Five Morning Coffee Break Adventures in Melbourne

Make your morning recharge count.
Libby Curran
September 01, 2016

in partnership with

Part of the appeal of this big, buzzing, wonderful city of ours comes from the constant parade of activities, restaurant openings, festivals and cultural fun it's got on offer. But with only 24 hours in a day, how are we supposed to cram it all in and keep the #fomo to a minimum?

No, the answer is not to stop sleeping. You can get out there and enjoy this fine city while still maintaining the routines of everyday life (like, y'know, sleeping eight hours a night and rocking up to work in the morning). Melbourne life can be pretty hectic, which is why we're here to help you harness the power of a coffee break — be it in the morning, at lunchtime of when you knock off work. Take the break you, as a hardworking human being, deserve.

Melbourne-Bike-Share

GET ON YA BIKE AND TAKE A SPIN AROUND TOWN

Sure, you've got your well-trodden path to and from the office, but outside of that rushed, peak-hour commute, how much of the CBD do you really get a glimpse of? Score a fresh perspective and a healthy dose of fresh air, with a two-wheeled trundle around town in your mid-morning break. No bike? No worries! Those banks of blue bikes you've spotted around the place aren't just for tourists. Melbourne Bike Share is ideal for those casual jaunts around the city — and won't cost you a cent if your ride clocks in at under 30 minutes.

picnic-basket-outdoors

INDULGE IN AN INNER CITY PICNIC

Enjoy one of our city's green spaces and some of its epicurean delights simultaneously, with a mid-morning picnic in the park. The verdant surrounds of Carlton, Flagstaff, Fitzroy and Treasury Gardens are all just a few hops out of the concrete jungle and prove the perfect antidote to time spent in the office. Plus, with all the world-class foodie joints that call our city home, you're simply spoilt for choice when it comes to edible (and Instagrammable) accoutrements to your mini park party. Think, raw treats from Hunters Roots, bagels from 5 & Dime, guilt-free desserts from Raw Trader and cronuts from Rustica Canteen.

Shermaine Wee via Craft Victoria

Shermaine Wee via Craft Victoria

GET CRAFTY AT CRAFT VICTORIA

Shop for artisan locally-made pieces or take in an exhibition from some fresh local talent with a visit to Craft Victoria. The Flinders Lane space is a resource hub, gallery and shop all rolled into one, where you'll find the coolest hand-crafted textiles, jewellery, ceramic, glass and timber works going around. There's a vibrant program of exhibitions, as well as a curated window space offering a 24/7 design fix. Pop in on your mid-morning break for some inspiration from some very clever designers, or treat yourself to the ultimate Melbourne gift.

ten-green-balloons

HIT UP A POP-UP

A good pop-up is the ultimate mini Melbourne mission, whether it's slinging designer threads, decadent bakery treats, or this month's newest food trend. Avoid the weekend queues and get a taste of the latest and greatest fleeting finds in your mid-morning break. Over by the Queen Victoria Markets, Ten Green Balloons currently sells a quirky mix of hand-picked vintage and new homewares and gifts, while the Original Chai Co. is your go-to for that traditionally crafted, comforting chai fix. And who knows what will be on offer next month?

DROP IN TO THE STATE LIBRARY

The State Library of Victoria has a whole lot more to offer than just books and a peaceful study space, with a program full of talks, tours, workshops and free exhibitions. Escape the office and swing by here to catch whatever they're putting on that day — perhaps it's a peek into the lives of WW1 soldiers and their families, a look at some of our country's media legends, or a glimpse of the personal stories behind the faces of Melbourne's Big Issue magazine.

Published on September 01, 2016 by Libby Curran
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