Turn right after this beautiful tree and  you are in the camellia garden

The magic is more pronounce at the moment with plantings of daphne amongst the camellia trees.  The perfume from the daphne wafts around as you stroll along the path. It’s a heady sort of perfume.

There are early and late camellias so you are never there when every tree is in flower but the Royal Botanical Gardens say August is The camellia month.  There is plenty to see at the moment and many of the species are identified by name.

Some beautiful white blooms.

Clumps of snowdrops tucked between the camellias give a touch of early spring.

Getting There:-
Any tram that goes down St Kilda Road.
Tram 8 runs alongside the gardens and into Domain Road which also borders the gardens.

Opening Hours:-
7.30am to sunset

Related posts:

1. Guifoyle’s Volcano overlooks Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens
2. In the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne there is a place to pay homage to the wind.
3. Peace and relaxation in the Tropical Glasshouse, Melbourne’s Botanical Gardens, St Kilda Road,

The Oriental Tea house in Chapel Street was once a pub

Yum Cha on Sunday is something I enjoy – watching the trolleys come past, studying the food and deciding ‘yes’ or ‘no’.  The frustrating part is that when I have eaten enough I see something new appear from the kitchen, glide past me and I am temped all over again.

At the Oriental Tea House there is none of this.   You order your Yum Cha from the menu.  It is rather like a ‘Chinese Tapas’.

You can pop in at any time during the day order a tea and a Yum Cha snack.

I ate at the Oriental Tea House on Chapel Street for the first time before we attended a gold class session of ‘Sex and the City 2’ at the Jam Factory.

We went early to give us time to talk, relax and to get into the mood for the glamour and style we were to see on the screen. It was a good choice.

The good thing about the Oriental Tea House is that it severs the same food all the time so we could create our own stylish early dinner.

The name ‘ The Oriental Tea House’ appeals to me.  Just the sound is relaxing.  The clean white open space when you enter, with the store of interesting teas and other merchandise including Chinese herbs in the front and then the restaurant at the rear, is welcoming and soothing.

I like the emphasis on tea but as we were preparing to watch over-the-top glamour on the screen we decided bubbles were appropriate.

This is what we ordered:-

Spinach Seafood Soup

Won Ton Soup

Vegetarian Buckweat Dumplings with Chilli

Delux Basket (nine different pieces of dumplings steamed in a large basket).

Calamari in Spicy Salt

The dishes appeared haphazardly with the squid coming a distant last.  It occurs to me now that each dish may travel from the kitchen as soon as it is cooked – something to think about when you order.  If you order soup it is nice to both get your soup at the same time.

The dumplings are delicious. The best I have had recently.  As I write this I am still thinking about them and plan to pop in for one of their teas and a ‘variety basket’ of dumplings.  At $6.90 it is excellent value

We didn’t try the Tea-Tails – cocktails made with tea blends.  The idea of a tea based cocktail served in a teapot is a whimsy that brings a smile to the face – it has to be worth a try.
Here is an example of some that are available:-

Campari Treasure 8.5
Bitter sweet with a hint of orange Campari.
+ Calm & Concentration TEA served on ice

Russian Spy in Shanghai 8.5
This one really packs a punch with Vodka
+ Gun Powder TEA served with fresh lime

Baileys Kiss 8.5
Spicy with a tasty kick of Baileys & milk
+ Chai TEA served over ice

Luck of the Irish 8.5
One to really help you unwind with a warm blend of Irish Whisky
+ Relaxing TEA

Where:-
The Oriental Tea House
455 Chapel Street
South Yarra (opposite Bridie O’Reilly’s)

Phone:-Restaurant 9826 0168

Web site:-

http://www.orientalteahouse.com.au/chapel-street/w1/i1001202/

Opening Hours:-
10am until late – every day.

Getting there:-
No 8 Tram to Toorak. Get off at the corner of Toorak Road and Chapel Street.
No 78  Tram – this tram runs along Chapel Street from St Kilda to Richmond.

Related posts:

1. Cricket Club Hotel South Melbourne – ideal eating on a cold night
2. Trash, Treasure or vintage? It is hard to decide in Womango, 47 Chapel Street, Windsor/Prahran.
3. Eating Korean at Dae Jang Geum Korean BBQ – Korean Food, Melbourne’s CBD

For years this strange wonder was hidden under an uncared for wilderness.
It was built in 1876 by William Guilfolye, who is quoted as saying, “ Combine the useful with the ornamental.” Originally it  was a reservoirs and Guilfoyle’s folly. The restoration has made it into a reservoir again – combining the ornamental with the useful.

It has been restored with a  path winding to the crater lake and a water resistant garden of cacti and succulents.  The plantings are startling and it gives a weird effect of a planted moonscape.

