The top domestic city on 2015 wishlists

By Hannah Edensor

Australia’s capital of cool, Melbourne, has taken out the number one spot on the domestic city wish list.

Lastminute.com.au surveyed over 4100 people to find out which Aussie city was most coveted by travelers down under.

Coming in a close second was Perth, then Hobart, and Sydney at number four.

Check out the uber cool domestic cities that topped the Aussie charts.

Melbourne, VIC
Perth, WA
Hobart, TAS
Sydney, NSW
Darwin, NT
Brisbane, QLD
Adelaide, SA
Canberra, ACT

Melbourne’s number one status comes as lastminute.com.au and Tourism Victoria partner for the Play Up In Melbourne campaign, on sale now until February 9, which encourages domestic visitors to jump on some very accommodating deals, kicking off at $87 per night.

Lastminute.com.au spokesperson Louise Ryan says Melbourne is number one for so much more than just its cultural capital.

“Melbourne is best known as the cosmopolitan mecca of Australia, however, it’s much more than that; it’s an intoxicating mix of sophistication and guilty pleasures,” Ryan said.

“It’s the ultimate Aussie city to ‘play up’ in. Whether that is maxing the budget by shopping till you drop, late night espresso martinis at an inner city rooftop bar, or lazy days drinking coffee and people watching in one of the city’s hidden laneways.

“Through the Play Up In Melbourne campaign we are encouraging Australians to indulge their inner creativity and curiosity with a short break to explore Melbourne’s many galleries, foodie haunts, bars and quirky fashion boutiques.”

Lastminute.com.au came up with five top reasons to pay a visit to the suave city.

It’s all about the fashion

Let’s be honest; Melbournians have an impeccable sense of style.

Find your own in the bustling laneways and arcades of the city, shop up a storm at the country’s newest shopping mecca Emporium, explore the eclectic boutiques in Fitzroy and Collingwood, or head south of the city and stroll along Chapel Street for great fashion finds.

Rooftop bars

Melbourne is a city known for its rooftop bars, many of them hidden above discreet city buildings.

Some lastminute.com.au favourites include the retro tennis inspired Madame Brussels on Bourke Street, Naked In The Sky overlooking the ultra-cool Brunswick Street in Fitzroy and beachside Captain Baxters in St Kilda.

Arts & culture

Be inspired by Melbourne’s many art galleries such as the Australian Centre For Contemporary Art, the National Gallery of Victoria and at the myriad of hidden galleries situated throughout the city’s laneways.

Then glam up and head to the theatre to enjoy some of the 2015 shows, including Strictly Ballroom The Musical (on now), The Lion King (20 February – 10 May) or Dirty Dancing (from February to May).

Food lovers’ fortune

Hit up hip inner city haunts such as local favourites Chin Chin, Bomba, Tonka, Mamasita and Supernormal.

If a long relaxing luncheon is your thing, take a day trip to the Yarra Valley wine region, just an hour north-east of Melbourne and enjoy local food and wine flavours in a relaxed vineyard setting.

Stay & play

Retreat at night and stay at any of the inner city hotels such as the elegant Hotel Windsor or the glamorous Crown Metropol Melbourne. Check out current Play Up In Melbourne lastminute.com.au deals.

The lastminute.com.au Play Up In Melbourne campaign runs until February 9 2015.

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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