Melbourne City Guide > Reviews > One of the most livable city in the world

Author's product rating:   

Value for Money	Excellent
Shopping	Good
Nightlife	Average
Ease of getting around	Average
Family Friendly	Good

Advantages:	Cheap, fair and far away
Disadvantages:	On an extremely distant continent

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

For my first review, I thought I should write about something I know well, and in this case, I decided on my home city of Melbourne.

Instead of writing about the historical information about Melbourne, I feel I should write about where I would accompany my overseas friends when they visit. So, what can I say?

Its a beautiful city in all seasons. Hot and sporty during the summer months, where most of the international sporting events descend on us. We had the Australian Open for both golf and tennis and now, the Commonwealth games are here. In a couple of weeks, we are going to host the Formula One Grand Prix.

First, I will head for the Melbourne Observation Deck. Right in the heart of the city, on a clear day, one can observe the surroundings of Melbourne. It cost around $14 for an adult ticket but if you go to their website at www.melbournedeck.com.au, you could actually print out a voucher that will give you a 15% discount. Or, once you arrive in Melbourne, grab yourself an official vistor guide, there is usually a coupon in the back pages. Give yourself half a day on the observation deck. Better still, enjoy your morning tea up above everyone.

Next, I will head out towards the Southbank precinct. There, I will find the Crown Casino, the Southbank shopping complex, the Art centre with the interesting tower. At night, the tower lights up to show a blue hue. I find it a great contrast to the golden St Paul's Cathedral.

The casino is a 24 hour city. So for those people suffering from jetlag, it is the place to hangout during those early hours. There is the cinema for entertainment, food courts for the hungry ones. Of course, one can also gamble, but I prefer to do the watching instead.

On sundays, the area around the Arts centre becomes a market place for arts and crafts. Sundays is also a good time to visit St Kilda beach. The art and crafts fair there is much bigger than the ones at the Art Centre. Both places are great places to find authentic Melbournian souvenirs. I can spend a whole day in St Kilda, it is worth walking along the beach and to just watch the world go by. Closeby on Acland street, there are several really good cafes, restaurants and cake shops. Try the famous cheesecake from the Monarch cakeshop, it is really really good.

Another place for shopping is the Victoria market. A must visit for all visitors and locals. It is the place to watch how the locals shop for their food. I love visiting the seafood section. The variety of fruits I find in the market still amazes me. VIctoria market is also the place for bargains and souvenirs. A typical souvenir, I feel, would be kangaroo or sheep skin as well as ugg boots. A good day to visit is Saturday morning, when it is the most crowded.

For food, there are a lot of food courts around the city. A food court I like visiting is the one in QV, which is at the corner of Swanston and Lonsdale streets. I enjoy the large variety of cuisine there. During lunch time, it can get very crowded but that just means that the locals enjoy the food there too.

A must visit would be Chinatown; at least for yum cha (dumplings for breakfast). For dinner, how about Lygon street for Italian cuisine and Lonsdale street for Greek coffee and cakes. All this, within the limits of the city. If you have a chance, book yourself for a tram car dining experience. I have never ever tried it yet but I've been told the waiting list is really really long.

Accommodation wise, there are many hotels based in and around the city. Two of which I have stayed previously and I can highly recommend, Pacific International and Mirvac Sebel's hotel. I find both have rooms which were extremely comfortable and roomy.

Melbourne is a walkable city to visit. But a free tram goes round the city, passing some of the attractions, if not, bringing you closer.

I hope, everyone reading this, will visit my city, to experience for yourself what I experience daily.

Thank you for the read!xx