and a robust Americana

dinner menu featuring steaks, ribs and

cheesecake, plus martinis to wash it all

down with.

The Cullen / 162-164 Commercial Rd /

Prahran / +61 3 9098 1155www.gramercybistro.com.au

Dining

lUXE lovEs

POPE JOan

In a town where coffee is a religion,

it takes more than a catchy name to

stand out. luckily, Pope Joan has both

the interesting moniker and the right

stuff in the cup, as well as refined

breakfasts, tasty sandwiches, and a hip

northern location with offshoot bishop

of ostia next door.

77-79 Nicholson St / Brunswick East / +61 3 9388 8858

www.popejoan.com.au

Coffee

aTTiCa

Don’t be fooled by the suburban

location or the pared-back interior,

ben Shewry’s visionary Australian-

fusion fine-diner has hit its stride in

recent years, garnering recognition in

prestigious culinary circles the world

over, including consistent rankings in

S. Pellegrino’s annual World’s 50 best

restaurants awards.

74 Glen Eira Rd / Ripponlea /

+61 3 9530 0111 / tasting menu onlywww.attica.com.au

Dining

CumuluS inC.

open early till late, this hip central

City eatery attracts the brunch and

lunch set with its knockout modern

Australian menu, then as night falls,

the simple cafeteria-like spot fills up

to become a happening after hours

watering hole.

45 Flinders Lane / City / +61 3 9560 1445

www.cumulusinc.com.au

Dining

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TarlO & Graham

An interior designer’s dream store

in Windsor, with an ever-evolving

collection of quirky vintage

items handpicked for the home,

including ephemera, antiques,

lighting, statement C. 20th and

industrial furniture.

60 Chapel St / Windsor / +61 3 9521 2221

www.tarloandgraham.com

Shopping

GPO

Situated in the former General Post

office building, the GPo arcade is

stuffed to the brim with the crème of

Australian fashion, including flagships

for labels like Willow, Fleur Wood, Sass

& bide and Arthur Galan among many

others. If pressed for time, beeline

for this treasure trove and you won’t

leave disappointed.

Cnr Elizabeth & Bourke / City /

+61 3 9663 0066 www.melbournesgpo.com

Shopping

lUXE lovEs

maDamE BruSSElS

loll on the faux grass lawn at this

kitschy indoor garden party, complete

with wicker and chintz lounges,

wrought iron chairs, picnic-tabled

terrace and The Parlour at the rear.

Add to the mix a delicious range of

cocktails and punches and you’ve got

yourself a dandy night out.

3/F / 59-63 Bourke St / City /

+61 3 9662 2775 www.madamebrussels.com

Bar

miSS FOx

This glamorous 50s-style salon is the

place to go for immaculate blow waves.

Plus they’ve a full range of decadent

cosmetic, therapeutic and grooming

services, not to mention a central city

locale, and they use gorgeous Shiffa

Dubai spa products. Seriously, what’s

not to love?

1-3/F / 285 Little Collins St / City /

+61 1300 647 736www.missfox.com.au

Spa

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lUXE lovEs

yarra VallEy

Just an hour out of Melbourne, this lovely

wine region can easily be enjoyed in a single

day trip, or for longer. The charming region

is an oenophile and gourmand’s playground,

with gastro pub Healesville Hotel, locavore

favorite Mt. rael, and TarraWarra winery

just a few of the terrific spots to note.

Healesville Hotel / 256 Maroondah Highway /

Healesville / +61 3 5962 4002www.yarravalleyharvest.com.au

Mt. Rael / 140 Healesville-Yarra Glen Rd / Healesville / +61 3 5962 1977

www.mtrael.com.au

TarraWarra / 311 Healesville-Yarra Glen Rd / Yarra Glen / +61 3 5962 3311

www.tarrawarra.com.au

Activity

mElBOurnE ThEaTrE COmPany

Australia’s oldest theatre company and

without question one of its best. If you like

edgy local and international productions

staged in an even edgier contemporary

architectural landmark, then head over to

Southbank to enjoy the show.

140 Southbank Boulevard / Southbank /

+61 3 8688 0800www.mtc.com.au

Activity

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laCk OF TaxiS

In this rather large city, two or

three cabs is woefully insufficient

WEaThEr

It’s seriously unpredictable and

often plan-interfering – layer

your wardrobe!

hOOk TurnS

Waiting in the left-hand lane

to turn right? A very illogical

road ‘system’, sadly spreading

beyond the CbD

lUXE loathEs

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hOT air BallOOninG

It can be difficult to get an angle on

Melbourne from pavement level, so

take advantage of the opportunity to

drift over the city in a hot air Balloon,

then enjoy a champagne breakfast

once back on firm ground.

www.hotairballooning.com.au

drab vs. Fab

GETTinG arOunD

With Melbourne weather and cabs

equally unreliable, you’re likely to

end up stuck on the roadside, soaked

through at some point. That is, unless

you make like a smart local and jump

on a red, ‘antique’ City Circle Tram,

the free and simple way to circumvent

the city. or, ditch land altogether

and scoot up the Yarra river on a

melbourne Water Taxi.

www.yarratrams.com.auwww.melbournewatertaxis.com.au

ShOPPinG

being Australia’s fashion capital,

Melbourne is home to some of the best

bespoke craftspeople around, including

gentlemen’s outfitter (with in-house

barber) Captains of industry, and

milliner Ward and Wylie, so forget

shopping off the peg and go bespoke!

captainsofindustry.com.auwww.wardandwylie.com

PiCniC

When the sun is shining, don’t waste

time running all over town to get

the ingredients for a savory spread.

