I really should have checked the website before heading down to the library this morning to drop…read moreoff my books as I got there at 11 am and was there two hours before opening. Seriously? - they open at 1 pm. That would have to be the laziest opening hours for a Monday that I've come across. I'm going to apply for a job. The library is hidden in the back of an old church built in 1886. It is shadowed by the magnificent Collingwood Town Hall and the not so magnificent Collingwood train station. Set a little off the street the front garden is quite pretty and green. Inside is very renovated and basic. There is an OK selection of books, music and film, and being a part of Yarra libraries; you are able to get things in from numerous sources. Just make sure to fit in your visit some time in the afternoon.

This place is beautifully airey and quiet. Always great when a library smells good. Very relaxing…read morespace but could do with a few more work stations. Nice place to study or sit out of the wind, there are plenty of magazines and resources.

It is difficult to know how to rate this library. As Sophie L says, the selection of books is…read morelimited and the interior is nothing to write home about. There is a toilet (good) but it is pretty ordinary (not so good). On the other hand, the staff are great and the children's story time has got to be the best in the world. Yes, I'm serious, the best in the world. Compulsory for all local(ish) parents. Get there early if you want to be anywhere near the book - it is popular.

The Albert Park branch of the Port Phillip Library really isn't anything to write home about…read more The selection of books is pretty limited. The only genre that seems to be well stocked is the teen section, so if you're looking for Sweet Valley High or Goosebumps then you're good to go. Otherwise, not so much. However, there is something quite cozy and cute about this place. So if you want to curl up with a (potentially) good book, go and check it out.

Only on Wednesday night lots of choices for eating and music abounds sometimes it is difficult to…read morefind seating and it can be quite crowded So much food do little time

I'm impressed by this weekly event. We have a similar monthly event where I grew up, but the one in…read moreMelbs is every single week! You can sample various delicious foods, check out the local artwork, watch performers on the stage, or even watch a movie with some hot apple cider. There are a lot of vendors selling jewelry and clothing. I bought a very cute bracelet with custom charms and amethyst stones. I also got to try on some kimonos. Kimono stylist Sala Okabe will personally fit one for you. Just bring a smile and a camera. If you want to purchase, a kimono is only $20 -- cheaper than what I paid when I ordered mine online.

The sky cleared enough for us to walk here and get outstanding views of the city. Adult tickets are…read moreabout $43 and allow you to ride the elevator to the 88th floor and walk around to 360 degree views of the city. We found sitting spots in every direction so that we could relax and enjoy the view. I thought it was cool to see an aerial view of where they play the Australian Tennis Open. Don't forget to step outside. There is a free gated area so you can experience the wind and chill of the air so far up. We grabbed a drink and sat and chatted and probably spent about an hour up there. Good stop.

Melbourne is a truly multicultural city, as it is Australia's most populous city. Since World War…read moreII, large-scale immigration from Vietnam, Lebanon, Turkey, Sudan, Italy, and Greece has added to the cultural richness. There is a rivalry between Melbourne and Sydney that extends beyond this city's 5.2 million population, from sporting events to fashion trends and economic influence. We could see just by driving around the city that Melbourne's distinct European charm and feel come through in interactions with both strangers on the street and working people, and that Melburnians emphasize their high quality of life. Below the city's towering skyscrapers (the tallest building is 108 stories high) is a grand mixture of well-preserved Victorian architecture, tree-lined boulevards, expansive gardens, and parks that adds a historical elegance. After visiting one of the city's historic and expansive gardens (Fitzroy Gardens) and passing by numerous green parks within the city's center, our group was taken to the Eureka Skydeck, AKA Melbourne Skydeck, to get a bird's eye view (well, 91 stories is higher than most non-migratory birds' flight) of this bustling city. The Melbourne Skydeck, on Level 88, is the highest observation deck in the Southern Hemisphere and offers a 360° panoramic view of the city and beyond. There is a glass-bottomed "cube" called "The Edge" that extends from the Sky Deck, but we didn't dare walk out onto it. Instead, we braved the OUTDOOR OBSERVATION DECK. We felt the wind and chill blowing through the observation deck as we snapped photos and braced ourselves against the guardrails and chain-link fence. After getting our fill of photos, we stopped to grab a snack at the Skydeck's concession stand. We tried the Australian Steak and Gravy Meat Pie ($10 AUD) and the Sausage Roll with Red Sauce ($10 AUD). Both food items were tasty, and their pastry was flaky and tender, though not the very best. However, I knew that we'd be trying more meat pies or sausage rolls as we continue our way through Australia to New Zealand.

What a great way to start the morning. I Decided to go for a stroll and ended up at the market and…read morespent a good chunk of time then walked out with a bag of groceries. Reasonably priced and a great selection of products. If you ever want to prepare a meal, there's great selection.. Market city coffee was fantastic, bought some cheeses, and picked up a borek pastry. Market is separated into different buildings. Seafood, deli and meats, and I didn't get to walk to the produce section. I stopped in at nine, but according to Google, it opens at six. In a shopper. Owner told me they close at three on the weekdays and four on the weekends. Open every day!

A market right in the middle of the city--and what's even better, it's still within Melbourne's…read moreFree Tram Zone. It looks a little touristy at first glance, but locals clearly still use it, which is always a good sign. I'd been here several times before and always regretted that my accommodation didn't have a kitchen. This time, I made sure to stay at a BnB with one, specifically so I could bring some goodies back and cook for myself. The indoor buildings have plenty of interesting offerings, but I think the outdoor deck area is where you'll find more variety--produce, crafts, food trucks, and more. And on Wednesday evenings during winter, the Night Market takes over, with even more delicious food trucks. No matter how many times I visit, I never get tired of this place. There's always something tempting enough to make me question whether I really need to leave.

Wow things have changed in South Melbourne! The library…read morebuilding (in the former South Melbourne Post Office) was completely renovated a few years ago, it now a much bigger space, with a dedicated children's area with an outdoor play space, a reading room with fantastic views across to the Town Hall. There is a meeting room, three book clubs, and childrens' activities weekly! To top it off the renovated building has the Heritage Centre for the city of Port Phillip, has cool displays and research facilities - for searching for ancestors or history of buildings in the city. They also offer free walk guide booklets plus guided tours of various parts of the city.

It's in a very cool Victorian building but is really small, just one big room and nowhere private…read moreto quietly read.

You'll need to reserve any popular book club type books waaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyy in advance…read more The people of Port Phillip are a literary lot and often you will notice that there are 20+ people on the reserve waiting list ahead of you. A quiet library with all of the usual services. I have never had to line up and staff are efficient, albeit not overly cheery. It's disappointing that the library is closed on Sundays. Two handy services are: 1. The book recycling bins - where your pre loved books can be donated to benefit others 2. Battery disposal units - dispose of your used batteries in the enviro friendly way