I'm just going to come out and say it: moving to Melbourne was 1,000 times easier than moving to Sydney.

It's been almost five years since I relocated to Victoria (after spending the five before that living in Sydney — I'm actually a Tassie girl originally!), and the thing about Melbourne: there's just too many cool things to do, delicious food to be eaten and sights to see.

Yes, there are a lot of 'things to do in Melbourne' and 'best bars and restaurants Melbourne' lists on the internet. But this one is an edit from a now-local.

Keep scrolling for just a few of the places and activities I always recommend to friends and fam visiting the city.

1. The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show.

Image: Instagram @melbflowershow.

Before I moved to Melbourne, I'd heard about the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show but never thought to go… I was truly missing out.

Now I can't wait to go with my mum this year (it's running Wednesday, March 25 to Sunday, March 29).

Pictures don't do it justice, but the already beautiful Carlton Gardens and Royal Exhibition Building in the heart of Melbourne CBD transform into a breathtaking world of floral artistry. There's Growers Avenue, which transforms the space under the Dome into a working Flower Farm, plus areas like the Landscape Design Show Gardens, Great Hall of Flowers (the photo ops = endless), interactive kids' areas, and the retail precinct (from plants and home decor to tools and garden furniture).

Images (L-R): Instagram @melbflowershow, @theplantmanisdan, @samuelhodder.

Image: Instagram @melbflowershow.

The displays are designed by some of the industry's leading creatives, and it's honestly such a creative and cup-filling way to spend a weekend.

You don't have to actually be a gardener that knows what they're doing (I'm not!) to want to spend a day (or five) wandering the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show and taking in all the flowers, greenery, food and drink stalls, shopping and more.

2. The perfect Northside day.

Images (L-R): Coffee at Todo Good, Supplied. Kock offs @opheliawestgarth, a drink at Carwyn Cellars, Supplied.

This article would simply go on forever if I listed every great Northside spot (I'm talking Fitzroy North, Clifton Hill, Northcote etc.), but I'm a Thornbury local, so let's go with what a perfect weekend day itinerary looks like:

• Coffee and a cheese arepa at Todo Good in Northcote.

• A casual lunch or early afternoon snack at Ophelia Westgarth — Tuesday $20 pasta nights or Friday bubbles and mussles knock offs are excellent options, too.

• Bowling and hanging out with friends at The Keys in Preston — a retro bowling alley beer garden

Images (L-R): The Keys @walkensfilm, drinks and dinner at Gigi Rooftop and Umberto, Supplied.

• On a nice evening, my husband and I would grab a drink outside at bottle shop/pub Carwyn Cellars.

• Umberto in Thornbury for some of the best Italian in Melbourne (before or after a cocktail upstairs at Gigi Rooftop).

• Finish with a movie at the always-charming Thornbury Picture House.

Note: my stomach knows no limits on a particular dream day like this.

3. An AFL game at the MCG.

View from Level 2 at the MCG! Image: Supplied.

I spend a decent chunk of my weekends at the Melbourne Cricket Ground during AFL season.

Being able to go to a footy game on any old weekend is one of my favourite things about living in Melbourne. I'm a die-hard Carlton supporter; the atmosphere at our home games is unreal.

4. My favourite regional day trips or weekend stays.

Montalto winery, Red Hill. Image: Supplied.

We're so lucky to have gorgeous beachside and winery towns within two hours' drive from Melbourne CBD.

A handful of the places I always recommend to family and friends visiting include Daylesford, Mornington Peninsula (specifically Sorrento, Rosebud and Rye), Heathcote and Lorne.

Daylesford, Victoria. Image: Supplied.

Sorrento, Victoria. Image: Supplied.

We go camping at Jamieson Creek every summer; it's 15 minutes from popular Great Ocean Road spot Lorne, highly recommend grabbing dinner at Totti's Lorne after you've set your swag up.

5. Bath houses and pools.

Inner Studio. Image: Instagram @innerstudioaus.

Northcote pool. Image: Instagram @northcotearc.

About Time. Image: Instagram @abouttime_bathhouse.

While I miss Sydney's city beaches and lush bays, there's something endearing and dare I say, hip, about Melbourne's bathing and pool culture.

In summertime, you'll find me with my Kindle at the Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre (NARC, to the locals).

In winter or any other time, I never regret an afternoon of bathing, cold plunge and sauna at Collingwood's Inner Studio, or About Time in Torquay if I'm up for a drive.

Book your tickets to the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show, running from March 25-29, 2026.

Featured image: Supplied.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show

The Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show returns to the Royal Exhibition Building & Carlton Gardens for five blooming-beautiful days from the 25th to the 29th of March 2026. Showcasing the very best in garden design, floral artistry, workshops, home inspiration, food and outdoor living, the Show is the ultimate day out for families, creatives and plant lovers alike. Explore breathtaking Show Gardens, wander through immersive floral displays, shop hundreds of exhibitors and enjoy a perfect day surrounded by creativity, colour and inspiration. Tickets are now on sale — don't miss Melbourne's most iconic lifestyle event.