What’s New In Melbourne: Hotels, Restaurants and Attractions

Melbourne has long held the crown of Australia’s cultural capital but refuses to rest on its laurels, with a slew of new openings demanding attention.

I weave in and out of the giant yellow tentacles, craning my neck to see the spotted pumpkin they’re supporting metres above my head. Titled Dancing Pumpkin, the iconic work of Yayoi Kusama was originally part of the National Gallery of Victoria’s (NGV) 2025 retrospective featuring nearly 200 of the artist’s most celebrated works in one landmark exhibition; it’s now part of the gallery’s permanent collection. Early impressions of Laak Boorndap, an expansive 18,000 square-metre biodiverse public urban garden, indicate the sculpture will feature as the centrepiece of the new outdoor space, one of three major developments to be realised in the Melbourne Arts Precinct transformation that will unfold over the next three years.

the dancing pumpkin by Yayoi Kusama — Yayoi Kusama’s Dancing Pumpkin. (Image: Sean Fennessy)

It’s Australia’s largest ever cultural infrastructure project, encompassing The Fox: NGV Contemporary, a landmark new gallery currently under construction; the major refurbishment of Arts Centre Melbourne’s Theatres Building; and creation of Laak Boorndap. Creating a single continuous art, civic and cultural precinct stretching from Federation Square through to Southbank, it’s an ambitious project to say the least. But Melbourne never does anything by halves.

the NGV exterior — The NGV is Australia’s oldest gallery. (Image: Visit Victoria)

How Melbourne continues to draw tourists back

Hosier Lane covered in graffiti, Melbourne — Iconic graffiti-covered Hosier Lane in Melbourne’s CBD. (Image: Robert Blackburn)

It was the arts that first caused me to travel to Melbourne as a culture-starved 21-year-old. Growing up in a sleepy coastal region of NSW meant my access to galleries, museums and theatre was extremely limited. I travelled to the Victorian capital with my mum and sister to see the stage production of Wicked make its Australian debut; the weekend was a revelation. Not only the exposure to the arts, but the food, the architecture, the hum of the city; it was intoxicating. Six years later I was back, dining on dumplings and drinking at hidden bars in Melbourne’s laneways before embarking on a week-long road trip of the Great Ocean Road with my best friend, and just this year I returned for my first Australian Open with my husband and his family – vowing not to allow so many years to pass between visits. A vow I kept six months later, this time combining a short stay in the Mornington Peninsula with a long weekend in the city.

the Federation Square, Melbourne CBD — The city skyline in Melbourne CBD. (Image: Santiago Gonzalez Redondo)

The evolution of Melbourne’s hotel offerings

Dipping in and out of a place over decades makes its changes more acute, and there’s something wonderful about watching a city build on its potential. In a literal sense, Melbourne’s hotel scene has been quietly scaling new heights for the past 15 months with notable openings such as The StandardX , Lanson Place Parliament Gardens , Hyde Melbourne Place , and most recently, 1 Hotel Melbourne . The latter, a joint luxury development between the 1 Hotel brand and Melbourne-based Riverlee, has been a decade in the making. Set in the revitalised North Wharf precinct of Docklands along 220 metres of uninterrupted Yarra River frontage within Melbourne’s last remaining heritage goods shed, 1 Hotel Melbourne is an architectural marvel with a foundation firmly rooted in sustainability.

inside the river king room at 1 Hotel Melbourne — Inside a luxe suite at 1 Hotel Melbourne. (Image: Mikkel Vang)

The hotel features 277 tranquil guestrooms, including 36 suites. I’m staying in the spacious River Suite; it’s 51 square metres in size with floor-to-ceiling windows (85 per cent are openable) and a homely collection of plants (there are 7000-plus living plants featured throughout the hotel). Natural light floods the space, with commanding views of the Yarra River and Melbourne skyline. Wooden accents, beige-coloured furnishings and warm lighting create an atmosphere of elevated comfort. It’s like stepping into the pages of Architectural Digest. The commitment to biophilic design is palpable, with nature seamlessly blended into every space. Rather than your cookie-cutter hotel lobby and bar, the height and scale of the greenery immediately transport you to an indoor parkland. Reclaimed steel, bluestone and timbers from the state’s decommissioned rail bridges or salvaged wharf timber are repurposed into the lobby staircase and bedheads, room numbers and feature walls in the guestrooms.

