MELBOURNE

Welcome to Melbourne!

Melbourne is a large and vibrant multicultural city on the banks of the Birrarung (Yarra River), on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri people. ACU’s St Patrick’s campus sits in the lively inner-city neighborhood of Fitzroy, a short walk or tram ride away from the downtown or central business district (CBD). Melbourne is known for its foodie culture, and many of the city’s best cafes, pubs, microbreweries, and restaurants sit on ACU’s doorstep. Fitzroy Gardens and Carlton Gardens are superb public parks within easy walking distance of campus. 

Within a four-kilometre radius of the university campus you will find world-class institutions such as the National Gallery of Victoria’s two locations, at Federation Square and on St Kilda Rd; the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, also at Fed Square; the (notably kid-friendly) Melbourne Museum, in Carlton Gardens; and the Centre for Contemporary Photography and the Australian Print Workshop, each in Fitzroy. The Melbourne Zoo is in Royal Park, easily accessible via public transport or other means. Locals are very excited to welcome theatre and live music back to the city after the long, pandemic lockdowns that are thankfully behind us. Warm weather in December is ideal for day trips to the white-sand surf beaches along Victoria’s stunning Great Ocean Road. 

The city’s reliable public transport network includes trams, buses, and trains. To ride them beyond the CBD’s free tram zone, you’ll need a myki card. You can purchase one at major transport hubs and at many convenience and grocery stores around the city, including FoodWorks on Gertrude St in Fitzroy. Public transport schedules are available via the PTV app, which you can also use to recharge your myki. Uber and taxis can also move you from place to place. 

Within a short distance of ACU’s campus, you’ll find:

Coffee:

  • Calēre, 166 Gertrude St
  • Sullivan, 98 Gertrude St
  • Morning Market, 59 Gertrude St (also an excellent option for takeaway sandwiches)
  • Aunty Peg’s, 200 Wellington St (slightly further afield, but special)

Cafés:

  • Archie’s, 189 Gertrude St
  • Sonido, 69 Gertrude St
  • Alimentari, 251 Brunswick St *and* 302-304 Smith St
  • Faraday’s Cage, 325-329 Gore St

Grocery stores:

  • Gertrude St Grocer, 188-96 Gertrude St
  • Friends of the Earth, 312 Smith St
  • Wholefoods Fitzroy, 277 Smith St
  • Sonsa Markets, 216-218 Smith St

Casual dinners:

  • Shop Ramen, 329 Smith St
  • Shimbashi, 131 Smith St
  • Little Hop, 277 Brunswick St
  • Neko Neko, 83A Smith St

Restaurants:

  • Bar Liberty, 234 Johnston St
  • Ish, 199 Gertrude St
  • Bar Rosella, 229 Gertrude St
  • Bon Ap’ Petit Bistro, 193 Brunswick St
  • Ladro (conference dinner location), 224 Gertrude St

Bars:

  • Tamura Sake Bar, 43 Gertrude St
  • The Catfish, 30 Gertrude St
  • Smithward, 48 Smith St
  • Glou, 310 Smith St

Pubs:

  • The Napier Hotel, 210 Napier St
  • The Rainbow Hotel, 27 St David St
  • Marquis of Lorne, 411 George St
  • The Fitzroy Town Hall Hotel, 166 Johnston St

Accommodation

Frugal:

  • The Nunnery, 116 Nicholson St

Economical:

  • Melbourne Metropole Central, 44 Brunswick St
  • lyf Collingwood Melbourne, 42 Oxford St

Four-star:

  • Punthill Little Bourke, 11 Cohen Place (several delegates will be here)
  • Oaks Melbourne, 23 Lonsdale Street (frequently used by ACU)