Romantic Restaurants, Getaway Places in Portarlington

"Melbourne's Royal Botanical Gardens are simply glorious. From the air, the 94-acre spread evokes a giant green lung in the middle of the city. Drawing over 1.5 million visitors annually, the gardens are considered one of the finest examples of Victorian-era landscaping in the world. You'll find a global selection of plantings and endemic Australian flora. Mini ecosystems, such as a cacti and succulents area, a herb garden and an indigenous rainforest, are set amid vast lawns."

"Another one of the nice places to go with kids Melbourne offers is the Royal Botanic Gardens. Located in Melbourne CBD is the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria which spans over 94 acres and is home to over 10,000 species of native and exotic plants. Various activities are available within the gardens, including a guided tour of the Wurundjeri people’s land where you taste Indigenous food straight from the garden on the Aboriginal Heritage Walk."

"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."

"Spend the day hopping between eclectic cafes and small shops, and explore iconic places such as the State Parliament buildings, Shrine of Remembrance, Federation Square, Arts Centre, Yarra River, Fitzroy Garden and St Patrick’s Cathedral. Take advantage of the free tram service around the City Circle loop to get around!"

"The Shrine of Remembrance (commonly referred to as The Shrine) is a war memorial built in honour of the men that fought in World War I. It now functions as a memorial for all Australians who have been sent to war. The Shrine was built during the great depression and construction relied heavily on public contributions."

"The Old Melbourne Gaol operated from 1824 to 1929, and was the scene of 133 hangings, including that of the notorious gang leader, Ned Kelly. Now it’s open as a museum and allows you to walk through the cells, see the stocks and learn about its grisly past. They operate day tours and ghost tours."

"One of the most interesting historical sites in Melbourne is the Old Melbourne Gaol. It was in use from 1842 to 1929 and was ‘home’ to some of Australia’s most notorious criminals, including bushranger Ned Kelly. Oh, the stories it could tell!"

"The pedestrianised square is the location of the Australian Centre for the Moving Image; a fascinating and informative space focussed on film and photography across Australia. Admission to ACMI is free to explore and check out their permanent exhibitions, however some temporary events, special exhibitions, or movie screenings may charge a small entry fee. As always, check ahead before visiting!"

"Art enthusiasts often find Melbourne’s cultural and art scene very fascinating. This is probably because the city’s vibrant cultural scene offers a range of top-class galleries, cutting-edge performance art..."

"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."

"Melburnians seeking hot pot fare in trendy surrounds of marble, metallics and neon blue, head along Elizabeth Street to find Chef David. This cheeky baby sibling of David's Hot Pot restaurants already..."

"FitzroyThe gist: Warm neighbourhood bar, that is both classy and cool. They do the thinking for you. It’s the relax centre of Johnston Street.The food: Elegant and simple dishes, usually with an Italian influence."

"Wed 8am - 4pm, Fri 8am - 5pm, Sat & Sun 8am-4pmcnr Cecil & York Streets,, South Melbourne. ______________________________________"

"The market consists of 15 car boot stalls, 27 standard stalls, 4 food stalls, a kids craft area, and space for musicians and performers."

"Just the name of this place will appeal to the kids – even if they are still a little wary of eating seaweed!. Chocolate Buddha is located in Melbourne’s fabulous Federation Square precinct – an excellent location for kids as there is always something happening there. What's more, Chocolate Buddha has just undergone a major renovation and now features Melbourne's first high-speed shinkansen (sushi train)!"