What to do in Melbourne this Winter

Melbourne has unbeatable style and culture. It’s a creative hub where design inspiration runs wild and is the breading ground to some of the world’s best brands. I’m honoured to call this beautiful city home and love sharing my wealth of knowledge when it comes to giving insights on the amazing places it has on offer to locals and visitors alike.

This winter I’ve teamed up with Expedia to put together a list of the top places to visit in Melbourne, including must-visit hot spots and exciting featured events.

Vic Market

I’m a passionate bargain-hunter and self proclaimed shopaholic. The Queen Victoria Market is the perfect place to get your shop on this winter!

Known affectionately as ‘Vic Market’, the precinct has been the heart and soul of Melbourne for more than a century. A historic landmark spread over two city blocks, it’s a vibrant and bustling inner-city market where you can shop for everything from local and imported gourmet foods and produce, to cosmetics, clothing and souvenirs.

Hot Spots:

Market Lane Coffee – Market Lane specialises in one thing; delicious, great quality coffee! The fact that they have the coolest takeaway cups I’ve ever seen certainly helped me fall in love with this passionate and vision-forward local retailer. Start your market experience with a coffee brewed with their store-roasted coffee beans, served by energetic baristas who are also sure to serve you up a cup of Melbourne love.

The Epicurean – Located in the deli hall, The Epicurean is jam-packed with delicious cheeses, specialty antipasti and gourmet meats to satisfy even the toughest crowd. I discovered these guys on one of the Market foodie tours and they’re the place to go to stock up on goods for a weekend celebration with friends.

String Bean Alley – one of the newest retail destinations in the Queen Vic Markets, this funky alley is made up of repurposed shipping containers packed full of local designers. It’s a unique shopping experience that will enlighten your creative juices.

Top Winter Events at Vic Market

Winter Night Market – The Winter Night Markets are one of the most unique food experiences in Melbourne. Running every Wednesday night throughout winter, you’ll find an array of mouth-watering eats along with snack-sized short films at the Market Cinema. Expect to see plenty of local homeware designers, offering everything from candles to nail polish. My tip – don’t walk past the Wine and Cheese Bar!

Hunt & Gather Food Tour – This tour is fantastic, I took Mum along with me as a Mother’s Day treat and we had a great time. If you’re looking to add a little inspiration to your cooking or you’re keen to hear about the best ways to select the produce you buy, this tour is for you! The down-to-earth tour guide will walk you through all the fresh product and specialty shopping areas, topping you up with great foodie knowledge and answering any questions you have along the way. Did I mention you also get to sample some of the best Market products? Pack your green bag and get ready to fill it up, because this two hour tour definitely needs to be on your Winter to-do-list.