Historic Gray Reid building in Melbourne’s CBD
A view of tall modern and historic buildings in an urban city street with cars and pedestrians, under a partly cloudy sky.
Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar in Melbourne’s CBD
A plate of assorted desserts including cakes and pastries with cream and fruit garnishes, in focus in a brightly lit restaurant setting with blurred diners in the background.
Aesop storefront in Melbourne’s CBD
A black hotel room key card from the Windsor Hotel in Melbourne, with gold text and a crown logo, held near a champagne flute on a table with a blurred background of a well-lit room.
Bronze statues of two men in business suits standing on a city sidewalk, one holding a briefcase, with trees and buildings in the background.
Narrow alleyway with a mural on the left wall that reads "Love, Hope, Respect" in red cursive letters, decorated with various stickers, posters, and graffiti art. The alley is lined with buildings and leads to a brighter area ahead.
City sidewalk with street lamps and signs for men's and women's restrooms in front of a historic building.
The Hotel Windsor on Spring Street, Melbourne
Close-up of a decorative clip holding a card with a black and white drawing of a woman with short hair and a black mask.
Restaurant menu featuring oysters, seafood, and caviar options, with a blurred background of a restaurant setting.

Explore Melbourne

Coffee. Culture. Cocktails. Curiosity.

Melbourne isn't a city to rush through. It's a city of hidden laneways, neighbourhood cafés, rooftop bars, galleries, theatres and restaurants that reveal themselves over time. These are some of Joy's favourite places—collected over decades of living, working and exploring the city she calls home.

Public transport (trams and trains) are a short walking distance from the QT.

Transport is free for travel in the CBD. 

A Long Weekend in Melbourne

Curated by Joy

Three days. No rushing. No tourist checklists. Just some of Melbourne's favourite restaurants, galleries, theatres and hidden traditions—all within easy reach of the residence.

Day 1: Art, Architecture & Theatre

Morning

Start your Melbourne weekend with breakfast at Pascale Bar & Grill on Level 1 of QT Melbourne.

From there, take a leisurely stroll to two of Joy's favourite cultural spaces: the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) and the beautiful Botanical Gardens.

Lunch

Settle into Florentino Grill on Bourke Street—one of Melbourne's enduring institutions for long lunches and impeccable Italian hospitality.

Evening

Melbourne is Australia's theatre capital. Spend the evening at one of the city's grand historic theatres—The Regent, Her Majesty's, The Princess Theatre or The Comedy Theatre—all within walking distance of the residence.

Day 2: Bayside Melbourne

Morning

Begin the day at The European, one of Melbourne's classic cafés overlooking Parliament House.

Then hop aboard one of Melbourne's iconic trams to St Kilda. Wander along the Esplanade, watch the bay come alive and stop for a coffee at the legendary Esplanade Hotel (The Espy).

Lunch

Enjoy a long waterfront lunch at Stokehouse, where floor-to-ceiling windows frame Port Phillip Bay.

Evening

After a relaxed afternoon back at the residence, wander to Pellegrini's Espresso Bar for one of Melbourne's most iconic casual dinners—a place that has been serving locals for generations.

Day 3: Shopping, Music & Late Suppers

Morning

Enjoy breakfast back at Pascale Bar & Grill before exploring Melbourne's famous Collins Street, home to luxury boutiques, historic arcades and some of Australia's finest shopping.

Afternoon

Pause for coffee or afternoon tea at The Windsor, one of Melbourne's grand heritage hotels overlooking Parliament House.

Evening

Complete your Melbourne stay with a performance at Hamer Hall or the Melbourne Recital Centre, followed by a late supper at Frenchies on Collins Street, where the kitchen welcomes theatre-goers well into the evening.