Melbourne has so many things of interest such as Melbourne Aquarium, Flinders Street Station, Federation Square (Fed Square), Young & Jackson Hotel, St Andrews Cathedral, Alexandra and Queen Victoria Gardens and Kings Domain, the National Gallery of Victoria and the Victorian Arts Centre and Victoria Barracks.
All Boutique Stays properties are central to the many things Melbourne has to offer.

Tram, train and bus timetables, maps and journey planners

http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/

Melbourne's Airports

http://www.melbourneairport.com.au
http://www.avalonairport.com.au

Airport Shuttles

http://www.skybus.com.au
http://www.fapas.com.au

Melbourne's exciting major events

http://www.australianopen.com/
http://www.grandprix.com.au/
http://www.afl.com.au/
http://www.springracingcarnival.com.au/
http://www.melbournecup.com/melbourne-cup-carnival/

Local Tourist Information

http://www.visitvictoria.com/
http://www.visitmelbourne.com/
http://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/
http://www.fedsquare.com
 

Location Information

Brighton

Brighton is one of Melbourne's most exclusive suburbs, located south of the city between Elwood and Hampton and fronting Port Phillip Bay with its stretches of beautiful sandy beaches.

Brighton is well serviced with a diverse selection of separate shopping precincts. The major centre of Brighton is situated along Church Street and offers supermarkets, a cinema at the Dendy Plaza Shopping Centre and a selection of high-end fashion and beauty establishments. Bay Street in North Brighton is a historic shopping strip where cafes and restaurants blend in with fashion and gift shops. Near the Gardenvale station is Martin Street where there's a mix of gourmet food outlets and contemporary retailers. And finally, the coastal thoroughfare of The Esplanade is dotted with a selection of hotels and a small commercial hub opposite the Middle Brighton Baths.

With almost 6 kilometres of coastline within Brighton's suburban boundary, there is a diverse range of attractions and activities for all. A pedestrian and bicycle path runs along much of the foreshore, lined with palm trees, gardens and open lawns. The Middle Brighton Pier leads to a large marina facility and adjacent to that are the Middle Brighton Baths. These historic sea baths have been enjoyed by visitors since 1881 and the complex includes a cafe, restaurant, gymnasium and function facilities. Designated areas of Brighton's beaches are used by windsurfers and water skiers.

The most famous spot on Brighton's coastline is the Dendy Street Beach. The colourful bathing boxes which line this stretch of coast are a well-known Melbourne icon and reflect a bygone era where swimmers and visitors to the beach had private changing and storage facilities. Good views of the bathing boxes and Melbourne's skyline can be enjoyed from the gardens at Green Point.

Visitors can appreciate Brighton's beautiful gardens and historic architecture at a number of locations in the suburb. The Brighton Town Hall Precinct, on Carpenter Street, includes the impressive facade of the town hall building, surrounding lawns and rose garden. The local council offices, a library and theatre are located on the site. The Billilla Historic Homestead in Halifax Street features beautiful gardens which are open daily to the public. Kamesburgh is a boutique mansion on North Road, set within formal English gardens and water features. Elsternwick Park, which borders the neighbouring suburb of Elwood, consists of a series of lakes surrounded by gardens, playgrounds and sporting ovals.

Port Melbourne

Port Melbourne is one of Melbourne’s most sought-after suburbs. It is located 5 km southwest of Melbourne's central business district in a "beach belt" that includes Albert Park, Middle park and St Kilda, some of Melbourne's most fashionable bayside suburbs

In 2006 Port Melbourne had a population of 13,293. The suburb is bordered by the shore of Hobsons Bay and the lower reaches of the Yarra River. Port Melbourne covers a large area which includes the distinct localities of Fishermens Bend, Garden City, Montague and Beacon Cove.

Historically the suburb was known as Sandridge and developed as the city's second port, linked to the nearby Melbourne CBD. Port Melbourne was first settled in 1839 by Wilbraham Liardet, who established a hotel, jetty, and mail service. It was initially known as Liardet's Beach, but soon took on the official name of Sandridge, and finally Port Melbourne in 1884. During the Victorian gold rush of the 1850s Sandridge became a thriving transport hub. Australia's first railway line, the Port Melbourne Line, was built in 1854, connecting Sandridge to Melbourne.

