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Monday 29 December 2014

Romancing Melbourne

Why do I love Melbourne? Because it is Alive ,vibrant and just like a person it has many layers to its personality. It is a foodies delight, a Wine lovers must visit place. It has an active art and cultural scene. 
Melbourne is a must visit city by all those bitten by the travel bug. It is a kaleidoscope of cultures and traditions. It is cosmopolitan to the core and offers a multitude of options that would interest and attract every traveler.
 Here are some of the reasons for me to fall in love with the beautiful city of Melbourne again and again and again.

Cricket is like a religion in India,so going to Melbourne and visiting the MCG or the Melbourne Cricket Ground is like a dream for every true cricket fan. The charm would be even more if we get to witness India playing a match there. 2015 could be the dream for all cricket lovers to visit Melbourne as the 2015 Cricket world Cup is being hosted jointly by New Zealand  and Australia and the final would be played here. So if you want to watch a cricket match live here then start planning.More info can be found here.



However if Tennis  is your sport then The Australian Open offers some of the best clay court tennis activity that tests the best of the best in tennis.

Puffing Billy: Here I come. I would love to go and meet Puffing Billy That happens to be a narrow gauge 2ft 6 inches locomotive plying since 1900 .The train ride takes you through the beautiful Dandenong Ranges near Melbourne. It also offers a fine dining experience



Penguin Parade at Phillip island: As Night falls the magic of the Penguin Pararade begins. Watching young penguins coming out of the sea and going towards their burrows at the Summerlands Beach is a sight to behold that every traveler to Australia must experience.



See Victoria by Car: The best way to know and see a place is by driving though it . That’s just the opportunity that Melbourne and the state of Victoria offer. Great ocean road offers beautiful scenery and the opportunity of being one with nature.
The beauty about these road trips is that in a short span of time you can cover a large distance and see some breathtaking scenery. Enjoy mouth watering  gastronomical extravaganza’s and visit vineyards and taste some of Australia’s best wines as you drive through the picturesque terrain,




Hot air balloon ride over Victoria: Victoria has been blessed with some of the most spectacular landscapes. A hot air balloon ride is the best way to experience it.
It is a must ride for all nature lovers






How About Some Panning for gold at Sovereign Hill: This is a place preserved in time. You can walk the streets and get a feel of how this part of Australia used to be in times gone by. The biggest attraction for me would be the panning for gold .







Twelve Apostles : They are stacks of rocks arising from the the southern ocean on Victorias coastline. They offer a spectacular view both by air and by road.




Eureka Skydeck 88
This is the highest vantage point in the southern hemisphere. Two dedicated lifts take the visitors to level 88 . Then “The Edge”  a glass cube which slides out of the building gives you a breathtaking view . Specially the glass bottom gives you the feeling that there is nothing under your feet.  




http://www.visitmelbourne.com/SiteSearch.aspx?q=eureka+skydeck

The City Circle Tram: How many city’s around the world are so tourist friendly that they offer its visitors a free mode of transport. Melbourne is the only city that I can think of. They offer a free Tram service that is free and convenient. The best part is that it meanders through the city covering its major tourist attractions. It is a great way to see the city and absorb some local influences





http://www.visitmelbourne.com/SiteSearch.aspx?q=The+city+circle+Tram

Pannys Phillip Island Chocolate Factory : Indulging in chocolate in any form is something I am ready to indulge in even if it were a crime. For any chocolate lover like me this Pannys Phillip Island Chocolate Factory is nothing short of a paradise. Getting to witness how chocolade is made and with so much chocolate all around you to taste and drool over…. Yummy ! Here I come





Melbourne for the Food & Wine lovers in Me: With extensive vineyards the state of Victoria offers some of Australia’s best wines . Food from around the world can be found and enjoyed here. The best part is that one can visit vineyards,  indulge in some wine tasting and of course bring back some world class wine for oneself and for gifting.



  
I love art so I love Melbourne: I love art and I love interacting with people as well . When I visit a city I have limited time and one of the predicaments that faces me is do I visit a a art gallery or instead do I visit the streets and get a pulse of the place. Melbourne resolves that dilemma for me in the form of  Hosier lane . This place offers eye popping range and types of street art being done by local and international street artists. The best part is that one can witness their creativity unfold as they paint the various parts of the streets on the canvas of their creations.





