South Wharf Foodie Trails
Embark on a culinary adventure through Melbourne's South Wharf, where tantalizing flavours and vibrant aromas await at every turn. Indulge your taste buds as you explore a diverse array of eateries, from cosy cafes to trendy bistros and fine dining establishments. Whether you are craving artisanal coffee, exotic international cuisine, or delectable desserts, South Wharf Foodie Trails promise an unforgettable journey through one of Melbourne's most vibrant culinary hubs. To make things even more exciting, delegates can receive a 10% discount on any of these tours by simply showing their lanyard. The foodie trails on offer are the ‘Around the World Tour,’ the ‘Vegan-Friendly Trail’ and the ‘Bar Hopping Trail.’ Find out more below!
Around the World Tour
Where cargo shops from around the world once tied-up at South Wharf, there is now a host of eateries to highlight cuisine’s from across the globe while reflecting Melbourne’s multicultural community. Akoachochin is a traditional Japanese Izakaya set in a modern Tokyo style bar, with a huge selection of quality Sake. Open daily from 12noon until late. Step next door and you can taste Thai hawker food at BangPop. The historic cargo shed contrasts with the bright, bold colours of this cheeky venue. Open daily from 12noon until late. German-style food and hospitality is on offer at Munich Brauhaus. Enjoy the traditional oompah band for a memorable dining experience. Open daily from 11.30am until late. Meat Market pays homage to the Aussie BBQ, but vegetarians relax, because you are also catered for. Open daily from 12noon until late.
Vegan-Friendly Trail
Vegan diners rejoice because South Wharf Promenade admirably caters to your needs. Dine comfortably inside the restored cargo shed of The Boatbuilders Yard, or choose an undercover spot outside. Tasty Vegan options from breakfast through to late night snacks. Open weekdays 8am until late, or 8am until late on weekends. The General Assembly looks like a modern Aussie pub, but its food is more like what you would expect in any respected Melbourne restaurant. It features a graffitied laneway, live music and weatherproof terrace. Open daily 11.30am until late. Thai food is every bit as enjoyable in vegan form, and no one does it better than BangPop. It is easy to find the place, just look for the colourful décor and the Bangkok bicycles parked outside. Open daily 12noon until late. BangPop also hold yearly Vegan 7 course dinner events, complete range of dishes and optional wine matching. Bohemian Wine Bar is an elegant, cosy space that caters beautifully for vegan plates. Enjoy sharing style dishes that pair perfectly with wine, including vegan cheese platters. You can even purchase vegan dairy products to takeaway. Open from 3pm until late on weekdays and from 12noon until late on weekends.
Bar Hopping Trail
For bar-hoppers, Dukes Walk on South Wharf is more like a traditional Melbourne laneway, with your next drink never more than a few steps away. The General Assembly is a taste of Melbourne in South Wharf with graffitied laneway, live music and street art throughout, it is the perfect backdrop for a few cheeky drinks. Enjoy their 40 beer taps, Carlton Draught copper tanks and an impressive cocktail list. Open daily 11.30am until late. In addition, 5 is a more intimate drinking location, spiced with remnants from the building’s past days as a shipping cargo shed. Open daily from 12noon until late. Munich Brauhaus is a drinking venue with a big reputation for fun and entertainment, which becomes apparent from the moment you are greeted upon entering. You might drop in for just one drink, but don’t be surprised if you stay for hours. Open daily from 11.30am until late. Common Man is the perfect place to meet with year round activations on their riverside lawn. You can catch the fire garden in winter or the riverside pop-up garden and cinemas in summer. Open from 7.30am every day.
Regional Tours
Extend and enhance your Symposium experience by immersing yourself in the wonders of Victoria! Explore a variety of regional tours, from the enchanting Phillip Island Tour to the exhilarating URBNSURF Melbourne, scenic Mornington Peninsula, iconic Brighton Beach Houses, majestic Great Ocean Road, picturesque Yarra Valley, pristine Wilsons Promontory, and the quirky charm of Cactus Country. Roam through breathtaking landscapes, meander through charming towns, and uncover hidden gems that define Victoria's allure. With diverse experiences tailored for all, these regional tours promise an unforgettable adventure. Check out what’s on offer below and unveil Victoria's beauty and culture, one captivating destination at a time.
Penguin Island
Only 90 minutes from Melbourne, Phillip Island features coastal scenery and plenty of Australian wildlife. See the famous daily parade of little penguins, learn about koala conservation and take a step back in time at Churchill Island Heritage Farm. See little penguins at the Phillip Island Nature Park and sleepy koalas as you wander among the treetops at the Koala Conservation Reserve.
URBNSURF, Melbourne
Learn to surf at URBNSURF, a two-hectare (five acre) man-made surfing lagoon next to Melbourne Airport, which uses next generation technology to produce the perfect wave every time. The new precinct can host 2,000 people and it is home to the latest outpost of Australian dining institution Three Blue Ducks.
Brighton Beach Houses, Melbourne
The Brighton Bathing Boxes are 93 beach huts on Dendy Street Beach in Brighton in the City of Bayside and are a significant tourist attraction for the area. The Brighton Bathing Boxes were first built in the 1860s, across the Brighton coastline, to protect the modesty of bathers. They are built in a uniform way with Victorian features, painted weatherboards and corrugated iron roof, with owners allowed to paint their huts, causing a mass of different bright colours.
Great Ocean Road, Regional Victoria
Tour the spectacular Great Ocean Road Tour, experience this breathtaking coastline with pristine beaches, charming seaside towns and of course the iconic 12 Apostles. Take in the Australian Wildlife and incredible untouched scenery, rich with spectacular photo opportunities and the chance to immerse yourself in the natural surrounds.
Yarra Valley, Regional Victoria
For a fresh and exciting view of the valley, take to the dawn skies in a hot-air balloon before descending into a vineyard to enjoy a breakfast of sparkling wine and just-picked produce. Travel through rolling hills strung with vines, secluded natural valleys set against blue mountain backdrops and lush greenery and pastures, past towering trees and pristine rivers to verdant villages like Marysville and Warburton.
Wilsons Promontory, Regional Victoria
Take a journey to Clef Island, also known as Skull Rock to experience this unique, small, granite island in the Answer group of islands in the south west of Wilson’s Promontory. The island is a site of great natural significance because of the number of breeding seabirds who choose to nest inside the deep, sheltered cavern. In addition, a large fur seal colony can be found perching on the granite structure and nearby islands. Surrounded by the waters of the Bass Strait, the sheer magnitude and unique shape of the island make it one of Australia’s most interesting natural formations.
Cactus Country, Regional Victoria
Australia’s largest cactus garden is located in Strathmerton, Victoria. Be transported from the Victorian Murray bushland to the Mexican Mojave, African Sahara and the Argentinian Patagonia. Cactus Country features 12 acres of gardens and an onsite bar and restaurant.