Before I flew out here, everyone told me to go live in Sydney. Melbourne has a crap beach, they said.
Luckily I'm more of a City person and have my friend Rosie to thank for the push to Melbs. "It has good food and cool vintage shops and bars" she told me, and so, I was sold.
My real moment of adoration for this City came in December when Summer hit. Upon departure (I've thrown in the towel and Byron Bay is booked for next week) I thought I would list my top recommendations for anyone that wishes to come here, and prove those Sydney lovers wrong.
Go Camping
Hire a car and go explore Victoria. My favourite place? Wilsons Prom. I got to trek between 5-10 hours a day, camp in the bush, I ticked off a few bits of Aussie nature (I nearly stood on a brown snake, nearly held a huntsman spider, a wombat stole our food and I finally got to see kangaroos), had gorgeous beaches all to ourselves, was given and cooked fresh out the water salmon and saw more stars then I have ever seen before.
TIP: Pack light, take waterproofs, take a bin bag (you have to carry your rubbish around with you) and take water purification tablet's so you can drink the water.
Eat EVERYWHERE
Melbourne is known for it's food. OH MY GOD. I have been spoilt. Add these to your list for lunch immediately: Darling Cafe for the best food ever, any where on Greville Street in Prahran (it's sort of hidden off Chapel street but well worth a visit), Higher Ground for it's interior, Stables of Como (it's in an old ground, and they do the best milkshakes) and Stepping Stone - it sells dippy eggs in an egg box...who wouldn't be sold eh?
Visit the Botanical Gardens
I was fortunate enough to be able to walk from my place in South Yarra straight through the tan to the City. One moment you feel like you're in Hyde Park, the next, you're in a jungle with palm trees and cactus'. If you are here in Summer make sure to do the Moonlight cinema and watch bats fly over your head as you watch a film under the stars. Bliss.
Drink All The Wine in the Yarra Valley
Grab some friends and book a tour; we chose boutique tour A Day On The Vine and at $130 each it was pretty much a steal. We. drank. so. much. I won’t delve too much into the moment I threw a glass of Rosé over my shoulder at lunch and it landed on our lovely guide Bernadette’s white top. Sorry Bern!
Go to the Beach
Okay so it's not the most picturesque beach in the world, but it's easy to spend a whole day in St Kilda. When I first arrived I felt like I was people watching heaven (one of my favourite hobbies). Spend a day on the beach, go for a walk down Ackland Street and grab dinner or drinks at one of the many restaurants and bars. Have a wander around Luna Park (old school theme park) then at sunset head towards the Pier and watch the penguins arrive for the night.
If you wanna head further afield, get on the Sandringham line train and get off at Brighton Beach. Walk about 20 mins to those beach huts (you've seen em), grab some shade, play in the clear blue water and take in views of the city.
See Graffiti
I remember first arriving here and walking through Brunswick Street, amazed at all the graffiti on the walls that the council just allow to be there. I guess it reflects Melbourne's creative aspect. Have a wander down Hosier Lane, which is the most graffitied street in Melbourne, and check out Brunswick Street. Speaking of which...
Drink @ Rooftop Bars
Naked For Satan in Brunswick Street is a must do. Grab some tapas (only $9 per dish on weekdays) and watch the sun set over the city (awwwww). Plus check out Goldilocks (you have to walk through a Chinese restaurant to reach it), the Rooftop bar (also doubles up as a cinema in the summer), Bambinos in Fitzroy ($4 pizzas weekly). Seriously you're spoilt for rooftops here.
OH and there's also loads of secret bars in Melbourne too.
Little Bourke Street
For a European eutopia head here. It's a bustling tucked away street where coffee shops adorn the road and you feel like you're in, yep, Europe. Spend a few hours here with a newspaper and croissant and feel pretend you're a) well sophisticated or b} in a film.
Wander Around the Old Convent
Take a morning to have a Prosecco breakfast (lol who am I?) at the bakery, wander around the garden, visit the little art gallery and do good eating at Lentil As Anything where you can pay as you please with all proceeds go to the homeless.
Night Markets
Both involving food, obvs. Visit Queen Victoria market every Wednesday in Summer for live music, awesome food and good food. Grab a pint of $9 sangria to edure the crowds. For a more chilled out vibe, South Melbourne Market (Thursday's in Summer) has live music, great stalls and food ta boot.
Do the Great Ocean Road Trip
You can't come to Melbourne without venturing out onto the Great Ocean Road. Hire a car (they're like $50 a day from Hertz) and make your way from Torquay (surf shops galore) to Bells Beach to Lorne (we stayed overnight here) then onwards to the twelve apostles. If you want to see a Koala as much as I wanted to see a Koala, drive up from Lorne and turn right off at grey street, stop the car and there they are in all their fluffy glory.
A guy I met when i first got here told me this: "Sydney is the tall blonde you fancy straight away, Melbourne is the brunette you fall in love with over time" - I guess he was right.
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