How to Spend a Few Days in Victoria, Australia: “The Vibes are Immaculate”

• How to Get There — Qantas Airlines

  

  Qantas, also known as the Flying Kangaroo or the preferred airline of native Australians, operates up to 40 flights per week between Australia and the United States from such major cities as Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York. (The airliner will boost travel from the Big Apple when it launches non-stop services between Sydney and New York starting in 2028 as part of Project Sunrise.) The first two cities mentioned above are important here as Qantas serves as the official airline partner of the NFL in Australia and Zealand. As such, it operated charter flights on A380s for the Rams and 49ers while also filling its commercial flights with fans from all over as Qantas reported an uptick of 50 percent with bookings from the U.S. to Australia in advance of the Sept. 11 kickoff at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. As for those team charters, each plane got staffed with four pilots, 22 cabin crew and one charter manager along with more than 2,000 meals, which were maximized with protein to fuel some ever-hungry NFL stars. For example, steak sandwiches got loaded with extra meat, cheeseburgers were double-stuffed and there was so many meals and snacks that overhead bins were used for catering rather than luggage. Travelers also were able to get cozy for the long-haul flight while also rooting for the team of their chose when Qantas staffers surprised some guests with custom pajamas at boarding gates featuring either Rams or 49ers colors. “Our teams have spent months working with the clubs to make the flight part of the experience, from menus designed alongside team nutrition staff to bespoke Qantas pajamas in each club’s colors. For many of the athletes and staff this is their first visit to Australia and we wanted to give them a taste of the country from the moment they stepped on board,” explained Qantas Group chief brand and corporate affairs officer Danielle Keighery.

  Reservations: Qantas.com

  

  

  

  

  

• First Stop to Stay: Melbourne’s Hannah St Hotel

  

  Yes, extended travel times and heavy jet lag can require some schedule-maxing when traveling Down Under but it’s a minimal price to pay for what most travelers will wind up calling the trip of a lifetime. That’s why a great hotel is key. Enter Hannah St Hotel. Best described as a chic urban hideaway with friendly staff members in every corner, it’s a new jewel on the Melbourne hospitality scene. Located in the city’s Southbank below Kings Way, the five-star property — developed by Time & Place, designed by David Flack’s Flack Studios and operated by TFE Hotels — features 188 rooms and suites with midcentury modern touches and all the amenities needed for a cozy stay in 2026. (Also unlike most new hotels, rooms feature a shower with a door that actually closes!) There’s a pool, spa, steam room, 24-hour gym and fitness center as well as the Work Club, a sleek coworking space that also hosts a podcast studio. It’s within walking distance to Melbourne main draws like Federation Square, the National Gallery of Victoria, the Yarra River, Queen Victoria Market and the Central Business District. Hotel restaurants aren’t always 10/10, but Hannah St Hotel’s Coupette Corner Bistro & Bar is a must, whether for a hearty breakfast, delicious dinner or afternoon martini. Also not to be missed: A takeaway matcha, espresso or almond croissant from Hannah St Coffee, a quick catch up inside the Terrace Lounge or a nightcap at the lobby’s Bar Hannah.

  Reservations: Hannah St Hotel

• Welcome to Country With Aboriginal Guide

  

  “Welcome to Country is a ceremony based around purpose and respect,” explains a guide representing the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation prior to leading a group in a traditional smoking ceremony that has multiple benefits. Not only does it honor ancestors and pay respects to land, it is believed to have cleansing properties that can ward off negative spirits or illness, refresh the body, mind and soles of one’s feet before charting course on an Australian journey. Guides light native plants like eucalyptus but rather than create an open flame, a smoke is created that allows visitors to wave it across their bodies and feet. It’s a great day one activity that provides a deeper look at Victoria’s history and the people who paved the way. “We value country and we look for value within the landscape,” said our guide. “We always make sure that we live in a way that is responsible and carries integrity.” In addition to the ceremony, there are guided walking tours throughout Melbourne and Victoria to enrich the experience, including this recommended jaunt on at the Royal Botanic Garden.

  More information on Aboriginal Walks: Visit Melbourne

• NFL Makes History in Australia With L.A. Rams Versus San Francisco 49ers Game

  

  The NFL made history at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sept. 11 by hosting the league’s first-ever game in Australia. The moment was not lost on the locals, either, as many said they’ve been waiting for game time Down Under for decades. A man named Bill brought his son, Luca, to the game and he told The Hollywood Reporter that they put on 49ers jerseys and got to the grounds early to soak up the scene and root for their favorite team. “This is our first NFL game ever and I’ve been a fan for many, many years,” Bill explained. “I don’t think a lot of Americans realize how closely Australians follow the NFL. We follow it weekly basis and very closely. This is huge for us.” Same for pals Nick Aria, 33, and Dylan Long, 31, who turned up in jerseys for the Seattle Seahawks and Indianapolis Colts, respectively. Said Long: “This is massive. I never expected the NFL to come here just because we’re so far away, but the fact that they did and the whole city — and really, the country — has gotten around it is so cool.” Added Aria: “This is historic, and it’s two great teams as well. It might be a different story if it were two shit teams, but it’s not. I was just texting a friend to tell him that the vibes are immaculate here in Melbourne.” Not only did those vibes get boosted by near-perfect weather and record-setting attendance north of 100,000, the Jonas Brothers added star power to the game with an electric halftime performance. Though no additional games have been announced for Australia, insiders suggest that the high turnout and the warm welcome could inspire the NFL to return amid the league’s international push. One Rams fan exiting the stadium — a local from Victoria, Australia — said that while he was bummed about the result, he’s hopeful for the future of the game. “It’s only up from here,” he said.

