Honestly, this really isn't one of my favourite beaches, but that is probably because everybody…read morecomes down here, and as such it tends to be pretty touristy. It's sort of like Melbourne's version of Bondi, except there is a lot more stuff around here, and it is much easier to get to as well (namely because multiple trams pass through here). Like, it's convenient, and there are some pretty good pubs around here as well, but honestly, there are much better beaches to go to in Melbourne.

Too many people!!!! not enough parking stalls..... But the beach itself... just perfect. Warm…read morewater, warmer sand, blue skies, and a young vibe!!! There is actually just one concentrated area (where they sell the ice cream), close to the restaurants and the SeaBaths, that is the best for sunning and relaxing. Unfortunately, that's also where the hordes gather as well. November was warm and the tan I had to show for afterward was too cool... tan in November. For a North American, that's pretty novel stuff! Lots of options for eating or getting a cocktail after laying like a fish. Love that sand.....not the cleanest, however.

These guys have a brilliant 50m outdoor SALT filtered pool (no chlorine)…read more A great place to swim.

This centre is a real hidden gem. Only 10 mins from Toorak road out the M1, loads of car parking,…read morehuge outdoor pool with diving towers, kids splash pool, changing facilities, fully stocked kiosk complete with hot food and some homemade soups, hot chips etc, 4 beautifully maintained indoor full size courts with an additional spare one as well, huge state of the art gymnasium, and a separate power lifting gym as well. Cheap as chips and easy to access

The first time I came here, I was meeting up with some friends for a frisbee match. I'm not…read moreparticularly coordinated when it comes to the hand-eye activities and so I suggested I just might cheerlead from the side lines... Well, they were all running around and frolicking about in the sunshine - the huge lawns here are perfect for it - and before I knew it I was playing like a recent graduate from the Ultimate Frisbee Champion School. Apart from friendly frisbee games, the gardens are great for a stroll or a relaxed afternoon under a tree. The community garden in south-west corner is nice to poke around in, as are the hot houses. Keep your eye out for critters in the trees.

I always forget this place is here! I feel absolutely privileged to be so nearby. When you're in…read morethe mood for a beautiful scenic walk, this seems to be the place, providing you don't want to head into the city for the other one. The plant life is super abundant and the amount of grass that's available for picnic is awesome! There's even that nice little playground for the kidlets. The only downside is there's always poo on the ground, yes a big downside. I'm not a fan of that being right in the pathway, especially when you are responsible enough to clean up your own dogs poop! Be kind and keep the pathways and grass clean please!

There are some great places to play hide n seek with little ones, a cafe and a skate park to burn…read moresome energy off. This fort built play area will give hours of enjoyment and with toilets, shade, swings and climbing equipment for all ages there is plenty to do. Enjoy.

Sometimes I wish I had kids, just so that I could have an excuse to spend hours at playgrounds like…read morethis. Then I remember that it's a free world and disapproving looks from the more mature members of the grown-up community does not prevent me from having a jolly good time on what has to be one of the most fantastic playgrounds in suburbia. It has everything. Everything. Wobbly things, running things, things to stick your head into and get it stuck, swings, slides, bridges, flying foxes and other general obstacles. I can only imagine how brilliant a game of tiggy would be (but at night, so as not to injure small bodies with my own lumbering clumsy one). Built by a team of parents, friends and workers, this playground is a wonderful gift to children, child-minders and child-minded alike. A great way to spend an afternoon in the sun, or even the gloom.

I believe that at one stage this used to be a factory. Well, not anymore because they have turned…read moreit into a park. Honestly, this is a pretty good use of old factory space, turning it into a park, and it is a pretty massive park as well, with quite a few facilities as well. The other great thing about it is that it is off the main roads, so it is also very quite. Lovely place for a wander.

Grass? Check! BBQ…read morefacilities? Check! Playing fields with nets and hoops? Check! Gravel running tracks? Check! Dog friendly? Check! Next to a skate park for hipsters in training? Check!

The Sassafas Gully Tourist Track is not the walk to take if you wearing nice shoes. Trust me, they…read morewill get really muddy and you will be really bummed out at ruining one of your favourite pairs. I took the short loop, which is only one kilometer and was worn out afterwards. I don't know whether that says more about the track or more about my current lack of fitness, but I'll press on. The track itself is quite challenging. It is really steep in parts and there were lots of tree roots and little wooden steps to watch out for. Aside from the difficulty of navigating around all these obstacles that were threatening to trip me over, the walk itself was really beautiful. Lush ferns and great views made it really enjoyable and distracted me from the feeling of spiders crawling down my neck after I walked through a small cobweb, so that was a plus I guess. The longer walk looked pretty hard judging by the map so I might have to give that one a miss for now, but I can definitely recommend the shorter walk if you are looking to improve your fitness or simply get away from the city. It felt like a totally different world down there and it was beautiful. By the way, it can be a little hard to find. If you find Geppettos Workshop in the main street of Sassafras then the track begins in a carpark type area directly across the road.

We wandered around Melbourne's tennis center where the Australian open will be held this summer…read more We've saw people playing on the 15 outdoor courts and many indoors as well. There was a café and extensive tennis shop inside. They were stringing rackets and selling Australian open clothing. The courts were hard and mini were taken.

Chelsea Bicentennial Park is such a great place for family, has huge playgrounds at the front…read moreentrance with plenty of parking. Down the back it has baseball fields and left of that you have the dog park. The dog park isn't fenced in but it has plenty of seats, dog exercise and training equipment, water tap for dogs and humans and also a small undercover area. Great place for the whole family to come!