Having slept in an endless list of hotels all over the world, Rhiannon Taylor is the founder of the lifestyle website In Bed With, where she curates beautiful hotel stays from her travels. Her taste for charming hotels with a stylish twist has garnered her a strong following. The Melbourne-bred photographer reveals where to score a lovely pressed juice, her perfect itinerary to explore the city, and her one beauty advice to travellers heading to Australia’s all natural landscapes.
Where can we go to see your favourite view in Australia?
If you can get there, the top of King George Falls in The Kimberly, WA is my favourite view in the entire world. It’s a ridiculously tough climb and the height at the top makes your head spin, but it’s untouched wilderness at its best.
Name one hotel you fell in love with in Australia?
There’s a divine bed and breakfast called Drift House in Western Victoria, a region close to my heart. Individually designed rooms with open fires and bath tubs in a historic house is heaven. Don’t be fooled by the B&B category, it just won a Best Luxury Hotel award from Qantas.
What are some local dishes you feel travellers can’t leave Melbourne without trying?
Melbourne is so multicultural with its food that it’s easy to say a local dish could be a burger, taco or pizza. But I really rate the Vietnamese cuisine in Melbourne. It has some of the best pho and banh mi going round.
Where are your favourite restaurants or cafés in Melbourne?
I love Chin Chin for its modern take on Thai food: fresh and unique while still drawing on authentic flavours. I’m a regular at Jimmy Grants too. Their lamb souvlakis with mustard aioli and fall-apart meat are mouth watering!
What is a typical breakfast for you?
If I’m home, I make oats. Otherwise if I’m in a hotel I’m keen to see whether they make a good croissant. Most don’t, and it’s a big sign as to whether their cuisine is going to be any good. It’s a lot of pressure though, making a croissant like they do in France is hard!
Name your favourite spot for breakfast in Melbourne
East Elevation in Brunswick has incredible cafe/brunch food and also houses Monsieur Truffe chocolate – a great artisanal line of chocolate. Try the croque monsieur for a cheese indulgence and take home a bar of caramel specks milk chocolate!
Where are your favourite spots for juice in Melbourne?
Pressed Juices has spots all over town. They’re bottled and ready to go so if I want a refresher or something more filling I don’t have to wait.
As a local, where would you recommend travellers go to get the true Melbourne experience?
I have a soft spot for Fitzroy and Collingwood, I lived in that area for many years in my 20’s. There’s an eclectic mix of handmade goods, artisanal produce and cool eateries. I’d stop by at Mud Australia for some stunning handmade homewares and Zetta Florence for beautiful writing books and photo albums.
Then grab lunch at Huxtaburger for a real American style feed. Tire yourself out at the outlet stores on Brunswick street in the afternoon, followed by a refresher at Little Creatures brewery. My gals and I usually head to Naked for Satan for $1 pinxtos and you can watch the sun go down on the rooftop.
If you’re after something more romantic, dinner at Madame Sousou is quaintly French and intimate. It sums up Melbourne’s diverse culture.
What is the one beauty advice you would give to travellers heading to Australia?
I’m probably the worst person to talk to on this topic because I never heed my own advice. I recently went to the Maldives without sunscreen or sunglasses. Stupid right? But in all seriousness, if you’re visiting Australia bring sunscreen! My pick is Aethic Sovee – it’s the only sunscreen that is triple filtered and is eco compatible. You can snorkel without leaving a trail of product on the coral reef. It also smells amazing and goes on smooth.
WHERE TO EAT IN MELBOURNE
Where: 125 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
For: Thai food
Where: 113 St David Street, Fitzroy VIC 3065 (and more)
For: Lamb Souvlakis
Where: 351 Lygon Street, Brunswick east 3057, Victoria
For: Breakfast
Where: Shop 2 / 15 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria. 3000
For: Something healthy
Where: 106 Smith Street, Collingwood, VIC 3066
For: An American meal
Where: 222 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, VIC
For: A beer
Where: 285 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, VIC 3065
For: Drinks
Where: 231 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, 3065 Victoria
For: A romantic meal
WHERE TO GO IN MELBOURNE
Where: 181 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia, 3065
For: Porcelain
Where: 197 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, VIC 3065
For: Beautifully designed stationery
WHERE TO GO IN AUSTRALIA
Region: Western Australia
Where: King George River, Western Australia
For: Nature lovers
WHERE TO STAY IN AUSTRALIA
Region: Victoria
Where: 98 Gipps St Port Fairy, Victoria Australia
For: A stylish and cosy stay
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