My favourite city is...
Melbourne. But I'm biased #21
Melbourne, Australia - who could not just love it?
It was once named the world’s most liveable city seven years in a row. The pandemic saw it placed 10th in 2022, only to make a comeback to third spot in 2023, behind Vienna and Copenhagen (two cities I have yet to visit).
Why not other loved cities like New York, Paris or Vienna?
I haven’t been to New York or Vienna.
My only visit to Paris was in 2000 as a broke, student backpacker!
Do you know how much it costs for an Australian to travel to the UK, USA or Europe?
Of course I’m biased when I choose Melbourne as my favourite city. It is my home capital city and I’ve had many years to get to know it intimately. I spent my twenties partying in this city, I learnt to drive there, I went to university there, I feel safe there even at night alone - which is an important factor as a solo woman. Although, I’ve only ever lived in Melbourne for approximately 18 months during the 1990s, I still love visiting on a regular basis. The city is so cosmopolitan and versatile that there are a great number of tourist attractions, restaurants and galleries I’ve never been. Which makes it ideal for me to return to again and again and again.
I’m also fortunate my hometown is only an hour drive or train trip away. I can remember taking the old red rattler trains to Melbourne for shopping sprees or to see a musical with my mum and nana. From where I currently live it takes me about an hour and a half to drive to the city or I can catch a ferry across the bay, taking little more than an hour for an immensely pleasurable alternative to the train.
Every now and then I will make a weekend of it and stay in a central location, although it is extremely easy to get around the CBD on trams, the metro or even walking. Sometimes walking is the best option as I can still stumble upon laneways that have changed, shops that were not there years ago or new bars , restaurants and cafes. The city is constantly changing and always offers me something new to see or do.
Most recently I spent an extended weekend, staying at a hotel close to the train station for easy access from my regional town to the city venues for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF) and to the suburbs for a friend’s birthday party. I love going to shows in Melbourne. Theatre shows, comedy shows, musicals and concerts. Melbourne has a great number of fantastic venues for all of these. Including the Melbourne Town Hall, The Comedy Theatre, Regent Theatre (my favourite), The Forum, Her Majesty’s Theatre, The Princess Theatre and The Athenaeum, in the city centre alone.
There are many more venues in the surrounding suburbs such as The Palais Theatre, not to mention sporting venues like the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground), Melbourne Tennis Centre, Marvel Stadium and Olympic Park that also host concerts and performance shows. One day I would love to see a show on Broadway. I could plan a whole trip to New York solely to attend Broadway theatre shows, the same way someone might plan to visit London for Wimbledon or Paris for the upcoming Olympics.
Other great places to visit are ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image) Museum, National Gallery of Victoria, the Queen Vic Market, Chinatown, Lygon St in Carlton for a taste of Italy, the State Library of Victoria, take a boat ride on the Yarra River, walk along Southbank or visit one of the numerous rooftop bars for a beverage or two. There is so much to see and do in Melbourne you won’t be bored and will want to come back time and time again.
If shopping is your thing, sure go visit the large shopping centres (Melbourne Central, The Emporium, David Jones and Myer), DFOs (Discount Factory Outlets) at Essendon and South Wharf and Spencer Outlets, but don’t forget to wander the laneways and arcades in the CBD - you never know what you might stumble upon. Looking for something unique, quirky, vintage or retro? Try Curtin House in Swanston St or there’s a myriad of stores in the inner suburbs just a short tram ride away, such as Brunswick St, Smith St, Chapel St or Acland St - all places I frequented both in my youth and nowadays.
I’ve not even mentioned specific food options as there is far too many to cover, but whatever your taste buds like, food preferences are or wallet can afford you will find something delicious on every corner of Melbourne. Don’t forget to check out the small street kiosks and cylinders. Many of these support small businesses like La Petite Creperie where I was able to grab a quick, on-the-run savoury crepe between comedy shows.
Rain, hail or shine Melbourne is a beautiful city that everyone should visit. The city centre is lively at all hours of the day or night and there is always something to do or see, no matter what your interests are.
Melbourne, I love you!
What I’m reading: Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro, previous winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature. I have not yet finished this book but am finding it thoroughly enjoyable to read from the viewpoint of an AF - an artificial friend. I know it’s two years old, but hey I take my time with things!
What I’m watching: In recent weeks I have watched these three movies on Amazon Prime for some light viewing. I laughed out loud in all three, which makes them good movies in my humble opinion.
Melbourne is a great city. I enjoyed my time there. As a european it does feel very far for me!