Melbourne - My Heartland Forever

You’ll find me in Melbourne. Not passing through, not flitting between cities; I’ve chosen to be here. Melbourne isn’t just where I live, it’s where I flourish. This city is my heartland, my sanctuary, and a source of inspiration. I’ve chosen Melbourne just as I choose everything in my life: with care, intention, and a commitment to quality over quantity. And if you’re thinking of coming to visit or rediscovering Melbourne, let me give you a little nudge. Let this be the little spark you were waiting for.

Melbourne isn’t a grand city, it doesn't show itself at once. It’s layered and elusive, revealing its charm only to those who take their time. Melbourne is hot and cold at the same time. One moment you’re beneath a grey and windy sky, the next in a sunny courtyard with a glass of wine in hand. It’s a place where serious conversation blends with dry humour, and where good taste is worn lightly. Coffee here borders on obsession, and we are not self-aware enough to laugh about it. The north hums with an edge, with record and bookstores, colourful and outrageous fashion for curious afternoons and late-night wine bars for everything that follows. Head south and the city softens: long beaches, salty air, and the golden hour that stretches into evening. Melbourne isn’t loud about what it is. That’s part of its appeal. You have to be paying attention.

I’ve made a life here that feels right in all the ways that matter. My days are filled with riding my pushbike along the bumpy northside roads and writing letters in quiet cafés. I enjoy the occasional wander through a new exhibition or the inquisitive delight of stumbling upon one of the little galleries hidden around the city. And, of course, the comfort of my home, my haven, where my beloved cats curl up on my lap, where I’m surrounded by my favourite books, and where friends filter in and out for a cup of tea, a walk by the creek, or a bite to eat in one of the many little restaurants off the beaten path. I embrace a life of warmth and ease, creativity and curious spontaneity, a sense of home and belonging that keeps me grounded and deeply fulfilled. The simple things in life are the best and the most important, the things close to the heart, the things between the lines, not the grand gestures.

But Melbourne isn’t just for those who love the comforts of home or a luxurious hotel. It is very much for the adventurers, too. It is for those who crave meaning in their travels and who seek out experiences rather than destinations. It is for those who truly love food, who appreciate not only fine dining, but also food trucks you have to be lucky to catch, and small restaurants only locals know to recommend.

For the bold and inquisitive, Melbourne offers its own kind of thrill. It’s Melbourne’s unpolished edges that make it so compelling. A laid-back rooftop bar with views across the skyline, a makeshift gallery with a short-time-only show, or a long drive down the coast at night with music low and the windows down for the wind to caress our faces. This isn’t a city that tries to impress. Its charm lies in the way it reveals itself slowly, in moments that are unexpected yet just right.

And while I am always here, in my element, in my city, I am not immovable. I may not travel across Australia on a whim, but if the right invitation comes along and if it is wrapped in thoughtfulness and the promise of something intriguing, well, who is to say where the next adventure might take me?

So, if you have ever thought of making your way to Melbourne or if you wish to rediscover this city, consider this an invitation. I'll be here. Waiting, welcoming, and always ready to show you why Melbourne isn’t just a place on the map, but my heartland.

Explore and experience it with me, make it your next travel destination.

Let Melbourne surprise you, and who knows, maybe I will too.