This post might seem strange coming from the girl who put a
whole hemisphere between her and her hometown, but I really do love Melbourne.
 |
| Koko Black - chocolate lover's heaven! |
Many Aussie romance authors will be heading there this week for the Romance Writers of Australia conference, and I am so very sad that I won’t be there this year. But, I thought this would be a good opportunity to highlight a few of my favourite things to do in Melbourne.
Tram Car Restaurant
I’ve done this twice now and it’s a real treat. You get ride
all around Melbourne on a restored tram, taking in the sights and having a
wonderful lunch or dinner. Personally, I love the night tour because of all the
city lights – but be warned, the food is great so you might want to wear a
stretchy skirt or dress!
Get a hot chocolate
at Koko Black
I might be a coffee gal through and through, but Koko Black
could totally tempt me to the dark chocolate side. They do amazing hot
chocolates and it’s also the perfect place if you want a nice, small gift for a
family member back home. My favourite drink is the cinnamon hot chocolate and
why not treat yourself to a little desert while you’re there?
Walk along the Yarra
river |
| Morning is the perfect time to catch the hot air balloons |
A necessity after all the chocolate! The Yarra is a
beautiful place to wander at any time of day. Keep an eye out for the enormous
geese who often frequent the area, chill out on a park bench and just breathe
in the peacefulness admist the city.
Get a coffee
Seriously, Melbourne has the most amazing coffee of any of
the places I’ve been. Anywhere in the world. There are so many great cafes to
try depending on what area of Melbourne you’re in. If you want to grab a bagel
with your coffee try Manchester Press in Rankin Lane, Mr. Tulk is a personal
favourite and is right next to the State Library of Victoria, or try Sensory
Lab coffee which is the in the back of David Jones building accessible from
Little Collins street so you can indulge in a little shopping as well.
See an exhibition at the
National Gallery of Victoria
Easily one of my favourite spots in Melbourne. The gallery
is a great place to wander and soak in some culture, they change exhibitions
frequently so check of their website to see what’s on before you go. As a
bonus, it’s right near the botanical gardens so you can go for a lovely walk or
have a picnic afterwards.
After writing this post I feel suitably homesick! Who’s
heading to RWA in Melbourne this year and what else are you planning to do
while you’re there? If you’re not going now, have you ever been to Melbourne
before?
I love Melbourne, Stefanie. I lived there for about five years and it's my favourite Australian city.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm off to Melbourne this week for the conference. Can't wait. I'll hopefully get some shopping done at some point.
Enjoy the conference Jen (and the shopping)!! You're in a good part of the city for that ;)
DeleteHi Stefanie
ReplyDeleteI am so sad that I won't be going to RWA this year I have been going to most of them since 2010 to help with the book signings but very sadly I can't make it this year and yes I have been to Melbourne a couple of times once on our honeymoon 38 year ago but we pretty much drove through then back in 2009 for the first ARRA Convention but again I didn't do much sight seeing I need to rectify that :)
Have Fun
Helen
What? Helen you wontr be at the book signing??? But...it wont be the same without you!
DeleteOh what a shame you won't be able to make it this year. I'm sure the group will miss you!!
DeleteYou will be missed, Helen!
DeleteOh I am going to miss everyone very much :)
DeleteHave Fun
Helen
Hey Stefanie, I've been to Melbourne quite a few times and love its Cosmopolitan feel. the weather sucks though ;-) Maybe that's just the QLD'er in me!
ReplyDeletehaha you know, I always say to people I don't know how QLDers cope with their weather. I guess it's what you get used to. One of my close friends grew up in Brisbane and moved to Melbourne a few years back, she hates the weather too ;)
DeleteI jump at any excuse to visit Melbourne, Stefanie. My former "day job" as a magazine editor took me there quite often. In fact I commuted to Melbourne for six months, flying down from Sydney at the crack of dawn Tuesday and coming back Thursday or Friday night. I saw more of the office than Melbourne but I loved everything I saw. I also got a real appreciation of how lovely Melbourne people are! I'm so looking forward to seeing Melbourne again on the weekend for the conference!
ReplyDeleteWe are a lovely bunch ;) Your former-job sounds so exciting! That is a lot of travel though back and forth, someone once told me the Sydney to Melbourne route is one of the business flight routes in the world.
DeleteStefanie, it's tough that you won't be there for the conference. It would be great to catch up!
ReplyDeleteI agree with all on your list. I'd also add going to the Aussie Open Tennis in January. Definitely a treat. Plus the Langham Hotel in Melbourne is another treat for a Melbourne visit. Then there's the food in so many good places...yum!
I know, I'm so sad to be missing all you lovely ladies this year :(
DeleteThe Langham is lovely, J and I stayed there as our 'last Melbourne hurrah' before we moved here. It's a gorgeous hotel.
I won't be going this year, sadly- but I did go to the last Melbourne conference and loved the place! We did some shopping and visited the gaol!! That was quite an experience! Wish I was going...
ReplyDeleteThe gaol is an interesting experience isn't it? I believe they do writers residencies there, probably great inspiration for anyone writing mysteries/suspense :)
DeleteI love Melbourne too, Stef, though I've not spent a lot of time there. Would love to explore the city more...and your suggestions could just be the perfect place to start. :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, there's so much to do and it can be a bit overwhelming. But you can always find a nice cafe and people watch, that's one of my favourite things to do :)
DeletePost bookmarked for when I get myself across to Melbourne. This will happen because I've got both friends and family there!
ReplyDeleteNever been to Melbourne. Sounds like there are lots of good things to do though.
It's very fun, hopefully you'll get to visit your family and friends there one time. It's great to have a local to show you the sights :)
DeleteWill miss you there this year, Stef!
ReplyDeleteBut you'll be there in spirit :)
Another thing I'd add to your list is bushwalks. We have some great ones here, if you're game enough to brave the myriad of Australian natures wonders :)
And, yes, we do make some of the best coffee here!
Michelle
I'll miss you guys too!! Yes, definitely there in spirit :)
DeleteBushwalks, great suggestion. I used to love going up to the Dandenong rages and wandering around the beautiful scenery there...plus stopping at one of the cute little towns on the way back for afternoon tea ;)