Melbourne has always been a city of wonders, filled with incomparable experiences and memories that last a lifetime. But when you get to explore it with your son, it just gets even better.

For five incredible days, my son and I set out on a footy trip that would forever be etched in our hearts. From discovering the City’s hidden gems to exploring its vibrant culture, every moment was filled with excitement and adventure in this famous sport-mad city.

My son and I bonded in a way that only a father and son can through our shared passion for football, and it indeed was an unforgettable experience that we’ll always cherish. Welcome to the Melbourne Diaries, where father-son memories are made.

The Yarra River with the mighty MCG in the background is must visit Melbourne.

Melbourne Diaries 2015 – A father and Son trip to remember

Two travellers with a special bond embarked on an unforgettable journey to the sunny City of Melbourne. From delicious eats and exciting adventures, this father-son duo experienced it all! Join them as we reminisce about our delightful Melbourne Diaries from 2015 – memories that will last forever.

Thursday, Day one – Arriving in Melbourne

Firstly, this trip was strictly an AFL footy trip (Aussie rules for those in the unknown) that brought about this short stay in Melbourne. A particular time because It’s the first time my oldest son and I have left mum and younger brother behind in Western Australia to attend to our selfish needs and watch our beloved North Melbourne Kangaroos play a game at the magnificent Marvel Stadium in the Docklands precinct.

We arrived on our Jetstar flight from Perth on the red-eye flight at eight in the morning and took the airport sky bus to the City. Our hotel, The Great Southern Melbourne, a budget hotel, is close to Etihad Stadium, so we fill the morning with a tour of the stadium that has the spectacular Docklands esplanade in the background. We are tired and need sleep, but unfortunately, we can’t check in until two in the afternoon, and there are still five hours to go before any rest.

The tour itself is a sports fan dream come true; you learn about the stadium’s short history, as it only opened in the year 2000, walk around the various function rooms, take a peek in the corporate suites, sit in a coaches chair in the AFL coaches box, go down into the change rooms and walk through the tunnel where the players run out for battle on game day and better yet, feel the turf of Etihad stadium. The tour was in-depth, the guide was knowledgeable, and the two-hour time was full.

Finally, after a quick stop at Krispy Kremes doughnuts, we could check in at the hotel; the Great Southern hotel is located on Spencer Street, near opposite Southern Cross train station; the hotel is one of the cheaper accommodations in the city centre. Still, it does the job, and the showers are warm. It’s fair to say an afternoon nap was in order before heading out to the Crown Casino food court for a feed at dinner time while savouring the mighty Yarra River in the background, which was all lit up and spectacular thanks to the big city lights.

The Melbourne Diaries takes a turn when my son enjoys the Marvel stadium tour a few days before the big game.

Friday, Day two – A trip to St Kilda

To start the day, a ride on the tram for the first time and its destination St Kilda, but not before buying a MyKi card at the local 7eleven first to get us where we need to go when catching public transport in Melbourne City; good thing we did as the tram inspectors were out in full force.

I’ve often been to St Kilda; I grew up in Melbourne. However, St Kilda never disappoints, with the iconic Luna Park and the glorious Beach with a couple of flashy restaurants right up close to the water, with the pier nearby to capture incredible views of Port Phillip Bay. You can even decide to wander down to Port Melbourne, only a stone’s throw away, and glimpse the ferry Spirit of Tasmania.

St Kilda still looks good on a gloomy day.

Breakfast on this occasion was Mcdonald’s, yeah I know a  boring choice, but it’s what the son wanted, and his trip too, so it’s good to satisfy the young one. After a lengthy walk down St Kilda, whether it was the retail shops or the beach, it’s back on the tram and a return to the City, where on this occasion, we get off at The District shopping Centre, again in the Docklands precinct.

Not only a shopping centre but an amusement centre with laser games and mini golf, It’s also the home of the controversial Big Wheel that had been completed once, only to be torn down again before being rebuilt; at least they got it right the second time. After another short tram trip and off to the famous Queen Victoria Market, it brought back memories of my childhood, looking at a busy marketplace with fruit and Veg stalls and a massive butcher section packed with shoppers looking for a reasonable price on their meat.

The outdoor section has your massive shopping gallery, where many bags, toys, clothes and sporting goods are reasonably priced. And don’t forget to get your hot jam doughnuts from the van outside the markets. It’s always a treat and holds a remarkable memory of my childhood in Melbourne. Dinner that night, after an action-packed day, was a delicious pizza from a nearby pizza restaurant next to the hotel on Flinders street. Small tiny, but great-tasting pizza that went down nicely.

St Kilda Pier stretches as far as the eye can see.

Iconic St Kilda will gather many tourists year-round.

