Melbourne Happy Places: The Spots Our Contributors Return To Again and Again

What makes a place a “happy place”?

Sometimes it’s somewhere beautiful. Sometimes it’s tied to memory, ritual or friendship. Sometimes it’s simply the place where your shoulders drop the moment you arrive.

We asked the contributors behind Seniors in Melbourne to share the Melbourne spot they return to when they want to feel grounded, calm, connected or simply happy. Their answers took us across hydrotherapy pools, markets, riverside walks, hidden arcades and favourite cafés — all revealing a little more about the people behind the stories you read here.

Here are the Melbourne places that mean the most to our team.

Kathy’s happy place: The Yarra River bushland

While tourists photograph Melbourne’s laneways and skyline, Kathy finds peace beside the ancient river gums lining the Yarra River.

“My favourite spaces to walk, relax and rejuvenate are the native bushland areas along our Yarra River,” she writes.

“Virgin bush only four kilometres from the CBD!”

For Kathy, the river changes personality constantly.

“The river has its moods depending on the time of year: sometimes a mist or fog enshrouds it in autumn. Sometimes it travels at speed around the bends after a summer downpour in the hills. Sometimes it creeps … in silence.”

Her memories of walking there with her cairn terrier Toby remain especially vivid.

“Snakes being an ever-present threat to dogs who like to frolic, I sometimes had to bush-bash through the scrubby banks to stem his in-bred curiosity.”

Now, she says, the joy comes from meeting fellow walkers and their dogs.

“Our Yarra River is much loved by owners and their dogs. And youngsters. And park runners. And canoeists. And fisher-folk. And Masters Athletes. And knitters and spinners each Australia Day. And Me.”

Siew’s happy place: Southbank

For Siew, Melbourne happiness means slowing down beside the river at Southbank Promenade.

“I love walking along South Bank precinct,” she says.

“Each time I’ll pick a different spot to have a coffee or lunch or even sit on a bench facing the river having an ice cream.”

Siew says the constant movement and activity along the Yarra keeps every visit interesting.

“Plenty to see along the river. Little private boats, Yarra River Boat Cruise, people kayaking.”

“People watching is also quite fun. So many activities going on. Just interesting and relaxing to watch while you have a rest and have a bite or meeting a friend.”

Nadine’s happy place: Hawthorn Aquatic and Leisure Centre

“As I watch the steam rise from the water and immerse my weary limbs, this is my deep-sigh-of-relief moment.”

For Nadine, happiness looks like warm water, gentle movement and familiar faces at the hydrotherapy pool at Hawthorn Aquatic and Leisure Centre.

“The hydrotherapy pool at Hawthorn Recreation Centre is about as close as you will get to a Roman Bath,” she writes. “The Romans built their public bathing complexes so people from all social classes could exercise, relax, socialise and conduct business. While I am not sure about business deals, we are certainly swapping recipes, film reviews and funny stories.”

After a hip replacement several years ago, Nadine began visiting regularly for rehabilitation and recovery. More than a decade later, it has become part of her routine and community.

“We also have a special woman in the group called Heidi,” she says. “She makes sure new people are welcomed, introduces them to the long-standing regulars, and reminds everyone there is coffee in the café afterwards. Heidi is a national treasure who does not stray far from Hawthorn.”

Nadine says the huge windows overlooking the trees outside are part of the magic.

“More than anything, this place has become about recovery, belonging, ritual and gentle human connection.”

Getting there

The Hawthorn Aquatic and Leisure Centre is located at 1 Grace Street, Hawthorn. Nadine recommends public transport over parking stress, with Route 16 trams and Glenferrie railway station both nearby.

Kaye H’s happy place: Albert Park Lake

For contributor Kaye H, one Melbourne view never loses its magic: the skyline from Albert Park Lake.

“For me a walk around Albert Park lake is one of my ‘happy place’ in Melbourne,” she writes. “Even though I no longer live in the area I still find myself drawn there on a regular basis.”

“It’s the northern lake side views toward the city skyline that draws me to the area.”

Kaye says every visit feels different depending on the weather, season and time of day.

“The view changes depending on what time you are visiting, late afternoon with the setting sun creating an orange hue with glowing building facades is my favourite time.”

“Although an early morning fog shrouding the water and half obscuring the city skyline with only the tops of the buildings showing is magical too.”

She describes the lake’s 4.8km walking track, swan-filled waters and mix of leisure and activity as the reason it “makes my heart sing”.

“Happy discovering!”

Angie’s happy place: Euro Patisserie, Armadale

Tucked inside historic Kings Arcade, Angie’s happy place combines pastries, people-watching and old-world charm.

“My favourite spot when meeting friends in Melbourne is Euro Patisserie located in the Kings Arcade High Street Armadale.”

Angie loves the atmosphere as much as the food.

“Euro Patisserie is however definitely Parisienne,” she says. “Its tables and colourful café chairs are spread out into the Kings Arcade which is heated in winter for your comfort and during summer the arcade has an open-air but under-cover atmosphere.”

“Euro’s pastries are French perfection. My personal favourite is the escargot.”

She also recommends browsing the arcade’s independent shops while you’re there.