Guests are invited to participate in the brand’s purpose-driven ethos with small opportunities to give back to people and the planet thoughtfully designed into the room. There’s the ‘1 Less Thing’ wooden block on the bench prompting me to donate any clothes I’ve overpacked to the hotel’s local charity partner; the inbuilt shower timer encouraging me to save water; and the repurposed wine bottles, now a carafe and cup sitting on a cork mat letting me know that every drop of water at 1 Hotels is filtered (there’s a filtered water tap above the minibar for instant refills). Even the clothes hanger has a printed message: “Hang on to this thought. It takes about 700 gallons of water to produce one cotton shirt. That’s enough water for one person to drink three cups of water per day for three-and-a-half years." It could feel performative or like a soft rebuke, but it doesn’t. Instead, it feels achievable; a reminder that small changes made collectively can have a big impact.

The new restaurants keep coming

oysters at From Here by Mike, Melbourne — Dine on hyper-seasonal food at From Here by Mike. (Image: Jamie Alexander)

The sustainable ethos continues downstairs with lunch at From Here by Mike. Helmed by renowned Australian chef Mike McEnearney, the signature hotel restaurant spotlights hyper-seasonal ingredients sourced from Victoria’s leading producers, farmers and fishers who share his values of authenticity, sustainability and ethical farming practices. The set lunch menu includes a choice of one main and two sides for $59 with optional additions. The poached Port Phillip Bay snapper arrives floating in a delicious fennel beurre blanc alongside grilled broccolini drizzled in macadamia cream and fried brussels sprouts with ricotta salata. I know I’ll be back as soon as I take the first mouthful.

But From Here by Mike is in good company. The sheer number of incredible dining experiences and cuisines available across the city continues to grow with other notable openings including Maison Bâtard from restaurateur Chris Lucas (Chin Chin, Society and Grill Americano), a sprawling four-level French dining destination with a two-level dining room, basement jazz club and rooftop bar. The tableside chocolate mousse trolley is unmissable.

For a taste of the coastal cuisine of Portugal and Spain cooked over a custom-built charcoal grill and wood oven, find Marmelo underneath Hyde Melbourne Place. I recommend starting with the celeriac nata with picked and shelled spanner crab. Then there’s Askal, a modern Filipino restaurant inside a heritage building in Melbourne’s CBD. Expect an inventive take on traditional Filipino flavours and dishes.

Melbourne’s best day-trip destinations

the Alba Thermal Springs & Spa on the Mornington Peninsula — Alba Thermal Springs & Spa on the Mornington Peninsula. (Image: Supplied)

Melbourne isn’t just a destination; it’s also a jumping-off point to some of Victoria’s best regions. Think a road trip along the Great Ocean Road – it’s consistently voted Australia’s best road trip for a reason and it’s only 80 minutes away. But I’m headed in the opposite direction, out of the city to spa country on the Mornington Peninsula. Ninety minutes later, I’m soaking in a moon-shaped geothermal pool before checking into one of the five luxurious stand-alone villas that just opened at Alba Thermal Springs & Spa. The Sanctuary accommodation is the newest addition to the 15-hectare bathhouse and wellness destination.

bathtub view at The Sanctuary — Stay onsite at The Sanctuary. (Image: Katie Carlin)

I’m staying in one of three villas that feature an en suite with an oversized stone bathtub set in front of a floor-to-ceiling glass window. It means I’m treated to expansive views of the bay and native bushland while soaking in Alba’s signature bath salts – a blend of native Australian botanicals, moisturising oils and mineral-rich salts. My second-favourite feature (after the bath) is the indoor log fireplace that is set every evening by the concierge. Listening to the crackle of fire from the comfort of the king bed makes drifting off to sleep a breeze.

The seaside town of Sorrento, as well as world-class restaurants, wineries and pristine beaches, is all minutes away. It’s a complete wellness weekend getaway (if you count the wine as fruit). As for my next visit to Melbourne, I look forward to seeing the next phase of this vibrant city’s evolution. Hopefully sooner than expected.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

1Hotel Melbourne at Docklands features rooms and suites, including connecting rooms and two-bedroom accommodation. It’s also pet-friendly. The luxe sustainable hotel has a restaurant, cafe and two bars, a spa and gym.

Alba Thermal Springs & Spa features standalone villas and two rooms nestled in the dunes above the springs for overnight stays. Entry to the hot springs, spa lounge, breakfast and transfers to the main building are included.

Playing there

inside the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) — The renowned National Gallery of Victoria (NGV). (Image: Tourism Australia)

The Melbourne Arts Precinct around Birrarung/Yarra River is home to the Arts Centre, NGV International, Southbank Theatre, Australian Centre for Contemporary Art and more. Upgrades will be complete in 2028.

