Before I’d seen Melbourne, I felt that I could not really fall in love with a city. Mountains, islands, beaches yes, but not cities. The cities I’d seen were pretty much similar; crowded, busy and very fast-paced, some with impressive skylines like my very own Dubai and sometimes with a few touristy sites. What was lacking for me was a raw appeal, some likeable trait that’s very in your face. Melbourne has just that; a very cool, artsy and bohemian vibe, something that makes it unlike any other city.
One evening while searching for a performance venue tucked into one of the lanes in the Federation Square area, I chanced upon Little Collins Street and was amazed by the fantastic street art. So I went back the next day to look at the beautiful works as well as click some pictures. What can I say, I have never seen anything like this before! If you’re ever in Melbourne, I’d recommend you to seek this tiny little alley out and check out the street art, even if the smell of sewage gets quite unbearable after a while.
Coming back to the performance venue I was looking for, this place is called The Butterfly Club. There was a Burlesque Comedy event that evening and since we don’t have this kind of entertainment in Dubai, I thought it would be fun to check it out. After spending an hour looking for the venue, wandering around the maze like streets, I was standing before an old building with a sign that said ‘The Butterfly Club’. It did not look big enough to be a venue at all. So with a rather confused expression I walked in and straight ahead was the ticket office. I bought the ticket and was asked to walk up a few floors to the theatre. The place looked worn out until I was on the bar level which is decorated in a unique way, with a very kitschy feel to it, think vintage details, rag dolls and burlesque posters. The show itself made for an outrageously fun affair filled in a small theatre with song and dance and top notch comedy. By the end of it, my jaws hurt from all the non-stop laughing.
Well, a girl’s got to shop or at least window shop and so I headed to Chapel Street one afternoon. I hadn’t seen this side of town before and loved the contrast between the high end fashion brands at the South Yarra end and the pawnbrokers and stores selling old fashioned and grungy items at the Windsor end. I spent the entire day on this street, checking out shops with vintage treasures and the interesting street art. The last thing I expected to see was a Hindu goddess staring at me from one of the walls! Quite cool, I have to say.
On my last day in the city, I decided to check out Brunswick Street in Fitzroy, known for its bohemian vibe. I walked into a store called Zetta Florence and spent the next two hours in there. These guys make or source timeless, gorgeous and handmade or produced stationery and presentation products. I fell in love with their vintage prints and bought a few to frame for my walls. I also loved their black and white historical photography wall prints and notebooks and bought some to make travel notes in. Being in the store felt like being in the 1930s, I could spend an entire day just browsing through their lovely collections.
Vintage print framed on my wall
Notebook from Zetta Florence
With such a distinct character, Melbourne appeals to my bohemian side like no other city I’ve been to. The street art, hipster cafés, live entertainment, delightful venues and vintage stores hidden in tiny lanes are very different from but just as amazing as the historical sites and museums, art galleries and the Federation Square area where talented buskers & performers; singers, magicians, guitarists, pianists entertain crowds of locals and tourists. The different areas such as Fitzroy, St. Kilda, South Yarra, Toorak, Richmond, Windsor and Federation Square each have a very distinct vibe, it’s almost like many small cities or towns placed side by side. A walking tour could begin in a bustling tourist area and end in Melbourne’s version of Chinatown.
This post is linked to the #WeekendWanderlust series hosted by A Brit & A Southerner
I love Melbourne and it is nice to read something like this. Good thing you been to Brunswick Street, the coolest street for me.
This is the reason I am so looking forward to visiting Melbourne, it just looks so full of amazing alternative culture!
It is, it has just this really cool vibe that I love!
Wow love this street art! I love photographing it as well when I am in a new city. Melbourne is the #1 spot I want to visit in Oz!
It’s amazing! Even more if you like street art 🙂
Melbourne is my favorite city in the world! Takes me back 🙂 Thanks for the nice walk down memory lane!
Great alternative look at this city! I’m pretty sure I could spend an hour or two in Zetta Florence – those prints are very cool and it would be difficult not to leave with a few items.
It’s amazing how street art sucks you in. I felt the same way in Ljubljana. It’s so fascinating! Melbourne looks lovely; I’d love to go someday!
Thanks for linking up to #WeekendWanderlust!
Thanks for stopping by Jessi 🙂 Melbourne is paradise for street art lovers, I think you’d enjoy it.
It looks like a fun city! I’ve been to Australia but I’ve yet to go to Melbourne so it’s on the list!
It’s one of the coolest cities I’ve been to. 🙂
Ooh, this looks wonderful 🙂 I do fall in love with cities and it looks like I could with Melbourn. Must check it out the next time I’m in Australia!
Found you through weekend wanderlust!
Melbourne is lovely!
Glad to connect 🙂
ooh beautiful post. melbourne is no.1 on my Australia cities list to visit
Melbourne sounds like a fun city. I enjoy walking around cities and finding little stores that have unique items for sell. I really like the Italian print you purchased. Thanks for being party of #WeekendWanderlust.
That one is my favorite! Thank you for hosting, its a great linkup that I look forward to being part of again 🙂
Very cool! I didn’t know much about Melbourne until now, and I’m loving the whole vibe of the city! It definitely seems like a place I’d like to check out! Thank you so much for linking up with #WeekendWanderlust this week and hope you come back to post again next week! 🙂
Its a great city.
I’ll be back on #WeekendWanderlust next week for sure!
Always a good job right here. Keep rolling on thuorgh.
Being a born and bred Melbourne girl its so nice to read about all my old stomping grounds. I haven’t lived in Melbourne for over 15 years now but it is still nice to hear people enjoying your home town. Lovely Post.
Thanks Kate! Its a lovely city 🙂