Suburb Spotlight: CBD

Melbourne's CBD is definitely the place to be to see what Melbourne is really all about. Packed full with hidden bars, graffiti artwork and a mixture of mainstream and one-off shops, this is a great place to visit or live.

Fed Square and Melbourne Central train station are popular with the tourists but also still a popular meeting point with the locals. Fed Square is always host to cultural and sporting events like the tennis and the AFL.

The Australian Centre for the Moving Image is conveniently located in Fed Square; as is part of the National Gallery of Victoria - these are good for rainy days or a break from the sun.

Restaurants and coffee shops pave hidden lane ways coated in artsy graffiti.

Up the top end of town, the library is open to the public and has visiting exhibits and viewing platforms to excite the librarians amongst us. Parliament is also up that end of town, which is worth a perusal whilst you're there.

All in all, whether you've headed straight to Collins Street for the shopping or you've had  a proper look around town, the CBD is a great place to begin a Melbourne adventure.

Road Trip!!! Ballarat and Sovereign Hill

Sophia's Road Trip Rating: **

Views: Wild Wild West Hollywood
Atmosphere: Am Dram
Best time to go: Autumn / Spring
Difficulty: My granny could manage.
Craziness: Obscure
Ideal timeframe: 1 day
Distance from central Melbourne: 1hr 15mins

One of the regular tours from Melbourne is the coach trip up to Ballarat and Sovereign Hill. Don't confuse the two: Ballarat is a small town founded on the gold rush and on the passing trade of those travelling further inland to mine gold. Sovereign Hill is a purpose-built village just outside of Ballarat which aims to give you a feel for how it was to be a miner during the gold rush of the 1850's. 

Ballarat is home to the recently discovered 5.5kg Ballarat Nugget and proud of it. The name Ballarat is derived from the Aboriginal words 'balla' and 'arrat' meaning 'resting place'.

There isn't a great deal to do in Ballarat, but historically it's pretty interesting. The Eureka Rebellion of 1854 began here - a historical event so important that the Eureka Tower in central Melbourne is both named after and designed to represent the revolt.

The gold at the top of the tower represents the gold rush, and the red stripe represents the blood shed during the Eureka Rebellion. The miners had their very own Eureka Flag upon which they swore an oath to defy the government.

The best part of Ballarat other than the gold mining history is the lake! Lake Wendouree is nothing special to look at (I didn't even take a photo), however the origin of its name is a classic! According to the folk tale, a settler in Ballarat asked a local aboriginal woman washing her clothes in the then-swamp what she called this place. Her reply was 'wendaaree!' meaning 'go away', and so the lake was named 'go away'!

Soverign Hill is a different story all together. A movie set style village on one side and a museum on the other, this feels like a tourist attraction straight out of the U.S.A.

You can ride around the village on a horse and carriage, visit different types of mines and explore shops selling souvenirs and goods that would've been sold during the gold rush.

If you've come to Sovereign Hill, you have to go on the gold mine tour. They'll take you on an underground tour of a constructed mine.

There are actors and actresses dotted around the village working in jobs which would've helped contribute to the mining boom in the 1850's.

All-in-all, Ballarat and Sovereign Hill make for an interesting day trip, but because Sovereign Hill was purpose-built after the gold rush you get that distinct feel of a tourist trap. You have been warned!

Melbourne Hobbying: Rugby Watching

So when you're new in town, if you're like me, you'll sign up to heaps of new hobbies in a mixture of desperation and keenness. If you're also liable to overcommit, check out my hobby attempts first and filter out the dross!

First up: Following a rugby union team.

I've chosen the Melbourne Rebels (obviously). 

Sophia's Hobbyaholic Score: ***

Time Commitment: Every week or two during the autumn/winter, or just drop in when you want to.
Sociableness: Great place to go with a mate or two.
Entertainment Value: Entertaining if you like rugby. Sit near the crazy Rebel Army for extra entertainment.
Cost: $25 per go
Verdict: Nice way to relax on a Friday/Saturday night with no pressure to commit.

Reeeeebbbbeeellllssss. Reeeeeeeebbbbeeeeelllssss. That's all the chant you need to memorize to become a fully fledged Melbourne Rebels fan. Known just as much for James O'Connor's haircuts as they are for fumbling the ball just before they score, this is a great team to watch if you like characters and good team spirit.

The Rebels play at AAMI park in Richmond. It's the one that looks like a golf ball and sparkles when it gets dark.