  More Events: Melbourne Cricket Ground

  

  

  

• Queen Vic Market With Flavourhood Tours

  

  No visit to Melbourne is complete without a stop at Queen Vic Market. Just make sure to choose your day accordingly as the historic landmark — set across two city blocks and home to upwards of 500 small businesses and vendors — is only open five days per week (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday). It’s been open for 140 years and continues to draw crowds of families, solo diners and chefs picking up fresh catches to fill out their menus for the night. There’s plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, local cheese and salami vendors in addition to rows of rock oysters from Sydney to Tasmania (and even kangaroo jerky for those on the adventurous side). Be sure to swing by and snag a spicy lamb borek from the hall shops. If window shopping isn’t your vibe and you want something more curated, lively and informational, book an outing from Flavourhood Tours.

  More information: Queen Vic Market

  Book a guide: Flavourhood Tours

  

  

  

  

• Seek Out a ST. ALi Cup of Coffee

  

  Coffee isn’t just big business in Melbourne, it’s almost like a religion. So seeking out a brand named after someone considered to be “the patron saint of coffee” makes perfect sense. Founded in 2005 and billed as the largest and most recognized independent specialty coffee roaster in Australia, ST. ALi can be found in multiple locations from airports to laneways (across four countries), but if a quick Uber ride isn’t too much to ask, might we suggest heading over to the Port Melbourne location where they roast, package and ship tons of coffee. If it’s good enough for Luke Skywalker — see below — it’s good enough for us.

  Locations: ST. ALi

• Koorie Heritage Trust in Federation Square

  

  It’s a museum meets cultural center that uplifts the Koorie people (or First People), Aboriginal Australians whose traditional lands are located in Victoria and southern New South Wales. KHT serves as the only public collection in Victoria that focuses a lens on Koorie people, their art and culture through exhibitions, a reference library, cultural experiences (like guided walking tours), a retail gift shop and more. On view through November, KHT presents Journey Among Men that was developed for more than two years and features new works by such artists as Mick Harding, Brendan Kennedy, Kevin Williams, Earl Handy, Mitchil Harding, Cahill Kennedy, Iluka Sax-Williams and Lewis Wandin-Bursill to celebrate “the healing power of art, intergenerational knowledge sharing and the resilience of living culture.”

  Visit: Koorie Heritage Trust

• Private Studio Session at Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio (MESS)

  

  Fed Square is a bustling hub home to galleries, shops, restaurants and plenty of people almost all the time. If you want a break from the buzz but are keen to tap into a different kind of noise, duck into Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio, aka MESS. The nonprofit was co-founded in 2016 by Robin Fox and Byron Scullin with a mission to “empower all people to build an enriched life through music,” and they have done that by building an eclectic collection of instruments, some of which are rare, precious or hard to get your hands on in any other setting. It’s a must-stop for music lovers and anyone interested in the history of instruments. But this is not a museum. One of the beautiful things about MESS is that they allow visitors the chance to book studio sessions to record their own music or simply play around to create a custom audible experience. Amid arts and cultural cutbacks in the United States, it’s also worth pointing out that MESS and its programs are supported by the Australian government, Creative Australia, Victoria state government, Creative Victoria and Fed Sq.

  Book a session or visit: MESS

  

• Peruse Collections at NGV Australia

  

  The National Gallery of Victoria, aka NGV, is notable as the oldest and most visited gallery in Australia. Opened in 1861, it is home to more than 75,000 pieces across two buildings including NGV International and the Ian Potter Centre. There’s a new space on the horizon as The Fox: NGV Contemporary is currently under construction and scheduled to open in 2028 as a hub for art and design. Be sure to check out the Margaret Preston exhibition, on view through January 2027. The Adelaide-born artist’s work spans styles from classical to modern as she incorporated various influences on her travels through Europe. Walking through the galleries, one can feel her work shifting, expanding and communicating across the decades. After exiting NGV, head over to the CBD and peruse the laneways for street art that will inspire in other ways (see below).

  Visit: NGV Australia

  

  

• Cruise the Great Ocean Road

  

  The Great Ocean Road is more than 100 years old and stretched across 150 miles. It offers the best of coastal road trips and would be so easy to link to California’s Pacific Coast Highway but that comparison doesn’t fit. Great Ocean Road boasts natural wonders like the 12 Apostles and a rainforest inside Great Otway National Park that you just can’t find on PCH. In fact, there’s so much to see (and surf) along the way, that you’ll want to give yourself at least two days or more to casually see as much as possible and stop at the newest foodie destinations on the thoroughfare (including The Perch at Lavers Hill).

