Our reporter is whisked away to Melbourne and sees if it lives up to its reputation
I walked lonely as a cloud that floats on high o’er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils
These were the words that came to mind as we circled Melbourne, a landscape of lights below, public transport from the airport to my hotel a sheer delight for someone who doesn’t do public transport, the view from my 21st floor room a hive of activity at 11pm, my feet itching to hit the pavement and start exploring.
And explore I did, wandering through the Paris end of Collins Street – Gucci, Chanel, Ralph Lauren, Mont Blanc (who knew they don’t just do pens anymore) – the word that came to mind was ‘more’. Melbourne has all that and more as I ventured to the ‘low cal’ Little Collins Street and Swanston Street. Part of the delight of any city is discovering its treasures on your own; I loved the unexpected art that surprised me along the way, drank in the peace and tranquillity of the National Library’s LaTrobe Room – although even the walls have words which stop you in your tracks and invite you to read.
My favourite quote from an Australian author: “To slide into the domed reading room at ten each morning specially in summer off the hot street outside was a sensation as delicious as dropping into the water off the concrete edge of the Fitzroy Baths,” – Helen Garner.
"Part of the delight of any city is discovering its treasures on
your own; I loved the unexpected art that surprised me along the way,
drank in the peace and tranquillity of the National Library’s LaTrobe
Room – although even the walls have words which stop you in your tracks
and invite you to read."
The current photographic exhibition of Karin Catt portraits entitled ‘famous’ made everyone look gorgeous, the evening walk to the NGV exhilarating, Melbourne constantly alive. I got to run my hands through Sir Roy Grounds’ original water wall and enjoy dinner under Leonard French’s stunning stained glass ceiling in the NGV’s Great Hall.
The two shops that caught my eye, possibly because of their eye-catching colour, this Catherine Manuell Design luggage, and the T2 Tea Store – finally a tea pot with a flip lid that’s not going to break, bringing back the art of brewing and serving tea.
But after just three days I felt like a man who had exhausted all his words for the day while his wife still has 5000 to go – happy to slip back into the luxury of business class with a G&T, traversing the quieter streets of Perth at 10pm, feeling like home.
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