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Visit These 8 Amazing Attractions For The Best Melbourne Vacay Ever (Near Halal Food!)

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Sabrina Hanim •  Jul 12, 2017

One of the coolest cities to visit in the world, Melbourne has a certain charm that leaves you coming back for more. From its artsy laneways, vintage markets, lively culture and not forgetting lots of halal food, Melbourne was ‘hipster’ before being hipster was cool ? It’s no surprise why Melbourne has been dubbed as one of the world’s most liveable cities!

Credit: Giphy

If you’re looking to explore Melbourne AND satisfy your tummy’s rumblings, we’ve got you covered!

1. Hop on the city circle tram

Start off your Melbourne adventure by taking the iconic City Circle Tram (route number 35) around town! Serviced by heritage W class trams in maroon and green, the free tram ride is one of the best ways to get around the city.

Credit: @aarau022 on Instagram

Not only does it run in a circuit that includes main areas of the city like Flinders Street, Harbour Esplanade in Docklands, LaTrobe Street and Spring Street, the trams also feature an audio commentary with details on landmarks and major attractions around Melbourne such as the City Museum, Parliament House, Federation Square and the Princess Theatre.

#HHWT Tip: The tram arrives at specially marked stops every 12 minutes and runs from 10am to 6pm on weekdays and until 9pm on weekends. Information brochures and maps of the city are available on board each City Circle Tram.

Halal Food Nearby - CBD Kebabs

Hop off at the Flinders Street / Spencer Street - Stop 123 and take a 2-minute walk to CBD Kebabs for one of the best Halal Snack Packs (or fondly known as HSP) in Melbourne! With an exquisite mix of crispy fries, generous serving of meats and topped off with creamy garlic sauce, it’s the perfect meal to fuel up for an entire day of exploring the city.

Credit: @ijasama on Instagram

Halal status: Halal meat available

Address: 2/546 Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday, Sunday, 11am – 2am, Friday – Saturday, 11am – 5am

Price: Between $10 and $20

2. Browse Queen Victoria Market for all your shopping needs!

Affectionately known as the ‘Queen Vic’ or ‘Vic Market’, no trip to Melbourne is complete without visiting this open-air market that’s packed with everything you’d want – from the freshest seasonal fruits (fresh cherries anyone?), to locally made clothing and craft stalls.

Credit: @dajahendrychova on Instagram

Wander the heritage sheds, shop for souvenirs, be entertained by buskers, and don’t forget to drop by Market Lane Coffee for your caffeine fix!

Credit: @bow.wy on Instagram

During summer months, the market stays open late on Wednesday evenings for night market and from early June to late August there’s also a winter version of the Wednesday night markets.

Address: Corner Elizabeth Street and Victoria Street, Melbourne, 3000

Getting there: Take the tram to Elizabeth Street (multiple routes). Nearby transport stations: Melbourne Central; Flagstaff

Opening times: Produce stalls: Tue, Thu, 6am-2pm; Fri, 6am-5pm; Sat, 6am-3pm; Sun, 9am-4pm. Specialty shopping: Tue, Thu, 8am-2pm; Fri, Sat, 8am-3pm; Sun, 9am-4pm

Website

Halal Food Nearby - PappaRich

Satisfy your cravings for Malaysian food like nasi lemak, satay and roti canai, topped off with a glass of teh tarik at PappaRich, located at QV Square, a 15-minute walk away from Queen Vic.

Credit: @tas2809 on Instagram

Halal status: Halal meat available

Address: QV Building, Level 2, Shop 11, 11 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Opening hours: 10:30am – 11pm (Sunday to Thursday), 10:30am – 12:30am (Friday and Saturday)

Website | Facebook

3. Get a birds-eye view of the city from Eureka Skydeck 88

Occupying the entire 88th floor of the Eureka Tower, the observation deck (Eureka Skydeck 88) is the highest public viewing platform in the building in the Southern Hemisphere! Giving you a truly impressive 360-degree view of the city, it’s definitely not for the faint of heart! ?

Credit: @adventureswithtracey on Instagram

If you’re an adrenaline rush junkie, Eureka Skydeck 88 also has “The Terrace” – a small outside area where you can feel the strong winds as you peer down at Port Phillip Bay, and “The Edge” – a glass cube hanging out over the edge of the tower at 300 meters above ground!