Instead, get your hands on a delicious

readymade Cooper and milla’s picnic

hamper and head straight to the lovely

royal botanic Gardens for a sunbathe

and a nibble.

1094 High St / Armadale / +61 3 9500 8127

GuiDED TOurS

negotiating the city’s myriad nooks

and lanes unaided is no simple task, so

get some expert intel on Melbourne’s

best shopping, architecture, art,

vintage, coffee, wine and more with a

customized hidden Secrets Tour.

hiddensecretstours.com

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Hip fashion, major art, top-notch dining

and a world-renowned cocktail scene

– Melbourne has it all in sophisticated

spades. rise and shine in your chic,

cool-toned Olsen hotel (see luXe loves)

suite, accented with sleek-lined furniture

and dramatic lyrical artwork by the hotel’s

namesake, revered Australian landscape

artist Dr. John olsen. First stop is the

australian Centre for Contemporary

art. If weather permits, you can walk

there via the lovely royal botanic

Gardens, otherwise take a cab and

spend the morning getting acquainted

with a horde of Aussie and international

artworks. Cross over the river into the

City and weave in and out of the lanes

to find excellent boutiques stocking local

and overseas labels, like Green With

Envy on Flinders lane. Carry on up

Flinders and stop for a lunch of modern

Thai share plates at quirky retro-eatery

Chin Chin, then take a left into Spring

Street for a relaxing mid-shop spa

treatment at Aveda’s retreat on Spring.

Feeling refreshed, head back to South

Yarra and hit style-central Chapel Street,

where heavyweights Collette Dinnigan

and alannah hill share the sartorial

spotlight with up-and-comers including

liFEwithBirD. Drop your shopping back

at the hotel, then cross over the bridge

into richmond for perfectly-crafted

cocktails at cozy hideout Der raum. Head

back the way you came then veer east

into the suburb of Prahran where the

simply unmissable Jacques reymond

pairs classical techniques with Asian

flavors to create a spectacular modern

Australian menu. You are very close to

home, so weary ones can retire with a

nightcap on the balcony, or else take a

taxi into the City and beeline to Baroq

house, an ornate salon with chesterfield

sofas, chandeliers, and lots of intimate

nooks in which to stylishly sip the night

away.

STylE

lUXE itinErarY

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BuSinESS

While travelling for business isn’t usually

as enjoyable as holidaying, in Melbourne

it’s not far off. With excellent restaurants,

bars and cafés galore, entertaining clients

has never been such fun. Firstly, check

into your contemporary suite at A-list

favourite Crown Towers, hard to beat

for its warm, plush décor and fabulous

riverside position, and then get the

blood pumping with a few laps of the

25m swimming pool downstairs. Cross

the bridge in the City to take your first

meeting over breakfast at the elegant

and historic hotel Windsor. If you have

a break in your schedule, now’s the

perfect time to preen for the coming

day’s activities, with a string of excellent

spa and beauty salons in the surrounding

area. Men, head to Collins Street for

expert barber herr Blick, ladies to little

Collins Street for perfect blow waves plus

a full range of face and body treatments

at miss Fox (see luXe loves). Catch

up on emails over a coffee at Cumulus

inc. (see luXe loves), then charge

straight on to your pre-booked lunch

table at Vue de monde in Melbourne’s

iconic rialto building. The spectacular

city views coupled with chef Shannon

bennett’s avant garde, modern French

menu make it the perfect spot for that

all-important long lunch meeting. Make

a quick stop past the GPO (see luXe

loves) arcade on the corner of elizabeth

and bourke Streets for the crème of

Australian fashion, including Willow and

arthur Galan amongst many others,

before heading back towards the Crown

Complex. Make an impact at dinner with a

pre-booked table at show-stopping power-

diner rockpool Bar & Grill. The soaring

ceilings and wall-to-wall cellar, not to

mention the local produce-driven, modern

Australian menu will be sure to seal

the deal. Top it all off with post-dinner

cocktails in glitzy, mosaic and banquette-

lined bar The Waiting room, then retire

to your suite just an elevator ride away.

lUXE itinErarY

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nothing says romance like a day by the

seaside, especially when there’s lengthy

pampering and oodles of indulgent

european food thrown in, so with that

in mind begin your sweet sojourn in the

funky beachfront suburb of St. kilda.

enjoy a leisurely lie-in in your rustic,

minimalist suite at boutique hotel The

Prince (see luXe loves), followed by

breakfast at on-site restaurant Circa.

