Daily Detours for the Week of July 3
Featuring a haven of endless summer in East Melbourne.
Daily Detours for the Week of July 3
in partnership with
Featuring a haven of endless summer in East Melbourne.
When your nine-to-five plays out like a well-oiled machine, it can sometimes feel like each week is a little same-same. But Melbourne is brimming with a fine bounty of things to experience and explore each and every day. So aside from casual laziness and a little lack of inspiration, there's really nothing stopping you from squeezing a little adventure and spontaneity into your schedule.
We've teamed up with Mazda3 to celebrate the landmark 40th anniversary of their iconic small cars, and in turn, help you celebrate the Melbourne landmarks and institutions we all love. This week, discover and rediscover the things that make Melbourne so great, with seven different detours through our city's classic spots. From Monday to Sunday, channel that Melburnian spirit, and enrich your everyday with one completely achievable, time-honoured activity that helps bypass any mundane roadblocks in your routine.
This week, rediscover the classics of Melbourne we know and love, from lasagne at the iconic Pellegrini's counter in the CBD, to an old-school screening at the Coburg Drive-In, to a casual jog around The Tan. Plus, we've got your future detours sorted for the new few weeks here.
All require no more effort than a tiny break from the norm — what's your excuse for not trying them all?
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Nearly all of life’s problems can be vastly improved with a plate of lasagne, especially one that’s been crafted in the kitchen of a Melbourne institution like Pellegrini‘s. The beloved Bourke Street espresso bar is Italian comfort food at its best, warming bellies and souls with its classic pasta dishes since the 1950s. Even the fit-out nods to the old-school, with its red leather bar stools and chequered floor. Clock off work and treat yourself to a serve of home-style lasagne, washed down with an Italian espresso. While you’re there, do some people watching — Pellegrini’s friendly service and fantastic Italian food attracts a whole range of customers, from corporates, to retirees and tourists who have heard of its legacy.
Image: Brook James.
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What better way to counteract all that CBD hustle and bustle than by partaking in some serious park time? Just a quick stroll beyond Parliament House, East Melbourne’s Fitzroy Gardens are not only an oasis of rolling green grounds, they’re also home to The Conservatory, an iconic Melbourne tourist attraction filled with greenery and some of the city’s most attractive examples of nature. Kicking on since 1930 and hosting five displays each year, this is the place of your plant-loving dreams. Right now, head in to live an endless summer, as you feast your eyes and nose on the tropical poinsettia collection, and gain some inspiration for your at-home conservatory (you’ll no doubt be hankering to build one after your visit).
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Sure, you’re well familiar with the State Library of Victoria‘s impressive facade, rising majestically over Swanston Street, but how often do you venture inside? There’s enough within the building to keep you entertained for hours. Start with the six-storey reading room, devouring pages and exploring the shelves beneath the stunning, domed ceiling. After that, take in one of the library’s thought-provoking free exhibitions, currently covering everything from the library’s rarest and most beautiful tomes, to Angel Lynkushka’s portrait series of Gippsland Aboriginal Elders, artists and leaders.
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Shanghai Village is one of Melbourne’s favourite dumpling houses. It’s a cult favourite, where the styling is low-key, the pace is whirlwind and the drinks are BYO. Sample some of their prized dumplings and you’ll quickly understand why its status as a local food hero is well-deserved. Brave the queues and the bustling, two-storey dining room to reward yourself with a late-night banquet of cheap and cheerful Chinese fare. That should leave you and your comrades sufficiently fuelled for an evening spent belting out jams at one of Chinatown’s many lively karaoke haunts.
Image: Brook James.
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There’s nothing like a big, outdoor screen and a sky full of stars to get you feeling all nostalgic. Movie night is on the cards this week — take it alfresco and get your film fix at Coburg Drive-In. This suburban icon is the stuff of old-school movie magic, so load up the car like it’s the 1950s and get going. Of course, no film-watching experience is complete without some killer snacks on hand, which means a pre-movie pit-stop at the suburb’s ever-popular Half Moon Cafe is a must. Trust us, the Egyptian-style falafels that fly from this kitchen are a revelation. If that fails, the drive-in’s on-site retro diner-candy bar is a great option.
Image: Brook James.
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The Heide Museum of Modern Art is one of Melbourne’s most significant cultural institutions — with a history that dates back to 1934 and an exhibition program that often plays host to some of the biggest names in Australian art. Boasting 15 stunning acres in Bulleen, it’s a prime spot for laidback weekend adventures. We suggest you spend a blissful Saturday out here, browsing the architecturally stunning galleries, exploring the mid-century Heide house, and cruising through the sculpture park while moseying among the lush green grounds. When lunchtime rolls around, be sure to hit Shannon Bennet’s on-site Café Heide for some top-notch coffee and seasonal fare courtesy of the nearby kitchen garden.
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Finish up the weekend with some fresh air and a healthy dose of nature by heading out for a Sunday morning splash along the Yarra River. A picturesque riverside spot just seven kilometres out of the city, Fairfield Boathouse has a watercraft situation to suit everyone, with a range of canoes, kayaks and even hand-built Thames-replica rowing skiffs. Pick your favourite, and head out on a relaxing river jaunt, sailing along underneath the sunshine. Cap off the adventure with a visit to the Boathouse’s historic tearoom, where you can reward yourself with a traditional Devonshire Tea.
Image: Brook James.
Personalise your next adventure via The Playmaker, driven by Mazda3.
