What to make of Melbourne

On the first part of our trip, people often asked where we were heading to next and Melbourne always got a mixed reaction, ranging from "you'll have a great time there....it's such a wonderful city", to "I'd miss out Melbourne altogether".  I'd been here before, albeit to see the cricket 8 years ago, and I liked it.  I knew it was going to be very different this time round.

We arrived late on Monday the 20th Jan, having spent the day travelling from Byron Bay.  After a wander around a very quiet city, we were done.

Up bright and early on Tuesday to take in a few of the sites, including Captain Cooks cottage, (the oldest building in Oz), a few of the parks, the shopping disctrict, Federation Square and the waterfront. Breakfast was first on the agenda though.  Melbourne has plenty of little, narrow side streets that are full of tiny cafes, all busy and all serving delicious food and coffee to tourists, locals and business people.  This was a real unexpected surprise and pretty much where we had breakfast every day.

Tuesday night we had tickets to the tennis, and were delighted to learn that it was Wawrinka v Djokovic.  Jokingly we said we wanted a 5 setter....and we were not disappointed.  A brilliant game of tennis, great atmosphere and a lot of wine.  

Wednesday we headed to St Kilda, a cool little suburb about 25 mins on the tram. Main street had outside bars, cafes, restaurants as well as the quirky shops we have seen in so many other places like this.  It even had an allotment...

After a spot of breakfast, we headed to the beach for the rest of the day.

On Wednesdy evenings the Queen Victoria Night Markets take place.  Wasn't really sure what to expect, but delighed to report that it's a foodies heaven.  A few clothing stalls, but rows and rows of red hot grills, steaming pots, open BBQs and wood fired pizza ovens all offering food from a different country.  It was teriffic.

But, that night we headed out for a very average steak and a few hands of blackjack at the Crown Casino.  

Thursday we had booked ourselves on the Colonial Tram Lunch.  This was a 2 hour, 4 course, all you could drink tram ride around Melbourne, and pretty fab.  The tram was kitted out with all vintage decor and Cazzie was in her element!

The trouble with an all you can drink 2 hour lunch is that it becomes a mistake to stop drinking once finished.  With that in mind, we embarked on a pub crawl round waterfront, taking in a bit of the tennis in one of several outside viewing spots.  

Friday's plan was to meet an old school friend of my Dad's for lunch...Real Robert, do some shopping and then have dinner with a couple we met during out Daintree Rain Forest tour.  Richard and Carina met us about 5.30pm, and after seeing that Chin Chin's - Melbourne's hottest restaurant had a 2 hour waiting line, found somewhere else to dine.  After visiting Carina's favourite ice cream place, and sinking a few beers in a bar while watching the tennis, we found a lovely rooftop cocktail bar before dancing the night away in a cheesy club!

 

Top night had by all.

We've been asked a lot that "if" we were to move to Australia, would we pick Sydney or Melbourne.  For me, Melbourne has the edge.  Sydney is great, and I know we didn't see all the outer suburbs, but, from what I've seen, Melbourne has more to offer.  

Love

Stuoobs

xxx