In October 2018, my little girl, just 7 years old at the
time and I boarded a Qantas flight from Singapore to Melbourne. The journey
took about 7+ hours, long enough to slip into travel mode, but short enough to
keep our excitement alive. My husband, Rakesh, was already in Melbourne on
work. While he wrapped up his office agenda, the two of us explored a little on
our own, waiting eagerly for family time to begin.
Once his work was done, Melbourne became ours to discover,
together. What followed was a holiday stitched with laughter, discovery, and
the kind of memories that warm you years later. This was October, 2018.
Melbourne, love at First Sight
Melbourne is a city that wins you over instantly. The tram
lines make getting around so easy, while the laneways hum with life, cafรฉs
brimming with coffee aromas, bookstores you could spend hours in, and colorful
bursts of street art around every corner.
Evenings carried their own magic. As the sun dipped, the air
turned sharp, cold, and windy, yet the city glowed with warmth. Fireplaces
flickered along the sidewalks, cafes buzzed with golden light, and people
huddled over steaming cups of coffee and mulled wine. That cozy energy is
etched in my memory forever.
Staying at W Melbourne
Our base was the chic W Melbourne, set on Flinders Lane in
the heart of the CBD. The location couldn’t have been better, surrounded by
Melbourne’s famous laneways, buzzing cafรฉs, nightlife, and some of the most
incredible footwear stores. (I love shoes :)
But what I remember most isn’t just the style or
convenience, it’s the people.
There was Chanessy, a hostess at the hotel, who left a
lasting impression.
- She
wore black lipstick. and carried it off with absolute elegance.
- My
daughter bonded with her instantly; their little exchanges became daily
sparks of joy.
- And
above all, she was warm, engaging, always ready with questions and stories
to share.
Not many people leave such a lasting impression, but she
did. To me, she will always be one of the faces of Melbourne.
Healesville Sanctuary: Meeting Australia’s Wild Side ~
A short drive from the city took us to Healesville Sanctuary
in the Yarra Valley. It was one of the highlights of our holiday, offering
close encounters with Australia’s most iconic wildlife.
- Koalas
curled into eucalyptus branches.
- Kangaroos
hopped lazily across open fields. (I was the most excited)
- The
Spirits of the Sky show filled the air with eagles and owls in flight.
- The
shy platypus made a rare appearance.
- And
the dingoes, calm yet powerful, embodied the spirit of the bush.
For our daughter, it was discovery at every step; for us, it
was the joy of watching her eyes widen with wonder. For me personally, I ticked
off a long-standing wish to see a kangaroo carrying the little one in her
pouch, AND I DID!
The Barn: Straight Out of an Enid Blyton Book
One afternoon we stumbled into a barn that felt lifted from
an Enid Blyton story. Wooden beams, the smell of hay, and the sound of animals
made it feel magical.
There were playful lambs, cows grazing gently, horses with
glossy coats, and even tiny guinea pigs, squeaking for attention. My daughter
was enchanted, moving from one animal to the next with joy.
It was rustic and wholesome, the kind of memory that stays
with you because it feels like a page from a storybook.
The Great Ocean Road Drive
No family trip to Melbourne is complete without the Great
Ocean Road. The Great Ocean Road is 243 Kms along the coast of Victoria. The
Road stretches from Torquay to Allansford. It is absolutely unreal &
stunning. We set off on a drive that felt cinematic, curves along towering
cliffs, the roar of waves crashing into rocks, and lookout points that made you
stop in sheer awe. It was wild, dramatic, and breathtakingly beautiful.
A Shopper’s Paradise
Back in the city, Melbourne gave me plenty of reasons to
shop. From luxury boutiques on Collins Street to quirky laneway finds, there
was always something unique. Add to that the shoe stores around W Hotel, and it
became a delight for fashion lovers like me.
Cuisine & Comforts
Food became an essential part of
our Melbourne story:
Melbourne coffee ~ crafted to
perfection.
- Library
cafรฉs, where books and aromas created the perfect retreat.
- My
daughter’s happy discovery of fish and chips & filling up on more
dumplings along the way (were we bored? :()
- And
for me, the ultimate treat, barramundi, grilled or poached, delicate yet
rich.
Meals were never just meals, they were conversations,
pauses, and laughter shared across the table.
For the Cricket Buffs
And of course, a mention must be made of the legendary
Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Even if you’re not a die-hard fan, its sheer
scale and history make it worth a visit. But for any Indian, or Kiwis or the
English, for the matches and iconic victories, is to feel part of the game’s
living history.
A Reunion to Remember
Melbourne also gave me something deeply personal, an
unexpected reunion. I met Uncle John, a dear schoolmate I hadn’t seen in 25
years. The moment we sat down, time dissolved. We laughed, reminisced, and
slipped right back into the easy bond of school days. It felt like no years had
passed at all, and that one meeting became one of the most treasured memories
of the trip.
Why October 2018 Lives On
When I look back, this holiday feels special not just for
where we went, but how it unfolded.
- A
mother-daughter journey that began in the skies.
- A
family holiday that bloomed once Rakesh closed his laptop and stepped out
of work mode.
- Days
filled with wildlife, barns,drives,shopping,books, coffee
& fireplaces.
- A
heartfelt school reunion after 25 years.
- And
faces like Chanessy’s, reminding us how people often become the
heart of our travels.
Melbourne is a city that lingers long after you leave. Not
just for its sights, but for the warmth, the stories, and the way it makes even
ordinary moments feel extraordinary.
#MelbourneTravel #FamilyHoliday #GreatOceanRoad
#HealesvilleSanctuary #MelbourneCafes #WHotelMelbourne #TravelMemoir
#AustraliaTravel #MelbourneShopping #MCG #TravelReunion
