South Melbourne and Albert Park

Visit some of Melbourne's oldest suburbs with beautifully-restored public buildings, terrace houses and mansions showing how Melbourne's grand past embraces the present.

Streetscapes…and coffee
Cosmopolitan Clarendon Street has a focus on fashion and food, with places like the Mediterranean-inspired Gas Eatery and Supplies. And on Coventry, Dorcas, Bank and Park streets there are numerous shopping and refreshment options. Cafe Sweethearts and St Ali are coffee experts, and you'll find fresh produce galore at the South Melbourne Market. The Victorian Tapestry Workshop in Park Street is a world centre for tapestry and there's imported antiques and European homewares at Izzi & Popo.

Eat, drink, jog, walk, swim, golf
Albert Park beach is popular in summer, and cafes and delis along Bridport Street and Victoria Avenue are always lively. The Albert Park Deli, Andrew's Hamburgers, Jock's Ice Cream and the Albert Park Hotel are all well worth the journey, and for the fashion conscious, Husk and Paper Doll Boutique are just a couple of must-visits.

Join the locals jogging, sailing, cycling or rowing on Albert Park Lake. In March, the surrounding roads are transformed into the racing track for the Australian Formula One Grand Prix. Also in the neighbourhood is the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, and there is a championship public golf course, as well as the Albert Park Driving Range.

Stop off for coffee at Mart 130, overlooking the park at Tram stop 130 on the number 96 tram. From here it's a short walk over Canterbury Road into the local enclave of Middle Park village and St Kilda beach.

How to get there
By tram: Number 112 from Collins Street (around 10 minutes – or continue to Fitzroy Street, St Kilda: around 25 minutes); Number 1 from Swanston Street (around 10 minutes); or Number 96 from Bourke Street to Middle Park (around 20 minutes).