A cherry red summer in Australia
the best time of the year and some fun things planned for February.
It’s Friday in Melbourne, and we’re deep into Summer. The air feels thick—humid, stormy, and unsettled. Growing up in California, I never imagined how one planet could juggle such opposing seasons. Winter there was predictable: bundled up in blankets and hibernating through January. Here, it’s weather roulette. One day, it’s 15°C (59°F) and pouring, the next, it’s 35°C (95°F) with a mix of sunshine, hail, and a breeze so perfect it feels like Melbourne’s way of saying, Sorry about that—here, let’s try again.
Just like any big city, Melbourne has its challenges. But it spoils you all the same. The coastline hugs the city and public parks stretch their arms wide in every direction. And the endless summer evenings practically demand you to stay outside just a little longer.
Here’s a little glimpse into my summer days—mostly south of the Yarra (because, if you know, you know). Expect plenty of cycling, beach days, and lazy, sun-soaked afternoons. And a few things I wouldn’t mind leaving behind this season.
INS:
Christmas picnics and NYE fireworks from St Kilda Beach.
Weekends at Camberwell Market for second hand goods, hot jam donuts, and cheese kranskies.
Cycling down to Miramare for their lemon ricotta gelato. Hands down the best gelato I’ve ever had!
Carb-fueled bake offs. Baking, making, devouring focaccia, barbari, naan…the kitchen becomes the perfect temperature for fermentation heaven and I’m it’s devoted worshipper lol
Movies at the Astor. This vintage cinema is one of my favs in Melbourne. It’s one of the last remaining single-screen theatres from the 1930s. I watched Nosferatu last week, and the cinematography was beautiful!
Free concerts outside the Sidney Myer Bowl. BYO picnic, no crowds, just music and grass and sky.
Morning dips in the sea after a workout. I do this about once or twice each Summer and each time it is quite invigorating. I never use that word unless it’s related to extreme sports and for me this is lol
Baking anything citrus is a must and this Persian Love Cake is a non-negotiable. One whole orange, skin and all. It’s like sunshine in cake form. And my go-to for birthdays. And last Christmas, I was hounded down (by Sam’s aunt’s mother, no less) for the recipe.
Lamington coffee from Project Zero.
Staying out 'til 9pm on weekdays because the sun is still shining.
Thursday locals’ nights at Mukka 2.0.
Biking into the city along St Kilda Road. The bike lanes are wide, the skyscrapers tower over you—it’s a whole mood.
Impromptu picnics with whatever's in the fridge. Snacks, drinks, a towel on the grass and a good book.
Stand up paddle boarding with Rosie and watching her leap like a dolphin after seagulls.
Camping, whether it’s Port Fairy or someone's backyard farm.
Freshly shucked oysters from South Melbourne Market.
Watching skydivers float down and land in Elwood.
Admiring the kitesurfers bouncing around at West Beach.
Homemade-iced anything (matcha, coffee, chai) it’s all so good.
Free art galleries or Friday nights at the NGV.
Eating, cooking, baking all things red and fresh—cherries, strawberries, raspberries, grapefruit, pomegranates, watermelon, grapes.
Showering three times a day.
Dinners at 7pm. Long evenings, lazy conversations, and something grilled on the table.
Tube tops and skorts.
Crispy pork bahn mi at Bread Time and enjoying it at the local dog park. The mock lemongrass chicken is good too!!
Early, cool goldilocks sorta mornings where getting out of my cozy bed is easy.
Picking fresh lavender and forgetting them in my pockets.
Soo many night food markets.
Reapplying sunscreen and admiring how it makes my skin glow (I loooove the smell of sunscreen).
Walking the Tan with a flat white in one hand and pastry in the other.
Working and reading at my local library on a scorching hot day. My library card is my oldest friend <3
Practicing roller skating + long boarding at the courts in Albert Park.
Squash at MSAC.
Lying on the new St Kilda pier and getting a few splinters.
Getting a fun boozy boogie in. So many gigs, festivals, concerts to choose from (D&B with Becky Hill last week was amazing!!)
Runs along the Great Ocean Road / You Yangs.
Road trips in literally any direction i.e Port Campbell, Cape Conran, Mount Macedon, Portsea.
Deals that pop up on ozbargain that make me daydream about trips to Thailand.
Sweet potato season = half-price sweet potatoes!
Solo traveling and dining.
Public libraries (again).
OUTS:
Apartments as glorified ovens. Beautiful yes, but they leak heat in winter and hoard heat in summer.
The housing crisis, where every homeowner seems to own and rent out three properties.
Rental increases of >9.6%, while wages stagnate and inflation climbs.
Aggressive drivers who refuse to share the road. I actively avoid non-bike-friendly routes because, wow, these drivers are mean.
Ryegrass pollen and allergies altogether.
Phones being an extension of our bodies.
Chrome. Removing it helped make my computer 10x faster.
First writing of the year! I hope you’re doing well my dear reader and staying safe and happy wherever you are.
I’ve got a solo trip to Thailand planned for February, and while I’m excited, I keep procrastinating on booking the flight and finding accommodation. It’s hard to leave during my favourite time of year here—and my favourite people. This time last year, I was back in Thailand, but for work, and then Japan for vacation—drunk by breakfast and cruising down the Japanese Alps. It was incredible, but I’m savouring my time here, right now. Take care dear reader and write to you soon xx
