I recently had a brief getaway to Melbourne in order to attend the 2018 Bupa Blog Awards. The event was being held at Quat Quatta at Ripponlea which is nearby to St Kilda so I decided to stay there, at St Kilda. I flew down the day before so I didn’t feel rushed and had some time to browse around and meet up with a friend who lives in Melbourne.
In today’s post I’m sharing some snaps I took while I was away. All were taken with my iPhone.
I stayed at Rydges Hotel in Fitzroy Street, St Kilda. Here’s my hotel room (part of it anyway)! That bed was super comfy!
My plane landed. I collected my suitcase. I got myself to the hotel. I checked in, dumped all my gear in my room, and off I went immediately on foot to meet my friend Rita and her daughter for lunch. I met Rita online back in 2012 when we had both just started blogging. Her blog was called ‘The Crafty Expat’. Rita no longer blogs but is kept busy as a Mum and as part of a writers group. They have recently released a box set of novella’s, one of which has been written by Rita, but I won’t say anymore as I have an interview with Rita coming up this Thursday on the blog so be sure to keep watch for that! Rita and I met in person in 2014 when she visited Brisbane. We spent a good portion of a day together at Southbank here in Brisbane. We hadn’t seen each other since so it was wonderful to see her again and meet her now 3 1/2 year old daughter. She wasn’t yet a mum last time I saw her! Rita is around 15 years younger than me but we get along very well despite that age difference which proves that age really is no barrier to friendship! We met for lunch at Abbey Road Cafe on Acland Street.
After lunch we went for coffee and cake just a short stroll down the street at the Acland Cake Shop.
The next morning I was up early and off for a walk.

St Kilda Beach

St Kilda Pier

Sunrise from St Kilda Pier

Dogman and Rabbitwoman by Gillie and Marc
A couple more snaps taken at the residential end of Acland Street on my walk back to the hotel in Fitzroy Street.

Christ Church, 14 Acland Street, St Kilda – a historical 150 year old Anglican Church.
I’ve watched a few series of The Block over the years, including this years (though not religiously) so I had to visit ‘The Gatwick’ on Fitzroy Street, which was over the road and up just a bit from where I was staying. The Gatwick Private Hotel was one of a number of substantial apartment buildings and private hotels constructed in Saint Kilda during the interwar period. It was a three storeyed stuccoed building on three street frontages executed in a restrained Spanish Mission style. The Gatwick was one of the last of the substantial private hotels erected in Saint Kilda in the interwar period to cater for a more upmarket clientele. You can read more of its history HERE if you’re interested. Needless to say, it was in a dilapidated state, crying out for renovation and along comes The Block 2018 to the rescue. Now The Gatwick is looking mighty fine! Here’s some snaps I took.

Love the tree lined street on the walk to The Gatwick

The trams are longer and more modern then my last visit to Melbourne in 2012! This is a tram passing by just opposite The Gatwick on Fitzroy Street, St Kilda.
I had breakfast at The Hub Cafe downstairs at Rydges Hotel on my last day.

