Chinatown
Make a dramatic entrance to Melbourne's Chinatown through the grand arches and get a sniff of the area's history amid the sumptuous aromas of Asian cuisine, Chinese herbs and morish cocktails.
Explore the nineteenth century buildings on the strip of Little Bourke Street between Swanston and Spring streets. Australia's oldest Chinatown now intermingles with hip bars and fashion boutiques.
Dumplings and chilli kicks
Eat up a storm in renowned Chinese and Asian restaurants such as Shark Fin, Supper Inn, Dragon Boat and Westlake where yum cha is the word for lunch, or try the fabulous Flower Drum, Cantonese fine dining at its best.
Bright lights, big nights
Enjoy illumination beneath streetlights, lanterns and neon lights while choosing the perfect spot for dinner. Afterwards disappear down a laneway or up a flight of stairs for cocktail sorcery at the Croft Institute, New Gold Mountain or Fad Gallery.
The story of China in Australia
Learn the Chinese-Australia story at the Chinese Museum in Cohen Place, and get the hidden history with a guided walk through Little Bourke Street's buildings and laneways.
Kick up your heels
Each year Chinatown hosts many traditional Chinese festivals and activities such as the Asian Food Festival and the Chinese New Year.
Getting there
By tram: Any tram along Swanston Street to Bourke or Lonsdale streets; the free City Circle Tram to Parliament House on Spring Street, then walk to Little Bourke Street.
Free Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle: Stop 4. The complete trip includes 13 stops and takes approximately an hour and a half. The bus runs every 30 minutes between 9.30am and 4.30pm daily (excluding Good Friday and Christmas Day) and includes an on-board commentary.
By foot: Two and a half blocks north from Federation Square (about 5 minutes).