Wander a couple of blocks west to St.

kilda Cycles on barkly Street, where

your pre-booked tandem bicycle (and

hairstyle-ruining helmet) awaits. Take a

tour around the area, firstly north-west

along Albert Park lake – being sure to

stop at eclectic treasure chest Empire

Vintage for one-of-a-kind home wares,

and Truman Café for coffee and cake

– then back down along picturesque

St. kilda beach. Finish your ride with

a well-deserved, modern Italian feast

in the casual downstairs refectory of

seafront institution Stokehouse, and

then drift back towards your hotel for

an afternoon spa session. The Prince’s

elegant and contemporary aurora Spa

is both fabulous and very popular, so

make sure you book ahead and arrive

punctually (there is a strict time policy)

to enjoy decadent signature therapies

like the blissful kitya karnu, comprising

body exfoliation, massage, facial and

hair treatments. Feeling all sparkly and

new, slip into your evening’s attire and

taxi north to diminutive, putty-colored

speakeasy Bar 132, situated inside the

Millswyn, and home to old world-inspired

cocktails with exotic twists. Dinner time!

From one tiny venue to another, delightful

Da noi is an intimate haven of excellent

Sardinian cuisine where owner Pietro

Porcu dishes up an ever-changing set

menu of family recipes. Taxi back to St.

kilda, stopping for a casual nightcap at

the hip, neighborhood-y newmarket

hotel, then saunter home to your

romantic suite at The Prince where sweet

dreams await.

rOmanCE

lUXE itinErarY

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STylE

Olsen Hotel (see LUXE Loves)

Australian Centre for Contemporary Art / 111 Sturt St / Southbank /

+61 3 9697 9999www.accaonline.org.au

Green With Envy 268 Flinders Lane / Victoria 3000 /

+61 3 9663 8043www.greenwithenvy.com.au

Chin Chin125 Flinders Lane / City /

+61 3 8663 2000 / no reservationwww.chinchinrestaurant.com.au

Retreat on Spring49 Spring St / City / +61 3 9650 6261

www.retreatonspring.com.au

Collette Dinnigan553 Chapel St / South Yarra /

+61 3 9827 2111www.collettedinnigan.com

Alannah Hill533 Chapel St / South Yarra /

+61 3 9826 2755www.alannahhill.com.au

LIFEwithBIRD563 Chapel St / South Yarra /

+61 3 9029 6934 www.lifewithbird.com

Der Raum438 Church St / Richmond

www.derraum.com.au

Jacques Reymond78 William Rd / Prahran /

+61 3 9525 2178www.jacquesreymond.com.au

Baroq House9-13 Drewery Lane / City /

+61 3 8080 5680www.baroqhouse.com.au

thE EssEntials

BuSinESS

Crown Towers8 Whiteman St / Southbank /

+61 3 9292 8888www.crowntowers.com.au

Hotel Windsor 111 Spring St / City / +61 3 9633 6000

www.thehotelwindsor.com.au

Herr Blick 1/F / Suites 13-14 / 12 Collins St / City /

+61 3 9005 4612www.herrblick.com.au

Miss Fox(see LUXE Loves)

Cumulus Inc.(see LUXE Loves)

GPO(see LUXE Loves)

WillowGPO / 350 Bourke St / +61 3 9663 0045

www.willowltd.com

Arthur GalanGPO / Shop G14 / 350 Bourke St /

+61 3 9639 7555www.agclothing.com

Rockpool Bar & GrillCrown Complex / Southbank /

+61 3 8648 1900www.rockpool.com

The Waiting RoomCrown Complex / Southbank /

+61 3 8679 1800www.twrbar.com

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rOmanCE

The Prince (see LUXE Loves)

St. Kilda Cycles150 Barkly St / St Kilda /

+61 3 9534 3074www.stkildacycles.com.au

Empire Vintage63 Cardigan Place / Albert Park /

+61 3 9682 6677www.empirevintage.com.au

Truman Café381 Montague St / Albert Park /

+61 3 9077 1372

Stokehouse30 Jacka Blvd / St Kilda /

+61 3 9525 5555 www.stokehouse.com.au

Aurora Spa2 Acland St / St Kilda / +61 3 9536 1130

www.aurorasparetreat.com.au

Bar 132131-133 Domain Rd / South Yarra /

+61 3 9866 5627www.themillswyn.com.au

Da Noi95 Toorak Rd / South Yarra /

+61 3 9866 5975

Newmarket Hotel34 Inkerman St / St Kilda /

+61 3 9537 1777 www.newmarketstkilda.com.au

thE EssEntials

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YoUr lUXE notEs