miss voyager : the magic of melbourne

Melbourne is Australia’s answer to Paris. Actually, it’s our answer to almost everything. More sophisticated than Sydney, slicker than Brisbane and rougher than Perth, Melbourne is what you get when you throw artists, hippies and fat cats all in the one big multicultural bucket. But don’t take my word for it. Pack your most stylish shoes and head off for a weekend getaway at one of the best cities on the planet.

Chances are, you’ve been to Melbourne. You might even be intimately acquainted with its ornate Victorian-era architecture and leafy, established boulevards. But I’ll bet you didn’t know it was founded by a guy named Batman. Yep, Batman. This goes a long way towards explaining why the city itself seems to ooze bad arse cosmopolitan charm from every orifice.

Sick of waiting for approval from the Governor of New South Wales, John Batman crossed Bass Strait and purchased the land directly from the local aboriginals. After paying them in blankets and trinkets (which were all the rage back then), Batman set about founding his city and within a year, Melbourne was growing on the Yarra glen. By the time the Governor’s men came to shut it down, the town was too big.

Cue the gold rush. By 1852, every man and their dog was dislodging on the shores of Melbourne to find their fortune. That surge of wealth cemented Melbourne’s future as a major city and twenty five years after John Batman had settled there, 125,000 other people were living right alongside him.
These days Melbourne is home to 3.2 million content Australians, many of them packing Italian or Greek heritage. Melbourne is the third largest Greek city in the world, and some say the largest Italian city outside Italy itself. So when you’re having dinner on Lygon Street just remember that delicious pizza came from an active attempt in the twentieth century to attract migrants from Europe.

It’s not just Europeans either. Melbourne has a massive Chinese population dating back to the 1850’s gold rush, with plenty of Jews thrown into the mix as well. All up, the city’s residents come from an astounding 110 to 140 different backgrounds. That’s a lot of culture. Wrap it up with the fourth largest tramway system in the world and 6 – 23 foxes per square kilometre in the metro area, and you’ve got yourself one kick arse city.

Don’t kid yourself, Melbournians know this. They sedately go about their lives, watching their AFL and defending their cities notoriously bad weather, secure in the knowledge that some of the best art, music, fashion and cuisine in the world is home grown. Forgive them their pride and indulge yourself instead in some of the awesome events coming up in March.

Melbourne Food and Wine Festival

This is an annual event celebrating what Melbourne does best – food. Lots of it. This year will see the world’s longest lunch take place alongside the inaugural Great Melbourne Beer Festival, which is held, in true aussie style, at 10am on a Sunday. Throw in some tips and inspiration from the best chefs in the country plus 58 wineries just waiting for you to try out their latest Shiraz, and you have one big, fat, festival. It all happens from 2nd to 21st March, but check the website for specific dates and venues.

L’oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival

This is one annual fashion show that us normal humans can actually get into! You might not see Victoria Beckham sitting in the front row (which I think we can all agree is a bonus), but you will see a big, wholehearted celebration of all things fashion. This year the L’oreal people have world-class runway shows, beauty workshops, industry seminars, live entertainment and even a Chadstone VIP Shopping and Fashion Party. Naturally, some big names like Alex Perry will be there, as well as a lady named Ditta Von Teese, whose latest lingerie will soon be available at Target. Target, people! Now that’s a real designer. Just a warning though, Melbournians take their fashion seriously so be prepared to dress up. And bring a credit card. Or someone else’s.

Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Each year the city gets overrun with comedians celebrating the art of laughter and every Australian worth their salt must see it at least once. This year will see favourites Akmal, Stephen K Amos and Ross Noble return to the big smoke, alongside up and coming talent from all over the country. Started by Barry Humphries and Peter Cook back in 1987 and still going strong, the festival celebrated its 25th Anniversary last year and remains one of the three largest comedy festivals in the world, alongside Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Montreal’s Just for Laughs Festival. Plus at about $22 a pop, its hella cheap to get your laugh-on. Check the website out for more details!

By Ilana Pender-Rose

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