Coffee (and brekky coming) at The Hub Cafe at Rydges Hotel, St Kilda
Those two nights went by so quickly! I packed up my gear and was soon on my way to the airport. I spotted The Spirit of Tasmania on the way to the airport. So nice to see it again! Last time I saw it was at Devonport in Tasmania! It even featured in a blog post I published back in October 2015 – HERE.
Goodbye St Kilda! Goodbye Melbourne! I will be back again VERY soon. In fact, on 22 November we are back in Melbourne and off to explore The Great Ocean Road. Looking forward to it!
Linking up with Denyse Whelan for #LifeThisWeek
28 Comments
What a lovely time you had Min and remember how anxious you were about going? You overcame any fears and look at the fabulous few days you had. Also, it was lovely for you to have some ‘me time’ on your own and also meet up with Rita. The Gatwick looked amazing and I watched the Block each week but only the Reveal Night. It is amazing what they can do. Congratulations again for being nominated in the Bupa Awards and you are a winner in my book. xx
Thanks Sue! I absolutely loved the time away on my own. I would’ve liked someone to have dinner with on the first night but it was ok. I didn’t feel it was safe enough to walk the streets of St Kilda alone at night so I stayed in and had room service. It actually turned out to be quite nice to have that quiet time alone. ๐ xo
Hi Min, I love room service so I would have done the same as you. Thanks again for linking up at #MLSTL and sharing your exciting visit to Melbourne with us. x
The room service food was actually ok Sue – not bad at all. I enjoyed relaxing in the room and watching TV. I was itching though to get out and explore but I was up early and able to do that so all worked out well. ๐ xo
How fun! Well done on the award nomination!
Thanks Lydia!
Great photos! I’ve seen those “statues” before – Dogman and Rabbitwoman by Gillie and Marc – in fact, I feel like I saw them for sale in gallery or showroom in Sydney. Eastern suburbs somewhere. Double Bay perhaps? Anyway, they’re a standout!
Thanks Leanne! Yes I think Dogman and Rabbitwoman are in several places in several different poses. They sure stopped me in my tracks! So much so I had to Google to find out more about them. ๐
Looks like a fun getaway, Min. Well done with your planning to tag it to your Bupa Awards and see your friend Rita again. #lifethisweek
It was a lovely little break away. I would’ve liked maybe just one more day! lol It was fabulous to see Rita again and hopefully I will catch up with her for a coffee again later this month when I’m again in Melbourne! ๐
It was so good to meet once again Min! Fabulous pictures of the beach! Congrats once again on your nomination!
Thanks Rita – wonderful to finally catch up again after about 4 years since the previous catch up! lol Hopefully we can do it again later this month when I’m in Melbourne again. xo
Whenever anyone asks me where they should visit in Australia, I always say Melbourne, andmention St Kilda as a must see. I think from now on I’ll just direct them to this post, your photos made me want to visit again.
Oh that’s a lovely thing to say, thanks Katherine! I loved my little stay at St Kilda. I’d previously only been there on a day trip from Melbourne city.
Beautiful pics Min. I haven’t been to St Kilda though I’ve been to Melbourne a couple of times. That cake shop looks deliciously evil!!!
Thanks Sanch. There’s multiple cake shops in Acland Street at St Kilda. ALL taunting you! LOL You’ll have to visit St Kilda next time you’re in Melbourne. I’m rather fond of it there. ๐ xo
I always love St Kilda and your photos show it off so well Min. Well done ๐ #mlstl
Thanks Debbie – it’s a lovely spot! ๐
Looks like that you had a wonderful time. #MLSTL
I did Patrick – it was very enjoyable! ๐
I am glad you got to meet up with a bloggy friend. It is great fun. In 2012 when I went to Melbourne for Digital Parents Conference I remember going to St Kilda for a meal I think. The memories are fading but meeting with blogging friends is always a treat.
Thanks for linking up for #lifethisweek. Optional prompt next week is “I Remember”.
Denyse.
Yes – second time I’ve met up with Rita. Last time was at least 4 years ago (maybe longer). It’s amazing how much you can get to know a person through blogging and online connections, and even more fabulous to then meet up with them in person! ๐
I can’t believe how blue the skies are – not bad for Melbourne in October! Congrats again on the Bupa awards and for conquering your anxiety demons and having such a fun time. You obviously had a ball and the photos are testiment to that.
MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM ๐
I know – I was lucky wasn’t I?! Beautiful blue sky! Thanks Leanne – I’m pleased with myself that I managed to deal with my anxiety and not let it stop me in my tracks. It’ll always be with me but I’m learning to live with it. xo
So glad you had a brilliant time Min and that you had such a magic place to stay in St Kilda. By the way you only look about 30! I love that photo of you – just beautiful #MLSTL
I did have a lovely time Jo. Ohhh I can assure you that I don’t look 30 – though I wish! That selfie is all about soft dim lighting and angles (from above) – I’ve learnt over time the most flattering angle and conditions. Though my gorgeous woman skin care products keep my skin looking good, I still look the 50+ that I am in reality *sigh*!
I’m glad your trip was a success Min. The photos are beautiful. iPhone cameras have come a long way, huh? Some day I will visit Australia. Until then, keep the photos coming. ๐ #MLSTL
Such a short trip Christie, but very enjoyable none the less! Yes iPhone cameras have certainly come a long way and they’re so light and compact and convenient! ๐