My time in Melbourne feels like a blur - potentially because over half a year has passed since being there - but the days weren’t particularly distinct. I had been warned along the way that Melbourne’s weather was, to say the least, unpredictable. This proved true to a degree, it certainly was hit and miss. Although this made some activities, like visiting Phillip Island, difficult or unappealing, I managed to cover a few of Melbourne’s major attractions.
The best weather offering came on my first day there, so I met up with a friend who I hadn’t seen since Byron Bay and we took a trip to Brighton beach, getting accustomed to the extensive tramline along the way. We walked the length of the beach, which was flocked with locals and tourists alike, and lined with picture-perfect beach huts. For my friend, a German, seeing these was such a novelty. And from the lines of people forming in front of those with the most elaborate or ‘insta-worthy’ designs, cameras at the ready, I’m guessing he’s not alone. I, however, am used to seeing beach huts, as they’re not only common in the UK but pretty synonymous with the British seaside. Still, it was a lovely scene, watching the admiration of these quirky little boxes which brightened up the whole beach.
The following day, my roommate and I ventured out to the Botanical Gardens (yes, another one. They seem to be a consistent feature throughout my travels). We spent a couple of hours here, navigating our way through the labyrinthine layout of pathways, trying to tick off as many of the highlights as possible but no doubt missing a few. It really is a beautiful garden, packed with native and exotic plants, stunning water features and an abundance of wildlife. A haven in the centre of the city. We’d been enjoying some unexpected sunshine, but the weather took a turn for the worse, so we headed to the Immigration Museum. We both had a keen interest in the native and early history of Australia, expecting to learn all about this here. After about half an hour we realised this wasn’t going to happen; barely touching upon aboriginal history or culture, or the impact of British colonisation on native communities, the exhibitions gave a very white-washed and moderate account of early settlement, then swiftly moved on. We agreed that it felt like the whole thing had been put on by the tourist board, with a tone almost like propaganda, to sugarcoat immigration to Australia and appeal to visitors who could be tempted to stay. It was very weird, unlike any other museum I’ve ever been to, and despite finding a photography exhibit that somewhat revived our interest, we left disappointed.
I spent the following day sheltering from the rain in the cinema, then took the tram that evening to St Kilda, hoping I’d spot some penguins at sunset. Although the rain had eased, the wind coming off the sea was so strong I swear I almost took off, and it had an icy chill to it. I had a beer and a burger overlooking the stormy waters, but sadly had no luck finding any penguins. I managed to squeeze in a wander through the vibrant Queen Victoria Market the following morning before my flight, which nicely wrapped up my time in Melbourne, and Australia.
Like Sydney, I don’t think I saw the best of Melbourne, nor saw it in its best light. The dodgy weather meant I had to miss out on certain activities, and my lack of planning once again came back to bite me, causing confusion as opposed to the intended spontaneity. I also didn’t meet very many people, only my roommate who left halfway through my time here, so I didn’t get to experience the nightlife on offer. So many people had told me how fun Melbourne could be, so I know the potential is there, but unfortunately I didn’t get to sample that this time round. All the more reason to come back! Overall, I had the most amazing time travelling the east coast of Australia, meeting awesome people, and seeing incredible sights that I’ll never forget. The lesson learnt after 5 weeks on the road is: make a plan for cities, they’re too big to wing it! Oh, and get a local sim, because having nothing but a hostel’s iffy-at-best wifi is stressful. With this in mind, New Zealand I’m coming for you!
Stay tuned, next stop: Auckland.