The red areas represent the lava flows – they are planted too.

I found the cacti fascinating and felt impressed with the production of so many perfectly round bright green cacti that look almost as if they were on the move.   They are called Golden Barrel Cacti ( Echinocactus grusonii)

The recent hail has damaged some of the succulents and the pole cacti.  Some of the pole cacti are now staked and one is preparing to produce a couple of large flowers.

Numbers can be interesting and daunting for example; approximately 17,000 plants of 250 different species have been planted, of those species 97 are native to Australia.  There must be hundreds of these round cacti and I managed to let go of my urge to count them.

The lake in the crater is full.  The idea of looking into a crater lake  creates an expectation of seeing steam rising or a few bubbles coming to the surface.  It is a slight let down when nothing of the sort happens.   Instead there are floating islands.  These are to improve the water quality and in time this water will be used to help irrigate other areas the gardens.

The garden is new as are the floating islands and it will be interesting to see how the area looks when everything has become established. If all these pole cacti  flower it will be a startling and beautiful sight.

Getting there:-
Tram 8 will take you almost to the Volcano. Get off at the Corner of Domain Road and Park Street and walk into the gardens.  It is right there.
The Botanical Gardens can also be accessed from St Kilda Road – follow the signs to Guifoyle’s Volcano.
Parking:- 1 hour free in Domain Road. Paid parking in Birdwood Avenue.

Opening Hours:-
The gardens are open from 7.30am to sunset every day of the year.

Tours:- can be arranged by calling (03) 9252 2429

Related posts:

1. In the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne there is a place to pay homage to the wind.
2. Camellia time at the Royal Melbourne Botanical Gardens is July and August
3. Peace and relaxation in the Tropical Glasshouse, Melbourne’s Botanical Gardens, St Kilda Road,

Womango’s Window –
Inside it is as crammed with goods as the window. The old saying  ‘there is nowhere to put a pin down’ is spot on.

At the entrance there is a notice saying ‘No Big Bags’ and you can see why.  Even without a big bag you have to be careful not to  send some of the treasures flying.

There’s a yellow and green jug in the window that I like and I can spend ages gazing at the rings that are in a case inside and then there is something about those long white evening gloves of the fifties.  What romance they conjure up.  Yesterday there was an old wooden ladder in very good condition filling up some of the entrance space.

If you are a visiting Chapel Street for vintage, retro, antiques and treasures from the recent past ,  I’d start here.
If you are a collector and looking for something in particular the owner knows her stock – that’s a feat in itself.  She is knowledgeable and is happy to talk.  She is also happy for you to spend as long as you like exploring this visual feast.
Note the opening hours – they are unusual for the area:-
Closed Monday and Tuesday.  Open Wednesday to Sunday from 12.00pm to 6.00pm.

You can ring the owner if you need to make contact at other times – 9533 6650 or 0410 750 310

Getting there

Take the Sandringham Line Train to Windsor Station.  Come out of the Windsor Station and you are there. Womango is more or less opposite Syber’s Book Shop, by the pedestrian crossing.

Trams 78 and 79 run the full length of Chapel Street between St Kilda and Richmond.

If you are coming from the CBD by tram you need a tram number 8 or 6 or 72.  These trams intersect with Chapel Street at some point.

Related posts:

1. Tarlo & Graham – view their windows as you stroll Chapel Street
2. Cakes and coffee at the Special Cake Shop – Chapel Street, Prahran
3. Chapel Street – They Funky End at Windsor

The Melbourne Botanical Gardens are at the edge of the CBD – walking distance if you are feeling energetic or a few minutes on a tram – see below.

As soon as you open the sliding doors and walk into this heated Glasshouse the atmosphere changes.  You may say of course it does but you don’t expect the feeling of peace that comes with it.  I expected warmth but not the peace.  Warmth and peace may go together and perhaps that is what happens when you walk into that heated space.

The air is heavy and slightly damp and perhaps that is why it is relaxing.  It quietens us.   We start to speak in soft voices almost whispers and we notice the people around us are doing the same.  We walk gently and we slow down.  There is a background hum of machinery that goes on and off.  You do notice this as it changes from on to off and then a bit later on again, but it is still peaceful.

As you enter there is a free pamphlet that directs your viewing of the plants. These are described as ‘vital plants’, that is vital-tropical plants that effect our every day quality of life,for example coffee, rubber and cocoa are identified by numbers.   The pamphlet gives you interesting information about each of them.  For example did you know that Attila the Hun demanded 3000 pounds of pepper in ransom for the City of Rome in the 5th Century.   It’s probably not information your are ever going to need; just something to file away.
More useful, perhaps, is the information that a pineapple plant can produce a pineapple every year, for up to 50 years.  Now that plant is a good investment.

