With awe-inspiring natural wonders and a renowned culinary culture embracing diverse, impressive flavors, Melbourne currently stands at the top of many tourists’ must-travel lists. As Australia’s second-largest city, Melbourne has been crowned among the most livable cities for many years regarding culture, education, and economy. 

If travel creates long-lasting memories, then your adventure to explore Melbourne will undoubtedly be filled with unforgettable experiences that eventually become your precious treasure. The appeal of this city lies in its remarkable destinations that will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. 

A train to the past 

Leave the technology-driven world behind and take a ride on the oldest steam railway in Australia back to the twentieth century for olden-times romance. The Puffing Bully Railway offers you a beautiful trip to relax and enjoy the fresh air, with legs dangling over the side while the train passes through thick rainforests, rolling hills, and open farmland.  

The Puffing Bully was one of four narrow gauge railways built in the early 1900s to serve the local communities and promote connectivity between remote areas and the city center. It’s not only among the oldest railways in Australia but also a much-loved destination that takes tourists abroad in open-air carriages for a once-in-a-lifetime journey.  

Located in the heart of the Dandenong Ranges and only one-hour east of Melbourne, the Puffing Bully Railway will bring you into a timeless world of wonders from Belgrave to Lakeside, Menzies Creek, and Gembrook. The train makes several stops for your visit, such as Emerald Lakeside Station, Little Toot Cafe, or Menzies Creek Museum. 

It’s quite an uplifting experience to sit on the magnificent train full of century-old charms as it blows out steam from ancient engines and creates the evocative sound of whistles. 

Discover the panoramic view  

For those seeking another getaway from the city’s hustle and bustle, the Yarra Valley is a perfect destination to reverse the time and enjoy a slower pace of life. 

The Yarra Valley has firmly put Melbourne on the global tourism map for its nostalgic vibe and breathtaking views that will leave you with memorable experiences. You may find yourself fully immersed in picturesque vineyards, idyllic seaside villages, vintage wineries, and cellar doors. 

About one hour's drive from Melbourne, the Yarra Valley is the first wine-growing region of Australia, dating back all the way to nearly 180 years ago. This region is considered the cradle of the world’s leading cool climate wines, with famous international names such as Domaine Chandon, St. Huberts, De Bortoli, Yering Station, Oakridge, Coldstream Hills, and so on. 

When it comes to Yarra Valley, there is no way tourists can skip those special winery tours full of discoveries and excitement. Get a taste of Melbourne’s top drops in a serein atmosphere, talk with local winemakers and explore recipe secrets that suit every palate, walk through vineyards and see how the grapes are harvested, and try impressively delicious food with ingredients produced directly from the farms. Just like wine, the older Melbourne gets, the more popular it becomes.    

But the best part is yet to come! If there is one thing the Yarra Valley is iconic for, it’s the romantic escape of an early morning balloon flight. Enjoy the panoramic view in a large open space while flying over hills and valleys. 

You will be given a brief overview of the hot air balloon rides before departing and breakfast with exquisite wine and fresh food after the flight. Let yourself be surrounded by Melbourne’s nature, peaceful and stunning all at once! 

Gallery of eclectic art 

Melbourne not only captivates visitors with its timeless natural beauty but it also hypnotizes them with its manmade wonders. Melbourne has long been renowned for its aesthetic laneways scattered throughout the city that showcase a spectacular gallery of street art. 

Beyond the classic museum National Gallery of Victoria, the city has found a new way to extend various one-of-a-kind art exhibitions.  

Go for a wander and discover Melbourne’s endless surprises in graffiti laneways, you will never know what’s around the next corner. Whether you are looking for a world-class restaurant serving the finest meals, a café offering outstanding flavors to enjoy in the morning sun, or eye-catching walls of art to simply admire, you will be sure to find just the thing in Melbourne’s hidden laneways. 

Some of Melbourne’s best hidden gems are Hosier Lane, Centre Place, Degraves Street, Duckboard Place, ACDC Lane, etc. Each laneway in Melbourne has a different face featuring a distinct style, but one thing is for sure: these places will make you feel like being in a movie scene of Alice in Wonderland, so prepare to capture the utmost unique photographs in Melbourne’s laneways. 

About nine hours flying from Hanoi, tourists can now explore different timeless destinations in Melbourne with Bamboo Airways. Bamboo Airways is the first and only carrier to operate weekly nonstop flights connecting Hanoi and Melbourne. 

In addition, the airline offers nonstop service from Ho Chi Minh City to Melbourne, with two return flights per week. With a modern fleet and excellent services, Bamboo Airways is the golden ticket to your next amazing adventure. 

Book a flight and be inspired, Melbourne awaits your visit!

Ngọc Minh