It has been fantastic, don’t get me wrong. I’ve been close to my uni, I can roll out of bed 30 minutes before I start work, I’ve saved a small fortune on petrol money and I’m a 5-10 minute walk from one of the best shopping strips in Australia, Chapel Street (if only I had the money to splurge, sighhh). However, Sunday just gone I had a sudden urge to see and be near the water.

I’m a Peninsula girl and usually reside in the seaside town of Safety Beach, a one and a half hours drive from South Yarra. The drive home away from the city on a beautiful Sunday morning was just the escape I needed to refresh my mind after being city bound for 3 weeks.

The Mornington Peninsula is a beautiful little part of Victoria, with some of the most breathtaking coast line you’ll ever see, and there’s a million and one things you can do to fill your day.

If you find appealing the idea of a boozy lunch at a winery, a game of golf with a view, fish and chips on the foreshore at Sorrento, or like me just need to get out of the city and see the big blue sea, head down the coast for the weekend. Trust me, you won’t regret it!

Need some inspiration on activities, click here and check it out.

So what if a grown up gets super excited about penguins?! Have you see Happy feet? Or March of the Penguins? Well I have, and am proud to announce to the world that yes, I have a thing for penguins. Now come on, their cute little beady eyes, their little flightless wings, tubby bellies and the way they just waddle around, who can honestly say they don’t have a thing for penguins!

Did you know that penguins form monogamous pairs (how loyal!) for the breeding season? And unlike reality (sorry boys) BOTH the parents take it in turns to look after  the egg before it hatches while the other makes the trek across vast, icy wilderness to feed upon the fish and other small sea creatures in the ocean?

Ok, so penguin obsession now out in the open, I still decided to go under the alias –  ‘my nine month old niece would love to go visit the fishies at the Melbourne Aquarium, I’ll take her’  – and I did. I hadn’t been to the Melbourne Aquarium in years and years and was very excited to see how it had changed. So first things first; see the penguins. We paid for our entry and made a mad dash to the penguin exhibit. A replica of Antarctica, the animal enclosure was decked out with ice slides, a feeding area, lots of play area and a huge swimming pool that the penguins were shooting through like torpedoes! My niece was in awe of the waddling birds and we happily sat there together for three quarters of an hour, staring into the enclosure, oblivious to any of our other surroundings.

The Melbourne Aquarium had a lot more than just penguins though (although we wouldn’t have minded if it were just a penguin park). We spent the entire morning slowly making our way through the many exhibits. There was a touch and feel pool where we could put our fingers into slimy little sea anemones and hold star fish,  a section dedicated to the  Amazon River and similar environments (there was a poisonous dart frog who was an amazing black and yellow) and a huge tank filled with sharks, big fish and manta rays. If you were game enough you can even go for a dive with the toothy sharks…and I mean I totally would have but you know, my niece was with me and all…

All in all, a great day out (for big kids as well as real kids), there is even an Aquarium café where you can pit stop to refill bellies and have a drink…Steer clear of the fish and chips though…There is something very disturbing about ordering fried fishies at the biggest tank in Melbourne!!

How can you make Mother’s Day even better? How about combining this family day with a major fundraising event to raise money for breast cancer research? Well they did! The second Sunday in May attracts thousands of participants to run or walk in the 4km or 8km The Mother’s Day Classic. I joined the 33,000 other Melbournians to pound the pavement, soak up some beautiful scenery around the Botanical Gardens, and raise money for this worthy cause.

Ali jogging in to the finish line

This was my 2nd year participating in the 8km run in Melbourne, and I plan to continue this tradition year on year. This particular event holds a special significance for me as my grandmother, Alice passed away from breast cancer when she was only 40 years old. She never got to see her own daughters grow up, or meet her grandchildren. If running in this charity event helps raise more funds to give women more time with their loved ones, and hopefully one day find a cure for this disease, then I can’t think of a more worthy cause!

Walking past the aerobic warm up crowds to the start area, I had a few moments of nerves as I remembered that two laps around the Tan involves running up that massive hill at Anderson Street… twice. Ouch! I managed to find myself running behind a man with a baby-stroller for most of the 8km, after discovering how useful he was for clearing a path through the thousands of feet…. Yep, you gotta do whatever it takes!

If running the 8km is too far or too challenging, there is also a 4km walking event. There are worse ways to spend a Sunday morning than taking beautiful stroll around the Botanical Gardens and along the Yarra River.

We have been promoting this event to our guests, and hope to see more of them taking this challenge next year. It’s a great way to raise money for a worthy cause, and also keep yourself healthy at the same time. If you stay at our South Yarra property on Caroline Street, it’s only a short walk to the start line!

Ali at the finish line (pale pink top)

This weekend, it’s no wonder both of our properties (in South Yarra and Brighton) are 100% fully booked. I might kickstart the weekend with a ‘dazzling breakfast & sparkling wine’ in St Kilda at Veludo on Saturday 20^th March. Sounds like fun.

What I’m most excited about is heading to the Cellar Door at Southgate promenade, where over 60 of Victoria’s best wineries are setting up camp practically on our doorstep! While the Yarra Valley and Mornington wineries are spectacular to visit, there’s always the problem of who has to drive. Not this weekend! They’re all coming to us and it’s going to be glorious!

On Sunday there’s also the Bright ‘n’ Sandy Food & Wine Festival where the StayBayside Group [which we are proudly part of] has a stall to promote the Bayside area as a destination with lots of different types of accommodation. Head down to Green Point to find all the local restaurants showcasing their culinary delights amongst a variety of entertainment for all the family. A great afternoon out – You can even bring your dog!

So what’s it going to be for you this weekend? If there’s something not to be missed, please let us know and we’ll tell our guests!

