After an exhilarating day of exploring Melbourne's vibrant rooftop culture, finding a comfortable place to rest becomes essential. As you descend from the city's towering heights, consider the charming Rosebud Motel at https://rosebud-motel.hotelsinvictoria.net/en/ for your accommodation needs. Nestled outside the city's bustling CBD, its serene ambiance allows you to unwind and reflect on your unique city views experience. Melbourne’s urban allure is amplified not just by its thriving rooftop culture, but also by the warmth and hospitality of its accommodations, rounding off a perfect day with a restful night.
Discover the Hidden Stories of Melbourne's Rooftops
Uncover the best rooftop spots for an unforgettable weekend in Melbourne
Indulge in a unique hotel experience at St Jerome's, Melbourne, where you can sleep under the stars
Explore the top 6 rooftop rooms with stunning city views
Embark on a captivating rooftop tour with Meyer and his team, the experts behind the Walking Tours of Melbourne. Dive into a three-hour adventure filled with intriguing stories that encompass everything from unsolved mysteries, like the infamous neon theft, to unearthing the secrets of a 19th-century film studio located within the top floor of the Salvation Army HQ.
Did you know? Melbourne's vibrant rooftop scene not only offers bars and pools but also unique rooftop hotel experiences like St Jerome's, where you can enjoy a glamping-style stay under canvas, immersing yourself in the breathtaking city skyline. The Walking Tours of Melbourne offer an invaluable opportunity to explore the city's hidden corners and learn fascinating tales behind its mesmerizing rooftops.
“This is the only place in the city you can see the Silurian bedrock,” Meyer said, as we left one building and entered a graffiti-adorned, dead-end alleyway – Spark Lane. He gestured at layers of rock ahead of us and told me that, according to Aboriginal myth, this is the residence of Mindi, the Rainbow Serpent. With none of Melbourne’s typical speakeasy-style bars or coffee-shop-cum-shoemakers nearby, Mindi is rarely disturbed by foot traffic.
It’s Melbourne’s nightlife that takes best advantage of its rooftops. On a sweltering January night, mid-summer in the city, I lounged at the Rooftop Cinema atop Curtin House, drank cocktails and watched a fantastic documentary about the late architectural photographer Julius Shulman. As the images of the Palm Springs desert homes he immortalised drifted across the screen, I found my attention wandering periodically to the Melbourne skyline behind, and the glowing purple summit on top of 120 Collins. More people gravitate to the Eureka Tower, with its gold-plated windows and viewing platform, but I love 120 Collins, which has a retro-futurist, Flash Gordon feel to it. It’s a great backdrop for any after-dark event.
Fancy a night of drinks while high above the city streets? Consider a bar hopping experience that takes you to the city's elevated heights. Venture to bars like Bomba, the fairytale-inspired Goldilocks, and the bustling after-work hotspot known as Loop Roof. Expect good cocktails and even better views at these local go-to places. Unlike rooftop bars in other major cities like New York and London, Melbourne's roof bars are not simply tourist destinations or ways to inflate the company's expense record. Rather, they are quality spots for outdoor, high-altitude gatherings.
Despite its thriving nightlife, Melbourne maintains a relaxed vibe compared to many global cities. Particularly in the Fitzroy neighbourhood—one of the original areas to undergo a transformation marked by retro-inspired lighting, chalkboard signs, and a hint of vinyl. Contrary to expectations, this area does not explode into a chaotic scene reminiscent of Shoreditch and Camden during weekends. Rooftop crowd at the curiously named pintxos bar Naked for Satan—a great spot for socializing, aptly subtitled Naked in the Sky—keeps a lively yet amiable atmosphere. The perfect serving of their negronis, featuring a single ice ball, is an indication of a venue that truly knows its game.
