The top 12 hidden gems in Melbourne you wish you had found sooner
As someone who’s lived his whole life in Melbourne, I thought I knew everything about this city — the shortcuts, the laneways, and even the best rooftop bar. Boy, was I wrong.
I completely forgot that Melbourne is a city full of surprises, and it always has something new to offer. So, even if you’re a local, don’t think you’ve seen it all— you have to keep looking.
Here are some of the discoveries I made that I’ll be sharing with you because these hidden gems in Melbourne deserve the spotlight, too.
1. The Johnston Collection
Media credit: The Johnston Collection
Website: http://www.johnstoncollection.org/
Address: Pullman Melbourne On The Park, 192 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne
Phone: +61394162515
Tour hours: Wednesday to Sunday 10:00 am, 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm
The Johnston Collection is an immersive house museum tucked away somewhere in East Melbourne. This museum houses over 1,500 English and French decorative items that were collected by William Robert Johnston, a famous antique dealer and collector.
The collection is displayed in Johnston’s former home, known as “Fairhall”. It’s his wish to arrange the objects in a domestic setting — meaning there are no ropes or labels, and it creates a more intimate experience for the visitors.
The displays’ arrangement is changed periodically, which provides new perspectives and a more dynamic experience for the visitors.
And don’t think that you can easily find this museum, as its address remains a mystery to everyone. The Johnston Collection’s exact location isn’t publicly listed for preservation purposes.
Visitors will have to meet at the Pullman Hotel in the park and are transported to Fairhall by a courtesy bus.
| Pro tip: Visiting the museum means you don’t wander around by yourself. You’ll be joining a small guided group, so booking ahead is necessary. |
2. Koorie Heritage Trust
Media credit: Koorie Heritage Trust
Website: http://www.kht.org.au/
Address: The Birrarung Building, Fed Square, Cnr Flinders & Swanston St
Phone: +61386626300
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
The Koorie Heritage Trust is a home for a collection of over 100,000 Koorie items, including artworks, artefacts, photographs, and more.
The Trust’s mission is to protect, preserve, and promote the culture and heritage of the Koorie people (Victoria’s First Peoples).
Aside from the displays, the Trust also serves as a center for learning and reconciliation, offering a range of public programs and services.
There are guided tours, educational programs, a retail store, and a family history service, which helps descendants trace their family history.
You’ll have plenty of options for workshops and guided tours. Some of them are the “Birrarung Wilan” and the “Scar Tree Walk” tours — which are about the stories of the river country, scarred trees, and the urban overlay of colonisation.
The Trust is open to the public and entry is free, but donations are also appreciated.
| Pro tip: Don’t forget to drop by the retail store. It sells various art pieces made by Victorian First Peoples artists, and buying items directly supports their living. |
3. The Nicholas Building
Media credit: The Nicholas Building
Website: https://www.nicholasbuilding.org.au/
Address: 37 Swanston St
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday and Sunday 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Friday 9:00 am -12:00 am
- Sunday 12:00 am – 8:00 am, 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
The Nicholas Building is an iconic, heritage-listed building (now more like a mall) that’s known for its vertical hubs. It was built by the Nicholas family in 1926 after making a fortune from Aspirin.
It was considered Melbourne’s grandest example of the “Commercial Palazzo” style, and up to this day, it has retained many of its original features including the arcade and decorative tiling.
Today, the building houses a diverse mix of small businesses and creatives. Inside, you’ll find a hub of galleries, quirky shops, arts & crafts workshops, and more.
| Pro tip: Check for Open Studio Days. The artist studios on the upper floors aren’t usually open unless there’s a special event. If you’re after exploring these spaces, stay updated via Nicholas Building’s social media pages. |
4. Cloudehill Gardens
Media credit: Cloudehill Gardens
Website: http://www.cloudehill.com.au/
Address: 89 Olinda-Monbulk Rd, Olinda
Phone: +61397511009
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Cloudehill Gardens, or known as the “garden for all seasons,” offers stunning floral displays all year long.
Due to the volcanic loam soil and high elevation, Cloudehill has a cooler climate, which is ideal for gardening, and makes exploring more comfortable as well.