It's never full, so you can just turn up and grab a ticket whenever you want to come down for a match. Don't like rugby? Check out the view from the stadium

Suburb Spotlight: Albert Park

For family frolicking on long sandy beaches, look no further than beach side of Albert Park.

This suburb is leafy, charming and eclectic with some of the most decadent architecture in town. We all know that there's a park and a lake (if you don't, just google/wikipedia Albert Park), but what else does Albert Park have to offer?

1. Architecture.

Houses and other buildings dating back to the mid 1800s are dotted between modern beach houses, ramshackle bungalows and everything in between. Follow the cycle lanes through town to take yourself on a self-guided architectural tour. Make sure you stop by St. Vincent Place.

2. Beach.

Yeah! Miles of sand, and full of locals looking to chill out far from the tourist throng of St. Kilda.

This is the perfect place to relax, swim and catch up on your reading.

Got sand in your pants? Take a stroll up the pier.

Still itchy? Call some mates and hit the volleyball pitch.

3. Events.

There's always stuff going on in the area. Coming up: Grand Prix. Recently: a bike festival.

All in all, a great place to live or to visit.

Road Trip!!! Portsea and Sorrento, Victoria

Sophia's Road Trip Rating: ****

Views: Beachtacular.
Atmosphere: Chilled
Best time to go: Summer
Difficulty: Perfect for families, lazy individuals or leisurely walkers
Craziness: Not-so-loco
Ideal timeframe: Long weekend
Distance from central Melbourne: 1hr 30mins

So it's 30 degrees plus and you're desperate to get to the beach. You're looking for something a bit more exciting than St. Kilda. You're in desperate need of an ice cream. Where should you go? The Mornington Peninsula! This place is special. The further down the peninsula you drive, the greater the reward. My personal favourite towns are Portsea and Sorrento. If you have a long weekend to leisurely explore, then fansastic. But if not, don't be dismayed - I do this trip in a day when I need a hit of pure Aussie beach brilliance.

Above is the ocean beach at Sorrento. This is my favourite in the area because you get some real waves which you don't get in the bay. Last time I went, there was a shark attach alert and we all had to hop out the ocean for a bit - so potentially you'll have a good story to tell after going here too! Round the corner from the main beach, you'll find rock pools full of kiddies in sun hats.

On the other side of Sorrento you have the bay. You can take coastal path and sandy beaches all the way from Sorrento back to Portsea on either side (a circuit!). There are some great views on both sides, although you do have to walk next to the road for portions.

If, like me, you wish you lived right next to the ocean, you can marvel at these little beauties up and down the coast:

There's also plenty of wildlife if that's what you're in to.

Both towns have the usual selection of ice cream shops and small-town stores where you can grab a coffee and some lunch. Parking is prevalent but fills up quickly if the weather's right.

Road Trip!!! Cathedral Ranges, Victoria

Sophia's Road Trip Rating: ***

Views: Sweet as.
Atmosphere: Cathedral-like
Best time to go: Autumn/Spring
Difficulty: For tough guys/gals only
Craziness: Mad as a Hatter
Ideal timeframe: 1-2 days
Distance from central Melbourne: 2hrs 15mins

If you need a break from the city and you're not afraid of scrambling over rocks, jaw dropping views and sheer drops, then you'll love the Cathedral Ranges.

This state park has some stunning views and challenging hikes which are perfect for those with a sense of adventure that borders on stupidity.

Most of the hike is along a steep ridge of sedimentary rock which has turned sideways. Parts of the track are beyond vertical. Gnarly. 

You'll need to stop to get your breath back at some point. I recommend stopping at The Farmyard - an open space with plenty of room for your recovery.

All in all, an awesome hike for anyone who's serious about hiking. Leave the sissies at home.

Suburb Spotlight: St. Kilda

What a ripper.

If you want Californian walkways, Little Penguins, fairs and the slight seediness of the seaside, then you need to head down to St. Kilda.

Accessible from the City via tram, this beauty is an oasis from Melbourne and its busy lane ways. Perhaps most famous for Luna Park, St. Kilda is a backpacker hot spot and you'll have to get your towels down early to beat the tourists to the beach.

Whilst you're down there, don't forget to check out the pier. The view from there back to the city is awesome. There's a cafe at the end of it, so if you're thinking that it looks like a bit of an effort, rest assured that you can replenish your energy supplies before walking back to the beach.

Walking through the town is also a must. It's full of one-off shops, eateries and quirky folk art.