I actually accomplished Melbourne twice- first time it didn’t grab me, second time it caught my attention. I shall reveal why…
Firstly employing an urbanist run down, it’s very European in style compared to Sydney that has a huge Asian influence. This is predominantly architectural, but also population and consumption outlet related. Sydney is like a better London, but Melbourne reminds me of my home town Brighton…(?!) It’s exactly what it says on the tin- arty, fash, and whimsical with a greater musical presence. Melbs has a noticeably easier public transport system too, with the trams that litter the public domain, as well as the handy buses.
^ Crossing over into city, near Flinder's Station
^Crossing over bridge onto the South Bank side, heading in opposite direction from the main bank
^ Central city, near Hosier Lane
St Kilda in summer is unmissable- its beach life is more subdued, with calmer waters, but its ‘strip’ is lively always. It’s full of cafes, cakes shops, fashion outlets and the nearby public realm is lined with palm trees. It is a glorious vision. Expect hipsters and motorcyclists. Head to the end of the St Kilda's main road, Acland Street and find a place at the end (sorry can’t remember the name), with £5 fresh pizza and proper cloudy cider jugs on deal! Semi shack-like, right on a corner before you hit suburbia, with sociable seating outside.
Melbs: The first time I visited in November 2014 was tainted by an inexperienced traveller mind-set and various negative thought patterns, but I pulled myself out of it after a while and shaped up. What’s more, I stayed in a VERY average-to-poor, antisocial hostel in Windsor at the handy junction of South Yarra and St Kilda…However this junction was surrounded by pretty much nothing but roads until you took a 15-20 minute walk to the livelier places. The hostel was grubby and essentially it was living above an Irish pub for a week, manned by butch, shorthaired females. They were nice, I just felt out of place for the most part.
^ Luna Park, Coastal area
^ Two shots above: Albert Park
The second time brought love. This occurred in June 2015 during my ‘travelling about stage’ of my Aus year abroad. I took 6 days and stayed inner city. The location was MUCH better, the city has a mountain of things to do and is pleasant to amble about it. Par example:
Hosier and ACDC Lanes- standard tourist spots for the graffiti-laden, narrow walkways. They were pretty cool, other than everyone in the world gathering there with their oversized SLRs. There was even a wedding car driving through when I went...each to their own.
^ As always every city in Aus has its own China town... gonna be honest- this got kinda old after a while.
COFFEE COFFEE COFFEE. Can’t beat Melbourne’s coffee scene. Fitzroy, Carlton area- WIN. My fave coffee day out occurred several times in the hotspot Arcadia. Overall beaut cafes, thrift shops, fashion stores and general artiness. Amble about for a few hours, return with a vintage jacket, a sense of wonder and a belly full of savoury muffin plus a soy cap. You get my gist.
Alternatively hit up city central areas for the mainstream shops e.g. Emporium, malls and the H&M vicinity at the tram junction. Extra tip- find the hidden gem ‘Manchester Press’ café on Rankins Lane, for an arty eat. Think- sourdough brunches with wooden furniture interiors and clientele with tattoos, arranged beards, dungarees galore and some yummy mums. Sounds pretentious I know, but bask in it- this is Melbourne.
South Yarra for the other alternative, retail and dining strip. A more upmarket, larger domain, merging the vibes of St Kilda and Fitzroy.
Overall it was cold. But I kinda like winter so I made the most of it. The Great Ocean Road brought great memories. We stopped to see the wildlife and killer photographic stops, such as those seen below. I was lucky enough to have had a clear blue sky all day and a gorgeous, long-lasting, purple sunset on the drive home. It was open, vast, winding and freeing. Day trip was under a hundred bucks and you get satisfying food up a mountain in a somewhat hillbilly, trucker’s diner spot.
^ KOALA!!!!!!
^ FUN BIRD!!!
^ I felt so engulfed by the scale and atmosphere of this enclave- a descend down the cliffs to this shadowed beach. The waters were calm and glittering turquoise, with towering rock surroundings and the sun's warmness was just waving goodbye at the time we arrived. MMMmmm.
TOP TRIP EXPERIENCE was my visit to the Pink Lake. It was so orgasmically inspirational to see, I cried on arrival! I took an hour and 15 minute walk to Westgate Park, and I’d like to thank my Sydney friend Larissa for mentioning that Melbourne had a pink lake, to avoid me heading out on a 7h30 hour coach ride to Esperance, WA instead. This was much easier- phew! The pink colour occurs due to algae and its salt water. Even in Australia’s winter this spot was dazzling. I prayed for its brightness and voila! There it was, sitting simply and gently within a crisp grey backdrop. I literally want to tell the world about it! Most people I met during my year had never heard of it, let alone been. GO! Alternatively, if you hate using your legs in large capacities, catch a 15 min bus ride there from the city. It's a two-hundred and something bus route- my bad on the accuracy.
I visited the the National Gallery of Victoria, which had a wonderfully robust, post-modern and futuristic interior. Inside the Atrium building I attended the light, tech and digital exhibition on in June 2015. This was kinda fun learning of the history of innovation and society's transition of communications. But mainly I loved the building's architecture. PHWOAR:
My heart will always belong to Sydney. For me big S is just naturally WOW and tries less hard, but Melbourne has been the top traveller city from hearsay. It’s worth a see! Likeability: 8.5/10. My two travel experience average: 6.9/10.
