What is there to visit (or do) in Melbourne in January that is not the regular tourist stuff?

Question

I have visited Melbourne many times and would be interested in spending half a day doing something off the normal tourist route.

Answer 1

Have a mighty Italian feast via Lygon Street, Carlton. You might also travel an hour down the M1 and visit Victoria's second biggest city: Geelong. There's a wonderful waterfront atmosphere there and you could have a beautiful lunch or dinner by the bay. Also, just a further 15 minutes out of Geelong is part of the famous coastal region of southern Victoria. Torquay's and Ocean Grove's beaches are surely not to be missed. You might even go the other way and visit historical Queenscliff instead. This is all within two hours drive of Melbourne. I wish you well! I've lived in both Melbourne and Geelong myself. You won't be disappointed!