Daily Detours for the Week of June 5

There’s nothing like a Monday nature boost to get your week off to a cracking start. Melbourne’s Royal Park is an oasis of green space nestled blissfully close to the CBD. With a tradition of relaxation and sport since it opened in the 1850s, the stretch of parkland forms the perfect antidote to all that city hustle and bustle with 170 hectares, plenty of wildlife and fresh air galore. Knockoff on time, stick a few of your favourite tunes in your ears and watch the sunset work its magic while you run some heart-pumping kilometres along Royal Park’s winding, tree-lined running tracks. Trust us, you’ll be reaping the benefits all week long.

Image: cafuego via Flickr.

Daylight savings has abandoned us and Melbourne’s temperature is slowly declining into frostiness, which means it’s time to start seeking out your 2017 winter warmers of choice. It’s the perfect excuse to get acquainted (or more likely, reacquainted) with the steaming bowl of deliciousness that is one of Laksa King’s combination laksas. This Flemington institution is known for its perennial queues, but that patient wait is a rite of passage with very tasty rewards. Head in, do your time in line and once you’re warming your belly with that legendary mix of seafood, noodles and rich coconut milk broth, you’ll be very glad you stuck it out.

There’s still a sprinkling of sunny days left to come before we’re entrenched in the depths of winter, and you definitely want to make the most of them. So today, instead of handing over your lunch break to a sad desk sandwich, load up on endorphins and fresh air with a few restorative lunchtime laps at the historic Fitzroy Pool. The 50-metre outdoor pool is a whole lot less crazy at this time of year than in the middle of summer, so you shouldn’t have too much of an issue nabbing a lane all to yourself. Plus, at just $6.50 for a casual pass, it’s downright affordable. Oh, and did we mention the pool’s heated? Fire up those muscles, have a splash beneath that legendary Aqua Profonda sign and head back to work feeling invincible.

Melbourne has some great movie theatres, but, in our opinion, there’s nowhere better than The Astor Theatre. At the very end of Chapel Street, The Astor is the last single-screen cinema in continuous operation in Melbourne — still standing since its grand opening right back in 1936. Two levels of seating are complete with those sort-of uncomfortable chairs you often find in old-school cinemas or vintage stores. Despite that, there’s nothing particularly old-fashioned about this cinema. It’s fully air-conditioned and complete with a great sound system and a giant screen. It’s famous for its double features, and regular screenings of cult classics and selected new releases. Before you arrive, visit Lucky Coq down the road for a $5 pizza. If it’s warm enough, take it up to the terrace — a classic Melbourne date night.

With the spoils of Melbourne’s world-class food scene sitting right at your fingertips, you’d be bonkers not to get amongst it every chance you get. If you’re a CBD worker, today’s the day to treat yourself to a slightly lengthier lunch break, so you can amble through the delectable Love Italy lunchtime set menu at Grossi Florentino. One of Melbourne’s longest-standing culinary stalwarts, this Bourke Street beauty delivers standout, honest Italian fare, with its lunchtime set menu showcasing a different region of Italy each month. Opt for a two-course feed ($45) or three-course feast ($55), and roll back to the office plotting your next Italian getaway.

Nothing leaves you feeling quite as accomplished as greeting the world early on a weekend morning, especially if it’s for an activity that’s way more fun and more delicious than your usual Saturday snooze session. To find yourself simply fizzing with Saturday morning good vibes, haul yourself out of bed nice and early so you can beat even the most eager crowds to the Queen Victoria Market. Behind the storied yellow facade of Melbourne’s largest 19th century market, the produce sections open as early as 6am, with the specialty shopping stalls following suit at 8am. Hit the deli hall for a strong latte from the masters at Market Lane Coffee (who are also on Collins Street), teamed with a breakfast of warm borek, courtesy of market favourite, The Borek Shop. That should leave you sufficiently fuelled for a morning spent perusing Queen Vic’s many varied treasures.

Image: Alpha / Flickr.

If that adage about Sundays well spent and weeks of content rings true, then a hearty hike is surely the perfect way to round out a weekend. Venture to the Dandenong Ranges National Park and you’ll find the 1000 Steps Kokoda Walk — a hugely-popular walking trail first built in the 1900s that commemorates those who fought along the Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea during WWII. Test your glutes, feel simply a buzz with endorphins and give yourself a pat on the back, and once you’ve made it all the way back down, reward those jelly legs with a pit-stop at the conveniently located 1000 Steps Cafe. The kitchen here serves a menu full of breakfast and lunchtime favourites, but make sure to leave room for their famous scones.

Image: Nic Allchin.

Personalise your next adventure via The Playmaker, driven by Mazda3.

By Libby Curran and Kelly Pigram.