Melbourne 2025 September

Government House

I finally toured Government House! It’s always been this mysterious gated estate that I could only glimpse at through the hedges so when U3A offered a tour, I clicked that button quickly. The residence was beautiful and even had portraits of Charles and Camilla greeting us in the foyer. All the the decor was royal, detailed, and elegant. Every surface was ornate, from the carpets to the ceiling. Outside, we strolled through the gardens while the groundskeeper discussed the vegetation. We even got to pick some greens – the mustard was spicy but oh so fresh. This was the highlight for week!

Datelines

I have really enjoyed these excursions where I pick a train line, we ride to its end destination, and have a date. I’ve rebranded this experience as Datelines. In September we went to:

• Hurstbridge: This suburb felt like small mountain town like Lake Arrowhead or Big Bear, with no mountain to be found. It was so cute. We wandered down the main road and then into the bush for a light walk before we ate at the French Lettuce. Yes, the same French Lettuce as in Carlton but with a huge menu as a precursor to our vanilla slice.
• Mernda: As we de-trained, I spied a kangaroo in the bush in the distance. We walked to find some semblance of city and a place to eat. Crossing a multi-laned road, we found a pub which from the outside looked authentic. Sadly, it was a renovated building and the inside was re-designed into boring oblivion.
• Craigieburn: This was another suburb that ended in industrial surrounds. What saved the experience was the Iraqi shop we discovered. I did like how the road signs used “C-burn” instead of spelling it out.
• Geelong: This trip was in conjunction with going to see the Archibald Prize exhibit. We wandered to the water and had gluten-free fish and chips before we rode the ferris wheel and walked to the botanic gardens. The AFL playoffs were in full swing, with the Geelong Cats in the finals so there was a big screen set up on a grass slope with the community setting up to watch. Sadly, the Cats lost. Dinner was at Tacos and Liquor – their branding was spot on, with no frills – plus the tacos were edible. We had gallery tickets first thing on Sunday morning so the exhibit wasn’t so crowded for the first two-thirds of our visit. Since the Archibald Prize was an institution of over 100 years, I thought it important to see it. I liked that the portraits focused on Australians, only two of which I knew by name. The art was Australians being viewed through an Australian gaze using a variety of styles and techniques. I appreciated this experience.

U3A photography

Queen Vic Market – focus on shapes. I found more leading line than shapes.

Yarra Southbank – focus on patterns

Docklands – focus on industrial

Rippon Lea

In my walking groups, I’m regularly offered suggestions of where to visit next. The Rippon Lea Estate was next on my list of places to visit. This heritage-listed historic house and gardens were once a family home and sparkled brilliantly after a rain shower. I was surprised to find a waterfall and grotto in the gardens and loved the restored wall paper in the foyer.

Other fun things

• Mall side quests: I went to the Westfield/Doncaster mall via bus, Ikea in the Victoria Gardens Mall, and a Sexyland store out on the Airport West tram line (I needed cat ears for a party.)
• Ducklings and Cygnets at Albert Park! A walking adventure led us to see 100 swans and other water fowl and the opportunity to swoon over baby animals.
• We went to a 1920’s party.