Marvellous Melbourne: From City to Coast

When I'm asked what I liked best about living in Melbourne, I often reply that it has a perfect combination of city, coast and forest.  This past week I took several walks, two of which I will describe in this post.  The first was in the city center, the second along the southern Victoria coastline, about a ninety minute drive southeast from Melbourne.

Walk One:  The City

It's a sunny Wednesday morning.  After a delicious cafe breakfast, I take the train into the city and exit at Flinders St Station.  Crossing over to DeGraves St, I walk past my favourite cupcake shop (so tempting, but I resist) and stop for a moment next to a gas heater at the outdoor seating in an attempt to warm up a bit.  I have been caught out by the weather so many times in Melbourne, and this day is no exception.  After stepping into the library for wifi access, I cross Flinders Lane to walk down my favourite laneway, Centre Place.

From my old haunts in Centre Place, I mingle with the tourists making their way to the Block Arcade. A quick detour to Manchester Unity Building to purchase banana bread from the Switchboard Cafe (so delicious with freshly grated coconut and loads of butter)--and then I head into the Royal Arcade to Collins St., one of Melbourne's best known shopping districts.  Still shivering, I decide I can justify the purchase of an additional cardigan.

 

From Collins St I walk to the busy Swanston St to watch the buskers plying their talents in hopes of earning a few dollars.  Later I pop into my favorite Art Deco Arcade, and then pause to admire the Flinders Railway Station from across the street before walking underneath it to Southbank where R used to work.  There I sit on a bench in the sunshine, directly across from the pedestrian bridge that crosses the river. The sun feels marvellous.  Then it's time to catch a tram on St. Kilda Rd to meet up with a friend for lunch.

Walk Two:  The Coast

For the second walk my friend Gillian offers to drive to Victoria's southern coast.  We travel along the M1 to the turnoff for Phillip Island on a beautiful Friday afternoon.  The traffic is heavy, and we worry that everyone else has the same idea that we do.  Just before San Remo we turn left onto Punch Bowl Rd, and follow the dirt track to the water.  The informal parking lot at the end of the road marks the inauspicious beginning of the George Bass Coastal Walk, an absolutely lovely 5km track between coastline and farmland.  

The air is cooler than we expect, but we set off in gorgeous sunshine.  We only make it 2 1/2km or so before we have to turn around, but it is a walk I would definitely consider doing again for the full distance.  Nankeen kestrels and Pacific gulls glide overhead, Superb fairy wrens flutter beneath our feet, and the coastal breezes balance the heat of the sunshine.  The intensity of sky and water make our hearts ache and our spirits soar.  It is a walk that will not soon be forgotten.

 

Comments

[MyTravelingJoys]

Beautiful! Your photos are getting me excited about our upcoming move! I also love to wander through my cities and take photos. :-)