The best way to see Melbourne is by neighbourhood, says blogger Luke Marlin on Backstreet Nomad. “There are plenty of awesome places everywhere, but as soon as you start going through generic travel guides or ‘X Day Itineraries’ (which admittedly are quite good), it becomes overwhelming, hard to follow, and difficult to formulate a plan because there are SO many great options and differing opinions.” I agree, says Amy Cooper in Traveller. “Gaining a real sense of a place and its people requires a riskier but ultimately more rewarding approach: pick a promising neighbourhood and take a punt. Commit to your corner, hole yourself up there like a local and ignore the call of the big bang tourist attractions.”
Tricks of the city. If you live in Melbourne there are some things you’d just die to know – like how to get a table at the uber-trendy, uber-spicy Chin Chin in Flinders Lane without lining up for hours (just don’t tell anyone else).
Want to live like a local? Here are some lists worth paying attention to …
Where the city’s most esteemed chef finds the best food in his own backyard - Delicious
Melbourne's top bars and restaurants, selected by the city’s hotel concierges - Traveller
Hire a bicycle and pedal along one of the multifarious bike paths - We Love Melbourne
40 things you need to do in order to feel like a true Melburnian - Eat Play Love Travel