A Day Tour Around Melbourne's Top Sustainability Spots

We are more than halfway through the Melbourne 2030 plan for sustainable growth. Here’s a guide to help you explore some of the strides our city has taken.

Melbourne has a lot going for it in terms of sustainability. Known for its green parks and innovative approaches, there are a lot of places popping up in the city that hold sustainability as a core goal. Follow along as we explore some of the best the city has to offer.

Image via Eater

9am — Queen Victoria Market

Start your day at the Queen Victoria Market stocking up on some fresh produce for the week. The market switched to solar power a few years ago, which dramatically reduced the volume of greenhouse gases being generated in Melbourne’s CBD.

Shopping locally, and at markets is also better for the environment as food isn’t as packaged (remember to bring your reusable bags for extra sustainability). Humans produce 2.12 billion tons of waste every year. While some of it is recycled, most ends up in landfills which pollutes our environment by contaminating water and soil, and emitting greenhouse gases. Living a zero waste lifestyle in not for everyone, but reducing the amount of waste we produce is a positive step we can all take to help our environment.

Image via Sitchu

11am — Bike Ride along the Capital City Trail

Hop on a tram to Flinders Street to begin the trail. If you don’t have a bike you can go grab one from the Melbourne Bike Share. Now time to start peddling and enjoy the fresh air as you go along the Yarra River admiring the city skyline.

In the Western world we spend 90% of our time indoors. Indoor air is more polluted so spending time exercising outside is great for your health. Not every city can boast open spaces and clean air like Melbourne, so take advantage of it. Bike riding is also a great alternative to driving as is reduces your carbon footprint.

Image via Kinfolk

1pm — Lunch at Kinfolk

After that bike ride you’ll probably be starving, so head back into the city to Kinfolk. Located on Bourke Street, the café gives 100% of their profits to charity partners, plus, their staff includes a number of volunteers!

The café uses seasonal food and pledges to buy locally, which supports local farmers. Knowing the supply chain ensures the quality of the produce while also making sure that the production followed fair and safe labour. It’s important to remember sustainability isn’t only about the environment; social sustainability is just as important. Businesses like Kinfolk are a good reminder of this.

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3pm — RMIT New Academic Street

From Bourke Street, you’re only a few minutes walk from Bowen Street. However, if your legs are sore from that bike ride, hop on one of the trams heading up Swanston.

RMIT’s latest project, the New Academic Street, received a 5 star Green Star Rating, which indicates the project’s overall sustainability achievement. Walk along Bowen Street to admire the beautiful architecture. The space was designed not only to meet high levels of environmental sustainability but also to improve campus experience. The Garden Building is a favorite for being a green oasis in the centre of the city.

Image via Sister Studios

4pm — Shopping at SISTER

This is an online retailer, so find a good spot to sit down (RMIT’s New Academic Street retail district hosts many cafés, you’re bound to find one that catches your attention). Now time to start shopping!

SISTER was established by two friends who value sustainability. All their clothes are designed and manufactured in Brunswick. They use Italian linens (a great material that doesn't require much energy or water resources), New Zealand wools and vintage fabrics to create limited edition garments. Limited collections equals less waste from unsold items. Second to oil, fashion and textiles are the most polluting industries in the world so shopping at a conscious brand like SISTER is a good habit.

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5pm — Second hand Records & Books at The Searchers

Next on the shopping adventure is The Searches, a second hand records & books store, located on Smith Street. Shopping second hand is a great sustainable practice as you’re giving something another life, where otherwise it would have ended up in the bin. Not only that, it’s also more affordable and your money stays in the community!

Image via Broadsheet

7pm — Dinner & Drinks at Mesa Verde

Now back into Melbourne CBD. Located on Swanston Street, Mesa Verde is one Melbourne top Mexican restaurants. However, what you might not be aware that they have quite an innovative and sustainable approach to waste.

Mesa Verde is one of the only restaurants in Melbourne to have a rooftop worm farm! The kitchen’s fruit and vegetable waste are put in the farm to be turned into compost. It is then used to fertilize the restaurant's vegetable and herb garden whose produce ends up on your plate.

11pm — Sleep at the Alto Hotel

Time to crash and say goodbye after this long day. Located on Bourke Street, the Alto is Australia’s first carbon neutral hotel. It received a 6 star Green Star Rating. It boasts many sustainable features such as having 100% of the electricity being generated from renewable sources. Plus it has comfy beds!

This article was written for RMIT University's New Academic Street campaign in 2017. This project was completed as part of my communications degree at RMIT. Mark: HD (36/38). Edited and republished in August, 2020.

Cover Image by Holly Engelhardt via Broadsheet