Our friend Caitlin Booth at The Urban List Melbourne has compiled a list of the top 8 things to do and see in our favourite spot in Melbourne, Essendon Fields!
Essendon Fields and its resident airport have been synonymous with travel, adventure and flying for over a century, but The Urban List Melbourne uncovered a handful of activities that take these themes to a fresh new place. From adrenaline-packed freefall flying to fresh new flavours that will transport you around the world, read on for eight reasons to put Essendon Fields on your weekend to-do list.
Mr McCracken
This new-age gastropub, from the team behind Captain Baxter and Republica in St Kilda, will open up your taste buds to fresh new flavours and have you coming back for seconds. A menu stacked with fresh Australian produce and a paddock to plate mindset, this menu is the backbone of this memorable dining experience. Relax by the large stone fireplace with a vino from a wine list selected to perfection by a dedicated sommelier, or sip on a cocktail with a twist. With a spacious alfresco area and cosy interior, Mr McCracken is an ideal location for everything from date night to a long lunch with your mates.
Experience the best that local and native produce has to offer with yellowfin tuna, native bush tomato and black rice. Get winter-ready with the decadent gnocchi and wagyu bolognese with pangrattato and round out a delicious dining experience with an artful ice cream sando with smoked chocolate and macadamia.
Bounce Inc.
We can hear our inner child squealing with excitement. With around 3,000 square metres of interconnected indoor trampolines, adventure features, padding and airbags, Bounce is the trampoline playground we could only have dreamed of as kids (shout out to the friend who always invited us over to use the trampoline after school).
iFLY Melbourne
If you’re looking to catch a little more air than the humble trampoline can provide, we’d like to draw your attention to the ultimate adrenaline experience that you don’t have to travel vertically for. iFLY at Essendon Fields will have you literally floating on air at this indoor body flight experience. With wheelchair access, highly trained instructors, and an open invitation to adventure seekers of all abilities aged 3 to 103, iFLY is an action-packed activity for everyone.
LaManna Melbourne
If you love food, LaManna is going to show you that love right back. LaManna Melbourne is a love letter to food from the founder, Vince LaManna. With an inspired range of quality, fresh produce, grocery, patisserie (hello, hand-piped cannolis) and Café Trattoria, you’ll find everything you need to create your own little slice of Italy at home.
Essendon Fields Gardens
Not only a stunning and relaxing green space, but Essendon Fields is also an impressive example of sustainability and innovative water practices. The 300-hectare gardens are kept lush and healthy thanks to the water captured from the nearby aircraft hangar roofs. This initiative is part of the urban regeneration plan for the area, reducing the airport’s impact on ground heat. The initiative includes an onsite tree farm, which has cultivated 10,000 trees for planting around the precinct, and the implementation of a range of pocket parks, walking trails and outdoor spaces perfect for jogging, walking and cycling.
DFO Essendon
With so much of life happening online over the last few years, we’re all for some IRL experiences and exploring the racks for the perfect addition to your wardrobe is one of our favourite, tangible thrills. With a huge range of retailers, DFO will provide the goods for a fraction of the price.
The Airways Museum
If the magic of planes coming and going through thin air ignites your curiosity, head over to the Airways Museum to take your knowledge to greater heights. Housing a collection of national importance, the exhibit traces the development of Australia’s civil aviation airways system through innovation and technical development from the 1920s through to the present. Told through artifacts and photographs, follow the story of Australia’s often leading role in the international journey in aviation advancement.
Hyatt Place Melbourne, Essendon Fields
If your Essendon Fields itinerary is filling up faster than a vintage DC-3 rocketing down the runway, we’ve got the perfect solution to embracing a jam-packed weekend—a sneak staycay at the Hyatt Place Melbourne, Essendon Fields. With a range of luxe rooms and conveniently located near all the action *cough* right above Mr McCracken *cough*.