Credit: @danda.photography on Instagram

Halal Food Nearby - Nelayan

This fuss free eatery serves traditional Indonesian staples like the crowd favourite beef rendang and bakso. If you’re looking for a reasonably priced and hearty meal, look no further!

Credit: @wooi_vuitton on Instagram

Take a leisurely 20-minute walk across the Yarra River from Eureka Tower to get here.

Halal status: Halal meat available

Address: 265 Swanston Street, CBD, Melbourne, VIC.

Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday, 11am – 9pm.

Price: From AUD12

4. Soak in the artsy vibes of the city at Federation Square

One of Melbourne’s most popular destinations, Federation Square (or also known as Fed Square) is the city’s iconic meeting place ad a hub for food, arts and events.

Credit: @federationsquare on Instagram

Located across the road from the historic Flinders Street Station, the unique architecture of the square is also home to the National Gallery of Victoria’s Australian collection, The Ian Potter Centre (the first major gallery exclusively dedicated to Australian artists) as well as the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), a must-see for anyone interested in film, TV and gaming.

Credit: @federationsquare on Instagram

Book lovers can also trawl through more than 5000 titles at the weekly Fed Square Book Market that happens every Saturday. The fun atmosphere with street performers entertaining the crowd is not to be missed!

#HHWT Tip: There’s free wifi available at the square, for all your browsing needs ?

Address: Corner of Flinders and Swanston Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000

Opening Hours: Fed Square is open 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. However, operating hours of onsite tenancies vary greatly. Check their website for more details.

Website

Halal food nearby - Lord of the Fries

You wouldn’t believe that the burgers at Lord of the Fries are 100% vegetarian when you sink your teeth into classic burger options like their Cheeseburger!

Credit: @melaniemorales on Instagram

The menu here is completely vegetarian, with vegan options upon request. If you’re skeptical about going without meat, don’t worry as they definitely do not skimp on the taste and flavour! The nearest outlet to Federation Square does not have any dine in options (but you can have a picnic at the square!), but some of their other locations do.

Address: Shop 5, Flinders Street Station, Melbourne VIC 3000

Opening Hours: Monday (7:30am – 10:30pm), Tuesday to Thrusday (7:30am – 11:00pm), Friday (7:30am – 1:30am), Saturday (8:30am – 3:00am), Sunday (9:00am – 10:00pm)

Price: From $15 and above

5. Check out the State Library and chill at the lawn

Whether you’re a book lover, architecture aficionado or history buff, a visit to the State Library is full of surprises.

Credit: Chris Phutully on Flickr

#HHWT Tip: Take a free daily tour that starts at 2pm. Starting off in the Queen’s Hall, the tour takes visitors to places that are closed off to regular visitors. Step into the magnificent Dome Reading Room and check out the Chess Room!

Credit: @thatnicehumanboy on Instagram

The lawn of the library is also one of the best places to relax and soak up the city vibes, often with bands, buskers and entertainment close by. It’s especially popular on a sunny Sunday to picnic on the lawn!

Address: 328 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday 10am – 9pm, Friday to Sunday 10am – 6pm. Some reading rooms and galleries have different opening hours. Check the website for more

Website

Halal food nearby - Little Ipoh

When those Malaysian food cravings hit, head over to Little Ipoh for an authentic taste of home. From roti canai to Ipoh Char Kuey Teow and even specialties like nasi kerabu, they've got it all.

Credit: @eugenemrhan on Instagram

Where else can you find authentic keropok lekor all the way in Melbourne? ?

#HHWT Tip: Little Ipoh is situated above La Trobe cafe and has a red sign – you can’t miss it!

Halal status: Halal meat available

Address: Level 1, 360 La Trobe St.

Opening hours: 12.00pm - 9.00pm daily

Contact details: +61 3 9329 1826

Website | Facebook

Price range: AUD5.00 - AUD12.00

6. Explore the laneways for your OOTD shot

As if the city wasn’t pretty enough already, creative and edgy street art covers almost every nook and cranny of this creative, colourful city.

