Chasing Amy-Lou

Melbs, Melbs, Melbs, what can I say about Melbs? Well, I could bore you by telling you just how great it is. I could make you jealous by telling you how utterly amazing it is and how I’ve had the best time ever here. I could just annoy you by explaining in intricate detail how fantastically cultured this place is…OR…I could just put it to you straight and give Melbourne a glittering review and the accolade it surely and most definitely deserves.

Here’s the deal: Melbourne is by far THE BEST CITY I HAVE BEEN TO IN AUSTRALIA. At first I considered Byron Bay to be my ‘top of the pops’. Not now though. Oh no, for Melbourne has just taken a big dump all over Byron and has tip-topped my list. Although in complete contrast, and on a completely different wavelength, the connection and attachment I feel towards Melbourne is above and beyond the kind I felt while in Byron Bay.

Now, Edith Piaf once sang: “Non, je ne regrette rien”, and even though I am inclined to agree with her (good old Edith), I can’t help but hate the concept of retrospect at this moment in time, as here I am, finding myself increasingly annoyed that it took me a whole eight months to make it to Melbourne. Yes, that’s EIGHT MONTHS!! Whyyyyyyy?!?!?! *sad face*

Having only a brief time in this incredible city pains me. There’s so much to see and do and I’m leaving Melbourne slightly gutted that I chose to start my Australian adventure in Brisbane and find work there instead of here. But hey…non regrette rien, right?

With the Great Ocean Road right on its doorstep; the Yarra Valley just round the corner; the home of sport, the MCG in the heart of the city; fabulous shopping in the CBD AND in every suburb you pass through; a smorgasbord of restaurants, coffee shops, bars and eateries on EVERY street corner; hidden laneways with tucked away, secret boutique shops, pop-up shops, independently run cafes and exciting artsy bars; a city that is literally brimming with multiculturalism, creativity, artistic talent and culture; a plethora and wondrous mix of high fashionistas, boho-chic hippies, alternative kooks, and hipster kings and queens; a music scene to rival London or Manchester; rooftop bars that offer views straight out of a movie scene; beaches, piers and harbours only a stones’ throw away; is it any wonder that Melbourne tops the list of best cities to live/work/visit time and time again, year after year?

Unfortunately, being on a miserly backpacker budget, I was unable to sample many of the culinary delights Melbourne has to offer, or test out many of the stashed-away bars the city boasts; but here are a few recommendations, both personal and from information I’ve gathered after speaking to locals:

• Berlin Bar, Corrs Lane – This bar is a split between East and West Berlin. Proceed to the front door and a hatch will be opened where an attendant will ask if you’re ‘east’ or ‘west’. Which answer you give will determine which side of the space you are seated in, with the bar acting as the Berlin Wall. A great concept for any lover of Berlin, or just as somewhere different and unique to have a few beverages.
• The Toff, Swanston Street – A great little nightclub and gig venue where on one drunken Saturday night after visiting the rooftop bar, Cookie, we made our way a couple of floors down and danced the night away to Horse Meat Disco style tunes while sipping on copious amounts of Sauv Blanc.
• The Esplanade, St Kilda – Affectionately known as The Espy, it is an iconic landmark of St Kilda and the longest continuously running live music venue in Melbourne. Gutted I didn’t get the chance to go to a gig here but nevertheless, somewhere any avid music lover should check out.
• Vegie Bar, Brunswick Street – A kitsch vegetarian and vegan restaurant that any meat-eater will find difficult to resist. The food is delicious and will leave you wondering why you slagged quinoa off for so long.
• The Little Mule, Somerset Place – A tiny tucked away café that not only serves great coffee but does a mean vegetarian chilli too.
• Industry Beans, Rose Street – Melbourne is renowned for great coffee and this warehouse-styled coffee shop and café will not disappoint.
• Yamato, Corrs Lane, Chinatown – A Japanese restaurant serving up sushi and other far-Eastern delights in a modest, homely setting. You can even bring your own beer!
• Lygon Street – Melbourne’s very own Little Italy. Take your pick from the hundreds of pizzerias and Italian delis along this famous suburban road.
• Section 8, Tattersalls Lane – A typical ‘Melbourne’ bar situated in a small laneway off Little Bourke Street. Let an old shipping container be your home for the evening while perching yourself on wooden boxes enjoying the hip music and surveying the stylish punters.
• And finally, my list wouldn’t be complete without a little bit of sweet goodness thrown in for good measure: Little Cupcakes, Degraves Street – moist sponge and divine icing, need I say more?

With more choice and activity than you can shake a stick at, what could possibly be the downside to Melbourne? If of course, there is a downside? Ok, so the weather is not unlike the weather in the UK – shit. An umbrella is required most days of the week as you never quite know when the skies will change from bright blue to dark grey; and it’s always sensible to take a coat with you wherever you go, but this aside, Melbourne just has something about it. And even though the weather can be crappy, in the grand scheme of things, it’s not really a downside.

Four seasons in one day is something synonymously used to describe Melbourne weather, however, summers in Melbourne can top the 30s and it’s these summers that I’m sad I missed out on. Sitting by the river sipping on a bottle of wine, or in one of the city’s beautiful parks enjoying a picnic would create an idyllic backdrop for a summer of love in Australia’s cultural capital.

Now, if all this sounds a little familiar, if you’re thinking Melbourne sounds a lot like any other major European city, especially Manchester, Glasgow or London, or Berlin even, then you’d probably be right. And this is probably why I like it so much – it kind of reminds me of home. But better. Miles better.

So I urge you, I beg you, I plead with you, if you ever get the opportunity to go to Australia, visit Melbourne, it’s tops!!