Shereen Shabnam

The best way to see Melbourne is to explore the destination with a local as there are so many off the beaten track hidden gems. I went to Melbourne to spend quality time with my youngest sibling who is one of the loves of my life. With her as a guide with her husband, we explored all types of areas of this dynamic, cosmopolitan, sports-mad and arty city that exudes charismatic charm and is a haven for food and culture lovers.

As the capital of the Australian state of Victoria, Melbourne has plenty of recreational activities to do from skydiving, visiting attractions, picnics in lush green gardens and road trips along the great ocean road. While many follow the locals to the busy beaches, I found the art-infused streets interesting and the natural botanical gardens educational with so many types of plants.

As one of the world’s most livable city, Melbourne offers world class sports events like F1 and Melbourne Cup horse race, art galleries, music festivals, food carnivals with central Melbourne great to explore with its diverse suburbs, restaurants with world cuisine, cafes, festivals and more.

There are plenty of parks and gardens to explore, as well as hiking and biking trails. Melbourne Gardens is a treasured part of cultural life and an asset to the heritage rich city with its stunning vistas and tranquil lakes. During summer, the lawns come alive with outdoor cinema, theatre performances and exhibitions.

For those who enjoy shopping, Melbourne is home to many great shopping malls and districts. Fitzroy is well-known for its eclectic, vintage finds, and further afield, Highpoint and Chadstone are excellent malls with a wide range of Australian and international brands. Bridge Road in Richmond is a great spot for outlet shopping and offers great food at affordable prices.

Take a break from retail therapy and enjoy some of the world’s best coffee drinks that would please even the most discerning coffee aficionados. We enjoyed sitting outdoors to enjoy our drinks and watched the friendly locals stop to talk to everyone as they went through the day. Melbourne’s temperate climate means visitors can comfortably travel and sightsee the city and the countryside attractions year-round.