As the weather gets nicer, my move to the city is ever affirmed. I love it here. The sunshine and breeze (ok, strong winds at times) only serve to show me how our fabulous city lights up in the glow of the spring sun and shines like a diamond at night. Waking up to the rays coming in the window and knowing that everything you could possibly want to do on a sunny Sunday is just a short walk away is a most amazing feeling, and one that I was pleased to have yesterday. Expecting a pleasant 21 degrees, I donned Capri pants and a ¾ sleeve top, a scarf for colour and headed out with my tote bag, sunglasses and flats.

My first stop was the South Melbourne Market (www.southmelbournemarket.com.au). This place is brilliant just for a wander or to do your weekly grocery shop. I love people watching here, and I swear every second woman yesterday was pregnant.  You can find fruits and vegetables, deli’s and butchers, bakeries, cheese specialists and seafood for the masses. Coffee was first on my list to help combat the mild hangover, but the sunshine and atmosphere did more for that than the caffeine did. Shoes, clothes, homewares and flowers, the South Melbourne Market has all of this – and then some. Apparently they are also famous for their dimsims, but being a Celiac, I’m not able to try them!

I ventured further along Clarendon Street, heading for Crown. Strolling Crown promenade along the river, I watched families and couples enjoying the day and headed for Southbank. Here, under the Arts Centre, is the Sunday Makers Market. Lot’s of homemade wares line the pathways under Hamer Hall, and wind their way up to St Kilda Road. The stalls lead back into the glorious sunshine where I took a break on the stone wall of the National Gallery, watching the tourists and visitors and the water fountain. Someone had dumped a packet of coloured plastic knives into the fountain – and although I realise this is trash, the colour and abstract nature of it amuses and surprises me.

The National Gallery of Victoria (www.ngv.vic.gov.au) is a wonderful place to spend 15 minutes or a few hours. I considered visiting Salvador Dali, but the queue for tickets was prohibitive and I elected instead to view the free exhibits. Persuasion – Fashion in the age of Jane Austen was still on show and although I had already been twice, you can still find things you missed. The European paintings and sculptures exhibit was fairly phenomenal – Picasso and Monet included – then the beautiful Wedgewood display. Time spent in the NGV shop is never a waste; they have amazing books and gifts for the hard to buy for person and then as I left, grabbed my free copy of the Age.

Back to Southgate for lunch, I selected a table at EQ Café Bar (www.eqcafebar.com.au) on the second level right on the walkway. Café garden chairs with cushions in the full sun, I ordered juice and the roast pumpkin and baby spinach salad and watched the world go by for the next few hours. A good dose of news and culture reading the Age and then I could have easily fallen asleep basking in the warmth. A quick look at the shops inside and then downstairs to Trampoline Ice Creamery for a spot of dessert. White chocolate with raspberries and macadamias; peanut butter with peanut brittle and stock standard strawberry made a great combination and was the perfect finish to a perfect afternoon. I stood overlooking the river, watching a man with his ipod headphones in sing at the top of his lungs – the epitome of the ‘dance like no ones watching’ phrase.

I grabbed the number 1 tram back to South Melbourne, stopped off for groceries and wandered back home again, tired and full, but happy with a fabulous day spent on the town, exploring and enjoying. I look forward to more spring days and summer sunshine to discover St Kilda, Albert Park and the city centre, led only by my imagination and the comfort of my shoes.