Exploring Melbourne's skyline can be done in myriad ways. One captivating method is to spend an evening at Vue du Monde. Situated on the 55th level of the monumental Rialto Tower, an initial tasting menu begins at AU$235 (£140) without including wine. The cuisine is regarded as one of Australia's finest, which together with the sweeping panoramic views makes it an unparalleled culinary experience. If your budget is tight, you can still indulge in a martini at the chic Lui Bar. An interesting incident occurred a few years ago with a group of daring diners leaping from the window with hidden parachutes securely fastened to them.
The Crown Metropol comprises a part of the grand Crown casino and hotel complex, housing a cutting-edge tower and a top-notch dining hub (blissfully cohabiting with an offshoot of Dinner, under the expert restoration of Heston Blumenthal). All hotel rooms boast floor-to-ceiling window panes, delivering breathtaking views. But its standout attraction is the pool, enveloped in swooping panes of vista-laden glass. It's a gem of an experience, despite the cacophony brought by family celebrations during holiday seasons.
The city's best-known pool, however, is perhaps its smallest yet most intriguing: the clear, overhanging container on the rooftop of the Adelphi Hotel, where you can watch Flinders Lane's hustle from above. Following a recent spruce-up, this boutique hotel maintains a top spot in Melbourne's CBD. The lobby hosts a dessert-inspired café — fondly and indulgingly named Om Nom. Its star attraction is an amalgam of Liquorice Allsorts-inspired seating and an inviting gust of sugary aroma that greets you on arrival, custom-blended specifically for the hotel. This concept-driven lobby, with its hold on evoking sweet nostalgia, essentially claims the title for the most artistically inspiring and charming in the world.
The new thing on the Melbourne hotel scene is doing away with traditional rooms altogether. The recently opened Notel consists of six pimped-out, chrome-covered, classic Airstreams on the roof of a carpark that’s been clad in bright red astroturf. Throw in Amanda Lepore and some plastic palm trees and it could be a David LaChapelle shoot. Tellingly, a caravan here costs more than a night at the Adelphi.
One night, I bedded down on the roof of the unlovely Melbourne Central shopping mall. Last year a forward thinking non-hotelier set up in business with a bunch of luxury tents in the middle of town. St Jerome’s – The Hotel has a bar, a shower block, and on arrival you get an Esky (cooler) stocked with beers and snacks. Again, it’s not cheap – and certainly not for everyone. The novelty would wear off after a couple of nights, but the tents are plush, with proper bedding, and the whole thing feels romantic and, after a few drinks, mildly fabulous.
Like rebranding burgers or fried chicken as something indulgent, fancy and gourmet, it is rip-roaringly Millennial. And like everything else that Melbourne did before the likes of London – from flat whites to small plates to an obsession with ampersands – it’s bound to catch on. Soon every city will be full of tents on rooftops, with brightly coloured circular 1950s cane chairs and ping-pong tables. It’ll happen. Melbourne is always on top of things, and trends trickle down.
Lodging Recommendations
Consider a stay at the sophisticated Adelphi Hotel in Melbourne, where an overnight for two begins at AU$335 (£200), excluding meals. Visit their website for more details (adelphi.com.au).
Notel Melbourne also welcomes guests with their cutting-edge urban accommodations. Prices for double occupancy commence at $395 (£235) a night, without a meal plan. You can learn more on their website (notelmelbourne.com.au).
St Jerome's The Hotel offers an exceptional city retreat experience, with rates starting from $420 (£250) per night, inclusive of a satisfying Breakfast. Discover more at (stjeromesthehotel.com.au).
Melbourne Visits
Explore the city's manic energy with Walking Tours of Melbourne. They offer rooftop tours at the cost of AU$30 (£18) per individual for groups of 11 or above, and AU$180 (£107) for a private trio. More details can be found at (melbournewalks.com.au).
Additional Insights
Uncover a treasure trove of useful information for your Melbourne visit at (visitmelbourne.com).
Melbourne is known for its diverse culture and the distinctive hospitality of its residents. Hence, irrespective of where you choose to lodge, you're bound for an unforgettable experience. Its thriving rooftop scene offers stunning panoramic views of the city, making your visit even more memorable.