Girls’ Weekend

Combine world’s best pizza, mesmerising cultural offerings, a dash of fresh air and some of the best shopping in city, and you’ve sorted yourself a day on Tram Route 6.

Stop 121, Weston Street / Lygon Street

Really, you could hop off anywhere between Stop 124 and Stop 120 and stroll southbound along Lygon Street — the cafes, bars and restaurants that line the strip are ready to satiate whatever appetite you have. The Alderman [134 Lygon Street, Brunswick East] and Atticus Finch [129 Lygon Street, Brunswick East] are two options best-suited for the evening hours, with wine and cocktail lists sure to excite.

For a fine, relatively upmarket meal, arguably the best restaurant in the area is Rumi [116 Lygon Street, Brunswick East]. It is Middle Eastern cuisine at its absolute finest, with a degustation menu the perfect way to eat your way through a comprehensive, exotic and tasty spread.

If you’re more of a pizza person, and you want to try the world’s best margherita pizza, then look no further than 400 Gradi [99 Lygon Street, Brunswick East]. Beating out 600 other contestants from around the world in 2014, Gradi’s success means you might want to book ahead!

Stop 112. Lygon Street / Elgin Street

Stop 112 is your entry point to the Carlton end of Lygon Street, the historic and Italian-influenced area that still packs a punch. Chase down the 400 Gradi pizza with a gelato from Pidapipò Gelateria [299 Lygon Street, Carlton] which stays open from noon until 11pm every day of the week. Alternatively, fill yourself with cheese and beautifully matched wines from Milk The Cow [323 Lygon Street, Carlton], arguably Melbourne’s best-known licenced fromagerie.

If all this food has you feeling the need to rest, take in a film at Cinema Nova [Lygon Court, 380 Lygon Street, Carlton]. Melbourne’s bastion for arthouse cinema since 1992, the Nova is home to 16 theatres showing the best in local and international film, with barely a blockbuster in sight. If you’re in town for a long weekend, head along on Monday, when tickets are just $10.

Stop 14, Arts Precinct / St Kilda Road

After travelling your way down Swanston Street and crossing the Yarra River, step off the tram outside Arts Centre Melbourne’s Theatres Building [100 St Kilda Road]. With hundreds of events happening in the Theatres Building (the one with the giant spire) and Hamer Hall (the round building on the south bank of the river) each year, no matter when you’re in Melbourne there’ll be something for you to see.

If you prefer your art displayed in a frame rather than on a stage, head next door to the NGV International [180 St Kilda Road]. Founded in 1861, today the NGV is home to more than 70,000 artefacts and artworks across its two locations (this one is NGV International; the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia is located in Federation Square, corner Russell and Flinders Streets).

Stop 22, Toorak Road / St Kilda Road

It’s time to hop off and stretch the legs! Stop 22 might be positioned on a busy intersection, but it’s also the perfect point to meander through nearby Fawkner Park [24-88 Commercial Road, South Yarra]. Named after one of Melbourne’s founding fathers, John Pascoe Fawkner, and reserved as a park way back in 1862, Fawkner Park is the place for people-watching, a spot of exercising, and relaxing under the warm sun and a cool breeze.

Once you’ve had enough fresh air, you can join back up with Route 6 at Stop 23 on the corner of Commercial and St Kilda Roads.

Stop 31, Chapel Street / High Street

The past decade has seen the area around Windsor and Prahran come of age. What was the grungier, grittier end of Chapel Street (compared to the regal and classy South Yarra end) has been transformed by a steady influx of delicious restaurants and cafes as well as some of the best bars in all of Melbourne.

Hop off at the corner of Chapel and High Streets and head south, to sample Polish from Borsch Vodka & Tears [173 Chapel Street, Windsor], Mexican from Fonda Mexican [144 Chapel Street, Windsor], Japanese from Mr. Miyagi [99 Chapel Street, Windsor] or American from Boston Sub [96 Chapel Street, Windsor]. Prepare to see the southside’s coolest kids strutting their stuff around these parts.

Stop 34, Lewisham Road / High Street

The area you’re travelling through is practically as old as Melbourne itself. As your tram rolls along High Street, Prahran, take a break at Victoria Gardens [north of High Street, between Lewisham Road North and Tinnian Street] The land was purchased by the local council in 1885, and as such is one of the oldest public reserves in all of Melbourne. Prior to that, the suburb of Prahran was so far away from the city that the land was actually used to graze cattle!

Throw down a picnic rug or simply take a stroll under the trees. You’ll be happy to break up your journey as you re-energise for one of the most fashionable strips in town…

Stop 40, Armadale Station / High Street

High Street, Armadale, has become synonymous with wedding couture, and the strip remains immensely popular with brides-to-be. If you’re not planning nuptials, though, there is still a bounty of retailers to supply you with the latest trends.

Names like Scanlan & Theodore [1063 High Street, Armadale], VIKTORIA & WOODS [1043 High Street, Armadale] and Assembly Label [1062 High Street, Armadale] are clustered close together just a block to the east of Stop 40. You'll also find cute and cosy 8days Cafe [1184 High Street, Armadale], where you can recharge with great coffee and some excellent breakfast options.

If you’d prefer to try a different mode of transport, Armadale Train Station is only 15 minutes or so away from the city centre. When you’ve finished your shopping, eating and drinking, hop onto the train and head back to the city.