Port Melbourne

Have a quick glimpse and see Port Melbourne as a sunny bayside suburb with gleaming modern architecture; look closer and find restored workers cottages paying homage to the bean and barley in typical Melbourne style.

Beacon Cove and Station Pier
Don your designer gear and pound the palm-lined path that hugs the Port Melbourne foreshore. Deviate past architect-designed houses and the high-rise apartment blocks overlooking Port Phillip Bay. Catch your breath in Beach Street's cafes, or dress up for beachfront beverages at Bellezain, Café Zest, and the London.

Plant yourself at 3 Station Pier, Waterfront or Campari and people-watch as the Spirit of Tasmania ferry arrives, and the international cruise ships dock.

Back in Bay Street
Step back from the beach to Bay Street. Scout quality coffees at Balderdash, My Sister Says and Salford Lads Club and find best French provisions at Noisette and Eurodore. Shop up a storm at Cactus Jam and Blondies and equip yourself with intellectual reads from Readings. The Graham, The Local and the Railway Club Hotel will set you up with frothy beers (boutique, naturally) and top-notch pub grub.

How to get there
By tram: Number 109 (to Port Melbourne) from Collins Street (about 20 minutes).

By bus: Number 238 from the corner of Collins and Market streets to Bay Street to (about 25 minutes).