Chinatown

Absorb the heady mix of Australian-Chinese history, sumptuous aromas of Asian cuisine and contemporary nightlife as you enter Melbourne's Chinatown through its imposing arches. Explore the nineteenth century buildings on the strip of Little Bourke Street between Swanston and Spring streets that comprises Australia's oldest Chinatown, now intermingling with hip bars and fashion boutiques. Feast in renowned Chinese and Asian restaurants such as Shark Fin, Supper Inn, Dragon Boat and Westlake where yum cha is the word for brunch, or try the fabulous Flower Drum, Cantonese fine dining at its best. Choose the perfect spot for dinner as you stroll under streetlights, lanterns and neon lights. Afterwards disappear down a laneway or up a flight of stairs for cocktail sorcery at the Croft Institute, New Gold Mountain or Fad Gallery. Learn the Chinese-Australia story at the Chinese Museum in Cohen Place, and get the hidden history with a guided walk through Little Bourke Street's buildings and laneways. Each year Chinatown hosts many traditional Chinese festivals and activities such as the Asian Food Festival and the Chinese New Year. Reach Chinatown by walking two-and-a-half blocks north from Federation Square, or taking any tram along Swanston Street to Bourke or Lonsdale streets. You can even catch the free City Circle Tram to Parliament House on Spring Street, then walk to Little Bourke Street, or jump on the free Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle.