Melbourne is the city Aussies most want to visit in 2015

SORRY, Sydney. You’ve got beaches and night-life and world-famous sights, but you’re not the city most Australians want to visit in 2015. #sorrynotsorry

Adelphi Pool Party. Sun seekers enjoy the rooftop pool at the Adelphi Hotel, as part of the Adelphi Hotel Pool Party. Ryan Beal and Jenny Shepherd poolside. Picture: Eugene Hyland

YOU’RE in the mood for a weekend away and wondering where to go ... Should you fly to Adelaide and visit the vineyards? Head to Sydney and laze on Bondi Beach? Check out the museums in Canberra?

None of those options twiddled the knobs of 4100+ people surveyed by lastminute.com.au on the “wish list” Aussie city they’d most like to visit this year.

It was Australia’s style and coffee capital, Melbourne that took out the number one position.

“It’s the ultimate Aussie city to ‘play up’ in,” says lastminute.com.au spokesman, Louise Ryan.

“Whether that is maxing the budget by shopping till you drop, late night espresso martinis at an inner city rooftop bar, or lazy days drinking coffee and people watching in one of the city’s hidden laneways.”

Sorry, Sydney. You’ve got beaches and night-life and world-famous sights, but you’re not the city most Australians want to visit in 2015. #sorrynotsorry

Here’s the full “wish list”

1. Melbourne, Victoria

2. Perth, Western Australia

3. Hobart, Tasmania

4. Sydney, NSW

5. Darwin, Northern Territory

6. Brisbane, Queensland

7. Adelaide, South Australia

8. Canberra, ACT

Five reasons to visit Melbourne in 2015

Shop until you drop at Melbourne’s Emporium.

1. It’s all about the fashion: explore the bustling laneways and arcades of the city, shop up a storm at the country’s newest shopping mecca, Emporium, explore the eclectic boutiques in Fitzroy and Collingwood, or head south of the city and stroll along Chapel Street for great fashion finds.

Captain Baxters in St Kilda has brilliant water views.

2. Rooftop bars: Melbourne is a city known for its rooftop bars, many of them hidden above discreet city buildings. Some lastminute.com.au favourites include the retro tennis inspired Madame Brussels on Bourke Street, Naked In The Sky overlooking the ultra-cool Brunswick Street in Fitzroy and beachside Captain Baxters in St Kilda.

Strictly Ballroom is currently playing in Melbourne.

3. Arts and culture: Be inspired by Melbourne’s many art galleries, such as the Australian Centre For Contemporary Art, the National Gallery of Victoria and at the myriad of hidden galleries situated throughout the city’s laneways. Then glam up and head to the theatre to enjoy some of the 2015 shows, including Strictly Ballroom The Musical (on now), The Lion King (20 February — 10 May) or Dirty Dancing (from February to May).

A selection of mouth-watering dishes at Chin Chin. Picture: Facebook

4. Fabulous dining: Hit up hip inner-city haunts such as local favourites Chin Chin, Bomba, Tonka, Mamasita and Supernormal. If a long relaxing luncheon is your thing, take a day trip to the Yarra Valley wine region, just an hour northeast of Melbourne and enjoy local food and wine flavours in a relaxed vineyard setting.

The penthouse roof terrace at Art Series The Olsen.

5. Amazing hotels: After a fun filled day, relax at any of the inner city hotels such as the world’s first dessert hotel Adelphi or live it up at the glamorous Crown Metropol Melbourne. Alternatively, if Melbourne’s inner city precincts are more to your taste, Art Series has a great selection of artist-inspired rooms at several chic properties.

Check out the lastminute.com.au Play Up In Melbourne deals, with stays from $87 per night on sale until 9 February, for travel until mid 2015.

Which city is number one on your wish list? Tell us below.

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Originally published as Melbourne is the city Aussies most want to visit in 2015