Immerse yourself in Melbourne – 10,000 steps from CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park

March 15, 2021

Immerse yourself in Melbourne – 10,000 steps from CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park

Melbourne is a haven for exploration and discovery, making it an ideal destination for incentive meeting planners and corporations looking to offer a premium and once-in-a-lifetime program to reward, motivate and retain staff. 

CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park is superbly located in the heart of the thriving Melbourne & Olympic Parks precinct, most notably recognised as the home of the Australian Open Tennis Grand Slam. Located only minutes away from Melbourne’s dynamic city centre, a plethora of quintessentially Melbourne experiences can be enjoyed all within 10,000 steps from Melbourne’s newest conference and events centre.

As CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park prepares to open its doors in September, we sat down with the team to learn about their most loved experiences in Melbourne.

 A Day in Fitzroy

 Steven Kourasanis, Sales Executive – Business Development 

 I often find myself strolling from the precinct to the Northern suburbs of Melbourne. Just over 2km from CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park you will find yourself in Fitzroy.

My first stop is Industry Beans for a speciality coffee before making my way to a Melbourne pastry institution, Lune Croissant. Be sure you get in early and expect to wait in line – I can guarantee it’s worth the wait and you won’t find a better croissant in Melbourne!

Once you have fuelled up, you’re ready to shop. Fitzroy is known for some of the best alternative clothing stores in Melbourne, but what I love the most about this eclectic suburb is that there’s something for everyone. Bookshops (new and second-hand), on-trend fashion, local designers and my favourite, Vinyl. My go-to Vinyl stores are Oh! Jean Records, Goldmine Records, Northside Records and Plug Seven Records.

A shopping day usually takes it out of me, and by this time I’m ready for something to eat and drink. Fitzroy has so many unique and quintessentially Melbourne venues, but one of my favourites has to be Naked for Satan. Don’t let the name scare you off – the view from the rooftop bar is as incredible as the history of the venue, and I’m pretty sure you can see the precinct and CENTREPIECE too!  

Exploring Nature in Melbourne

Jennifer Quinlin, Sales & Marketing Support

I love discovering Melbourne and the surrounding suburbs by walking the Main Yarra Trail. Strolling along the river from the city and over our many bridges and paths is such an amazing way to experience Melbourne.

From experiencing the local wildlife and flora and fauna our city has to offer to see rowers on the Yarra River, there is truly something for everyone on the trail. It’s an easy and mostly shaded walk, where you get to explore some of Melbourne’s most bustling suburbs like Cremorne, South Yarra, Richmond and Abbotsford.

In true Melbourne style, I love making a pit stop for coffee and brunch at one of Richmond’s brunch institutions, Top Paddock. It’s just a quick detour off the Main Yarra Trail and they serve the best smashed avocado this side of the Yarra!

Discovering Your Creative Side

Lara Burnes, General Manager

Melbourne plays host to many free art galleries, art festivals and events, and I feel extremely grateful to be able to experience a world of art in such close proximity to CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park.

First on my list is the Ian Potter Centre; NGV Australia at Federation Square. Admission to more than 20,000 permanent pieces of Australian Indigenous and non-indigenous art is right at my doorstep – and completely free! Next door you will find the Koorie Heritage Trust, a collection of more than 95,000 items relating to South-Eastern Australian Aboriginal communities including oral histories, photographic archives, and over 3,900 historic and contemporary artworks and objects. The Australian Centre for Contemporary Art is next on the list, presenting hundreds of exhibitions from Australian and international contemporary artists, that focuses on new work to encourage progressive conversations.

Don’t forget to check out what is on display at ACMI or the NGV while you are in Melbourne, the immersive exhibitions that show at these galleries are not to be missed.

If I am in the mood for something a little more casual, I’ll do explore the street art our wonderful city has to offer – usually on every corner. Strachan Lane, Presgrave Place, Drewery Lane, Blender Lane and Croft Ally are a must-see, and Hosier Lane, of course!

Immerse Yourself in the Garden State

Simone Taube, Conference & Events Planning Manager

Melbourne, often referred to as The Garden State, (according to my number plate anyway) is exactly that. All within a short stroll from CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park are some of the country’s most incredible gardens.

I love to spend time photographing the landscape and native plant life around the beautiful gardens our city has to offer. They share similar colours and textures that have inspired the interior design of CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park, which makes me so excited to open our doors in a matter of months!

The Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria are a short stroll from the precinct and are just breathtaking! Take a picnic and immerse yourself in the thousands of plants from Australia and around the world. I also love to explore the Carlton Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built-in 1880.  Spending a day here feels like you have been transported into another time.

Instagram Tour of Melbourne

Laura Reddaway, Conference & Events Sales Manager

I’m a bit of a sucker for social media, and the best place to capture some of Melbourne’s most Instagram-able moments has to be St Kilda. The walk from CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park will take you around the Royal Botanic Gardens, through Fawkner Park and Albert Park.

My recommended first stop is Rain Room in St Kilda, an art installation created by Jackalope Hotels. Rain Room is a 100sqm expanse of torrential rainfall that responds to your presence and movement, allowing you to become part of the artwork – an amazing experience for anyone, social media savvy or not! 

After Rain Room, let your camera go wild. From the palm tree-lined foreshore to the street art that cascades down building walls and the famous Luna Park – St Kilda is an Instagrammer’s dream.

Exploring this beachside suburb can be thirsty work, so be sure to visit the Ghost of Alfred Felton Bar at The Esplanade Hotel(dubbed the Espy by locals), influenced by Alfred Felton. An entrepreneur, chemist, philanthropist, and collector of art, it is said that Felton was once a resident of the Espy, and each room has been designed to pay homage to the local.

To finish up the day, I like to grab some fish and chips and head down to the foreshore to watch the sun go down over the bay – snapping up that last pic for the gram.

CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park will be welcoming events from September 2021 and the team are currently taking bookings.

For more information head to the supplier page on the MCB website.