Gertrude Street is in the inner northern suburb of Fitzroy, Melbourne. In just one strip, you'll find bars, restaurants, galleries, boutiques, vintage wares, costume hire and old-school pubs. It's an inspiring, quiet and interesting experience just out of the city centre. Overall a great place to spend the day.

Mr Kitly is a shop and gallery specialising in ceramics, books, plants and textiles. Much of the stock is from Japan, and everything makes you want to weep because it's so charming and pretty. The hanging plants are amazingly affordable too.

Melbourne is renowned for its Street Art and Graffiti. It's rare to see a lane way in the city with blank walls. Stencils, paste ups, stickers, grafs, little sculptures, anything goes really. I like walking through the city lane ways discovering new pieces. Especially where I least expect to find something. Occasionally I add something of my own.

Believe it or not, if you drive far enough from the city, the Yarra River is a beautiful place to spend a Summer's day swimming. Warrandyte is a haven of shady gumtrees, flowing rapids, and rocks to perch yourself on while the water rushes past. Bring beers, but esky optional - the water is cool enough to keep them chilled all day.

Serves two of my favourite things in awesome amounts of excess. Platters of fried chicken (the best one is coated in chilli sauce) accompanied with barrels of house beer.