Paths wander through banks of greenery and overhead foliage.  There are splashes of  white flowers and every now and again a dash of a bright coloured flowers.   There are some strange and wonderful plants, too.

At the far end of the glasshouse water runs over rocks and splashes into a fish pond complete with fish.  There are benches to sit on while you absorb the atmosphere of water and the tropical forest.

The Botanical Gardens are open from 7.30 to dusk every day of the year and the  Tropical House or Glasshouse as it is called on most of the signs around the gardens is open from 10am to 4pm.

How to get there:

Any tram from Federation Square that runs along St Kilda Road as far as the Domain Road Intersection, or if you want to get off in Domain Road and enter from there catch the No 8.

The Tropical glasshouse is at the Domain Road end of the gardens but you can wander into the gardens anywhere along St Kilda Road and you will find good signage leading you to the glasshouse.

Remember it is called the glasshouse – there’s nothing about the tropical plants.

Related posts:

1. Camellia time at the Royal Melbourne Botanical Gardens is July and August
2. Guifoyle’s Volcano overlooks Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens
3. St Kilda Botanical Gardens – a winter view

There is magic in the Block Arcade.  It grabs you and takes you back to the past.  It’s a romantic past where  imaginations were given the money to roam.  The Arcade was designed  by David Askew for local financier.  The brief was to produce something like the Galleria Vittoria in Milan.

There is a distinct European flavour in The Block with its beautiful  glass ceilings, a glass dome in the centre, wrought iron and carved stone finishings.

It is shaped like an ‘L’ with identical entrances on Elizabeth Street and Collins Street.  Strangely, most people enter from Collins Street and that is the busiest section.

The mosaic tiled floor runs throughout the precinct and the wooden shop fronts are elegant.  In fact the whole area is elegant.

This stunning mosaic is under the huge central glass dome.  The dome is so large I didn’t manage to get anything decent in the way of a photo to show it off.  You’ll have to see it for yourself and try to take a photo.

I suggest you have coffee at the Cafe Duomo.  It’s on the corner of the ‘L’ and runs into Block Pace that comes out in Little Collins Street.  You can gaze at all the splendor from an outside table and watch the passing parade. Coffee is strong and good.

Another favourite place to eat is the Hopetoun Tearooms at the Collins Street entrance but I prefer outside at Café Duomo so I can see where I am and enjoy the experience as I watch people wandering around admiring and staring in that ‘gob-smacked’ sort of way.  You can tell the visitors from the locals.

The Block Arcade is in the CBD Running between Collins Street and Elisabeth Street.  You can also enter from Little Collins Street and walk through the cafes in Block Place

Related posts:

1. Red Star Cafe right opposite The South Melbourne Market, Clarendon Street
2. Gas Eateries and Supply Cafe – South Melbourne
3. John Brack @ the Ian Potter Center, Federation Square, Melbourne CBD

The Gelobar at 47 Lygon Street, East Brunswick is the place to start.  It is also the place to end – a visit there and you won’t need to try anywhere else.

You’ll leave there with a grin on your face.   And if you are someone who lets guilt take over you’ll be asking yourself . ‘Why was I so tempted? Why did I have that last cake?’

The reason you had that last cake was because the first was so delicious and your eyes wandered back to the display.  The other reason would be the cost.  Who can resist a creamy delight such as a ‘creamy choc-vanilla cannoli’  for only $2.80.  The coffee is good too.  Your guilt maybe because you can’t resist an ice cream before you leave.

This narrow cafe/shop has been around for a few years and in the summer the queue for ice cream can be out onto the street. It is colder now (mid-May) and although the display of ice cream is eye-gabbing the temperature outside makes cake and coffee a more obvious choice.

It’s the food and value for money that you go for not the decor.  The interior decoration belongs to the style ‘we-have-some-tables-and-chairs-we’ll-put-them-out’ – very basic – with a red plastic fly curtain at the entrance.  That’s half its charm.  And you are there for your stomach and a taste sensation. The decor doesn’t matter.

Gelobar, 74 Lygon Street Brunswick East, is north of the familiar Lygon Street café and restaurant hub at Carlton.

Grab the Number 8 tram.  The Gelobar is just above Brunswick Street  on your right – about stop 122 .  It’s on the corner of Philip Street.

They are open from mid-morning to late at night.  Ring 9388 1419 to check opening hours

Related posts:

1. Cakes and coffee at the Special Cake Shop – Chapel Street, Prahran
2. Railway antiques, restored furniture, coffee and cakes at the Albert Park Station.
3. Eastern European Flavours in East St Kilda