Little room for doubt that Melbourne has been named the world’s most liveable city for the seventh year in a row. After roughly four years of undergrad in this beloved city, I think the reason why is about all the things I will share with you now.
The city I call home
1. Four seasons in one day
Though a day may start off cloudy or rainy, it can be pretty certain that the sun and blue sky will come through, illuminating the lush green parks and gardens with a golden glow, most days anyway. Melbourne’s temperamental weather is one of the main talking points between locals. The seasons are fashionably late, unpredictable and everybody always have to be prepared for anything, including hail in summer and mild days in winter. The weather is created by its unique location, wedged between southerly arctic influences and the northerly dry and hot desert winds.
2. The neighbourhoods
One of favorite parts of living in Melbourne is exploring its different neighborhoods, all of which have completely distinct vibes. There are quirky cafes and cozy old pubs in Fitzroy, and upmarket boutiques in Prahran. The gentry hide away in the leafy mansions of Toorak, while backpackers enjoy the beach vibe of St Kilda. Melbourne’s inner-city areas are as diverse as its population. Each neighborhood is definitely a good idea for your entire weekend to escape from day-to-day routine of work. And Melbourne has dozens of them within a few miles of the central post office.
3. Street Art and Café Culture
The Melbournians love to have coffee while doing work or chatting in the maze of laneways and arcades. Café culture is part of the city's soul. It is a wonderland of exciting bars, cafés and restaurants, as well as cool shops and surprising street art. Located within a stone’s throw away from the famous Flinders Street railway station is Hosier Lane – the most famous laneway in Melbourne. They are a clever re-invention of some of the grittiest parts of the city as a celebration of the underbelly, the dark corners, and the dump.
4. The trams
As an icon of Melbourne, tram is the most favorite mode of transport, adding a particular charm to the streets. The city boasts the longest urban tramway in the world, with 250 kilometers of track and 25 routes, making it the easiest and most convenient way to get around. Catching a tram home from work or school, to shop at the markets, or after a long night in the clubs is a quintessential part of city life. The ringing bell that alerts wayward pedestrians helps create the Melbourne soundscape. I could not imagine how much I miss it until I leave.
Things I love to do
1. Eating incredible food
There are not many guarantees in life, but this is one of them – there is no shortage of places to eat in Melbourne, and you could have enough options for all tastes and budgets to last a lifetime. From fusion restaurants, fine dining and food truck precincts, to ice creameries and late-nightsouvlaki, Melbourne is a multicultural melting pot, to say the least. Also, it is one of the many reasons why I love this city. For authentic Italian food visit Lygon street, while Victoria Street’s strong Vietnamese presence is to find Pho soup. On Brunswick street, you cannot pass up Bimbos pizzawhereasany of Neil Perry’s restaurants on Southbank will give you an unforgettable culinary experience.
2. Watching sunset from the beaches
Melbourne is also home to some of the most pristine and calm bay beaches in Australia, and St. Kilda is probably the most obvious choice for almost everyone except me. Though it was one of my bad memories, let me show you some highlights of that beach. Famous for its bustling pier, happening food scene and Luna Park attraction, bustling St Kilda is busy all year round. Otherwise, Brighton Beach is my favorite one. Only 25km from the CBD, it is not only home to the 82 brightly colored iconic bathing boxes adorning its seaside also a great place for sunset viewing. Sunset is beautiful from any vantage point, but watching the sun slowly descend over the water is even more of a treat.
3. Strolling around the gardens
Known as the garden state, Melbourne has an abundance of parks and gardens ideal for escaping the hustle and bustle of the city streets. Carlton garden is a place that gives me something strangely peaceful despite having visited countless of times. It is recognized as a beautiful world-heritage listed garden with a landscape that changes with the season. Additionally, Carlton garden is a popular wedding photoshoot destination with its breathtaking backdrop of the Royal Exhibition Building and gorgeous water fountain. More than one year of living in the heart of the city, lose minutes strolling around the park to enjoy the fresh air, nature and sun leaves me a feeling just little bit calmer.
4. Getting away for the weekend
As much as I love most things Melbourne, even I occasionally need a break from this city. Luckily, Melbourne is perfectly positioned for a beauty weekend away, which hasa fantastic base for a diverse range of road trip. It could be organized to Ballarat (where you will find the fantastic open-air gold mining museum of Sovereign Hill), the Great Ocean Road (with the famous 12 Apostles rock formation), the picturesque countryside of the Dandenong’s (where you will find Puffing Billy, the historic railway) and Phillip Island (with the biggest fur seal colony in Australia and some really cute penguins which you can spot during the daily penguin parade at sunset).
“Where we love is home – home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts” – Oliver Wendell Holmes.
Things I miss to do
1. Tasting wine at Yarra Valley
During my time here, I have been noticed but not get any chance to taste wine in one of Australia’s finest wine-growing regions - Yarra Valley. Located just an hour east of Melbourne in the shadows of Dandenong Ranges, the Valley features more than 70 wineries around picturesque villages like Healesville, Marysville and Nillumbik. You can enjoy sipping on rich, luscious wines of the red, white and sparkling varieties. And amiable winemakers welcome you to countryside homesteads with gourmet, the delectable flavors of locally-grown food alone will wonderfully merge with the savor of wine in your mouth. This is absolutely a perfect combination that you should try across Melbourne.
2. Experiencing hot air balloon flight over Melbourne
Honestly, this is the most regret thing I have not done in Melbourne so far. There are few cities all over the world where you can traverse by hot air balloon, which is a breathtaking way to see the highlights of the city. As you float peacefully in the morning sky, you will experience a side of Melbourne that few people have seen - the birds-eye view. No need to travel far, and no better way to see the world’s most liveable city. Sail the breeze beside sparkling skyscrapers and follow the Yarra River as it unwinds through parks and gardens. For an hour, it is only you and the sky. This is what freedom feels like, you have nowhere to be but here.
So. Melbourne, I will be back.
Happy reading!
LbL
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