Romantic Restaurants, Getaway Places in Victoria

"In the afternoon take a stroll around the Royal Botanic Gardens or join a tour to see the inner sanctum of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). If you're visiting between March and September make sure you see a game of AFL (Australian rules football). For dinner head to Little Bourke Street and taste the flavours of Melbourne's Chinatown, or check out the vast dining hall at Cookie in Curtin House. Catch a live performance at Bennetts Lane, Australia's premier jazz venue, which hosts local and international musicians most nights."

"The Botanic Gardens are simply stunning and a joy to explore. Kids will love the Ornamental Lake where you can take them on a punt cruise around the bays and islands. Highlights include the stunning Guilfoyle’s Volcano and the Tropical Glasshouse."

"A museum, a landmark and an observation deck packed into one completely free attraction in Melbourne. Yes, entry to the Shrine of Remembrance nestled in the Melbourne Gardens won’t cost you a damn thang. Head down when Melbourne weather isn’t PMS’ing and roam the dimly lit corridors of the crypts, read up on Australia’s involvement in the World Wars, make a dash for the terrace to soak in views of the Melbourne CBD and take a stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens."

"Melbourne’s iconic monument was built as a memorial to honour all those who served during World War I and all Australians who have since served in military conflict and peacekeeping operations. Open daily, visitors can wander through reflective exhibition spaces including Galleries of Remembrance, The Victoria Cross and Gallery of Medals and see over 800 objects including photos, uniforms and historical artefacts."

"Spend the day hopping between eclectic cafes and small shops, and explore iconic places such as the State Parliament buildings, Shrine of Remembrance, Federation Square, Arts Centre, Yarra River, Fitzroy Garden and St Patrick’s Cathedral. Take advantage of the free tram service around the City Circle loop to get around!"

"This attraction is for those with a fascination for the morbid. Many of Australia’s most notorious criminals were executed here for a total of 133. This included killers who had become famous worldwide for the severity of their crimes, such as the serial killer Frederick Bailey Deming."

"The Australian Centre for the Moving Image is ‘Australia’s only national museum of film, video games, digital culture and art,’ and features two cinemas, exhibition spaces and the permanent and ever-evolving exhibit Screen Worlds. See Cate Blanchett’s Oscar, props from Baz Lurhmann’s Moulin Rouge and costumes from Kylie Minogue, Dame Edna and Heath Ledger. Visit the Time Slice room, gawk at the Zoetrope and discover the magic behind the moving image and digital culture."

"This is Melbourne's cultural heart, home to cutting-edge art at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) and an extensive range of Aboriginal works at the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia. Explore the galleries before sitting down to lunch at one of the many restaurants on nearby Flinders Lane – Chin Chin and Coda are both standouts."

"has only been open a few years, but it has become one of the world’s leading moving image centres and is internationally recognised for its commitment to bringing excellence and innovationin world film and digital media. There are various exhibitions that are always worthwhile and screenings of various film. A very active Melbourne museum!"

"Rustic Italian dining comes served with perfect local wines at The Moat. Select house-made pappardelle with roasted artichokes and fresh king prawns, paired with drops from the King Valley. Or opt for a traditional Genoa baked pasta dish and small batch Sangiovese from Conde Estate Heathcote."

"Firstly you don’t need a permit (yay!) and even if there are lots of visitors in the gardens, there is still lots of space. Our fave spots are the hedge wall and gazebo near the rose garden. Even the public toilets have a great stone wall!"

"Shuji Sushi is a chain of contemporary Japanese cafes that you really can’t go past when it comes to quick and pleasant service, and food at reasonable prices. This is the perfect Japanese pit stop for busy families on the go. The menu includes hot dishes of ramen, soba and udon noodles; numerous bento box options, and sushi/sashimi packs that cater for every taste."

"Ripponlea’s neighbourhood charmer is welcoming locals and visitors again from 3rd June. You’ll be able to book in for multiple seatings at the comfy yet stylish resto-bar, with cocktail hour kicking off at 4:30pm. The full a la carte menu will be back, alongside specials like Pasta Wednesdays and $10 Negroni Thursdays."

"Endeavoring to preserve and promote ‘the artistic and cultural heritage of ancient and modern Greece’, the Hellenic Museum holds a vast collection of artifacts. See Cypriot pottery, cast ancient Greek statues, and check out Bill Henson’s photographic installation ONEIROI.Starting in 2014, for 10 years the Hellenic Museum will also house a priceless collection of antiquities from the Benaki Museum, Athens, showcasing 8,000 years of Greek civilisation to Melbourne."

"As the name suggests, the Hellenic museum in Melbourne is dedicated to the display of Hellenic collection that includes the Greek Treasures Across the Millennia from the iconic Benaki Museum, Athens. Housed in the historic Former Royal Mint building, this museum offers you a journey into the Greek history, from Classical, to Byzantine, Post-Byzantine, and Neo-Hellenic, through 8,000 years of Gr...Read more"

"Australia’s rich maritime history unravels through the Polly Woodside ship that has preserved antiquity in its bowels. The ship was launched in Belfast in 1885, and had sailed 1.5 million kilometres around the globe. Today, it is located in Melbourne's South Wharf precinct and is one of the major attractions of the city."

"Polly Woodside is a three-masted iron-hulled barque, built in Belfast in 1885. She carried coal, nitrate, and wheat between Britain and South America, then cargo in the New Zealand trade. She became a coal hulk in 1923, and was used as a service lighter in WWII in New Guinea."

"A museum ship is a perfect hands-on experience that will delight kids of all ages. In Melbourne, have a look at the Polly Woodside which can be found at 21 South Wharf Promenade. The ship is 130 years old and has circumnavigated the world 17 times!"

"Discover a specialist collection of books, manuscripts, photographs, maps, postcards and art works focussing on the history of Melbourne Australia and Victoria. It is in 239 A'Beckett Street"

"Utilising all of the best flavours from around the world, Ziggy’s Eatery specialises in not only superb burgers, but, also delicious wraps, falafel, salads, and an assortment of sides. Back to the burgers, the joints famous classic Texan burger is a must-try. If you’re really hungry, why not go for the Giant Texan."