What even Google might not tell you about Melbourne but I will..

Dec 25
NabanitaDhar
Maybe it is a connection formed in this life or perhaps a lifetime ago, I don’t really know. But I must admit it is inexplicable how ever since the very beginning of my career, I have only been associated with Australia in one way or the other. I even ended up living in Sydney for about a year but unfortunately the job was such that I couldn’t find time, much to my dismay, to discover the whole of Australia. Naturally Melbourne too remained, for me, a city unseen. But now that I work for a client whose offices are in Melbourne, it seems entirely possible that one day I too get to live in, or maybe just visit, the most livable city in the world.
 

Source
Credit

A few points about Melbourne before I proceed any further.

·     It is the capital of Victoria.
·         It is the second most populous city in Australia.
·         It has been named the most livable city in the world since 2011 and has been in the top 3 since 2002.

I’m sure just a search in Google will tell you about the hundreds and thousands of places in and around Melbourne which make it an unforgettable city, an affair with which is sure to last for a lifetime. When I think about Melbourne, I think of a kaleidoscope of colors, all vibrant and rich. I don’t know why, but that’s what I feel, and strongly too.
I know a number of fascinating places come to your mind when I talk about Melbourne. My friends there have always spoken about the Eureka Skydeck, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Queen Victoria Market, Federation Square, the Great Ocean Road, Philip Island and more. They have told me how just a typical day in the city with its streets and lanewayscan be spectacular. But of all the places that I have heard and read about, today I’ll tell you about one that has been on my mind forever. The Dandenong Ranges.
Out of the many, many high talking points of Melbourne, I am somehow spellbound by these set of low mountain ranges about 35 kilometers from it. To say it is breathtakingly beautiful is a massive understatement. If you just do a Google search on the place to look for its images, you’ll know where I’m coming from.
Picture a canvas with shades of green, auburn, yellow and blue, all masterfully stroked, basking in the sun. That is the image that rushes to my mind whenever I think about the place. The magical Puffing Billy Steam Railway again makes it hard not to fall in love with its pristine beauty. In it you could take a ride on a century old steam train which takes you through picturesque locales, full of colors in summer and dressed in snow in winter. The views, I’ve read and heard too, are spectacular. I don’t know about you but it certainly makes me want to get there one way or another. When the city life gets too much or maybe just after a hard day’s work, you could drive up to Sky High Mount there. Imagine watching the lights go up in the city, one by one, as the sun goes down packing the night sky with stars. You could see the sky transform from fiery orange to a stunning diamond-lit black velvet. And later watch the view mesmerized by stars, those in the sky and probably even those in the form of twinkling lights in the city at a distance. A place to truly relax and reflect within reach of a bustling city. I think that is the charm of Melbourne for me. that it is surrounded by such gems, perfect for my soul. I have had friends who have gone there and they swear that what I reckon is actually very close to reality.

Source
Credit

Living in a city can sometimes get to you unless there are soothing places nearby where you can drive to anytime you feel like. It should be surrounded by places where you can spend time pondering over your life in peace, or where you can just relax with a glass of wine or a can of beer. Peace and Tranquility are perhaps the words I’m looking for here. The hustle and bustle of the city should have the calming touch of nature surrounding it. And from what I have read, I know, Melbourne has that in abundance.

https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/hmRswYm3jcw&source=uds
Learn more about Melbourne here : Tourism Victoria website
Watch more videos of places in and around Melbourne here:

I have a contest for you here. Just answer a question in the comments section and you could win yourself a gift voucher. How does that sound?

Good?

Yes?

Excellent! So let’s get on with it.

Here’s the question and remember it ends on 4th Jan 2015.

“Which of these places would you want to visit in Melbourne and why?”.

Go on. Take a look at the videos and tell me which place you want to go to.

22 thoughts on “What even Google might not tell you about Melbourne but I will..”

  3. Melbourne is already on my wish list! This year's holiday destination was almost planned there but then hubs official NYC trip happened and I accompanied him there! Yes, beautiful is an understatement… Hope I visit there soooon!

  4. "You could see the sky transform from fiery orange to a stunning diamond-lit black velvet. And later watch the view mesmerized by stars, those in the sky and probably even those in the form of twinkling lights in the city at a distance." – Loved this beautiful description. You almost took me there, Naba!

  14. I want to go to the hot air balloon and witness the beauty of Melbourne from up above the world. So for me Hot air Balloon is the place I would want to go.

  15. 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. 😛 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.

    Pingback: https://cruxrebels.wordpress.com/2014/12/24/melbourne-the-place-to-be-see/

    Wish you and your blog a happy new year! :D

  16. Wonderful post and interesting videos that make me feel that
    Melbourne invites the eternal romantic in me to hold hands with my beloved and go see the Twelve Apostles .Go on long drives on the great ocean road. In the middle of nowhere in a vineyard spread a table and enjoy a meal and a glass of wine with my dear one. Enjoy the sunsets holding hands and do lots of shopping at the Queen Victoria Market and see all the graffiti being created at the hosier lane.
    Great Post and interesting videos watching them I am sure to visit Sovereign Hill for spending some time in the era gone by. The lure of gold and panning for some nuggets is a temptation that is too much to resist. After I have found the gold I am bound to celebrate it with some wine so I will visit the vineyards and enjoy some great wine from the Yarra region .Visit the Pannys Phillip Island Chocolate Factory and have my fill with this yummy delight.
    therisingstarz.blogspot.in/2014/12/melbourne-selfie-capital-of-australia.html
    http://goo.gl/ByJqvP
    therisingstarz.blogspot.in
    http://goo.gl/59Omjz

  17. I would like to visit the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) which is located in Yarra Park. Cricket has fancied me since childhood. I still remember those days when the elders in my neighbourhood used to start shouting and hunting for us the moment the cricket ball hit by me broke one of their window panes. Running away from them was even more exciting than playing cricket itself.

    I used to follow every cricket match played by India religiously and used to analyse and discuss it with friends and siblings for days and months. Being such an enthusiastic fan of cricket, visiting one of the world’s largest cricket stadiums is one of my dreams.

    The thought of being seated amongst 95,000 other fans of cricket and cheering the players itself sounds exciting to me. Such large cricket stadiums are one of the ways to explore how much the passion for cricket has penetrated among the people of the world. MCG is located in Yarra Park, which also has many other sporting fields. This would allow me to explore not just cricket, but also many other games.

    – Ranjith (http://www.alightheartedtalk.com)

  18. Melbourne is really so amazing that it's tough to chose one place! I would love to visit the Yarra valley with all its delicious wine tastings, rolling hills and natural beauty! Thanks for sharing so many lovely things about Melbourne and helping me virtually travel there.. loved your post thoroughly 🙂

  19. Given a chance to visit Melbourne, I would absolutely make a run for Eureka Skydeck 88..Imagine the view of the city from such a great height of over 300 metres and while you are suspended in air in a glass box!
    This is an experience not to be missed and I hope I get a chance to visit Melbourne and go explore Eureka Skydeck 88 soon 🙂

    -Nikita @Njkinny's World of Books & Stuff

  21. Amazing Post! Great articulation!

    All the best for the contest!
    I would love to visit the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the MCG. It had been a host to many legendary matches and I for one would like to visit one of them. The World Cup is so near and it is so dear to me and I want to witness the World Cup Finals that is going to happen at the MCG!

    And how can I forget 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.

    – Wanderer

    Blog Name: Meandering through twilight – http://untrodden-trails.blogspot.in

    Melbourne Post:http://untrodden-trails.blogspot.in/2014/12/mel-bourne-global-destination.html

Comments are closed.