Albert Park 25 – 28th March 2010

Looking for an adrenaline rush?

Then get caught up in the excitement and roar of the Qantas Australia Grand Prix at Albert Park in March 2010.

We’ve got your accommodation covered. Caroline Serviced Apartments are offering racing fans some fabulous 4.5 star accommodation only 10 – 15 minutes from the track. Why not stay for a 5 nights and give yourself a chance to explore other places Melbourne has to offer?

Get in early though: South Yarra has already booked out and Brighton is filling fast!

Our Brighton Property is only minutes from famous Brighton Beach, along which fitness enthusiasts run morning and night.

Only 400m from us is the ever popular Church St Health and Fitness centre, (yes, we do sell passes, but even if we didn’t we would still recommend them!!) which has become a staple item for many of our long term guests.

For those who like a view the Middle Brighton Sea Baths has a fantastic gym too, as well as the last remaining original sea baths in Melbourne- established in 1881. Offering a large area for swimming, it’s great for laps or jus a swim. Surrounded by a 450 metre boardwalk and providing shelter from the wind, it’s perfect for time out, taking a stroll, relaxing with a book, or (safely) sunbathing!! So it’s not just for the fitness enthusiasts!  The steam room, with scents of healing eucalyptus offers a place to relax and recuperate. Completely encased in glass, enjoy your steam while looking out onto the water… Heaven!!

Middle Brighton Sea Baths

And for our South Yarra guests, you are lucky enough to be walking distance from Melbourne’s premier running track- lovingly known as The Tan. The running track makes its way around The Royal Botanic Gardens. It’s great to start the Tan Track at the bottom of Alexandra Street hill whilst you are fresh and then the rest of the course is a ‘walk in the park’. One lap is approximately 3.87Km…. so it’s your choice to run, jog or walk around and enjoy your surroundings. You will also often see groups of mothers or nannies taking their kids for walks in and around the gardens.

Running around The Tan

Coming up this summer are the Super Sunset Series (SSS). The SSS is a series of community fun runs taking place in some of inner Melbourne’s most renowned locations. Now in its 9th year, the SSS offers the opportunity for runners and walkers alike to participate in summer twilight events over two distances – 4km and 8km. The event caters for all levels of participants, including beginners, intermediate and elite. It is anticipated that the SSS 2010 will attract over 4,000 participants from throughout Victoria. The event offers 4 categories; Adult, Junior, Family and Team. A range of prizes will be available to winners of each category and individual races. All series participants will also receive a FREE SSS 2010 singlet. The race held at the Tan Track, Royal Botanic Gardens will be on Thursday the 28^th of January.

Also, coming up soon at the Tan, is the “Go the Tan” run. Go the Tan is Melbourne’s Official Tan time trials. Sprint, jog or walk one lap of the famous 3.87km tan track to receive your official 2010 Tan time.

For you swimmers out there, apart from our beautiful beaches, not far from South Yarra, in Albert Park is the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, locally known as MSAC . With pools for laps, pools for diving and pools for this kids, everyone is covered at MSAC. While you’re there, enjoy the beautiful Albert Part Lake, which also has an excellent running track of 4.69km. Check out this gorgeous view of the CBD from Albert Park.

So all you fitness fanatics; Get out there and enjoy all the Melbourne has to offer!!!

The 'G' is electric

If you’re a massive cricket fan like me, you’ll understand the excitement when anyone talks about the Boxing Day Test at the ‘G’. Nothing is more electric than feeling the atmosphere at the Melbourne Cricket Ground during any sporting event, and the Boxing Day Test is no exception!

The (5 day) 3 Mobile Test Series will see Australia take on Pakistan from 26th – 30th December 2009. It’ll be interesting to see how Pakistan play against the Aussies after their recent smashing of the West Indies in Twenty20 cricket in June.

Accommodation packages at Caroline Serviced Apartments start from $225 per night. Our South Yarra property is only a 25 minute walk (or 1 train stop) from the MCG, and Brighton is only a 15 minute train journey to the ‘G’.

Get your sunscreen, get your hat, get your tickets and get in quick for the most convenient 4.5 star accommodation to catch all the action at the G!! To check South Yarra’s availability just call +61 (0)3 9868 5600, and Brighton is +61 (0)3 8591 3333.

Summer

Caroline Serviced Apartments are in the perfect location to catch all the action of the tennis and also take the time to conveniently access all of the other attractions that Melbourne city has to offer. Melbourne Park / Rod Laver Arena is only 1 train-stop from our South Yarra Property (5 mins) and about 8 train-stops from our Brighton Property (15 mins) on the Sandringham Line.

Get in quick to secure your accommodation, as availability is becoming limited!

• South Yarra has a minimum stay of 10 nights throughout the tournament
• Brighton has a HOT DEAL for stays of 4 nights or more – just remember to mention that you want to book The Australian Open Tennis Package that you saw on our website or our blog so we can throw in a couple of little extras for you (including a Tennis Survival Kit).

Phone +61 (0)3 8591 3333 for Brighton or +61 (0)3 9868 5600 for South Yarra.

Enjoy a lesson or self-guided tour of Port Phillip Bay with East Coast Kayaking

You can explore the beautiful coastline by kayak with a self guided tour from Sandringham and take a dip at one of the sandy Bayside beaches; or what about seeing Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay from the air! There is a sea plane company that operate from Williamstown, and they offer scenic flights around the bay with a perfect photo opportunity of the colourful bathing boxes on Brighton Beach.

Bathing Boxes at Brighton / Dendy Beach

For those who prefer to keep their feet firmly planted on the ground, there are some lovely art galleries in the area, including Suburban312 and Lauraine Diggins. Brighton is also rich in history, and Bayside Council have put together an History Trail that highlights many points of historical interest. You’ll be surprised what you find!