On a 72-hour stopover in Melbourne, Travel+Leisure India & South Asia’s contributor ticks off two of the biggest highlights of the city from his bucket list.
I arrive in Melbourne after a 24-hour-long flight from London, a not-so-easy journey, to say the least. However, the moment I step out of the airport, warm weather and happy faces around serve as an instant pick-me-up. In no time, my cab, booked via Booking.com arrives. Booking.com is no longer just a platform to book great places to stay. With its new ‘Connected Trip’ feature, it’s now a one-stop shop for everything you need for a great holiday—taxi rentals, travel packages, and city attractions. After a quick ride, I arrive at Pullman Melbourne on the Park, located in the heart of East Melbourne, and my home for the next 72 hours. My room overlooks the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), which is bustling with the activities of the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup; it is also the first place I visit in the state of Victoria.
72 hours in Melbourne, Australia
Day one: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) + Walking Tour
MCG is an unforgettable experience, it is a lesson in the rich sporting history of the stadium and the country. The walls are adorned with pictures of the most iconic sportsmen in the world. The highlight of our visit to the stadium, however, is seeing the Unforgettable Legends Lounge created by Booking.com. The lounge is part of the many unique stay experiences the platform is curating for its customers. The kitted-out lounge is spectacular in every sense, with an unbeatable view of the ground. One lucky couple saw the finals of the tournament from here, and even had the experience of staying overnight at the MCG, for the first time ever in history. After visiting some more iconic spots at the stadium, I head for a small walking tour of Melbourne, the second most populous city of Australia and often called its culture capital. Soaking in the history and culture of the city, I reach at our last stop for the day—Melbourne Skydeck, the southern hemisphere’s highest observation point. The views, as you can probably imagine, are breathtaking, and the champagne also tastes better at 297 meters above the ground. After the bubbly, it is time for a quick dinner at Soho Restaurant and Bar, on the banks of River Yarra, overlooking Melbourne’s glorious waterfront and city skyline. The authentic Italian menu and handcrafted cocktails bring the curtains down on a tiring but extremely satisfying first day.
Day two: Great Ocean Road Tour
The next morning, I set out early for a 12-hour-long adventure. Through Booking.com’s new feature, I get a reservation for the magical Great Ocean Road Tour. One of the world’s most scenic drives, it offers a lot to see on and off it. While leaving the city of Melbourne, my wonderful guide narrates a brief history of the Victorian capital and prepares me for what I am about to witness. Our first big stop is the famous 12 Apostles, and turns out to be a visually stimulating experience.
The giant limestone formations rising from the pristine blue waters blow my mind. Our next halt is Loch Ard Gorge. The picturesque gorge is home to a pearlescent bay and narrow creek of crystal-clear waters. I spend a lot of time admiring the natural beauty of the surroundings before heading to another exciting spot. The Maits Rest Rainforest Walk in the Great Otway National Park is one of the most loved attractions along the Great Ocean Road. I walk around the rainforest and spot beautiful ferns and massive trees, some of them older than 300 years. I also get lucky and catch sight of a koala bear lounging on a treetop. On our return to Melbourne City, I stop at Wildlife Wonders, a small sanctuary and a conservation project that gives me a glimpse into the Australian bushland environment. On a guided tour of the park with an environmentalist, I learn about the native animals, some of which I am also lucky to spot. I get back to the hotel with tired feet and a sense of exhilaration and awe at the day I just had.
Day three: Live cricket match
My last few hours in Melbourne are thrilling and full of adrenaline. Along with the team of Booking.com, I head back to MCG for the finals of the T20 World Cup. Even though most cricketing fans were wishing for an India-Pakistan finisher, the nail-biting match between England and Pakistan kept the 75,000 people in the stadium entertained and served as the perfect ending for my adventure Down Under.
Getting to Melbourne
Air India operates non-stop daily flights from Delhi to Melbourne. Singapore Airlines operates various connecting flights from Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata to Melbourne.
Stay
Pullman Melbourne on the Park is one of the city’s most iconic hotels with 419 newly refurbished rooms. Doubles from INR 41,975.
Related: We Wander The Streets Of Melbourne To Trace Its Culinary History
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