Credit: @rayofmelbourne on Instagram

With subject matters ranging from political to humorous, pieces can change almost daily! To see some of the city’s best street art locations, head to the following areas:

  • Hosier and Rutledge Lane, opposite Federation Square
  • Caledonian Lane, off Little Bourke Street
  • Union Lane, off Bourke Street Mall
  • Rear of 280 Queen Street in Finlay Avenue
  • 21 Degraves Street
  • Corner Flinders Lane and Cocker Alley
  • 122 Palmerston Street, Carlton
  • Centre Place, between Collins Street and Flinders Lane

Credit: vincentq on Flickr

Halal food nearby - Blok M Express

If you’re on the hunt for street art near Little Bourke Street, stop by Blok M Express which serves Indonesian fare to have your fill before continuing on your search!

Credit: @akidwholikestoeat on Instagram

Try their beef ribs, ayam bakar, mie goreng or soto ayam for a quick and filling meal, and down it all with the Indonesian classic teh kotak.

Halal status: Halal meat available

Address: 80 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Opening hours: Monday to Wednesday 11am – 9pm, Thursday to Sunday 11am to 10pm

Price range: AUD9.00 – AUD12.00

7. Dive into the past at Old Melbourne Gaol

Although visiting an old jail might not sound appealing to most, looks can be deceiving because the Old Melbourne Gaol is one of Melbourne's best historical places and is truly worth a visit!

Credit: Matt Chan on Flickr

Built in the 1800s and a site of over 130 hangings, the Old Melbourne Gaol is one of Melbourne’s oldest surviving buildings! It’s one of the city’s must-see attractions, especially for their Crime and Justice Experience. Enter the world of some of Australia’s most infamous criminals including bushranger Ned Kelly and notorious gangster Squizzy Taylor.

#HHWT Tip: For those of you who are brave enough, you can even take a night tour by candlelight for an unforgettable experience!

Address: 377 Russell Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Contact number: (03) 8663 7228

Email address: [email protected]

Opening Hours: Daily from 9:30am to 5pm

Ticket price: Adult - AUD25, Children (5-15 years old) – AUD13.50. Family tickets are also available.

Website

Halal food nearby – Chinger Biang Biang Noodle

If you’re looking for something warm and soupy to fill you up on a cold day in Melbourne, Chinger Biang Biang Noodle will do just that. Serving authentic food of the Shaanxi province in China, their hand-pulled biang biang noodles and dumplings are a must-try!

Credit: @therealnungky on Instagram

#HHWT Tip: They have other locations around the city too, so check out their website for more information!

Halal status: Halal meat available

Address: 74 Victoria St Carlton, VIC 3053

Phone: (03) 9242 0478

Opening Hours: 11:30am – 10pm daily

Price range: AUD 6 – AUD12

Website

8. Hunt for vintage finds at Camberwell Market

If your trip coincides with a Sunday, venture out to Camberwell Market, one of Australia’s most popular flea markets! Whether you love vintage clothing, antiques, succulents, handmade soaps, second-hand reads, or you just enjoy browsing, take a stroll in the market to get a taste of Melbourne’s market vibe.

Credit: @my.chael9 on Instagram

Have a cup of coffee from Little Pony, smell the beautiful flowers for sale, grab some hot chips from the Veggie Van and enjoy! With nearly 400 stands, you never know what great finds you might just bring home from Camberwell ;)

Credit: @ameliaalanna on Instagram

Address: 27-35 Cooper St, Campbellfield 3061

Opening hours: 6:30am – 12:30pm on Sundays

Website

Halal food nearby – Nando’s

When you’re done browsing the markets, head on over to Nando’s for your lunch fix! Their peri-peri chicken needs no introduction ?

Credit: @christinasugiarto on Instagram

*Do note that while the meat used is from a halal supplier and that they are prepared separately from bacon, other ingredients such as the buns used for the burgers are prepared together. Readers are advised to dine at their own discretion!

Halal status: Halal meat available

Address: Rear of 636 Burke Road, 3124 Melbourne

Phone: (03) 9882 3444

Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm daily

Price range: AUD 7 – AUD30

Website

There’s so much more to see and do in Melbourne, and we love how easy it is to find great halal food around the city! Pack your bags, we think you’re heading to Melbourne soon! ?

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