Top Things to See & Do On Melbourne's Collins St
Come take a wander down Melbourne's Collins St with me, known as the business hub and artery of the CBD we're showing you some of our favourite things to see and do when you're "out of office"! Standing tall and shining with pure 24 karat golden windows, it's hard to miss this Collins St beauty. I remember visiting the Grand Hyatt Melbourne as a kid to have high tea with my mum, it was a pleasure to be able to come back years later and experience the hotel with new eyes. Modern and luxurious, it's definitely elegant hotel living at its finest. The service is impeccable and the atmosphere even better. During winter there's a cosy fireplace to relax next to in the lobby and one of the biggest indoor pool/gym's I've seen in a hotel. A definite highlight was the club lounge, if you can upgrade to have this as a part of your stay I would highly recommend it. Unrivalled views of Melbourne CBD skyline, food and drink to satisfy any appetite and a nightly canapé service that's substantial and delicious enough to be your dinner. Be sure to look no further than the Grand Hyatt as your Melbourne base next holidays!
Food and drink in Melbourne is not to be missed, they have some of the freshest and finest restaurants in the world. One of my favourites is Brunetti. This Italian staple has a casual and trendy vibe that makes you want to drop in for lunch, after-work drinks, an afternoon snack or dinner - so basically any time of day! In a nod to the Italian L'Apertivo hour, they have a dedicated Campari Bar that makes the most aesthetically pleasing set of spritz cocktails. I personally fell in love with their Elderflower Spritz called Hugo! Plus, their antipasto platters are something to marvel at and their pastas really hit the spot - be sure to try their Ravioli All' Ossocuco, I'd definitely head back there for a second serve asap.
Want to do something a little out of the box on your holiday or day-off? St Collins Lane shopping centre has a Creative Hub space, something similar to paint and sip, this class is drink and draw! I've always been a fan of watercolour illustrators on instagram, Sarah Darby and Mads Francis encourage you to get a group of your girlfriends together or even your kids to come and learn how to draw your favourite fashion illustrations while drinking wine. It's the perfect combination! The space itself is very insta-friendly, it feels like you've left the world for an hour or two.
Relatively new to the Collins St scene but not to be forgotten is definitely Garçon Paris Steakhouse. I myself am a huge fan of french cuisine and let me tell you it is not so easy to come by. That's why when I discovered Garçon, I was thrilled! The manager is a character, friendly, personable and full-of-knowledge he adds to the charisma of the place. The atmosphere is chic and the food divine, I can't fault it. I would highly recommend their traditional Steak Tartare and Creme Brûlée, authentically French it's something that has left a lasting impression on my palette. It's just down an alley off Collins St, don't worry in Melbourne alleys are where you find all the good stuff - just look for the neon red sign and you can't miss them!
Got some spare time? If you're a fan of touristing and architecture, I'd suggest just walking down Collins St itself. From the Paris end to Docklands, Collins St has some of the most beautiful combinations of both modern and heritage architecture in the city. The Treasury Building on the Paris end is a must-see, it has a free museum inside that documents Melbourne's history from colonial times to Goldrush to now. Take time to explore The Block Arcade, open since 1892, it has remained one of Melbourne's best-loved and most ornate shopping precincts with iron ceilings and mosaic tiled floors. A highlight for me each trip is always high tea, the Royal St. Collins really know how to indulge this tradition. Almost like a spa experience, this lush 70’s-style lounge has first-class service. Andrew the owner joyfully waits on tables and chats to customers, encapsulating the ethos of this family-owned establishment.
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