In the early years of Port Melbourne, it was separated from neighboring Albert Park by a large shallow lagoon. This was filled in over the years, with the last of it completed in 1929. Today, the area is largely covered by the Lagoon Reserve, a public park to the east of the Esplanade between Liardet Street and Graham Street, although the original extent of the lagoon was much
greater.

For many years Port Melbourne was a focus of Melbourne's criminal underworld, which operated smuggling syndicates on the docks. The old Ships Painters and Dockers Union was notorious for being controlled by gangsters. Today, Port Melbourne still serves as a transport hub for passenger and cargo vessels. Many luxury liners and ferries arrive at Station Pier, including the daily ferry service to Tasmania.

Houses in Port Melbourne range from single-fronted Victorian timber worker's cottages to new apartments and housing developments. Many large apartment developments in Port Melbourne occupy large blocks of land, taking over large factories and warehouses, such as HM@S project in Beach Street and Bayshore and Bayview Apartments in Bay Street. Many of the redevelopments have preserved the heritage buildings.

Port Melbourne has undergone a major demographic shift in the past twenty years, from one of the cheapest and poorest suburbs in the city to one of the most expensive and wealthiest. The suburb's small Victorian workers cottages are now attracting big dollars from people wanting to live in this area.

Port Melbourne is a busy bayside suburb transformed by striking residential developments alongside restored public buildings and workers' cottages.

Architect-designed houses, streets lined with palm trees and high-rise apartment blocks overlook Port Phillip Bay. Along Beach Street there are cafes, bars and restaurants such as Bellezain and Café Zest.

Since the 1830s, Port Melbourne has been the arrival point for millions of shipping passengers. Today, Station Pier is the docking point for the Spirit of Tasmania ferry service from Devonport, Tasmania, and for international cruise ships, which are in port between November and March each year. There's also a range of glorious beachside dining options on the pier such as 3 Station Pier
and Waterfront. Close to Station Pier is Beacon Cove, a residential development targeting young professionals which features architect-designed homes and boulevards lined with palm trees.

The main thoroughfare of Bay Street has a fascinating collection of traditional pubs, hotels and historic buildings and a range of contemporary fashion and design stores including Cactus Jam and Blondies, and delicious bakeries, patisseries and eateries. Readings is a friendly neighbourhood bookshop known for its broad range of fiction and 'lifestyle' books. The Stray Dog Booksellers is the place for antiquarian and secondhand books.

Wander through boutique shops and galleries, have fish and chips on the beach, enjoy a latte at a funky cafe overlooking the bay, cycling along the bike paths or strolling the promenade.

Just ten minutes from the city by light rail 109, Port Melbourne is a stylish blend of Melbourne’s old and new. It offers all the fun and excitement of inner city living, minus the frantic pace...

Richmond

Located a convenient 2 km east of Melbourne central business area on the city fringe, Richmond is an inner suburb that is closest to the sporting precinct. Richmond is walking distance to the MCG precinct and Rod laver Arena,and contains the famous shopping, restaurant and cafe streets Bridge Road, Swan St and Victoria Street.  Trams provide easy access to the city, the sporting areas and adjacent suburbs. The railway and major feeder roads both pass through Richmond, making for easy access from the airport.

St Kilda/Elwood

If staying Bayside, visit the St Kilda Esplanade Markets, ride the roller coaster at Luna Park, have coffee and cake in Acland Street, dine at one of the many restaurants in Fitzroy Street, or catch the ferry to Williamstown from St Kilda pier. And you can walk for miles along the beach promenade. Magnificent any time of year!
Southbank

If staying in Southbank, you'll find it is so central; just across the Yarra River from Melbourne CBD. The never-ending Southbank Promenade is famous for its world-class restaurants, shops and of course, Crown Casino. In addition, there are multiple food outlets, buskers and arts & crafts events. And the Melbourne Exhibition Centre (better known as Jeff's Shed) is just across Clarendon Street, opposite the Casino.

General Sightseeing

Visitors can enjoy some fabulous day trips from any of the Boutique Stays locations. We have five gourmet food and wine regions all within an hour and a half's drive; Mornington Peninsula, Yarra Vally, Macedon Ranges, Sunbury and the Geelong/Bellarine Peninsula. Other great things to see and do include enjoying a devonshire tea in The Dandenongs, having a ride on Puffing Billy, viewing the penguins at Phillip Island or taking in the beauty along the Great Ocean Road.