24 Hours In: Melbourne

Join Australia's sophisticated set for outdoor fun - a trip to market, lunch on the seafront, a stroll along the Yarra...

1 Wake up in luxury

08.00: Push back the curtains at The Lindrum Hotel, 26 Flinders Street (00 61 39668 1111; hotellindrum.com.au). This stylish boutique hotel is housed in a building dating from the 1900s and was once a snooker hall frequented by record-breaking Australian player Walter Lindrum. Double rooms start at A$250 (£107) per night room-only.

2 Breakfast on Brunswick

09.30: Brunswick Street is the liveliest street in the Fitzroy district - possibly in Melbourne - so for breakfast head to Marios Café at 303 Brunswick Street (00 61 39417 3343). Start the day with one of its all-day breakfasts and terrific coffees.

3 From veggies to sheepskins

10.30: Melburnians like their markets and the Queen Victoria Market, 513 Elizabeth Street (00 61 39320 5822; qvm.com.au) is the largest in the city. More than 1,000 stalls sell everything from fruit and vegetables to sheepskins.

4 Lunch with a glorious view

12.30: St Kilda, overlooking Port Philip Bay is Melbourne's answer to a seaside resort and a good spot for lunch. At The Stokehouse, 30 Jacka Boulevard (00 61 39525 5555; stokehouse.com. au) feast on crispy- skinned John Dory and Banana Prawn risotto.

5 An afternoon with dinosaurs

14.30: Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson Street, Carlton (00 61 383 41 77; melbourne. museum.vic.gov.au) is one of the largest museums in the country. Exhibits include the Aboriginal Centre Bunjilaka, a living forest gallery and dinosaur hall.

6 Down by the riverside

15.30: One of the most pleasurable strolls in Melbourne is along the Yarra and Southbank Promenades on the south side of the Yarra river. At the Prince's bridge end go to the top of the Southgate development for unrivalled views.

7 Taste the spices of Asia

20.00: China has been one of the biggest single influences on modern Australian cuisine. And Flower Drum, 17 Market Lane (00 61 39662 3655) is an institution. For alternatives, Fitzroy Street has plenty of other restaurants.

8 A touch of velvet

22.00: Head to the Gin Palace, 190 Little Collins Street (00 61 39654 0553). With its low couches, dim lighting and velvet drapes, it's high on atmosphere - the place to hang out.