Visit Victoria Day One: Causeway 353 Hotel, Federation Square, Chinatown, SouthBank, Eureka Skydeck 88, Tutto Bene and Crown Casino

Visit Victoria Day One: Causeway 353 Hotel, Federation Square, Chinatown, SouthBank, Eureka Skydeck 88, Tutto Bene and Crown Casino

The last time I visited Melbourne Victoria was 2011 and thanks to Tourism Victoria and Tourism Australia, I have the chance to revisit the city again. This is my first time media trip with Tourism Australia and Tourism Victoria.

For this trip, I will self-drive around the state of Victoria with a guide and also another blogger from Malaysia.

I fly to Melbourne from Kuala Lumpur via Singapore and it takes around 10 hours before our guide, Rainer picked us up from the airport.

Firstly, we checked in our hotel in Melbourne CBD. We stay at the Causeway 353 Hotel which is located at the Little Collin Street which is the center of almost everything.

The Causeway 353 Hotel

The Causeway 353 Hotel is Melbourne’s newest 4 star boutique hotel located in the heart of the CBD. The Causeway 353 Hotels offers  modern hotel facilities, comfortable and fashionable rooms with LCD TV’s, King Size Beds and large bathrooms. \Restaurants and cafes are just downstairs and the service desk staffs are fantastic.

It is just minutes in walking distance to the Chinatown and Swanston Street. Thus, it is also a stone throw away to tram stations.

Our full review at Causeway 353 Hotel Review.

Federation Square

Federation Square is a complete inner city block, the first ever to physically connect the central business district with the Yarra River in Melbourne. Situated at the heart of central Melbourne, Federation Square is a fusion of arts and events, leisure, hospitality and promenading. Walking to Federation Square from our hotel took less than 15 min.

Federation Square Address and Contact:

Corner of Flinders Street and Swanston Street

Melbourne VIC 3000

Tel: (03) 9639 2800

Website: www.federationsquare.com.au

One of the trademarks of Melbourne city is their trams.

We managed to catch the free City Circle Tram. The City Circle Tram service provides a free and convenient way to get around central Melbourne. Tourists, shoppers, office workers and families can use the City Circle Tram to travel to major attractions, shops and city events.

We heard about this incredible place near Crown Casino called Southbank. However before that, we went to check out the Eureka Skydeck 88.

Eureka Skydeck 88

Eureka Skydeck on Level 88 is the highest public vantage point in Melbourne, Australia and the Southern Hemisphere. Level 88 is the home to a state of the art Observation Deck offering unparalleled views of the city and surrounds. Visitors are able to take in the magnificent 360 degree views through floor to ceiling glass windows, from the CBD to the Dandenong Ranges and across Port Phillip Bay.

Eureka Skydeck 88 Address and Contact:

Riverside Quay

Southbank VIC 3006

Tel: (03) 9693 8888

Website: www.eurekaskydeck.com.au

A walk across the Eureka Skydeck 88 is the Southbank.

Southbank

Southbank, the southern side of the Yarra River, has undergone an incredible transformation in the last decade. It now houses the Southgate Arts and Leisure Precinct, Crown Entertainment Complex, many multinational companies’ offices, the Langham and Crown Towers hotels and the Victorian Arts Centre. The precinct lines a kilometre stretch of the river looking across to Melbourne’s central business district. Although offering cafes and takeaway outlets, Southbank is more famous for its large array of five-star restaurants, where those with money still to burn after shopping at Armani and Prada at Crown, come to re-energise.

We dineat the popular Italian restaurant, Tutto Bene in SouthBank.

Tutto Bene

Tutto Bene is an Italian restaurant that specialises in risotto, with the El Presidente taking pride of place – a delicious blend of two-year-old parmesan and balsamic vinegar made from a 1912 must, swirled into the best Arborio for a taste sensation. Other simple dishes made from the finest quality ingredients round out the menu, and the view to the city will make you feel a million dollars – though you won’t have to spend that for a great night out at this budget friendly location. We had the risotto of the day as well as the beautiful wagyu beef. The top class service there and the delicious food is something you should look for.

Tutto Bene Address and Contact:

Mid-level Southgate

Melbourne VIC 3006

Tel: (03) 9696 3334

Website: www.tuttobene.com.au

The night is still young. After dinner, I went to the Crown casino to try out my luck!

Crown Casino

Melbourne’s Crown Entertainment Complex at Southbank on the Yarra River is one of the world’s largest gambling complexes, with 2500 gaming machines, more than 50 restaurants and bars, three nightclubs, a virtual reality centre and cinemas. Crown also features a world-class shopping promenade. After a couple of rounds on the betting table, we called it a day.

We need to rest for our second day in Victoria.

Check out my other Visit Victoria days experiences by clicking the link below:

Visit Victoria Day 1: Causeway 353 Hotel, Federation Square, Chinatown, SouthBank, Eureka Skydeck 88, Tutto Bene and Crown Casino

Visit Victoria Day 2: Dandenong Ranges, On Puffing Billy, Olinda, Sassafras, Miss Maple’s Tea Room, Yarra Valley, Domaine Chandon, Sebel Lodge Hotel and Balgownie

Visit Victoria Day 3: Global Ballooning, Rochford Winery, Yarra Valley Dairy, Rayners Stonefruit Orchard, Giant Steps, Koala Conservation Centre, Waves Apartments and Phillip Island Nature Park

Visit Victoria Day 4: A Maze N Things, San Remo’s Fisherman’s Co-op, Heritage Farm at Churchill Island and Dinner at Taylors Waterfront Restaurant

Visit Victoria Day 5: Panny’s Chocolate Factory, Mornington Peninsula, Max’s at Red Hill Estate, Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm, Gordon Studio Glass Blowers, Brooklands Best Western and The Rock

Visit Victoria Day 6: Horse Riding at Gunnamatta Equestrian Centre, The Baths, Ashcombe Maze & Water Gardens, Peninsula Hot Springs and Dinner at Hotel Sorrento

Visit Victoria Day 7: Sand Sculpting Exhibition, St. Kilda, Dinner onboard the Colonial Tramcar, Bar tour With Michelle Matthews of Deck of Secrets.

Visit Victoria Day 8: Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar, Coffee Tour, Shark Walk, Victoria Market and Chinatown

Visit Victoria Day 9: Gold Class Limousines and Goodbye Australia

Wilson Ng