Melbourne Made Me Do It (And I’d Go Back for the Food)
If you’re looking for a city that feels quintessentially Aussie but isn’t as tourist-heavy as Sydney, then Melbourne is the place to visit. I spent four days there, and it was the most fun I’ve had traveling.
I stayed at a hostel called The Village Melbourne, located right in the heart of the city. The area was surrounded by a variety of restaurants, and I ate like a queen—dumplings, laksa soup, sushi, udon, bánh mì rolls, coffee, and breakfast rolls galore. I’ve never had much desire to live in a big city like Melbourne, but for the food alone, I’d seriously consider it.
Melburnians take their coffee culture very seriously, and even as someone who doesn’t drink much coffee, I have to say Melbourne deserves an award for serving the best coffee I’ve ever had.
Day 1:
With a free day to explore, I walked a block to visit the Queen Victoria Market—a large open-air market where you can find everything from T-shirts and handmade tote bags to fresh produce and food. I grabbed a spicy pork ramen bowl from a food truck, which was divine on a chilly winter morning. The spice was just enough to give a kick and warm me up, but not enough to burn my mouth.
For dinner, feeling a bit homesick, I took a 45-minute tram ride followed by a 10-minute walk to Taco Bell. Was all that effort worth it for a cheap taco box with mediocre tacos? Yes, yes it was. Taco Bell is rare in Australia, and it tasted heavenly.
Day 2:
I had my first scheduled activity that night, so I used the day to explore South Melbourne. I took a tram to a café called The Kettle Black, where the coffee was hot and the breakfast roll was hearty. Afterward, I visited the Shrine of Remembrance, originally built to honor those who fought in World War I, but now a memorial for all members of Australia’s armed forces.
That evening, I went to the Regent Theatre to see Beetlejuice: The Musical. If you ever get the chance to see a show in Melbourne, take it. It was hilarious (if a bit crass) and so much fun.
Day 3:
I spent the day wandering around the city and window shopping. I also spent two hours trying to find a sushi restaurant that Apple Maps insisted existed. It didn’t. I ended up settling for mall sushi. That night, I had planned to go on a ghost tour I booked through Viator. However, the details they sent me were actually for a different tour company. Thankfully, the guide let me join her tour anyway, and I learned about some wild murders that happened in the city. It definitely didn’t give me anxiety when I walked back to my hostel 10 p.m. in a city you’ve never been to!
Day 4:
I attended a Harry Potter exhibition I found through an Instagram ad. I’m not the biggest Harry Potter fan, but I’ve read all the books and seen the movies several times. The best part was getting sorted into my Hogwarts house (Gryffindor) and choosing my Patronus (a Phoenix, though according to WizardingWorld.com, mine is a peregrine falcon). The exhibition took me through themed areas like Potions, Herbology, and Defense Against the Dark Arts. I walked through Hagrid’s Hut, the Forbidden Forest, the Chamber of Secrets, and the Ministry of Magic. At the end, I bought some Butterbeer, which was the grossest drink I’ve ever tried. It wasn’t worth the $17, but at least I got a cool souvenir cup.
The Harry Potter exhibition was a magical way to end my trip. Melbourne has definitely become one of my favorite cities in Australia, and I’d love to return, if only to try more food and drink more of that incredible coffee.