The gardens cover around 5 acres of land and are made up of multiple “garden rooms.” Each garden room features various artworks and a vibrant setup of beautifully trimmed flowers and plants.
Trust me when I say that visiting the gardens will feel like you’ve been pulled into a fairytale.
It’s a little far away from the CBD, but it’s definitely worth the trip.
| Pro tip: If you get hungry, they have a restaurant that overlooks the gardens and serves classic Australian dishes and a few seasonal offerings. |
5. Ballers Clubhouse
Media credit: Ballers Clubhouse
Website: https://www.ballersclubhouse.com.au/
Address: 2 Coverlid Pl, Melbourne
Phone: +61386370692
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm
- Friday 4:00 pm – 1:00 am
- Saturday 2:00 pm – 2:00 am
- Sunday 2:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Ballers Clubhouse is like a playground for grown-ups. It’s a supervenue that has eat, drink, and play altogether in one setting. It combines a bar, restaurant, and a space with a variety of games like ping pong, shuffleboard, private karaoke, and so much more.
Putting the games aside, they have a total of six bars spread across the 2,500 sqm space, offering quirky cocktails, beers, wines, and mocktails.
Their food menu is impressive as well: there are bar snacks to share and hearty options like pizzas and sliders.
With all the spaces (both common and private rooms), the Ballers Clubhouse is an ideal venue for a variety of functions, including birthday parties, corporate events, date nights, etc.
| Pro tip: Don’t just go there without doing any research. Make sure to check out their website, and you might score great deals with their special and limited-time offers/packages. |
6. Evie’s Disco Diner
Media credit: Evie’s Disco Diner
Website: http://www.evies.net.au/
Address: 230/232 Gertrude St, Fitzroy
Phone: +61394194192
Operating hours:
- Wednesday 4:00 pm – 11:00 pm
- Thursday to Friday 4:00 pm – 1:00 am
- Saturday 11:00 am – 1:00 am
- Sunday 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Evie’s Disco Diner is one of those underrated spots in Fitzroy that honestly deserves more love. It’s an all-in-one spot for tasty food, great cocktails, and fun disco. The tables are for meals during the day, then the space opens up for dancing at night.
The place is an old warehouse that was converted into an ‘80s-inspired bar and restaurant offering American comfort, diner-style food. The menu is mostly vegan and offers many gluten-free options.
Not to mention, frequent goers love this place for the welcoming vibes and for being queer-friendly.
It’s a very lively place. The diner frequently hosts special events, such as drag bingo brunches and Fridays, with drink specials and DJs.
| Pro tip: The events at Evie’s are very diverse, so you’ll have to time your visit if ever you’re looking for a certain vibe. For example, there’s a bottomless drag brunch every Saturday and Sunday, karaoke on Thursdays, happy hour specials, and more. |
7. Ponyfish Island
Media credit: Ponyfish Island
Website: http://www.ponyfishisland.com.au/
Address: Evan Walker Bridge, Evan Walker Bridge, Southbank
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday 11:00 am – 1:00 am
Right in the middle of the Yarra River, there’s a man-made island (or more like a floating bar) that offers a more relaxing way to drink, eat, and lounge.
It’s perfect for couples looking for a romantic and scenic spot that’s slightly hidden.
Ponyfish Island is the only bar that sits on top of the Yarra River, so you’re sure to get an unobstructed view of the city skyline and the surrounding waters.
It’s located just below the Evan Walker Footbridge, but many passersby don’t even know or notice that there’s a café/bar underneath.
| Pro tip: Check the weather and water levels before visiting, as the café is vulnerable to flooding, especially with heavy rains. The bar usually closes temporarily until the flood subsides. |
8. URBNSURF
Media credit: URBNSURF
Website: https://urbnsurf.com/
Address: 309 Melrose Dr, Melbourne Airport
Phone: +61393441548
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Friday 6:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Saturday and Sunday 7:00 am – 9:00 pm
Melbourne may not have beaches suitable for surfing, but there’s a place that makes up it. Urbnsurf is Australia’s only surf park where you can enjoy surfing activities like the real thing.
It’s an artificial surf park that uses a technology called Wavegarden, creating computer-controlled waves that are consistent and ocean-like. These waves can be customized to suit different skill levels.
