Melbourne: Neil’s Big Day Out
Sometimes we travel together. Sometimes we don’t.
Recently, Neil took a couple of nights off from the motorhome to revisit his old stomping ground. Neil loves a good city. For Cameron, it’s… less adored. Let’s call it a minor personality clash.
So while Cameron stayed parked up with Zoe, Neil checked into the Crown Metropol Melbourne for a small dose of city luxury. Crisp sheets. Big windows. A fridge that closes without the lock clicking. (Anyone in a van or moho will know this sound!)
It wasn’t about sightseeing at speed. It was about wandering. He walked along the Yarra, past South Wharf and into Southbank, taking the city at ground level. The river has a way of softening Melbourne’s edges. Early light on the water. Office towers reflected back at themselves. Cyclists and runners moving with purpose.
He ducked into one of Cameron’s favourite places, the State Library Victoria, wandering through the rows of peaceful books. Even if you’re just passing through Melbourne, its a great stop.
Food was non-negotiable. Dinner at Man Tong Kitchen delivers exactly what you want from a Melbourne Asian restaurant. Fast, full of flavour, and no fuss. Later, he treated himself at Nobu Melbourne, because sometimes you lean into the city properly. Let’s just say the crab legs were a huge hit!
Finally, he stopped at Haigh's Chocolates to stock up on freckles. Priorities.
Meanwhile, back at the motorhome, things were less glamorous.
Zoe had eaten something she absolutely shouldn’t have. We still don’t know what. The result was a couple of long, anxious days of upset stomach, watchful monitoring, a couple of vet visits and very little sleep. When you travel with a dog, you quickly become a part-time nurse.
It’s funny how life splits like that. One of us walking river promenades and eating sashimi. The other scrubbing floors and checking temperatures.
When Neil came back to the moho, city air replaced with country dust again, there was a noticeable exhale. Zoe was on the mend. The crisis had passed. The freckles were shared.
We travel as a team, but sometimes stepping away briefly makes the return feel even better.
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Melbourne
Melbourne is Victoria’s capital city, known for its riverfront precincts, food culture, historic architecture, and layered neighbourhoods. It can feel busy and dense, but pockets like Southbank and the State Library offer slower moments within the pace.
How to Get There
Melbourne is accessible by road, rail, and air. Central accommodation like Crown Metropol provides easy walking access to Southbank, the Yarra River, and the CBD.
What to See / Tours / Activities
What we did:
Stayed at Crown Metropol.
Walked along the Yarra River through South Wharf and Southbank.
Visited the State Library Reading Room.
Ate at Man Tong Kitchen and Nobu.
Stocked up on Haigh’s chocolate freckles.
Other highlights nearby:
Federation Square.
Royal Botanic Gardens.
Laneway street art and cafés.
NGV International.
When to Visit
Melbourne works year-round, though autumn and spring offer the most comfortable walking weather. Weekdays feel calmer in the CBD.
Final Thoughts
A short break in the city reminded us that travel doesn’t always mean moving together. Sometimes it’s stepping away briefly, then returning with stories, chocolate, and relief that everyone is okay.
What’s Nearby
Southbank connects easily to the CBD, the Yarra River walks, and Melbourne’s cultural institutions, making it simple to build a flexible city stay around food, galleries, and wandering.
City nights, country mornings, and the messy bits in between. We share the full version in our Travel Dispatches. Join us here
Fast Facts
Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Traditional Owners: Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Bunurong peoples
Access: Major city, all transport options
Facilities: Accommodation, restaurants, cultural venues
Walking Track: Yarra River paths
Best Time to Visit: Autumn and spring
Dog Friendly: Limited in CBD areas
Things That Could Kill You (Probably Won’t)
A semi-serious guide to surviving Australia. Mostly common sense, occasionally luck.
City traffic: Trams, cars, bikes, and pedestrians all at once.
Restaurant bills: Melbourne dining can escalate quickly.
Chocolate overconsumption: Freckles disappear faster than expected.
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Other updates you may like…
Neil returned to Melbourne for a short city break, wandering the Yarra, visiting the State Library, eating well, and stocking up on freckles, while back at the motorhome Zoe gave Cameron a small health scare.