The Great Ocean Road has captured the hearts of Australians with its astounding scenery since 1932, but going off-course can enrich your experience with untouched nature, foodie delights and charming towns.

It’s a chilly 16 degrees. My husband pulls on a steamer and jogs – as all seasoned surfers do – into the water. We’re at Bells Beach , the legendary break on Victoria’s Surf Coast that’s home to the Rip Curl Pro, the world’s longest-running event in competitive surfing. Each year, over the Easter long weekend, up to 40,000 people descend on the region for the event. Today, though, we have the beach almost to ourselves, and the less-than-favourable temperature doesn’t deter my husband from surfing this famous break.

Torquay to Anglesea and Aireys Inlet

The red dome of Split Point Lighthouse in Aireys Inlet. (Image: Tourism Australia)

The nearby surf town of Torquay marks the starting point for the Great Ocean Road . Unfolding our map, which we have marked out with a highlighted route for our children to follow, we set off for lesser-known Anglesea, a chilled-out town 20 minutes south of here. Its wide, sandy beach is a gentler swimming option for our young family. Groms can learn to surf here with Go Ride a Wave, which also runs stand-up paddle boarding on the Anglesea River.

Split point lookout — The lighthouse overlooks the Shipwreck Coast. (Image: Tourism Australia)

After a couple of nights in Anglesea, we hit the road again, first stopping at Aireys Inlet. Here we stretch our legs at Split Point Lighthouse, which was made famous by the 1990s television series Round the Twist, before driving under the Memorial Arch that welcomes us, officially, to the Great Ocean Road.

This 243-kilometre coastal road was built by returned First World War servicemen and serves as a permanent memorial to those who fought and died during the war. Carved into rock using hand tools and horse-drawn carts, it was a huge engineering feat and provided much-needed access to isolated coastal communities.

Lorne to Birregurra

Lorne is a delightful beachside stop for lunch and browsing boutique stores. It’s also the gateway to Great Otway National Park , which comprises a varied landscape of old-growth forests, cool-temperate rainforests, heathy woodlands and rugged coast. With the highest rainfall in Victoria, the region is home to many waterfalls – 10 of which are within 10 kilometres of Lorne.

Turning slightly off the main drag, we wind along a gum-shaded road to Erskine Falls. Here, our son leads the way through the hyper-green rainforest and down 200-plus stairs to the cascade that drops 30 metres into a lush fern gully. We hop over large boulders to get closer to the falls, enjoying the entire place to ourselves; it’s worth the return climb.

From Sheoak Falls Picnic Area, there are walking trails to Henderson Falls, Phantom Falls, Won Wondah Falls and Kalimna Falls, some of which follow an old timber tramway from forest-logging days, which only came to an end in 2008.

You can follow your appetite north to the town of Birregurra, which is part of the Otway Harvest Trail that connects farm gates, markets, wineries, breweries and distilleries. It’s home to three-hatted modern Australian restaurant Brae , helmed by celebrated chef Dan Hunter, set among native gardens and an organic farm, and Otways Distillery, which produces small-batch spirits using local produce and botanicals.

Brae restaurant — Brae is a three-hatted restaurant in Birregurra. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Apollo Bay to The Otways

Back on track, the cliff-hugging stretch between Lorne and Apollo Bay is breathtaking. At Teddys Lookout, we overlook the winding road ahead and St George River spilling into the ocean. We spend languid days in Apollo Bay, a buzzy seaside town that boasts a three-kilometre-long, crescent-shaped beach with a backdrop of rolling green hills. One evening, as the sun sets, we take the steep 10-minute walk to Marriners Lookout, which affords panoramic views of the ocean, hinterland and town.

A 15-minute drive along the road, Maits Rest is a lush rainforest gully that has been protected since the early 20th century. Wandering along the 800-metre boardwalk, we inspect the delicate moss-covered forest floor and the gnarled roots of 300-year-old myrtle beech trees, then crane our necks to see their canopies, some 50 metres above us. It’s therapy in nature.

Cape Otway to the Twelve Apostles

The southernmost tip of Cape Otway is a delightful detour, home to the 1848-built Cape Otway Lightstation, the oldest surviving lighthouse on mainland Australia. We climb the narrow winding staircase to the gallery deck, explore the keepers’ quarters and telegraph station, and enjoy a coffee and some ‘famous’ scones at the charming onsite cafe.

