2016 June School Holidays in Melbourne – Day 1

For the first half of 2016, we’ve kept our travel plans close to home and went across the causeway to Johor Bahru and Malacca. But unlike previous years where we’ll drive up in our car, we hired a driver and took a coach which not only relieved us of the driving but also freed our minds from car safety worries.

So when it came to the June school holidays, I wanted to scoot off a little further. Well you probably know the story by now that we returned to Melbourne, the city where we honeymooned 10 years ago for our 10th wedding anniversary. Plus, we really wanted to get away from sunny Singapore and spending winter in Australia sounds a brilliant plan.

Flight to Melbourne
We booked our flight with Scoot in early May and snagged a good deal of S$1,100 for 2 Adults and 1 Child. I only wished that the timing could have been better as it can sometimes be a hit or miss for red eye flights.

True enough, we had a crying toddler seated right behind us and I barely got any sleep. Lucky for my travel companions, Alexis and Sophie slept through the bawling with occasional stirring.

Good for me, I only need coffee and lots of it to get me going and Melbourne is the perfect city for it #alwayslookonthebrightside

June Holidays in Melbourne – Day One

Getting to our apartment was just a bus ride away on the Sky Express and we arranged for hotel transfer that took us to the door step of Citadines at Bourke Street. This was recommended by Mummy Ed and the location was very convenient too with the tram station right at our door step.

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Queen Victoria Market

We wasted no time after checking in and headed to the Queen Victoria Market via the tram from our apartment. I was in two minds about visiting QVM market many people have said that it’s lost its charm and became very touristy and tacky.

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And I hate to admit it but boy are they right. What I remembered to be a bustling market resembled a dead town on a Friday afternoon especially at the retail section where there was hardly any people and the stalls were pretty boring with some even starting to wrap up for the day at 4pm (they are usually open till 5pm on Fridays).

The fresh produce section was more lively and even though I didn’t buy any food to cook back at the apartment, we bought strawberries and cherry tomatoes for just $2 each!

We didn’t managed to hunt down the oysters but we did find the famous doughnut van and caved in to our sweet tooth desires with these piping hot doughnuts with jam filings and sugar coating! Super comforting to sink our teeth into them on a cold winter day!


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I stumbled upon Market Lane Coffee and boy do they have great coffee!

We also spotted a van selling mussels and ordered the grilled mussels with garlic, parsley and breadcrumbs. Sophie was quite game when I asked if she’ll like to try it. How did she enjoy it? She gave it the thumbs up for her first taste of crustacean goodness.

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Heh notice the “wings” on top of the van?

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I wonder where she learnt that from

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By 4.30pm, the stores started to pack up and we called it a day at the market too before heading for our lovely dinner at the Rare Steakhouse to celebrate our anniversary!

 

Wedding Anniversary Dinner at Rare Steakhouse Uptown

For the special occasion, we chose to dine at Rare Steakhouse Uptown after reading glowing reviews about them online and they certainly didn’t disappoint. We don’t usually order wine but hey why hold back when we’ve made it to such a milestone 🙂

I ordered a Angus Beef Porterhouse and Alexis had the Eye Fillet and they were cooked to perfection, still tender and juicy. The starters were pretty good and mash potato that accompanied our steak was so so good ! But most of all the service was fantastic where the waitress patiently explained the menu and was all smiles each time she came around to check if we needed anything.

Although we don’t notice any kids around, they were accommodating to have a young kid around 🙂

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Cheers to making it to our 10th year!

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Alexis is usually not a steak guy at all, so I do feel special when he takes me to a place where he thinks I’ll like. And I’ll like to think that I open up possibilities for him by getting him to step out of his comfort zone. Guess that’s how we complement each other over these years.

Rare Steakhouse Uptown
Address: 6/61 Little Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

 

We spent a total of 9 days in Melbourne where we did a free and easy trip and I’ll be sharing more about the places we visited soon 🙂

Hit the links below for the rest of our Melbourne trip

Day 2- On board the Puffing Billy steam train

Day 3- Melbourne Street Art and Laneways

 

Enjoyed reading this post? Do like my Facebook page to get travelling updates and family friendly itineraries. You can also follow me on Twitter (@Susankoh) or Instagram (@ajugglingmom) for more travel adventures and parenting posts.

 

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Comments: 27

  1. Mummy Ed June 21, 2016 at 11:13 pm Reply

    Looking forward to reading about the other parts of your trip! 😀

  2. Jessica June 22, 2016 at 9:28 am Reply

    Hi Susan, I am also planning for a trip to Melbourne and Syndey, can share your iternary with me ? Thanks. can email to me at starryger@hotmail.com.