“If you need a gift for that special person, there is a unique selection from its treasure trove of stores. You are unlikely to find these fine quality goods duplicated elsewhere.”

Getting there

Angie recommends either the Route 6 tram or the Frankston train line, with Armadale Station just behind the arcade. https://patisseries.com.au/

Kaye F’s happy place: Prahran Market

For Kaye F, happiness smells like fresh flowers, warm crumpets and excellent cheese at Prahran Market.

“My Melbourne ‘happy place’ is Prahran Market,” she writes.

“I time my visit for mid-morning Friday when parking is easy, the foot traffic is light, and, hopefully, my favourite crumpets at Paddlewheel have yet to sell out.”

Kaye says the market’s authenticity is what keeps her coming back.

“I love this local market because, despite massive gentrification efforts by the local council, it remains authentic. I love the stallholders, their humour, helpfulness and deep product knowledge.”

Her shopping list reads like a Melbourne food lover’s dream: gnocchi from Oltre, flowers from Flawless Flowers, manchego from Naheda’s, tuna steaks from Portside and the famous toastie from Maker & Monger.

“And if I really want to treat myself, it’s the All American cheese toastie from Maker & Monger I’ll order.”

“You’ll find real people, and real food – what more do we need?”

Terrie’s happy place: Brunetti Oro

Contributor Terrie’s favourite Melbourne ritual starts with coffee and ends at Brunetti Oro.

“One of my favourite places in Melbourne is Brunetti Oro Swanston Street,” she writes.

“Smaller than the Flinders Lane shop, I like the surrounding windows looking out onto the busy street, but inside feels cosy and warm and the coffee and food are sooooo good.”

For Terrie, location is part of the appeal too.

“It’s close to Flinders Street Station which is a great location for either going for coffee first, after coming off the train for the day’s adventure, or dropping in on the way back.”

“It’s also a great, easy to get to, spot if you are meeting up with someone in the city.”

“Love it.”

Marjie’s happy place: Maranoa Botanic Gardens

For Marjie, peace and quiet are found among the winding paths and native plantings of Maranoa Botanic Gardens.

“Maranoa Botanic Gardens in Balwyn makes me feel so calm and peaceful that I visit several times a week,” she says. “It helps, of course, that I can walk there from my home. But I’d continue to seek it out wherever I lived.”

The 2.6-hectare Australian indigenous garden features multiple vegetation zones, from rainforest to arid landscapes, along with winding paths, birdlife and a peaceful arboretum.

“I go there to connect with nature and sometimes to meditate or connect with my thoughts,” Marjie says.

She especially loves noticing the small details that change throughout the seasons.

“I frequently photograph its changing flowers, pause to admire its tiny botanical features or wonder at the bark or canopy of a tree. Sometimes I just sit and listen to the gently rippling flow of its rivulet.”

Marjie says the gardens offer a welcome pause from what has become an unexpectedly busy retirement.

“Maranoa Gardens is a beautiful respite for me from what’s become a busy retirement,” she says. “If I’m not busy writing for Seniors in Melbourne, I’m checking out new experiences for them, from Fondue Chalet to contemporary opera.”

“Otherwise I travel, enjoy my camera club, the company of friends and my partner John, speak French whenever possible, and create travel articles for my website www.ozimage.com.au.”

Chris’s happy place: A lamp post on Collins Street

Not every happy place in Melbourne is a grand garden or hidden café. For Chris, it’s a humble lamp post on Collins Street that holds more than half a century of memories.

“My happy place in Melbourne is walking on the Collins Street footpath just up the hill from Swanston Street,” he says.

“On the left-hand footpath, heading towards Russell Street, it’s not a spectacular place. In fact, it’s just outside the Town Hall underground toilets, but there is a lamp post there that holds a special memory for me.”

That memory dates back around 55 years, moments after he and Terrie became engaged.

“Some 55 years ago my fiancée (of about five minutes), Terrie, and I were walking up the footpath having just purchased the most gorgeous engagement ring at the jewellers on the opposite corner,” he recalls.

“We were so young and in love.”

Chris says he eagerly opened the ring box and slipped it onto Terrie’s finger as they walked along Collins Street together, completely captivated by the moment.

“We excitedly floated up the footpath, entranced by the ring and what it signified, with Terrie holding her hand out in front and… bang… we crashed, engagement ring first, into the hard iron lamp post that solidly still stands there today.”

One of the diamond settings bent on impact, but the mishap barely registered amid the excitement.

“It was no problem, we went back to Adorna’s and they fixed it in a few minutes.”

More than five decades later, the memory still makes him smile.

“We have been married 54 years and whenever I pass that corner in Melbourne I always have a smile on my face.”

The joy of finding your own Melbourne happy place

One thing became clear reading these contributions: a happy place does not need to be grand or famous.

These places become meaningful because of how they make us feel — connected, calm, nostalgic, inspired or simply content.

And perhaps that’s one of Melbourne’s greatest strengths. Beneath the big attractions and busy streets, there are countless small places waiting to become somebody’s favourite spot.

I hope this post has inspired you to get out and explore Melbourne! Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to find out more ways to discover (or rediscover) the joy of exploring Melbourne.