All sessions are one hour long with 10 to 12 waves.
It’s not just water; the whole place functions like you’re in a surfing zone. There’s a surf shop, private lessons, and a “seaside” restaurant.
| Pro tip: You don’t have to participate in water activities in order to enter the park. You can get a spectator pass if you just want to watch and spend the day there. |
9. Arthur’s Seat
Media credit: Amy
Website: http://aseagle.com.au/
Address: 1085 Arthurs Seat Rd, Arthurs Seat
Phone: +61359870600
Operating hours:
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Saturday and Sunday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Not a lot of people talk about this place, but Arthur’s Seat is one of those places that has a lot to offer. Though a quiet suburb, it’s a go-to for outdoor activities and sightseeing.
One of the key attractions here is the Arthur’s Seat Eagle, a gondola lift that’ll take you to the summit. The 15-minute ride provides a bird’s-eye view of the landscape and the bay.
There’s also the Arthur’s Seat State Park that has multiple walking trails with different difficulty levels and picnic parks.
Overall, Arthur’s Seat is a family-friendly place with lots of activities for everyone.
| Pro tip: The tickets for the gondola are “flexi tickets,” meaning they can be used for up to 12 months from the purchase date. |
10. The Glass Den
Media credit: The Glass Den
Social media: https://web.facebook.com/theglassden/
Address: 15 Urquhart St, Coburg
Phone: +61393545032
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday 7:30 am – 3:00 pm
- Saturday 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Sunday 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
The Glass Den is an aesthetic diner that not only has pretty interiors but also serves artfully-presented dishes.
The menu features halal-friendly food and drinks. Their seafood dishes, in particular, are crowd favorites, especially the lobster benedict and the squid ink pasta.
Their desserts and drinks are pretty creative and Instagrammable as well.
The place itself was a part of the Pentridge Prison’s gatehouse. So, the stone walls of the restaurant have a historical value, which make up for that rustic feel inside.
| Pro tip: After having your meal here, stop by the Farmer’s Market right across the street. You’ll find various local produce and great coffee that you can take home. |
11. The Q Train
Media credit: The Q Train
Website: https://www.theqtrain.com.au/
Address: 2/10 Station St, Drysdale
Phone: +61342383930
Operating hours:
- Monday, Thursday, Friday 11:30 am – 3:00 pm
- Saturday and Sunday 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm
This isn’t a kind of dining experience you just happen to stumble upon on a good day. The Q Train is a moving restaurant that takes you on a 3-hour train ride while you indulge in a five-course degustation menu.
There are two main dining options: Q Class and First Class. Q Class is for social dining with tables for 2, 4, and 6. The First Class, on the other hand, is private compartments for couples or families.
To add, the Q Train isn’t suitable for children due to the long travel hours.
The journey will take you through the Bellarine Peninsula, where you’ll get to witness scenic views, including Swan Bay, Suma Park, farmlands, and more.
| Pro tip: For a more seamless transportation to The Q Train, you can book a shuttle bus from the CBD to the Drysdale Station. You can pre-book this option at the same time you book a reservation for The Q Train. |
12. EziStreat
Media credit: EziStreat Food Hall, Beer Garden & Events
Website: https://www.ezistreat.co/
Address: 275 Macaulay Rd, North Melbourne
Phone: +61370546664
Operating hours:
- Thursday 12:00 pm 9:00 pm
- Friday and Saturday 12:00 pm – 9:30 pm
- Sunday 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm
If you’re looking for a hub of diverse street food with entertainment and themed areas, then you should check out EziStreat. The concept of this community hall is to bring various street foods from around the world under one roof.
Once you walk in, you’ll be greeted by a medley of vendors, offering everything from Vietnamese pho, Korean desserts, Mexican classics, and so much more. There’s even a bar that stays open until late.
There are also various zones, both indoors and outdoors, where you can hang out after eating. The Ezi Hub, for example, features a 130-inch projector for watching sports.
The outdoor areas are dog-friendly as well!
| Pro tip: The best time to visit EziStreat is at night. The whole place lights up with neon signs from various vendors, and some nights even have live sets and DJs. |