Life in Australia’s Cultural Hub

By Arthur, University of Melbourne, Australia.

Melbourne is often regarded as the cultural hub of Australia and it didn’t take long for me to see why. From its buzzing cobbled laneways filled with street art and outdoor bars to the sheer diversity of its food and music scenes, Melbourne has so much to offer for anyone looking to indulge in the city’s creative energy.

Each suburb has its own distinct culinary identity- Carlton was known locally as ‘little Italy’ and was famous for its Italian restaurants and gelato, the CBD was filled with an incredible mix of Asian cuisine and other areas like Richmond and Footscray offered authentic Asian and African dishes that ensured you could always find something new to eat. Despite groceries being undeniably expensive, eating out was actually surprisingly affordable, and I found myself quickly hooked on Melbourne’s cheap but delicious banh mi sandwich stands and sushi roll pop-ups that seemed to be sold on every corner. The dumpling house in Chinatown was often utilised for birthdays and other celebrations, mainly due to their bring your own drinks policy, whilst the Greek pizzeria in St Kilda remains the best pizza I have ever tasted. Living right next to Queen Victoria Market meant I was spoilt for choice when it came to fresh produce, which meant that eating in often became a whole experience with my flatmates who loved to scour the stalls for new ingredients to make something rogue.

The city’s coffee culture was another thing entirely. Melbourne takes its coffee more seriously than anywhere else I have visited- whether it was a quick flat white on a work break or a slow tasting experience at one of the laneway café’s, it often felt like the whole city revolved around its love for good coffee.

But Melbourne’s cultural soul stretched far beyond its food and drink. The nightlife was consistently unbelievable, with an array of music alongside the popular house and techno scenes which made every weekend feel like a mini festival. Revs (Revolver Upstairs) was almost a rite of passage- probably the most iconic nightclub in the southern hemisphere- and was open 24/7, filled with students and locals every time I went. There were live jazz bars tucked into basements, pubs blasting heavy metal and a regular stream of live gigs that never failed to disappoint. And of course, I could not talk about Melbourne’s culture without mentioning AFL (Australian Rules Football), which genuinely felt like a religion. I went to several AFL matches at the MCG, where I thoroughly enjoyed the electric atmosphere despite not always fully understanding what was actually going on. The sheer variety of things to do meant that there was never a dull moment- it is certainly true that it is a challenge to be bored in Melbourne. It really felt like a city that never stopped moving, with vibrant scenes for anyone who has any sort of interest. It is why I am so glad that it was the Australian city I spent my year in, as although I may have missed some of the traditional Australian beach culture, I felt like I was immersed in the heartbeat of the country.