Heritage buildings, high fashion and hot restaurants. Here are 8 reasons to spend a while wandering the Paris end of Collins Street.

Collins Street
The historic architecture

The historic Block Arcade
It’s Melbourne’s home of luxe shopping

Burberry on Collins Street
It’s one of the best places to see a show
From high-profile musicals to film festivals and independent theatre, Collins Street is a hub for live shows. See a show at the Athenaeum Theatre, hit The Capitol for the latest ACMI season or pop in for a quirky performance at the Butterfly Club. Then find emerging, independent art and theatre at Fortyfivedownstairs on Flinders Lane.
It’s great for a city staycation
Treat yourself to a bit of glamour and book in for a stay at the French-inspired Sofitel Melbourne. Relax and unwind at the Westin with a range of wellbeing programs on offer. If you stay at Novotel Melbourne, the St Collins Lane shopping and dining mecca is at your doorstep. Book a stay at Grand Hyatt Melbourne or head a little further west to the historic InterContinental Melbourne. Don’t forget to book in at Botanica Day Spa while you’re there. Just opposite Parliament House is the historic Hotel Windsor – and the famous Cricketers Bar.

Hotel Windsor
It’s home to the only Dr Seuss gallery in Victoria
Tucked away in the Block Arcade, is The Art of Dr Seuss, one of only two Dr Seuss galleries in the Southern Hemisphere. From The Cat in the Hat to Green Eggs and Ham, there is a huge range of limited edition illustrations to browse or buy.
There’s an abundance of hidden laneways nearby
Some of Melbourne’s most famous spots are minutes away, from Hosier Lane to Duckboard Place. But there’s also plenty to explore immediately off the strip, including Alfred Place, home to Bistro Garcon, re-opening in Feb. Check out Manchester Lane for a spot of shopping at stores like The Sure Store, Design a Space and Bared Footwear. Wander down George Parade and you’ll find all-day Italian dining at Il Solito Posto. Howey Place is packed full of gems like Dafael Dolls and Bears, nevenka and Melko. Take another turn into Presgrave Place to discover a kaleidoscope of street art then stop in for a drink at Bar Americano.

Presgrave Place
Up-market (or should we say, upstairs) dining
Take the escalator to the St Collins Lane food hall, offering a more sophisticated lunchtime choice. Order from different corners of the world at Saint Dreux, Meat the Challenge, Think Asia and more. Up the other end of Collins, Mexican taqueria Mamasita lies in wait with a stellar range of tequilas and treats. Or pop up to Uncle for quality Vietnamese and exotic cocktails.
There are so many places for high tea
Classic, European or English-themed? Whatever your high tea preference, there’s plenty of top teas on offer. Hopetoun Tea Rooms draws daily crowds to The Block Arcade. Drop in for their English-style sandwiches, pinwheels, scones and signature petit fours. Don’t forget to keep your camera handy to snap their famous cake window. Collins Kitchen at the Grand Hyatt offers French-inspired ‘High Tea by Christina Re’, serving crab salad profiteroles, macarons and more. Or for a European-style high tea like no other, try Royal St Collins in St Collins Lane. For something a little different, High Seas at the Westin is a culinary feast for seafood lovers.