It’s a pinch-me moment to finally see the Twelve Apostles in person. This unmistakable cluster of limestone stacks rising abruptly from the sea were never 12, however. When coined this in the 1890s as a marketing ploy, there were only nine; today, only seven remain after two collapsed in 2005 and 2009. We admire these Aussie icons from the viewing platform, in awe of Mother Nature’s ever-evolving artwork.

The Grotto is another natural attraction within Port Campbell National Park. (Image: Carmen Zammit)

Edging the wild Southern Ocean, this part of the coast – dubbed Shipwreck Coast – is made up of many sea-carved natural wonders including London Bridge, The Grotto and Gibson Steps. After exploring the lookout trails of Loch Ard Gorge/Poombeeyt Kontapool – its English name taken from the site of the 1878 shipwreck – we nestle into the sandy beach encircled by towering sandstone cliffs, as our children splash about on the water’s edge, and soak it all in.

Port Campbell to Timboon

Timboon Fine Ice Cream is part of a regional foodie trail. (Image: C McConville)

Just north of Port Campbell National Park, the region of Timboon is part of the 12 Apostles Food Artisans Trail, filled with purveyors of delicious foodstuffs such as Timboon Fine Ice Cream , Timboon Railway Shed Distillery and Apostle Whey Cheese. As an antidote to the indulgence, the 20-kilometre Poorpa Yanyeen Meerreeng Trail is a self-guided ride or walk between Port Campbell and Timboon through tall forests, over historic bridges and past sparkling lakes and farmland with grazing cattle.

Warrnambool to Port Fairy

Warrnambool building — A 19th-century building in Warrnambool. (Image: Peter Foster)

In Warrnambool, a town rich in maritime history, we take the four-kilometre Thunder Point Walk that traces the coast. The kids squeal when an echidna shuffles out from beneath the wooden boardwalk, and we stop to admire a seal lazing on a rock at the port.

Further along, the streets of quaint fishing village Port Fairy are lined with 19th-century cottages, old stone churches and Norfolk pines. Follow the historic walking trail to see some of the 60-plus National Trust buildings. Port Fairy is also home to Port Fairy Folk Festival (6-9 March), one of the country’s longest-running music and cultural festivals. You could time your road trip with the event for a fittingly celebratory end to any journey.

The Great Ocean Road can easily be done in three days, but we’ve spent a week on the road. The highlighted line on our now creased and well-worn map doesn’t follow the famous route precisely. It has sprouted branches in many directions, leading us to untouched rainforest and charming rural towns filled with culinary delights, and where we experienced some of our most memorable moments on the Great Ocean Road.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

The Monty is a highly anticipated, newly refurbished motel with a chic Palm Springs-inspired aesthetic set across the road from the Anglesea River. Basalt Winery in Port Fairy grows cool-climate wines such as pinot noir and Riesling in rich volcanic soil. Stay among the vines in its tiny home, complete with a kitchen, lounge area and outdoor firepit.

The Oak & Anchor Hotel has been a Port Fairy institution since 1857. Cosy up by the bar in winter or bask in the sunshine of the Lawn Bar in summer. The rooms are beautifully boutique with considered details, such as luxe baths for sinking into post-road trip.

Eating there

The Coast in Anglesea is a modern Australian restaurant focused on local ingredients. Grand Pacific Hotel has been a local landmark in Lorne since 1879 and recently underwent a restoration. It serves a mix of traditional pub and Italian fare alongside ocean views.

Graze is a cosy 40-seat dining room in Apollo Bay with a modern Australian menu complemented by regional wines. Apollo Bay Distillery offers tasting flights, a gin blending masterclass and serves woodfired pizzas.

The new hotels, restaurants and arts precinct reshaping Melbourne

Melbourne has long held the crown of Australia’s cultural capital but refuses to rest on its laurels, with a slew of new openings demanding attention.

How Melbourne continues to draw tourists back

The evolution of Melbourne’s hotel offerings

The new restaurants keep coming

Melbourne’s best day-trip destinations

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

Playing there

A sultry Shanghai-style cocktail den has just landed in Melbourne

A new luxury hotel is opening in Melbourne’s hottest neighbourhood

Time travel to ‘80s Tokyo at this new disco bar in Melbourne

Melbourne’s floating sauna combines relaxation and city views

Taking the route less travelled along the Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road has captured the hearts of Australians with its astounding scenery since 1932, but going off-course can enrich your experience with untouched nature, foodie delights and charming towns.

Torquay to Anglesea and Aireys Inlet

Lorne to Birregurra

Apollo Bay to The Otways

Cape Otway to the Twelve Apostles

Port Campbell to Timboon

Warrnambool to Port Fairy

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

Eating there