South Yarra, Prahran and Toorak

If you are after a true Melbourne shopping experience, this part of the city is it for you! There literally isn’t an inch of space on renowned Chapel Street that hasn’t been devoted to stylish fashion and eccentric haute couture.

Start your shopping excursion at the South Yarra end of Chapel Street. Exclusive fashion labels compete for shopper’s attention; this is a haven for keen brand hunters with a fancy for the glamorous. Sophisticated bars and cafés offer a break from the fashion frenzy

Head south along Chapel Street until you cross Malvern Road. You now enter the Prahran end of Chapel Street, which offers a more diverse and alternative (and less expensive) option of clothing and souvenirs. There’s a wide range of authentic little bistros and bars. For more gourmet options head down to the lively Prahran Markets, where you can pick up some home-made falafel, creamy dips or choose from an impressive array of fresh fruit and vegetable.

The Como House is an elevated colonial mansion overlooking the Yarra, which used to be inhabited by a prestigious family. You can visit the finely renovated building and get a feel for upper-class life in Melbourne in the gold olden days.

Herring Island in the Yarra River offers an unexpected escape from busy city life only a stone’s throw from the CBD. It boasts a garden with indigenous plants, lizards, parrots and possums as well as a sculpture walk with figures made from natural materials such as stone, earth and wood. Herring Island can only be accessed by boat, with an official punt service running on weekends and public holidays between December and April.

Toorak in the outer West is one up-market piece of real estate. Its inhabitants reside in fancy Victorian-style homes or in luxurious modern apartments and shop at the exclusive Toorak Village shopping centre.