Best Nature and Parks (RV, National, Dog, etc) in Victoria

"In the afternoon take a stroll around the Royal Botanic Gardens or join a tour to see the inner sanctum of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). If you're visiting between March and September make sure you see a game of AFL (Australian rules football). For dinner head to Little Bourke Street and taste the flavours of Melbourne's Chinatown, or check out the vast dining hall at Cookie in Curtin House. Catch a live performance at Bennetts Lane, Australia's premier jazz venue, which hosts local and international musicians most nights."

"The Botanic Gardens are simply stunning and a joy to explore. Kids will love the Ornamental Lake where you can take them on a punt cruise around the bays and islands. Highlights include the stunning Guilfoyle’s Volcano and the Tropical Glasshouse."

"The long avenues of trees are gorgeous, and it’s also just a lovely shady spot to hang out with your bridal party. This can be a busy spot in November and March, but that’s for good reason. It’s got lots of open spaces as well as little hideaways where you can get away from the world too."

"Right in the centre of the city, Fitzroy Gardens is perfect for a leisurely family stroll. Tell the kids that they can visit the Fairy Tree and I am sure they will not mind the miles. Not far from there, they can then explore the mini Tudor Village which is simply adorable."

"Visit the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton Gardens for somewhere unique in Melbourne – it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest existing exhibition buildings in the world. The building hosts various exhibitions and events in all areas of interest, of which price for each will vary so check out what’s on before visiting. Regardless, a simple walk around the outside provides a moment to admire the restoration work on this wonderful building!"

"A popular spot for very good reason – again no permit required and lots of open space in the manicured gardens and sweeping paths. There’s also the picturesque Royal Exhibition building, modern Melbourne Museum and the Rubix Cube wall, so you could easily spend an entire shoot here and make it look like you traveled to three different locations. Great for San Remo Ballroom."

"If you are planning a visit to the Melbourne Museum which is located in the historic Royal Exhibition Building then you can’t walk past the wonderful Carlton Gardens. These gardens are world heritage listed and are well worth a visit in any season. Make sure you check out the ornamental lakes and the fountains (kids love water in action)."

"Firstly you don’t need a permit (yay!) and even if there are lots of visitors in the gardens, there is still lots of space. Our fave spots are the hedge wall and gazebo near the rose garden. Even the public toilets have a great stone wall!"

"The area around St Kilda Pier has to be one of the top places to be in city on a warm and still evening. It’s certainly one of the nicest sunset photography spots in inner-city Melbourne. Tip: Watch the sunset over Port Phillip Bay on a clear evening then head further down the pier to the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron Marina to watch the skyline light up."

"Rippon Lea, cared for by the National Trust, is a beautiful historic mansion with gardens that are just wonderful to explore. The mansion was built in 1868 by a businessman who made his fortune selling soft-goods on the goldfields. Take a guided tour of the house, enjoy the lovely garden and finish up with tea and cake at the Gatehouse cafe."

"CarltonDiagonally opposite from their OG Drummond Street pizzeria, the guys from D.O.C have a newish venture which specialises in gluten-free and vegetarian Italian dishes. Called BIO by DOC, they take classic favourites like lasagne, gnudi and eggplant parmigiana and they make them completely vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free with that same signature flourish that has stolen the hearts of many Europe-lovers in Melbourne. The restaurant is aesthetically beautiful and differs quite a lot from their other ventures, it’s less cafe Italia and gives out a more refined restaurant vibe."

"Diagonally opposite from their OG Drummond Street pizza restaurant, the guys from D.O.C have opened up their new venture BIO, creating an entirely gluten free menu and vegetarian menu, with amazing vegan options too. They’re bringing you all the classic Italian favourites; arancini, eggplant parmigiana, lasagne, gnocchi and many more, with the signature D.O.C flourish and an added element of health, wellness, flexibility and originality. Get the latest from Thrillist Australia delivered straight to your inbox, subscribe here."

"Located on Little Bourke Street within a small yet sophisticated laneway locale, Tipo 00 serves as a nice little reminder that eating spaghetti cooked al dente is good for the soul. Named after the finely ground flour used to make pizza and pasta, this venue takes an unfussy approach with clean, simple elements. Try one of the restaurant’s best-sellers including the squid-ink tagliolini or gnocchi with porcini mushrooms and braised duck."

"Tucked away in Melbourne’s CBD, within its laneway locale, Tipo 00 exemplifies my ideal type of dining- casual dining. The restaurant itself is unassuming and does not impose. What do I mean by this?"

"Brunetti's recent revamp of its flagship store in Carlton has transformed it into an enormous, mosaic wonderland of Italian desserts. With a gelati bar at one end and curvaceous cabinets framing an array of pastries peeling up to the other, Brunetti is a Melbourne staple that still knows how to deliver the goods, like frittole (doughnuts with pinenuts and sultanas), custard-filled panzerotto, and bigne di San Giuseppe, full of strega chantilly cream. Take home a cake, such as the chocolate money-bag Bacio, for an impressive dessert."

"Lost & Found is an indoor market based in a shop just off Smith Street Collingwood. It features vintage furniture, lighting, art, posters, clothes, books, records and anything collectable. Permenant and casual stalls available."

"Preston market is a large market selling fresh produce, meat, poultry and fish as well as a wide range of general goods. White Hat particular recommends Preston Market if you are shopping for a family on a tight budget. It is located next to the railway station and trams, and there are several supermarkets in the complex if you need to top up on anything not sold in the market."