    • Susan June 23, 2016 at 8:23 am Reply

      Hi Jessica, I’ve emailed it to you 🙂

  3. […] If you missed Day 1 of my Melbourne trip, here’s the post on Visiting Queen Victoria Market. […]

  4. […] Day 1- Queen Victoria Market and Wedding Anniversary Dinner at Rare Steakhouse Uptown […]

  5. Sj September 30, 2016 at 6:03 pm Reply

    Hi! I came across your blog while searching for melbourne travel as i will be going this nov with my 2 young kids.
    Nice reading your posts. !! Will you be posting others days of your trip as well?
    If possible Can you send me your itinerary too? Thanks!!

    • Susan October 13, 2016 at 8:19 am Reply

      Hi SJ,
      I sue hope to cover the rest of my Melbourne trip soon 🙂 Sure, I’ve emailed my itinerary to you 🙂

  6. tang kwok yew October 12, 2016 at 1:14 pm Reply

    Can share your mel trio 9days ..will happy to follow your plan itineray comming nov
    thanks

    • Susan October 18, 2016 at 9:08 pm Reply

      Hi Kwok Yew,
      I’ve sent it to you. Enjoy your upcoming trip to Melbourne 🙂

  7. […] Day 1- Queen Victoria Market and Anniversary Dinner at Rare Steakhouse Uptown […]

  8. […] Day 1- Queen Victoria Market and Wedding Anniversary Dinner at Rare Steakhouse Uptown […]

  9. huiying June 28, 2017 at 1:43 pm Reply

    Hi

    Can you share with me your itinerary as I am planning to go next yr June 🙂
    Can you also advise me the coach bus that you have booked as well as those apartments that u have stayed.

    Thanks!

    • Susan July 10, 2017 at 8:30 am Reply

      Hi Huiying,
      Thanks for dropping by. I’ve emailed you my Melbourne itinerary 🙂 Hope it’s useful.
      if you’re referring to the coach from the airport to the apartment, it’s Sky Express. I stayed at Citadines at Bourke Street when I was in the city. The rest were all Airbbnb.

  10. VALERIE CHONG September 13, 2017 at 3:51 pm Reply

    Hi Susan
    Would love to have your Mel 9D itinerary. Just booked mine for next yr June. Thank you in advance. 🙂

    • Susan October 2, 2017 at 12:10 am Reply

      Hi Valerie,
      I’ve shared my Melbourne itinerary with you 🙂 Hope it’s useful.

  11. Clarice. October 14, 2017 at 11:00 pm Reply

    Hello Susan, how are you there? Came across your posts online. Thank you for sharing your ideas on your Melbourne trip. Kind to share your itinerary to me. My email add: claritheen@gmail.com
    Regards,
    Clarice

    • Susan October 31, 2017 at 12:46 am Reply

      Hi Clarice,
      Sorry for the late reply. I’ve sent you my Melbourne itinerary. Hope it helps 🙂

  12. Serene Lee November 14, 2017 at 7:20 pm Reply

    Hi Susan! Came across your blog while trying to find out if it’s a good idea to bring my 8yo & 3yo there next Jun.. could you kindly send me your itinerary please? Thank you!!

  13. Ling December 26, 2017 at 7:14 pm Reply

    Hi Susan, chanced upon your blog and We are also heading to Melbourne in June next year. Planning a road trip to great ocean road. My kids are 10&12. Can you share your itinerary please. Did you not try mt buller? Can’t wait. Thank you.

    • Susan January 23, 2018 at 9:15 pm Reply

      Hi Ling,
      Sorry for the late reply. I’ve emailed you my Melbourne itinerary. We didn’t go up to Mt Buller as we were not planning to go skiing.

  14. nicol January 19, 2018 at 2:37 pm Reply

    Hi Susan
    Grateful if you can share your itinerary with me too? we are heading there in end May. thank you

    • Susan April 3, 2018 at 10:42 pm Reply

      Hi Nicol,
      I’ve dropped you an email with my itinerary. Sorry for the late reply.

  15. Anis Sabrina March 19, 2018 at 7:34 pm Reply

    Hai Susan ! Very informative and interesting sharing. Thank you do you mind sharing you 9days Melbourne iternary ?

    • Susan April 3, 2018 at 10:49 pm Reply

      Hi Anis, I’ve shared my Melbourne itinerary with you 🙂

  16. Machere April 20, 2018 at 7:13 pm Reply

    Hi Susan, can share you itinerary? Will be going in June too 🙂 Thank you in advance 🙂

    • Susan May 14, 2018 at 2:09 pm Reply

      Hi, I’ve emailed my Melbourne itinerary to you. Hope it’s useful.

  17. vidhya October 15, 2018 at 4:25 pm Reply

    Hi Susan, can you share your itinerary. Also your Airbnb recommendations for Sydney and Melbourne.

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