Shop till you Drop at Queen Victoria market
No visit to Melbourne can be complete without a shopping spree to the Queen Victoria Market .This is the largest open air market in the southern hemisphere.





These are some of my reasons for falling in love with Melbourne and visiting it .I must confess that this is not an exhaustive list there are many more. Now my question to you is Which of these places would you want to visit in Melbourne and why?". .

Answer This question Between 31st Dec 2014 to 5th Jan 2015 and you stand to win a shopping voucher worth Rs 500/-  Contest open to Indian Nationals only
 More information can be found here  Tourism Victoria website
All images have been taken from Tourism Victoria website

The Contest has now ended. I received some beautiful comments . For me each one of you is a winner However since I can give only one prize so it goes to Tina Rai

27 comments:

  1. Great post! After reading your post & watching all the videos, I'd most like to visit the Dandenong Ranges for it's scenic beauty, breathtaking view and cool breeze blowing through my hair. :P I'd give anything away for driving through the winding roads which are present throughout the ranges. I'd love to stay at one of the bed and breakfast cottages and go on frequent excursions in the forests with my camera which provides excellent views. And not to forget the famous ride in the Puffing Billy, a day reserved especially for that. To add to that, there are also several picnic spots for me and my friends to spend a fun-filled day and the ranges are a perfect spot for hiking and cycling. :D

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    1. Good choices of places to see. Hope you get to go and see all these places .Good Luck

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  2. I loved watching the Penguins at the Philip Island, since animals are close to my heart.
    I also loved the Hot air balooning as i want to get rid of my fear of heights! :P
    I dont mind visiting the MCG either, cricket is my favourite sport,and i dont mind meeting cricketing greats at the staduim.
    ;)

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    1. Hi Manogna, Nice list of places to see and hope you lose that fear of heights . Hope you get to go and have a safe trip. Good Luck

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  3. Thats a wonderful virtual tour of Melbourne.
    For the nature lover in me, I would love to visit Ballarat Wildlife Park n handfeed Kangaroos and Koalas. My little one would love to watch them in the wild..

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    1. Yes Meghana Hand feeding the Kangaroos and Koalas indeed would be a memorable experience. For a nature lover like you the wish that I have is that hope you enjoy the your trip to Melbourne. Good Luck

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    2. Thanx for liking my post :)

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  4. very detailed post with tons of research. I would love to visit Melbourne for the ride on the hot air balloon over the vineyards, sipping wine, taking photographs. Imagine the view. Can't wait to get there.

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    1. Nice list of things to do on your trip to Melbourne. Hope you get to visit Melbourne Soon. Good Luck

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  5. Some of the most interesting places which I shortlisted to visit after watching Tanmay and Rohan's videos is here. This comment space would be very less in order to keep on giving the reasons to visit these places once in life, but I am trying to be as short and crisp as possible and these are the must visit places if at all I go to Melbourne in my life.

    Yarra Valley for Great Day out and Excellent Wine Tasting tour which seems totally magical. Driving around Yarra Valley in a beautiful and breathtaking places seems like a great country getaway from Melbourne city and so much to see, visit and taste.

    Going for a Seal Watching Cruise and Observing those inquisitive & graceful creatures close up, is a trip one will not forget I guess. It seems to be a totally a worthy place for young and old too. So many seals getting close to them could be an absolutely thrilling experience.

    Another place I wouldn't want to miss is Sunny Ridge Strawberry farm for some AMAZING Strawberry ice cream and strawberries, it seems like a strawberry heaven with delicious, succulent and mouth watering strawberries ever. I am sure this place visit would be a great experience for the kids too.

    Have you watched Penguins parade ? If not, I guess this is the place to visit which is Phillip Island Nature Park. The experience to watch these penguins is Out of this world, a must see for great experience and its awesome

    for Animal lovers too. Its like cute litte faires coming in from Ocean. I guess, this is a MUST do experience when I am in Melbourne.

    Are you a chocolate lover ? I guess Pannys Amazing World of Chocolate is a must visit place for enjoying some mouth watering chocolates. Also, just watching the huge waterfall of chocolate cascade down is breath taking. And watching the live chocolate making is fun.

    If you are a drive freak and love to drive around in some scenic spots, this is the place to visit which is "The Great Ocean Road". Seems like it would be a Great tour, great food and fantastic view.

