Melbourne

Melbourne, with its street art, coffee culture and live music, is the younger, hipper sibling of glamorous Sydney.

Australia’s second city boasts a blend of cutting-edge and heritage attractions, with a thriving restaurant and international sports scene.

When your private airplane charter touches down at Melbourne Airport, it’s just a 20km drive to the city centre.

United Places hotel is a smart and stylish stay with a park-side location next to the Royal Botanical Gardens.

There are only 12 suites, which makes the service all the more personal – Turkish towels and speakers are offered to guests if they want a trip to the park.

Or check into the Lyall Hotel, a discreet and tranquil stay in a leafy setting in the South Yarra area of the city.

Melbourne’s only five-star independent hotel has a zen luxury spa, a champagne bar and open fires, with a restaurant serving Australian comfort food.

For a more opulent stay, full of marble, soft lighting and panoramic views, try the Grand Hyatt Melbourne on the city’s most prestigious street flanked by skyscrapers and luxury boutiques.

Staff can arrange a game of tennis, basketball or golf at the hotel’s outdoor tennis court, half-court basketball court or golf practice cages.

Foodies will love a trip to Minamishima, which serves the best sushi in the city.

Diners sign up for the chef’s choice omakase seven-course meal, with specials such as bluefin tuna toro wrapped in gold leaf with oscietra caviar.

Gimlet serves old world elegance and nostalgia with chandeliers, leather booths, a wood-fired oven and classics with a twist such as oysters with seaweed butter and rye.

Attica is more innovative and experimental, with diners tucking into Australian dishes such as crispy saltbush, charred crocodile ribs in spiced finger lime honey, emu pastrami and coconut sorbet with crocodile fat caramel, complete with zingy green ants sprinkled over it.

If you can’t decide which bar to visit, try HER. Over five floors, HER offers revellers a choice of Parisian-style cocktail bar, garden rooftop bar, or an immersive music room dedicated to vinyl.

Melbourne offers private airplane charter guests just as much choice when it comes to things to do, from the historic Immigration Museum and Old Melbourne Gaol, to the more modern Australian Centre for the Moving Image.

Visit the hip St Kilda area to laze on the beach, walk along the pier, or just tuck into an ice-cream and people-watch.

For a trip out of town, the Yarra valley’s lush scenery, world-class wineries and a host of outdoor activities is a fantastic day trip or sports fans can visit the MCG, one of the most famous sports grounds in the world, the Australian Open or the Melbourne Cup.

Visitors should charter a flight between March and May, or September and November, to enjoy moderate temperatures – and moderate crowds.

But whatever time of year you visit, it won’t take you long to discover why so many people are voting Melbourne one of the world’s most liveable cities.

Looking to book a charter plane to Melbourne? Contact our specialist team today.