Anna Wintour’s private collection on display and other reasons to visit Melbourne

From its famous café culture, hidden laneways and hit Broadway shows, not to mention the Australian Open, the city of Melbourne is pretty hard to beat. Now the high priestess of fashion herself, Anna Wintour is giving the Victorian capital her seal of approval by donating two pieces from her personal collection to the National Gallery of Victoria. Here we take a look at the best hotspots the city has to offer.

NGV

With an exciting new exhibition on every couple of months, a trip to Melbourne isn’t complete without visiting the National Gallery of Victoria. Currently on display is the brilliant Esher X Nendo exhibit and arriving in March is two of Anna Wintour’s most iconic Chanel pieces from her personal collection; her 2008 MET Gala haute couture gown and a spring/summer 1996 tweed skirt suit. “I felt that my donation to the NGV should be both personal and also speak to the global fashion industry and no one designer represents these two things to me more than Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel,” Wintour says.

Anna Wintour at the NGV.

Chapel Street

From trendy little fashion boutiques that come with a bargain price tag, to the iconic Chapel Street Bazaar (an out of this world antique emporium) and hip cafes like Abacus which is well worth the 20 minute wait to classic high street shops (hello Sportsgirl) Chapel Street is a one-stop shop for everything you could possibly need. Did we mention the best vintage in town? Shag boutique is a Melbourne institution and a must-visit for fashion lovers.

Abacus on Chapel Street.

CBD

Where to begin? From the luxury boutiques on Collins Street (hello Prada and Miss Louise) to the city’s hidden laneways with the best Tapas in town at Modiva on Hosier Lane (the most Instagrammed street in Melbourne thanks to its iconic street art), everything you could possibly need is only a 10-minute walk away. The Hopetoun Tearooms in the Block Arcade are particularly delightful, a trip to David Jones is non-negotiable as is the Pad Thai at the store’s infamous Food Hall, which is a stones throw to Mamasita an out-of-this-world Mexican experience and you can’t beat Chin Chin or it’s 40 minute wait for some seriously delicious pork pancakes. If it’s brekkie you’re after Higher Ground is the place to go; did we mention pretty much every restaurant has a gluten-free menu? #ThanksMelbourne

Chin Chin on Flinders Lane.

Southbank

Nothing beats a walk around the Yarra River on Melbourne’s South Bank, make sure to check out the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art’s latest exhibit, stop for a drink at the trendy Ponyfish Island bar and channel your inner Kardashian with dinner at Nobu.

Ponyfish Island on Melbourne's Southbank.

St Kilda

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and hitch a tram ride to St Kilda for a day at the beach or if you’re traveling with kids visit the famous Luna Park for an adventure-packed day out. Vegan lovers head to Matcha Mylkbar for the best vegan avocado eggs on toast and finish the day with cocktails on the beach at Republica. If you have time visit nearby Brighton Beach and check out the famous colourful bathing boxes, for another insta-worthy pic.

Brighton Beach's colourful bathing boxes.

Sports and Entertainment

Melbourne is the centre of all things entertainment, from drinking a glass of Moët at the Melbourne Cup to watching Rodger Federer play at the Australian Open and a night out at Broadway Show (we couldn’t recommend Jersey Boys enough), you can find something for everyone in the Victorian capital.

Ladies at the Melbourne Cup.