By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, Reported by Chen Guanxin, Source / HowToTrip Editorial Department
A city in southeastern Australia that once prospered from gold mining and has undergone over 200 years of cultural influence from European immigrants not only exudes a metropolitan vibe that blends modernity and elegance, but also boasts vast parks and green spaces, thousands of delicious restaurants, and the unique combination of rivers and coastlines, making Melbourne one of the "world’s most livable cities." To get close to this charming metropolis, besides walking and taking trams, why not try themed tours such as cycling, hot air balloons, and dining on tram restaurants? As the surrounding cultural landscapes slowly change with the mode of transport, travelers can experience Melbourne’s leisurely charm from different perspectives.
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Soar high above to admire the Melbourne sunrise, where the vast sea and sky, dotted with scattered streetlights, appear serene and beautiful. (Image provided by HowToTrip Editorial Department)
Spinning Through Life – City Cycling Tour
Melbourne is known as one of the most livable cities in the world. Unlike typical urban sightseeing tours, cycling is also a way to explore Melbourne. The person who commercialized the cycling tour was Murray Johnson, a former local journalist in Melbourne who, after retiring due to his passion for cycling, started renting bikes and offering guided cycling tours.
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Leisurely pedaling, the Melbourne streetscape unfolds like a movie scene before your eyes. (Image provided by HowToTrip Editorial Department)
Riding a bike through the various roads in the city, from the banks of the Yarra River to the downtown area, then into the SOHO-style Fitzroy district, stop for a juice when thirsty or grab coffee and snacks at a café, all in a laid-back, urban slow-living rhythm. At noon, head to Queen Victoria Market, and join the locals by ordering a German sausage hot dog and cola, enjoying lunch under the warm sun – a completely different urban experience.
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Thanks to the bicycle, travelers can freely set their own pace, stopping and going as they please, discovering the most local sights and details. (Image provided by HowToTrip Editorial Department)
Floating in the Sky – Hot Air Balloon Tour
At dawn, on the open grasslands near the mouth of the Yarra River in the Melbourne suburbs, several hot air balloons stand in a row, ready to take off; the hissing gas heaters spew flames, heating the air and gradually inflating the balloon. When the fully inflated balloon lifts the basket, it lifts off the ground with a whoosh.
The slowly drifting hot air balloon carries passengers over the winding soul of the city – the Yarra River, past the deep and wide Port of Melbourne, and offers a “low-altitude” view over a thousand meters down onto the grid-like city center. World-renowned landmarks such as the Eureka Tower, the Victoria Art Centre, Crown Casino, St Patrick’s Cathedral, and Parliament House pass beneath your feet. The still-sleeping city glimmers with rows of streetlights under the morning light, and streets that would normally be bustling with trams and pedestrians remain quiet at this hour.
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A one-hour flight journey begins the moment the gas heater flames roar. (Image provided by HowToTrip Editorial Department)
Riding the wind, the balloon continues to drift toward the suburbs. The glass-walled skyscrapers give way to 19th-century Victorian cottages. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Yarra Park, Queen Victoria Gardens, Fitzroy Gardens… vast parks, woodlands, and ponds are the back gardens of Melbourne’s over three million residents. The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), the racetrack at Albert Park, and the arenas in Melbourne Park are distinct symbols of this sports-loving city. Few major cities in the world are suitable for hot air ballooning, but Melbourne stands out among them. A one-hour flight not only showcases beautiful and diverse landscapes and architecture but also offers a bird’s-eye view of the clever layout of the entire Melbourne city.
This ingenious layout includes rivers, coastlines, vast parks and green spaces, and ample sports, cultural, and leisure venues. That’s why Melbourne has consistently won the title of “World’s Most Livable City” in various rankings. While its natural advantages certainly help, Melbourne’s unique character continuously injects new vitality into the city.
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Floating at a “low altitude” of over a thousand meters, ever-changing, spectacular landscapes unfold before your eyes. (Image provided by HowToTrip Editorial Department)
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