The Langham, Melbourne
SouthbankA classic on the Yarra with a serious afternoon tea.
Melbourne
Laneways, long lunches and the country’s deepest bench of restaurants. Melbourne rewards the curious and the well-booked.
Victoria · 8 places
Photograph: Linda Xu / Unsplash
When to go
Autumn (March–May) for still days, or spring for the racing carnival.
Stay
The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne
Lonsdale StreetThe lobby sits on the 80th floor; the view is the point.
Dine
Attica
RipponleaBen Shewry’s long-running meditation on Australian produce and place.
Flower Drum
Market Lane, CBDThe Cantonese institution, with service to match.
Drink
Gimlet at Cavendish House
Russell StreetA handsome room built for martinis and oysters.
See
National Gallery of Victoria
St Kilda RoadAustralia’s most visited gallery; the Triennial is a fixture.
Shop
Collins Street, ‘the Paris end’
East Melbourne CBDThe city’s luxury houses under the plane trees.
Escape
Mornington Peninsula
90 minutes southPinot, hot springs and beach boxes along the bay.
Brisbane