Saturday, Day three – The Melbourne Diaries Adventures Continue

A football day, not the official match, that’s on Sunday, but a trip to Melbourne is not the same if you don’t head over to the spiritual home of the North Melbourne Football Club and watch the team train. We catch the train from Southern Cross station to the next station over at North Melbourne; a quick walk and we arrive at Arden St, the home of NMFC.

Growing up in Melbourne, I used to live at Arden St and often watch the team train, but a lot has changed in the facilities since my childhood, with significant upgrades to give the club a professional and modern look. Watching the players prepare for an hour and seeing my son rush around for autographs was a real buzz; he envies these guys.

The occasion only got better when we were invited to have a tour of the facilities and get a feel for where the team has its meetings in the Amphitheatre; the players get their rub downs, medical area, the coaches office, and change rooms, it was another great experience for us both. Before leaving the ground of NMFC, we checked out the Roo shop to purchase some club merchandise and had a kick on the precious Arden Street turf.

Next is a tram trip into the city centre; it’s just a casual walk through the big city, eating lunch under the dome at the Melbourne shopping Centre, walking down flinders street and through the iconic Flinders Street Station and back to the hotel. Melbourne is a great city to stretch your legs and check out the sites; there are many great places to see without spending a dime.

The home of North Melbourne Football Club takes centre stage in our Melbourne diaries.

Sunday, Day four – The Big Game at Marvel Stadium

My tradition where ever I go around the world is to find a decent café and make my way there for my caffeine fix with a tasty cappuccino and read the daily newspaper, which comes complimentary courtesy of the hotel. Usually, my son and I have a light breakfast that doesn’t break the bank.

Anyway, it’s game day, so we have flown from Perth to Melbourne; ironically, my team is playing a team from Western Australia, the Fremantle Dockers, who are top of the ladder and will be a challenging task for North. Still, it’s a must-win for my club because it’s win or bust whether or not the club plays in the finals.

First, it’s a walk past Etihad Stadium back over to Harbour Town; I meet up with my brothers who live in Melbourne; we lunch by the Big Wheel and have a mini shop, mainly at the sports store that sells North clothes and other merchandise on the cheap. Then it’s over to Marvel Stadium for the game. I won’t get into the game too much as it is a travel diary, but to cut a long story short, North Melbourne came from the clouds in the last quarter to steal a win in a thriller.

The trip was not wasted, never was anyway, and it’s party mode. With my son being looked after by a babysitter, a pleased friend and I headed to the Crown Casino bar for a few celebration beers; it went down nicely. The Crown Casino is a mega complex with many neat bars to drink and heaps of gaming areas for those happy gamblers, but we just stayed for the beer and wasted our money on a few cold ones instead. A delicious Dinner was obviously at the casino’s food court; we were already there, so it made sense.

Getting ready for some football at Marvel Stadium

Monday, Day five.

Our last full day in Melbourne before returning to Perth for an early Tuesday morning flight. I grab a morning coffee and a newspaper to read about the great win by North Melbourne. Next, it’s off to the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground for a tour of Australia’s most fantastic stadium and some fun at the sports museum.

We take a three-kilometre walk from the hotel to the ground, a beautiful stroll passing by the casino and all along the mighty Yarra River until we reach the MCG and walk over the footbridge to the stadium that has the sounds of Australia’s indigenous people. The tour is a lot like the Marvel tour but has a lot more history, and the stadium is a lot bigger, one-hundred-thousand capacity. We get to walk on the famous turf, visit the change rooms and enter the pavilion where the cricketers sit before they come out to bat or bowl.

Next, we go to the member’s area, the Melbourne Cricket Club, and the MCC. Another rich history of the stadium and portraits of members of the past goes back over a century; it’s also home to the best view inside the stadium, which is also nearby the famous Long Room, where members like to gather a match.

The tour finishes, and it’s off to the Sports Museum, still at the MCG; it covers a rich history of International and Australian sports, covering the Olympics, cricket, motorsport, and of course, Australian Rules Football. Especially take time to view the holograms of cricketing legend Shane Warne and football champ James Hird; it’s very well done. The best part inside the museum is for the kids at the fun centre down below, where you can kick off the football, play hoops, enjoy cycling races and a whole lot more fun stuff. After finishing up at the MCG, it’s a hike and tram ride to Chinatown, another must-do in Melbourne. It was a late lunch, and the restaurant’s name had mistaken me, but I only remember the disappointing food.

A tram ride takes us back to the hotel, where our last Krispy Kreme doughnuts outing finishes the day and concludes a fantastic trip with my son. I apologize for all the sports talk—this trip to Melbournesely is a father-and-son football trip to saviour.

Melbourne Diaries are the stuff of dreams for any sports fan! We had an amazing time shopping ’til we dropped, sightseeing at incredible landmarks and trying out all the delicious eats this city has to offer. It was truly unforgettable – a memory that’ll stay with us forever!

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Lunar Park, St Kilda, is ever famous in Melbourne when open.