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Our Journey: Traveling in Melbourne

Rides, Stops, Eats, & Sleep: A Guide to Biking in Melbourne

Melbourne is a perfect place to visit and explore by bike. It's full of art, food and culture, but if you've only got 24 hours to spend riding around taking it in, here's a look at our ideal day out exploring Melbourne by bike.

Wake up

The Olsen Hotel, 637-641 Chapel St, South Yarra, +61 3 9040 1222

If you're lucky enough to be in Melbourne on vacation and have a few nights to spend in the area, we'd recommend checking out The Olsen hotel, a lovely part of The Art Series Hotel Group. The Olsen is a beautiful South Yarra hotel that's full of artwork from Artist John Olsen, whose colorful, large works sweep throughout the lobby and hallways, and even right onto his exclusive custom print sleepwear.

Plan

After a good night's sleep it's time to head out to explore. Here's a look at one of Melbourne's best bike routes that will take you through the city and drop you across some of our favorite sights to see.

First things first, grab your bike or head over to our Liv / Giant store to get some wheels for your day out.

Giant South Yarra, Shop 1, 316 -320 Toorak Rd, South Yarra, +03 9826 3555

You'll be able to explore a lot of awesome sights while you're in Melbourne by bike. There's very few things to avoid while biking in Melbourne, but locals will tell you to be sure to avoid the tram tracks when they're wet and be careful not to get too swept away with the views when you're biking next to the river if you want to avoid taking a plunge.

Got your wheels? Check. Quick tips, don't forget to bring a lock and a patch kit, should you be unlucky enough to get a flat along the journey. And don't worry, if you do get a flat, you can pull up our quick instructions on how to fix a flat here while enroute.

Eat

Now that your wheels are dialed, it's time to pour some caffeine into your morning. Here are some of our favorite coffee stops while biking in Melbourne:

Soul Kitchen Cafe This soulful little mobile cafe pours a mean espresso and is always the source of smiles. He's often roaming around the Arts Centre, but to be sure you catch him check out his facebook page for location updates.

Pellegrini's Espresso Bar, 66 Bourke Street, Melbourne, +61 3 9662 1885

Pellegrini's Espresso Bar is a classic, timeless and iconic Melbourne institution. Stop in for an espresso, or stay for awhile with a bowl piled high with pasta.

Cafe Racer, 15 Marine Drive, St. Kilda, +61 3 9537 0394

Have a late start but still hankering for some breakfast? Try to grab an outdoor table at the iconic Café Racer, where breakfast is served all day and is a super popular in Melbourne's cycling world. You'll see bikes everywhere and it's a great place to meet up and chat with other cyclists before, during or after riding all day.

A healthy dose of caffeine? Check that off your list. Time to explore.

See

If you're looking for a specific destination for a few hours, here are some of our favorite spots to ride to: Luna Park, 18 Lower Esplanade, St Kilda +03 9525 5033

Luna Park is just plain old fashioned fun, particularly if you've got young ones in tow. Hit up the roller coasters, take a spin on the carousel and spend some time reminiscing about your old childhood favorite rides.

National Gallery of Victoria, 180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne, +61 3 8662 1555

The National Gallery of Victoria is a spectacular place to indulge your inner artist. It's the oldest and most visited gallery in Australia, spanning two buildings that house a wide range of collections, ranging from contemporary art, to fashion and design, to historic exhibitions. There's always new shows rotating through the gallery, so be sure to visit their website and keep an eye out for upcoming must-see exhibits.

Melbourne Lane Ways, Throughout the city. This shot is from Hosier and Rutledge, across from Federation Square.

Melbourne is widely known for it's progressive, supportive take on street art. There are several spots throughout the city to take in some of these wonders of self expression, and one of our favorites is on Hosier Lane, just opposite of Federation Square. Works include a variety of mediums, ranging from stencils, pastes, and painted murals. You won't find graffiti or tagging as in this area, but rather, what feels like a well orchestrated, vibrant expression of a thriving public art culture.

Eat (More!)

The Arbory, Flinders Street, Melbourne, +61 3 9610 7476

While you're near Federations Square, if you're feeling hungry, stop by one of our favorite lunch spots: The Arbory. With stunning views and probably one of the longest bars you'll ever see, it's a perfect spot to grab a cheeseburger and beer.

Mr. Miyagi 99 Chapel St., Windsor, 3181 9529 5999

Ready for dinner? You don't have to tell us twice. After a long, awesome day checking out the sites of Melbourne, you'll have deserved a dinner at Mr. Miyagi. Mr. Miyagi is a cross between Japanese and Southern cuisine, dishing out favorites ranging from Nori Tacos to Miyagi Fried Chicken, not to mention a tantalizing cocktail menu.

Phew! That was a long, awesome, epic day of espresso, art, roller coasters and classic Melbourne culture, all explorable by bike. Melbourne is one of our favorite places, and there's a million other things to do and places to ride while you're in town. Stop by our Liv store if you're looking for some additional ride information, and you might want to check out some other fun spots to take in. Let us know your favorite spots that we couldn't fit into our 24 hour bike adventure and we'll be sure to hit it up on our next trip to the land down under.