48 Hours in Collins Street, Melbourne
There’s a new buzz in this classic corner of the CBD. Keep reading for the latest hotspots to explore on Melbourne's iconic Collins Street.
The stay
On the outside, the Neo-Gothic-style sandstone façade of Collins Street’s Rialto building is an enduring monument to Victoria’s gold rush boom. Inside, it’s the InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto, a grand stay in the CBD’s south-west. Along with the enclosed rooftop swimming pool, sauna, spa and trio of dining venues, this 253-key property has recently added the Club InterContinental Lounge, exclusive to guests in Club rooms and suites. A tranquil retreat overlooking the central atrium, it serves complimentary daily breakfasts, indulgent afternoon teas and early evening canapés with a selection of drinks.
The bar
In a subterranean space on the corner of Queens and Collins streets, cocktail lounge Purple Pit serves bites such as oysters dressed with a silky balsamic and saffron glaze and pizzetta loaded with peach, fresh greens and fermented chilli. And to drink? The crystal-clear Magic Arrow, with flavours of strawberry and cream, is like a trick on the tongue.
The café
A five-minute walk from the hotel lobby, Korean-inspired pastry spot The Butter Room goes beyond the traditional. There’s a soboro filled with red bean paste as well as the lava pandoro, a matcha-spiked version of the sweet Italian bread. The drinks menu is just as interesting – try the Dirty Matcha latte, an espresso with green tea-infused cream.
The must-do
At ACMI, Australia’s national museum of screen culture in Federation Square, there’s something for film buffs, gamers and art-lovers alike. The latest exhibition, Beings by Universal Everything, is an interactive celebration of movement where your body makes the artwork, with VFX software-powered animations in a range of forms, from molten lava to puffs of coloured smoke.