  Road Trip: Great Ocean Road

• Escape to Charming Beach Town Torquay

  

  The Great Ocean Road begins in a charming beach town called Torquay. With an estimated population of more than 26,000, Torquay is notable for many reasons including as the birthplace of iconic surf brands Rip Curl and Quicksilver. Needless to say, you won’t have to search far and wide in Torquay’s Surf City Plaza to find the latest gear and board shorts or to locate the influence the sport has had on the city. Speaking of, make sure to stay at Surf Hotel, a chic boutique spot that was taken over, transformed and elevated from a run-down motel by Blackwood’s Jack Davis and George Robinson. Located just steps from the ocean, the 17-room hotel boasts a restaurant led by award-winning chef Jo Barrett, who operates with a mission of making dishes that are good for the planet, feature fresh produce, turn problems into solutions and don’t shy away from ingredients that are seen as pests (see the menu’s wild boar offerings). Surf Hotel provides the perfect headquarters for overnight stays while days can be filled with jaunts up and down Great Ocean Road. Return to Torquay to dine at Barrett’s restaurant or walk down the sidewalk two minutes for an incredible Middle Eastern-inspired meal at The Kyn (order the “Feed Me” option). But don’t forget to start your day with breakfast at Bomboras (order the toasted “croffle” or eggs benedict), a charming restaurant overlooking the beach.

  Visit: Torquay, Australia

  Stay: Surf Hotel

  

• Visit Port Campbell National Park for 12 Apostles Rock Formation (And Helicopter Ride)

  

  The Great Ocean Road isn’t lacking for jaw-dropping views but nothing quite compares to a visit to Port Campbell National Park for a closer look at the natural wonder that is the 12 Apostles. The name has always been something of a misnomer as there are only seven major limestone rock formations that are still standing due to erosion. But even when it was originally named the 12 Apostles, there were only nine at the time. Still, it remains a breathtaking tourist attraction that draws millions per year. Make sure to follow the path for photo opps and go early in the mornings or late in the day to avoid crowds. The best way to take in the entire scene — including the London Bridge — is a helicopter ride that will take your breath away.

  More information: Visit Melbourne & 12 Apostles Helicopters

  

• Visit Surfer’s Paradise at Bells Beach (Location of ‘Point Break’ Scene)

  

  There’s a climactic scene in the iconic surf movie Point Break that is set at Bells Beach in Australia that finds Keanu Reeves’ Johnny Utah tracking down Patrick Swayze’s Bodhi at the picturesque destination. Though film fanatics would be quick to point out that director Kathryn Bigelow didn’t actually shoot that scene in Australia, Bells Beach is famous for other reasons, too. Known as one of the world’s most dramatic surfing backdrops with its high cliffs and natural beauty, it also hosts the Rip Curl Surfing Competition. It’s a short drive from Torquay, and offers beach-lovers the chance to stroll up and down the sand with or without a board. Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for wild kangaroos on acreages across the street.

  Visit: Bells Beach

  

• Portarlington Mussel Tour in Port Phillip Bay

  

  For a unique at-sea experience, book an outing on the lively Portarlington Mussel Tours guided by the Wiffen family. Led by Lance Wiffen with son Shane and a team of affable chefs and conversational staff (from Connie to Steph), the tours take place on Valerie, a lovingly restored boat once used as a shark-fishing trawler. The Wiffens run a mussel farming and seafood business in Port Phillip Bay, and the tour sets out on their home turf with stops at their mussel line so guests get to experience what a real working farm looks and feels like. Best to book the deluxe seafood tour, a four-hour cruise that pairs premium seafood like oysters, mussels, scallops and more with tableside cooking demonstrations, vintage pours and the best boat stories from the people who have spent years on the water.

  Book: Portarlington Mussel Tours

  

• Wildlife Wonders for Natural Beauty (And Koalas and Kangaroos)

  

  There’s a Hollywood connection to one of the Great Ocean Road’s special destinations. While planning out your itinerary, be sure to include a stop at Wildlife Wonders, a 30-acre sanctuary that is home to some of Australia’s most adorably precious creatures. The space was designed as a safe haven for animals and meant to look as untouched possible though it was crafted and created by Brian Massey, who worked as an art director on Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit franchise. Book a 75-minute walking tour with a “nature guide” who will spill all the details on the plants and animals that call the sanctuary home. Though nothing is guaranteed, “it’s almost certain” that tours will feature cameos by koalas, kangaroos, emus, potoroos, bandicoots and more (often hanging together). Though the walking tour is the gentlest of hikes, for those who work up an appetite, be sure to grab a table at Emu Café and finish lunch with a cup of Hello Coffee’s “The Wildside” blend.

  Visit: Wildlife Wonders

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