Starting the decade afresh, new and exciting things are in Melbourne, the capital that is modern, progressive, rich with multiple cultural heritage, and constantly evolving. With new pockets of experiences sprouting in every corner, visitors will find themselves spoilt for choice with the robust activities to see and do with each visit – from contemporary cafes, gourmet culinary, watering holes, attractions to accommodations.
SAVOUR THE LIGHT BITES
An iconic Melbourne brand’s first ever chocolate bar. Koko Black Chocolate has just opened its brand-new flagship store in the Como Centre of South Yarra. The opening of the store sees the introduction of the first-ever Koko Chocolate Bar, where customers will be able to order Koko Black’s signature hot chocolates in a range of flavours, where purpose-designed milk wands automatically steam the hot chocolate to between 70 and 75 degree from the bar. Guests can choose from a selection of croissants, cookies and cakes, as well as freshly churned milkshakes and house-made ice creams. www.kokoblack.com
EXPERIENCE GASTRONOMICAL FLAVOURS
Baah Lah is Geelong’s newest modern Asian restaurant by chef-owner Brian Anderson. The menu is split into SEA and LAND – a fun way to choose your own dining adventure. Much of the produce at Anderson’s first restaurant, which channels Singapore’s combination of Malay and Chinese cuisines, is grown by his father. The menu will adapt with the seasons, but it now stars a number of pork and seafood dishes and focuses on fastidiously crafted hawker dishes. Baah Lah serves only Australian craft beers, wines and spirits. www.baahlahdining.com
Mo Zhou has been cooking in Melbourne for over a decade, working as a chef at Attica, chef de partie at Vue De Monde and sous chef at The Press Club. Now Zhou and partner Alicia Feng, have opened a small daytime coffee nook, Calère, and a petite degustation-only diner, Gaea, on Fitzroy’s Gertrude Street. Taking over the former Messer site, the space has been split into two with Calère open during the day and Gaea open during the night. Gaea offers a six or eight-course degustation menu, AUD95 and AUD125 respectively, for just 12 guests. Expect a monthly changing menu with a highlight on European techniques fused with local ingredients. www.restaurantgaea.com.au
IMMERSE IN THE ARTS AND CULTURE
Geelong Arts Centre
After undergoing a AUD38.5 million redevelopment, the Geelong Arts Centre has reopened its doors to the public. Visitors will see four new studio/rehearsal spaces, improved accessibility within the centre, two new foyers, a new bar and dedicated spaces for creative and education activities. The Geelong Arts Centre is the only state-owned cultural institution outside of Melbourne, and the redevelopment will position it as Victoria’s leading regional performing arts centre. www.geelongartscentre.org.au
Rone in Geelong
Over the last two decades, Geelong-born artist Rone has built an exceptional reputation for large-scale wall paintings and immersive installations that explore concepts of beauty and decay. Rone’s latest site-specific installation will transform Geelong Gallery’s rooms in response to the architecture and history of the building, and the Gallery’s collection. The first comprehensive survey of Rone’s career to date will also be presented, charting the artist’s practice from early stencil works and street art, to photographs documenting major installations that have transformed abandoned spaces. www.geelonggallery.org.au
SWANKY NEW ACCOMMODATIONS
13th Beach Golf Club, Barwon Heads on The Bellarine has launched its new luxury accommodation offering with 16 new golf lodges overlook the stunning Beach Golf Course and Lake Murtnaghurt. Each features a luxurious king or twin bedding configuration, outdoor space and modern furnishings. 13th Beach Golf Club is ranked in the top 10 Public Access golf courses in Australia (Golf Australia) and hosts the Vic Open Golf tournament every February. www.13thbeachgolf.com
The 162-room INK hotel features a fun and playful design, with lobby artwork by Melbourne’s Blender Studio as well as guest rooms with art designed and customised by New York-based Australian artist Brolga. Head downstairs to The Kitchen & Bar to enjoy breaky favourites or all-day complimentary barista made STREAT coffee. For every cup of STREAT served, INK will be helping underprivileged youth get back on track. The bar serves Melbourne beers on tap from Moon Dog Brewery and Temple Brewing, as well as wines from across the Victorian region such as Lightfoot & Sons and Rochford Wines. www.inkhotels.com/melbourne-southbank
CONTEMPORARY WATERING HOLES
Victoria’s largest independent gin distillery has landed in Southbank. After many years stationed in Brunswick, Patient Wolf Gin Co. has finally opened the doors of its new home in Southbank. Founders Matt Argus and Dave Irwin have transformed a ‘rabbit warren of an office space’ into an airy, New York loft-style public bar and distillery. With exposed brick walls and a seven-metre-long brass-topped bar, it’s inspired in part by prohibition-era speakeasies. The team plan to have a play around with some experimental small-batch gins that will be sold exclusively through the venue. Snacks such as roasted nuts and cured fish and pâté with fresh bread are available. www.patientwolfgin.com
Welcome to Brunswick is an open-air beer garden, bar and food precinct from the team behind Welcome to Thornbury. But this Brunswick outpost has its own distinct personality, featuring a brewery-bar by double-decker craft brewery 4 Pines, from Manly in Sydney. The bar serves the 4 Pines core range, alongside beers made exclusively for Brunswick. And as at Thornbury, guests can sit outside at communal tables and enjoy the many food trucks serving burgers, tacos, Philly cheesesteaks, woodfired pizza and more, as Brunswick Mess Hall backs onto the space and contributes to the menu too. www.welcometobrunswick.com.au
TRY SOMETHING NEW
Grazeland Melbourne
Spotswood will soon be home to a new dedicated Food Precinct. Spanning 10,000sqm on the site beside Scienceworks, Grazeland will host over 50 sweet and savoury food vendors, 3 fully licensed bars, artisan stalls selling locally designed products and live performances, creating a food festival experience. Food vendors such as 48h Pizza & Gnocchi Bar, Cripps Family Fish Farm and Cannoleria by That’s Amore Cheese have all been locked in. The space will have both outdoor seating and covered areas, plus several themed zones. All consumables at Grazeland will be compostable or recyclable, so nothing goes to landfill. www.grazeland.melbourne
Hedonistic Hiking
Gourmet hiking company Hedonistic Hiking has launched its 2020 program with two new tours. The Sunset Dinners on Mount Buffalo tour allows guests to embark on a 9-km escorted hike to Mount Buffalo’s highest point, The Horn, which offers phenomenal views over the surrounding landscape. Guests will receive canapés, followed by a 3-course dinner prepared with locally sourced produce, matched with wines from the area. Also new for 2020, the tour Hiking at Dinner Plain includes stunning alpine walking combined with food and wine. The weekend includes fully guided hikes past Mount Hotham’s historic cattlemen’s huts and the famous Mount Tabletop walk, punctuated by picnics showcasing the best local produce. Enjoy dinner either prepared by chef and Hedonistic Hiking co-owner, Mick Parsons, or at one of Dinner Plain’s best-loved restaurants. www.hedonistichiking.com
For more information, log on to www.visitmelbourne.com
