Melbourne

OK, It's official. I miss Melbourne. I've only been back in HK a week and I'm homesick already...I guess its natural for people to love their home town...but I REALLY love Melbourne (yes, okay, just a tad biased here ;)!

Here are my top 10 reasons for loving Melbourne so much:

1) Best food in Australia, bar none (sorry to the rest of oz!),

2) The arts and cultural capital of Australia,

3) Within 1-2 hours drive of several great wine regions (Mornington Peninsula & Yarra Valley in particular),

4) Great shopping - fashionista's love Melbourne. There are so many great shopping precincts it's hard to know where to start! - But here are a few to get you started...city centre (especially the old GPO), Chapel St -Prahran, Acland St - St.Kilda, Brunswick St - Fitzroy, Bridge Rd - Richmond, Queen Victoria Market, etc. etc.,

5) Fantastic architecture. Where else woudl you find these 4 buildings on just one street corner?

Flinders Street Station

Federation Square

The Young & Jackson Pub

St. Pauls Cathedral

6) It's within a few hours drive of some of the best beaches in the world (13th Beach, Bells Beach, Point Addis, Fairhaven...and the entire Great Ocean Road),

7) Outdoor cinemas - there are tonnes of them in and around the city over summer

8) Great festivals (see below)

9) The coolest and funkist bars (tucked away and hidden in the central business district laneways - half the fun is finding them! - check out Deck of Secrets if you're interested),

10) The Laneway Commissions - temporary art installations in the CBD laneways - comissioned by the city of Melbourne.

PLUS, there is something on pretty much year round (although it usually centres around summer)...check this out:
January - Australian Open Tennis tournament

January - Big Day Out (alternative music festival)

January - Midsumma - Melbourne's Gay & Lesbian festival

January to March - Moonlight Cinema in the botanical gardens

February to March - Melbourne Food & Wine Festival

February - Yarra Valley Grape Grazing Festival (wine and jazz amongst the vines)

February - St.Kilda Festival (music, food, arts etc.)

March - Melbourne Fashion Festival

March - Formula One Grand Prix

March to April - Melbourne International Comedy Festival

July - Melbourne International Design Festival

July to August - Melbourne International Film Festival

September - Australian rules football (AFL) Grand Final

October - Melbourne International Arts Festival

November - Melbourne Cup and Spring Racing Carnival

December - Boxing Day Cricket test match

All year round - National Gallery of Victoria, Arts Centre, National Theatre, and Princess Theatre, Melbourne Zoo, Melbourne Aquarium and if you are a gambler; Crown Casino.

There really is something for everyone in Melbourne (and I'm sure I've missed out heaps of stuff). Just in case I've inspired any of you to visit in the not too distant future there are tonnes of great guides to help you navigate the wonderful city I call(ed) home. Deck of Secrets, Melbourne Design Guide, Luxe Guides, Lonely Planet, Visit Melbourne, Only Melbourne, That's Melbourne. Enjoy! P.S. please feel free to email me if you are planning a visit...I'd be happy to make some more recommendations! P.P.S. if anyone else wants to share their top 10 reasons for loving their home city I'd love to hear them!