Again, I had an incentive through work to earn some free flights with Air New Zealand.

I took it upon myself to take a quick “mental health” break, over the ditch, and spent a long weekend with a dear friend that has lived there for a few years.

On the days she worked, I explored…

Eats

Meatball & Wine Bar: these are all over the city and not only do they do a wicked cheese platter; you can choose which meat you want for your meatball, the sauce and then if you want: pasta, mash, polenta etc with it.

Chin Chin: only THE best Asian Fusion I have ever had! On Flinders Lane in the city.

The best French Macaroons EVER (again, all over Melbourne but this one in particular was on Collins street in the city)

Free Stuff

Tram “city loop” – I have not done this myself but I was told there is a free tram that does a city loop regularly (when crossing the road check for trams!!)

Hosier Lane: Melbourne is full of street art everywhere, but Hosier lane in the city is where a lot of people start their own walking-graffiti-tours

Victoria State Library: The highlight of my trip. If you get a chance to get up to level 6 to check out The Dome make sure you turn around and say hi to ol’ Will!

Dandenong: is a wee while out of the city, but has some stunning views, walk ways and there is even a restaurant up there called Sky High (I believe bookings essential)

Tourist Stuff

The Old Melbourne Gaol: is awesome if you like history. It costs just under 25AUD and includes access to the museum as pictured below. At selected times you are also able to experience getting arrested and what life was like for the prisoners (in lighthearted-ness).

Yarra Valley: obviously… WINE TOURS! The one I did picked me at at Saint Paul’s Cathedral & took me to three wineries AND the chocolate factory (where there a millions of free samples!) AND included a delicious lunch with wine.

Sea Life Aquarium: is a great place for families but as an adult there were some cool things to see here too! The pictures are screenshots from a video, so excuse the quality! You actually get to walk through/ underneath massive tanks and have GIANT rays and the like swimming over you.

** Hot Tip if you do not pre-book from here, book on the website, rather than just show up. You will save from 10 -20% off of the ticket (from memory I paid around 35AUD)

There is plenty more to do here. But I thought I would share with you a little insight on my quick trip over.

Obviously, you can shop till you drop in Melbourne too! But if there is anything I recommend it is to “look up” when you are walking through the city.

Melbourne is full of so many beautiful buildings or murals of the weird and wonderful. If you have time venture out into Richmond (I went to the Meatball place here), St Kilda & Fitzroy for cakes, rooftop bars and little bit of extra funk!

Enjoy!

Lazz