Why I Love Melbourne
Without Prejudice
Melbourne is the Dowager Aristocratic lady of Australia. A genteel lady with powdered bosom as against the brash teenager feel of Sydney. Our weather and property are the two de rigeur things to talk about. Everyone checks the weather each day to see what to wear and usually by the end of the day has changed, added or stripped off layers.
As against other capital cities, Fashion is powerful in Melbourne. You cannot stroll around bare foot like you can in Queensland, unless you want to be seen as a Bogan. You cannot wear gold shoes, belts, handbags during the day, that is allowed in Brisbane only. Ladies of a certain age ( Matrons ) can wear kaftans in Brisbane or the Gold Coast, but not in Melbourne. Melbourne is not big on bright psychedelic colours or neons, like in Queensland either.
We have English weather, mostly, which seems out of character for Australia. Everyone expecting us to be just sun, sand, sea. That you go to The Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Noosa for. Melbourne is pretty much cold from April To October, sometimes with a few over 30 degree days mixed up in between. We can they say, four seasons in one day. Which I love.
I missed the change of seasons when I lived in Queensland for a while. A man remarked to me once, ( a former Melbournian) that the weather in Queensland was " Perfect one day, boring the next " . I was shocked at his tone and asked him what he meant. He answered that it was up early every day in the sunshine, hot as blazes during the day with high humidity and early to bed. No twilight like in Melbourne, darkness just falls like a heavy theatre curtain.
I eventually went back to Melbourne from Queensland and started appreciating what I had,bnot what I didn't have.
St Kilda beach on a Sunday, hot or cold weather doesn't matter. There are celebrities to be spotted, markets to trawl through, "out there " shops, cake shops whose windows are works of art as are their cakes, ethnic restaurants. One vendor at the falafel " all you can eat " pita shop hands out free falafels on the street. A pita full of tabouli, lamb, chicken, tahini or tzatziki used to cost about a fiver.
There are great second hand book stores, shops full of quirky things to buy, and the promenade up and down the Main Street is colourful. Lots of Trannies, gay people are especially attracted to St Kilda as the Gay Mardi Gras is held there once a year. Luna Park is a popular destination, with a fistful of tickets in one hand and a stick of candy floss in the other, you can spend a morning there and never be bored. Grab a Dagwood Dog slathered in tomato sauce for an added edible treat.
For fashion buying, the city, Chadstone Shopping Centre, or Chapel Street, South Yarra. Designer bargains to be had on Bridge Road, Richmond. Elle McPherson undies, The Body Shop factory outlet, tons of trendy boutiques and factory outlets. Spend a Sunday arvo trawling Bridge Road, you will not be sorry.
There are safe, clean Bayside beaches, no surf, just warm water in Summer and I highly recommend Seaford and Edithvale beach fronts. Seaford has plenty of uncharged parking and is a quick walk across The Nepean Hughway to access. There are takeaways of fish and chips, barbecue chicken, close by, and under the pier has plenty of shade for young kids. The water is shallow and safe and older kids jump off the pier end time and time again, tiring them out, hopefully.
It is also great to troop off to the beach at night, watching boats sail up the bay lit up and the water after a long hot day is as warm as a bath. In Summer the sun doesn't go down till late, due to Daylight Saving. Enjoy every minute.
Melbourne is the Dowager Aristocratic lady of Australia. A genteel lady with powdered bosom as against the brash teenager feel of Sydney. Our weather and property are the two de rigeur things to talk about. Everyone checks the weather each day to see what to wear and usually by the end of the day has changed, added or stripped off layers.
As against other capital cities, Fashion is powerful in Melbourne. You cannot stroll around bare foot like you can in Queensland, unless you want to be seen as a Bogan. You cannot wear gold shoes, belts, handbags during the day, that is allowed in Brisbane only. Ladies of a certain age ( Matrons ) can wear kaftans in Brisbane or the Gold Coast, but not in Melbourne. Melbourne is not big on bright psychedelic colours or neons, like in Queensland either.
We have English weather, mostly, which seems out of character for Australia. Everyone expecting us to be just sun, sand, sea. That you go to The Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Noosa for. Melbourne is pretty much cold from April To October, sometimes with a few over 30 degree days mixed up in between. We can they say, four seasons in one day. Which I love.
I missed the change of seasons when I lived in Queensland for a while. A man remarked to me once, ( a former Melbournian) that the weather in Queensland was " Perfect one day, boring the next " . I was shocked at his tone and asked him what he meant. He answered that it was up early every day in the sunshine, hot as blazes during the day with high humidity and early to bed. No twilight like in Melbourne, darkness just falls like a heavy theatre curtain.
I eventually went back to Melbourne from Queensland and started appreciating what I had,bnot what I didn't have.
St Kilda beach on a Sunday, hot or cold weather doesn't matter. There are celebrities to be spotted, markets to trawl through, "out there " shops, cake shops whose windows are works of art as are their cakes, ethnic restaurants. One vendor at the falafel " all you can eat " pita shop hands out free falafels on the street. A pita full of tabouli, lamb, chicken, tahini or tzatziki used to cost about a fiver.
There are great second hand book stores, shops full of quirky things to buy, and the promenade up and down the Main Street is colourful. Lots of Trannies, gay people are especially attracted to St Kilda as the Gay Mardi Gras is held there once a year. Luna Park is a popular destination, with a fistful of tickets in one hand and a stick of candy floss in the other, you can spend a morning there and never be bored. Grab a Dagwood Dog slathered in tomato sauce for an added edible treat.
For fashion buying, the city, Chadstone Shopping Centre, or Chapel Street, South Yarra. Designer bargains to be had on Bridge Road, Richmond. Elle McPherson undies, The Body Shop factory outlet, tons of trendy boutiques and factory outlets. Spend a Sunday arvo trawling Bridge Road, you will not be sorry.
There are safe, clean Bayside beaches, no surf, just warm water in Summer and I highly recommend Seaford and Edithvale beach fronts. Seaford has plenty of uncharged parking and is a quick walk across The Nepean Hughway to access. There are takeaways of fish and chips, barbecue chicken, close by, and under the pier has plenty of shade for young kids. The water is shallow and safe and older kids jump off the pier end time and time again, tiring them out, hopefully.
It is also great to troop off to the beach at night, watching boats sail up the bay lit up and the water after a long hot day is as warm as a bath. In Summer the sun doesn't go down till late, due to Daylight Saving. Enjoy every minute.
