The 16 Best Cocktail Bars in Melbourne
Sip delicious cocktails at world-class cocktail bars.
Royal Botanic Gardens
Birdwood Avenue, Melbourne
Wandering the Royal Botanic Gardens is one of the best things to do in Melbourne, and it’s completely free.
These beautiful gardens stretch over 89 acres, and are filled with 50,000 individual plants representing 8,500 different species. It’s easy to get lost, even for locals, so grab a map at the information centre and allocate several hours for exploration.
Within the Royal Botanic Gardens is an ornamental lake. This is where Punting on the Lake will take you for a relaxing boat ride while telling you some interesting stories.
Carlton Gardens
Carlton St, Carlton
The Carlton Gardens is a world heritage-listed garden spanning over 64 acres. Home to the Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne Museum and IMAX Cinema – it’s a beautiful place to walk around, and a popular picnic location for locals.
Carlton gardens feature ornamental lakes, flowerbeds, elaborate fountains, and many lush trees.
Kings Domain
Alexandra Ave, Melbourne
Kings Domain is just south of the city centre and features some of Melbourne’s most iconic landmarks. Extending from St Kilda Road to the Yarra River, it’s home to The Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Government House and the Shrine of Remembrance – one of the city’s best tourist attractions.
As you explore the parklands, look out for the memorial to Weary Dunlop – a doctor who served in WWII – the cottage of Governor La Trobe and also the popular Tan running circuit.
Kings Domain also extends to the Royal Botanic Gardens, so visiting them both is easy.
Fitzroy Gardens
Wellington Parade, East Melbourne
Just east of the city centre are the Fitzroy Gardens, one of the country’s main Victorian-era gardens.
Home to many points of interest, including an ornamental lake, conservatory, cafe, and Cook’s Cottage. The latter is the house where James Cook’s parents lived; it was transported to Australia from England in the 1930s.
Flagstaff Gardens
309-311 William St, West Melbourne
The oldest park in Melbourne, Flagstaff Gardens is commonly visited by residents, local workers and tourists.
Named after the flagstaff that once stood on its hills, it would signal ships sailing into port. Flagstaff Gardens is now home to an underground train station, tennis courts, bowling lawns, and barbeques.
Taylor was born and raised in Tasmania. He moved to Melbourne to study Film & television, and went on to start a marketing agency for hospitality.
He has a love for rock ‘n’ roll bars & New York-style pizza. In 2020 he was amongst the top 1% of Frank Sinatra listeners on Spotify.
