City on the Bay

If you ever visit Melbourne, I recommend touring the bay. Whether you do it in a day, a week, or a year, there are many sites to see. Great ocean views are typical but never boring, and small quaint towns can be found covering every inch of the bay. There are even hot springs a little further inland, and of course, the never ending amount of wineries always ready to give you a taste, with the required fee of course. It just takes a little adventure, and an easy means of transport.

At the top of the bay (most trams will take you within walking distance) lies St. Kilda Beach and Port Melbourne, the more popular places to visit, being closest to the CBD. If you're looking for some sand in your toes, Port Melbourne has the better offer, but be careful you don't get sun burnt! St. Kilda is unique with its Esplanade Market selling crafts and art abounding, though it is only open once per week. However, there are shops and boutiques galore to make up for rest, try one out!

I am positive I've said this before, but I feel the need to repeat myself. Every place you go in Melbourne, city, suburb, country, bay, you will find an array of unique shops, cafes, and stores to match your tastes. They are without a doubt a staple of Melbourne. And I assure you, the phrase, “Would you like to get a coffee?” will be uttered more times than you can count! Quite often it will be followed by, “I know a place just around the corner!” And usually the best places are indeed, just around the corner. However, they fail to mention that it is also around this bend, through some shady alley, and more often than not, behind a dumpster or trash bin. It adds to their charm, trust me.

I recommend, during your tour of the bay, a stop on the Mornington Peninsula. The town of Mornington is beautiful, elegant, cutesie and a large tourist hub during the summer months, or so I'm told. It has its sights, its ocean views, its seaside pubs and diners and a very Hyde Park feel to its town center. I myself took a four day break on the top of Mt Martha in a beautiful home owned by a lady named Verity, who has now become a new friend. One of many to come. Mt Martha sits about 2 kilometers from the town center in Mornington, and offers a view that the town cannot boast of. Spend some time in the country around Mornington, relax, go for a walk, its hills are worth the climb and its wineries are fabulous !

On the other side of the bay lies a town called Port Arlington. One of the last towns before you hit the great ocean road. It is a nice place to take a breather, relax and get to know a bogan or two! I might also mention it boasts some excellent olive groves. And no tour of the bay would be complete without a stop in Geelong, Victoria's second biggest city on the bay, which sits halfway between Melbourne and Port Arlington. It's a great place to enjoy a walk along the pier, watch the ships come and go, and maybe catch a local game of footy.

You could live a life time in Melbourne and not see the whole of Port Phillip Bay. I myself have been down both sides of the bay and have yet to see even a quarter of the many wonderful things found along its sandy shores and winding roads.