NKBA Design Tour 2025- Melbourne : “What happens on tour, stays on tour”

We had such an incredible experience at the NKBA Melbourne Design Tour that we simply had to share the highlights!

Touching down to a perfect Melbourne day, we checked into the elegant Langham Hotel Melbourne—a stay we highly recommend (don’t even get us started on the legendary breakfast buffet!). With a little time to spare, we enjoyed a relaxing stroll along the vibrant Southbank waterfront, soaking in the city’s creative energy before the design tour officially began with a lively opening night event.

Our first official event was hosted by Cosentino in their stunning new Melbourne showroom—an absolute aesthetic delight. Behind the bold, structured masonry of what was once the National Australia Bank, we were welcomed into a serene, light-filled space featuring curved design elements, a refreshing neutral palette, and warm coastal timber accents—a beautifully unexpected contrast to the exterior.

As we mingled over canapés and bubbles, we explored the meticulously designed showroom, which showcased the versatility of Cosentino’s stone and porcelain collections across a range of inspiring interior applications. Every detail was considered and beautifully executed.

The only clues to the building’s former life were discovered during a cheeky detour to the basement—complete with the original bank vault still intact.

It was a fabulous evening and the perfect introduction to the talented group of interior designers, industry suppliers, and creative minds we’d be spending the next few days with on the NKBA Melbourne Design Tour.

Following on from a winning start, Day 1 of the official tour was action packed.

From the visual feast of Zuster’s exquisite furniture (we are obsessed!) to an exploration of the Fisher and Paykel Experience centre, the morning flew past and before we knew it we were being hosted at the Hettich showroom for lunch over a thought provoking panel discussion on sustainability in design.

A quick skip down the road to Miele where we were treated to keynote speaker Rod Acevedo who really got us thinking about AI followed by a jump across the road to Austaron’s brand new showroom (literally only just finished hours before).

Just in case we had started to drift off, our brains were whipped back into action with a spatial design challenge and with prizes on the table we were in it to win it!

The challenge seamlessly flowed into the wind down event of the day. Hosted by NKBA, Heirloom and Austaron we were treated to flowing champagne and delicious food trucks before making the biggest decision of the day … retire to the hotel? Or party on with suppliers?

Day 2: Innovation, Appliances & Unexpected Kitchen Inspiration

Day 2 of the NKBA Melbourne Design Tour arrived in a flash—and it absolutely delivered!

We kicked off the morning with Hideaway Bins, who gave us an exclusive preview of their upcoming Kitchen+Bath Show stand. Over a delicious breakfast, they unveiled their latest innovation: a sleek rubbish bin system designed to work seamlessly with Blum drawer runners. (Yes—we really do get excited about cleverly engineered kitchen storage solutions!)

Next up, it was all about cutting-edge kitchen appliances. At Miele, their in-house chef amazed us with mind-blowing insights into food science and demonstrated the full capabilities of their premium appliance range.

Just down the road, we headed to Gaggenau, where we were treated to an impressive display of innovation. Highlights included their Essential Induction Hidden Cooktop, the Expressive Series integrated fridge/freezer, and sleek wall oven—proof that appliances can, in fact, be incredibly stylish. And yes, it was all accompanied by an irresistible spread of gourmet treats.

Back at Miele (a shoutout to the top-tier logistical planning!), we were treated to an illuminating session by keynote speaker Adele Locke of MINT Lighting Design. Adele transformed what could have been an overwhelming dive into lighting principles into a clear, relatable, and genuinely entertaining presentation. We may never see downlights the same way again, and we left truly inspired by her creative use of architectural lighting beyond the obvious.

As the long day began to catch up with us, a refreshing second wind came in the form of a guided architectural walking tour—a definite highlight for many.

With the sun setting and temperatures dropping, our enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide led us through some of Melbourne’s most iconic buildings, showcasing the city’s seamless blend of historic architecture and striking modern design. It’s this unique contrast—and the stories behind each structure—that keeps Melbourne close to our design-loving hearts.

But the day didn’t end there! With just 20 minutes to refresh, we were off again—this time to the official after partyhosted by Häfele and Polytec on the wharf. A fabulous night of fun, laughs, and networking… and let’s just say, what happened there can stay on tour!

Day 3: A Relaxed Finish and a Final Dose of Design Inspiration

With the official NKBA Melbourne Design Tour wrapped up, Day 3 took on a more leisurely pace—starting with a slower morning and a deeper appreciation of that now-legendary Langham Hotel breakfast buffet.

We took time to wander through the vibrant Melbourne CBD, soaking in the city’s energy before heading to the Kitchen+Bath Show for several inspiring hours. From innovative product launches to emerging design trends, the exhibition offered plenty to fuel our creative fire.

Of course, no trip to Melbourne would be complete without a little retail therapy. With just enough time for a quick shopping spree, we wrapped up our visit before heading to the airport and returning home to Auckland—our minds buzzing with ideas and inspiration.

We were so glad we jumped on the bus for the inaugral NKBA Design tour. It was a whirlwind few days but we got exceptional value and established so many quality new connections with designers and suppliers.

We left Melbourne with our cups full, minds inspired, souls connected and excess baggage…both on the airplane and our waistlines!

All images are from NM Design.