    Some more places which I love to visit is Montalto Vineyard & Olive Grove, Loch Ard Gorge beach, Chateau Yering BBQ for some amazing Australian BBQ and definitely a hot air balloon ride for spectacular sightseeing and experience in life.

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    1. Looks like you have made the itinerary for a trip to Melbourne. Good look and hope you get to visit Melbourne Soon.

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  6. Completely mesmerised by the way you described your love towards the most liveable city in the world, Melbourne. My pick would be 12 Apostles, as I am a hard-core nature enthusiast. A long drive across the shore with 12 apostles on one side and my beautiful wife on another side will make my day without a doubt.

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    1. Thanks Creatikaa for liking my post. Hope you are able to fulfill your wish with 12 Apostles on one side and your wife on the other. Good Luck. Hope you visit Melbourne Soon

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  7. Very good post and interesting videos. Puffing Billy, Shopping at Queen Victoria Market, MCG , So many reasons to Visit Melbourne. However the biggest factor that has helped me decide that I must visit Melbourne and has caused me to fall in love with the city is the fact that when a city can have a free Tram service for its visitors then What else awaits me when I go there .I can’t wait to visit Melbourne . I have simply fallen in love with the city.
    Tina Rai
    raitina92z@gmail.com

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    1. Tina, good choice of list of things to do. Even I love the idea of the free Tram Service.Hope you visit Melbourne Soon. Good Luck

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  8. Amazing article.
    If I get a chance to visit Melbourne then
    I would like to spend my time in the Great Otway National Park, because I love watching animals. I would love to take a city tour by travelling on the Tram's of Melbourne. By travelling in tram's I want to explore every nook & corner of Melbourne. Besides this I would love to watch the amazing architectures of Melbourne like Eureka Tower, Royal Exhibition Building, etc. And without enjoying festivals, my journey would be incomplete so I will celebrate Australian Festivals.
    And how can I forget The MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground). As cricket is my favourite sport I would love to watch the Cricket world cup final which will take place at the largest stadium of Australia, that is, MCG.

    - Manu
    Harstuff Travel - http://goo.gl/6t4oZy

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    1. Thanx Manu. Great Otway National Park is a good idea and with world cup round the corner visit to MCG is a must. Hope you are able to time your trip accordingly. Good luck

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  9. There is so much in Melbourne and you have captured it so nicely. I sure want to visit MCG the most ( the food is also high on wish list )

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    1. Thanx Prasad
      MCG is a good choice specially since world cup is so near. Hope you travel to Melbourne and have a good time. Good Luck

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  10. Great post.Just loved your blog post. I am in love with driving and road trips, The Great Ocean Road is the ideal place for the people like me. I will surely visit that place in Melbourne and enjoy the sea shore, sunrise and gorgeous mesmerizing view.

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    1. Thanx you sure will have a great time in Melbourne .
      Good Luck and have a safe trip to Melbourne

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  11. Hi Alok. That's a pretty comprehensive post on Melbourne. From these videos, I would like to visit MCG with my son and husband who are sports enthusiasts.
    MCG is home to Australian football, international and domestic cricket, concerts, special events such as international soccer and rugby matches. And that the 1956 Olympic Games, 2006 Commonwealth Games were hosted here and that it has the National Sports Museum too, the MCG truly is the epicentre of Australian sport. Seeing all this in reality (which we have been seeing on TV all these years) would be truly an enlightening, enriching and an exciting experience for us!
    Have heard that MCG Tour allows the visitors to see and know all about MCG along with access to areas including player change rooms, the Ron Casey Media Centre, member only areas of the Melbourne Cricket Club such as the Long Room and a walk on the hallowed arena. It would be like walking in the steps of great sporting legends. And wouldn't that take the sporting buffs like us on cloud 9. MCG is No. 1 on our list when we visit Melbourne!
    And, we would love to explore the vineyards that date back to the 1850s and still produce long-lasting wines and the boutique wineries that produce Chardonnay, Shiraz and Pinot Noir. :)

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    1. Thanx Shipla hope this post comes in handy when you travel to Melbourne with your family. I hope that too soon. Good Luck

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  12. Yes I agree the list of places that you have picked must be on the list of every romantic. Hope you get to visit and See all those places . Good Luck

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  13. Indeed that would be a very good and memorable experience . Specially if its the final and India is playing and goes on to win. Hope you make that trip. Good luck

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  15. There are so many places in Melbourne you fall in love with at first sight. Beautiful post!

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