Melbourne.

You have so much soul.

I love you so much.

New Zealanders tend to go to Sydney or Brisbane because of the weather. They are really missing out. Melbourne can be coolish at times but the reality is, there isn’t another capital city in Australia with a vibe quite like Melbourne.

We spent two days hanging around, soaking up what it had to offer.

It rained.

Of course. But it certainly wasn’t cold. And it didn’t rain all the time.

Anyway, before we got to Melbourne, or Melby as MoD likes to call it (No MoD, I will say it again, it isn’t Melby), we did a quick drop in to Sovereign Hill in Ballarat to say hello to my niece.

Sovereign Hill is well worth a visit but you really need more than the 1/2 hour we had available.

You probably need a day.

Still it gave my fellow travellers a little taste test.

Thanks Ang for showing us around and getting us the little extras, like dipping our own candles in pretty colours.

Got to Melbourne, checked in to our hotel and then headed out for an explore. We wanted to give Annabel and Doug a bit of a ‘last night in Australia’ Melbourne experience.

Our friend Jules recommended Little Lon Distilling Company, Melbourne CBD’s only remaining single-storey house reborn as a distillery, making uniquely Melbourne gin.

‘Little Lon’, the former red-light district and slum area between Exhibition and Spring, Little Lonsdale and La Trobe. It included Madame Brussels’ famous brothels on Lonsdale Street, but the seedier houses of ill repute were down laneways, such as Casselden Place. The laneway was home to seven three-room brick cottages, and only number 17 remains. No 17 was a seedy brothel (its most famous madam/working girl was a Chinese prostitute nicknamed Yokohama (real name Tiecome Ah Chung), a sly grog establishment and the site of numerous police complaints’.

Now Little Lon Distillery Company.

Where you can do a taste board of gin, or just choose a gin cocktail.

We donned our new free cycling hats we were given from the Cycle Galleria at QV Melbourne and did a little of both.

By the way, QV Melbourne is worth a look, it’s the site of the former Queen Vic Hospital with only the main pavilion still standing. Old meets new, like so much of Melbourne. Of course it also has shops and eateries.

From there we thought it might be opportune to get something to eat.

Tried Stalactites but the queue was heading down the block.

Stalactites is a world famous (in Melbourne) family owned Greek restaurant operating since 1978 which used to be open 24 hours. I think nowadays it operates between 11am and midnight. There is always a huge queue. The food is reliable and authentic.

(Whilst we couldn’t get in this time, MoD and I were able to walk in the next night and we weren’t disappointed).

But back to Annabel and Dougs’ last night.

We headed into The Seamstress. Now that’s worth a visit.

Formerly a textile factory, 1930’s sweatshop, brothel and Buddhist monastery, it’s now converted into an Asian Fusian Restaurant split over four levels.

The food was delicious and a fitting end to our time together.

Not the best photo but might give you an idea of the ambience

The next day out travel buddies flew out – the close of another adventure.

Thanks guys! We loved our latest holiday and look forward to the next.

……….And then it was two.

As Air New Zealand had changed our flights we were able to spend an extra day wandering the city.

Brunch at Degraves Lane – its’ actually a street but I’ve always called it a lane.

Long term habits are hard to break.

Worth a visit.

You can actually walk there from Burke Street Mall – right through to Flinders Street via some cute little arcades and lanes.

Head into the Royal Arcade across from Myer and walk towards the Yarra river (that would be straight). When you get out to Collins Street, turn left. In front of the Novotel there are pedestrian lights, cross over and head through Centre Way and continue straight. If you want a tasty detour, when you get to Flinders Lane turn left and Brunetti’s is right there. Yummdidlyumpcious.

On our way to Degraves we happened upon a little rally in Burke Street Mall. Seemed it was a Trump Rally. With 2020 banners. The ‘boys’ were all ready for any trouble. But given the rally consisted of about 20 people and was pretty well outnumbered by scoffing but passive spectators I think it was all pretty safe.

We also checked out Higher Ground, 650 Little Bourke Street. Great little place with superb food and good coffee but I suggest you book first. There is always a queue.