A day for whale watching on the walk from Bondi to Tamarama

Sydney things to do in winter

Bondi has a whale festival at the beginning of July, not sure if there will be sightings of the real thing, but who knows - http://www.bondiwintermagic.org.au/event/bondi-whale-festival 

There was Vivid from the end of May to the June long weekend Vivid.  My music program was featured in the program, but they magically disappeared after they took place.  However its an annual event now of music, lights, industry events and more.

Sydney Film Festival is another winter great event to catch.

and of course Darling Harbour Jazz and Blues Festival on the long weekend. If you attended you might be able to find your photo here

Yes and it always does seem to rain in June, so pack an umbrella or cross your fingers.

Interesting stuff in Sydney

Unashamedly I should mention my own venture - Cockatoo Calling Rocks, musical performances and creative development in a Rocks popup.

About to start 15 nights of music, alongside Vivid Festival.

Program looks like this.

Events are free or less than $10

If you can't read it  visit the website places + spaces

Melbourne places to stay

Blackman Hotel
This is definitely one of my favourite hotels in Melbourne. Great style.  Though rooms near the road do get the tram noise. 

It is a tiny way out of the centre of town ie not walking distance to town.

452 St Kilda Road
Melbourne, Victoria 3004
Blackman Hotel

Then to the other end of the spectrum


Travelodge Hotel at Southbank


Not glamous, a little above basic, clean and OK decor.  The best thing about this place though is the location.  Close to the National Gallery Victoria, Melbourne Theatre Company, Melbourn Recital Hall, Arts Centre and a short walk into town.

However, it was great value and depending on why I was in Melbourne I would return.

Travelodge
9 Riverside Quay
Southbank

Darling Towers on Collins
233 Collins Street
Melbourne
Apartment style hotels, starting to look a little tired.  However the location is very convenient for shopping in the centre of town.

Rooms are a good size.







Oaks on Collins
I am not sure what the other rooms are like, but I got this at what seemed like a bargain rate.  The room I got felt really claustrophobic, no windows, tiny bathroom.  I wouldn't stay here again.  Perhaps the rooms in the rest of the hotel are better, but don't take one without a window.

Location wasn't so great, there are plenty of hotels in Melbourne in more central locations, though that is my personal preference
Oaks on Collins
480 Collins Street
Melbourne

More on Melbourne

One of the best things about Melbourne is finding new places to eat in places you might never expect.  Cookies is a good example of this, located in Curtin House, the entrance looks like the front of a gig venue, which I think it is as well.

It is home to a range of restaurants, plus a rooftop bar and open air cinema.  Shame the lift doesn't work after 7pm.

Cookies is at 252 Swanston Street, very Golden book in decor.  Image is from some of the wall decorations. 

Food is tasty and it has that great Melbourne vibe.

Huge range of beers and you could spend a while reading the wine list, which is hefty.  Food is Thai influenced.  Definitely worth a trip.

Cookies

Another place we tried, (still carrying on with the Asian theme and in the groove of bunnies and rabbits.  The icons seem to be all over town, even down to the busker who was wearing a rabbit outfit), was Chin Chin.  Visit the website and you'll see what I mean.

This is a tad more upmarket and indeed, extremely popular.  No reservations taken and when we rocked up on a Friday night the wait time for a table was 2 hours.

However, we were offered a seat at the bar, which suited us perfectly.  You can have lots of little tasting plates and if you can't make a decision they'll choose for you.

Asian theme with Thai influences and it felt a tad Malaysian as well.  We had kingfish sashimi, dumplings and a massaman curry with roti, so we really toured the Asian region.

Chin Chin, 125 Flinders Lane, Melbourne.

I'd definitely be happy to return to both of these restaurants.

Also, another place to grab a bite to eat before a show is My Mexican cousin which is adjacent or inside the Melbourne Recital Hall.  Cnr of Sturt Street and Southbank Boulevard.

Another place where they don't take reservations, unless there are more than 4.  My friend tells me they can be table nazis here.

They serve Mexican influenced food.  We had some rice and a chicken curry and whilst we thought it was pricey, really these two dishes could have fed two people quite easily. 

A good option for a pre or post theatre bite.