For a council run community recreation centre, the Richmond Rec does not disappoint. Admittedly I…read morecan only comment on the pool facilities as this is all that I use the centre for at the moment. There is a beautifully clean 50m, 8 lane pool that is indoors & heated year round. The lap lane availability is conveniently accessible online and is updated weekly. There are always a mixture of lane speed allocations (fast, medium, slow and aqua play) to ensure that lap swimmers are not disturbed by those just "playing" or "paddling". There is also a sauna, spa and steam room available. The staff at reception are always warm and friendly. Overall, it's a great local pool for my swimming training! It should also be noted that there is a full gym with group classes and a children's pool for swimming lessons. There are plenty of change rooms, showers and toilets. Check it out if you are looking for a nice clean local pool this summer (or winter - it's heated so no excuses)!

One of the BEST community city run gyms I've been to. I always opt for these kind of gyms as I've…read morefound the staff really helpful, knowledgeable and genuinely friendly - This one fits the bill too!! The gym is well equipped with a large variety of machines, weights, balls and mats and many of each too. I rarely had to wait and if I asked (nicely!), other members would be willing to share too. Staff would always say hi and remind you to do reassessments. They were never pushy but motivating and empathetic. I have done at least 5 assessments there with multiple staff and they were all keen to listen and work with your skill level and goals. I've been at 6am, 3pm, 7pm and random days and staff are always welcoming and the members are 98% all friendly and non-judgemental too. I haven't been to the classes but there are tons to choose from but I've been to the pool a few times and I've always had a great swim with minimal people in the change room and maybe 1-2 other people in the swimming lanes. Nice whirlpool/spa area too that is open and relaxing. Easy to get to, fun contests to enter the more you go, tons of parking, helpful staff in the building if you have questions or need to suspend your license, cheapest yoga mat EVER ($15!!), multiple change rooms and community market every Saturday just outside the building too from 8am - 1pm :) While the price is much more than what I've paid at home in Vancouver, I think this was a great value for what I paid here - I would, and have already, recommend this fitness facility to anyone!

Our first port of call was the lovely and historic Australian city of Melbourne. We compared our…read morepre-cruise visit in bustling, contemporary, modern architecture, and high-finance areas of Sydney's CBD, like the USA's Los Angeles, to the more politically-centric, traditional British architecture and environment, and historic Melbourne city, like the USA's New York City, as we drove through Australia's second most populous city. We noticed Melbourne's CBD (Central Business District) was designed as a grid with wide thoroughfares alternating with narrow, smaller "Little" streets running parallel to them and plentiful laneways. Many street names honor British colonial leaders, British Royals, local politicians, and influential 19th-century residents. Our guide mentioned themed street clusters in newer suburban residential developments named after sports figures (cricket, football, & golf), Beatles' Strawberry Fields, medieval Camelot, literary figures, aviation companies, photography, and more. We were then treated to the historic, Victorian-era park where we strolled and relaxed along its tree-lined avenues, fountains, sculptures, conservatory, and looked forward to visiting the historic Cook's Cottage (original English home of Captain James Cook's parents), Fairies' Tree, and model Tudor Village on a chilly and slightly wet morning. I could imagine picnicking or just lazing back under the shade of trees during their warmer, clear-sky Spring or Summer seasons. Anyway, knowing we were going to stroll through the gardens, I made sure to take an allergy tablet, since the gardens have various plant and tree species our home state doesn't have. During our two-hour meandering through the Fitzroy Gardens, I felt my stress leave my body as my eyes, ears, and breathing embraced this beautiful English garden.

While Fitzroy Gardens is known as a historical garden built in 1800's, I found the park lacking in…read moreinteresting attractions. It's a good park to take a stroll but that's about it. Personally, I think you can skip and not miss much. The Captain Cook's Cottage wasn't even occupied by Captain Cook and requires an entrance fee to enter. The Conservatory with floral displays is so small you'll finish exploring in about 5 minutes.

Up, Up And Away with Global Ballooning Over Melbourne Australia…read more A "sunrise flight" over the city of Melbourne in a hot air balloon was the MOST fun I ever had in my life! Global Ballooning is an amazing hot air balloon operation, and our pilot, "Kiff" did an excellent job in educating the balloon passengers about what to expect and how to get the most out of the experience. We even had the option of participating in preparing the balloon for flight--as well as deflating the balloon and properly storing it afterwards. While in the air, the only word that I can think of to describe this once-in-a-lifetime experience is: EXHILARATING. Nothing compares to the feeling of floating slowly and silently over Australia's second largest city at the break of dawn, while the morning sun peeks over the horizon. We found ourselves flying over houses, freeways, churches and sports stadiums. The only negative comment I have about the entire experience was that it eventually comes to an end. When visiting Melbourne, do yourself a favor and contact Global Ballooning and reserve your space. I would recommend booking during the Australian summer months (e.g. January), when the weather is warm and you won't even need a coat or a jacket while in flight.

My fiance surprised me with a hot air balloon ride for my 30th earlier this year. It was breath…read moretaking, lovely, peaceful and definitely worth doing. We chose the flight over the city rather than a flight over the Yarra Valley as my fiance thought it might get a little boring over all the trees and fields (his opinion, i'm sure that would be beautiful too). There were a few others in the basket with us, but there's enough room for photo taking and enjoying without being too bothered. We heard others saying that they'd booked flights but they'd been cancelled due to wind/weather etc. We were lucky to go up on our first try! It was magical, just do it :)

The Merri Creek is quite simply the greatest natural thing that exists in Melbourne. The creek runs…read morefor approximately 70kms, beginning near Heathcote Junction, on Melbourne's northern outskirts, and joining the Yarra River at Dight's falls in Collingwood. Through its journey, the creek meanders through suburbs, under highways and foot bridges and in recent times a concerted effort to clean the thing up has been taking place. Spearheaded by not-for-profit Friends Of Merri Creek, the clean up and re-vegetation of the banks of the creek is redeveloping this amazing environment around the creek. Birds and other native animals (notably, snakes) are moving back into the growing bush lands and there have even been reports of Platypus sightings in Thornbury. If you haven't been to the creek, take a rug and go down there to relax in the sunshine under a tree. It is so very peaceful and gives me warm fuzzies just thinking about it.

Having been for a Sunday afternoon cycle along the Merri Creek, I have to wholeheartedly agree with…read moreSam that is is one of the most naturally beautiful areas of Melbourne. The Merri Creek trail runs for 21km and is perfect for grazing, walking, running or as we did cycling. We joined it at St Georges Road and followed it North for 10 or so clicks. Along the way are numerous play areas and areas prime for picnicking, sports clubs and the Brunswick cycling outdoor velodrome (this was a lot of fun). You can also stop for a coffee at the CERES cafe. A truly great place in Melbourne that is perfect for a leisurely afternoon in the summertime. My friend who trains for triathlons only runs here. Now I know why!

(Visited 12/16/24 MO @ 12:00pm): This "river of mists" would've been welcomed on this scorching day…read morewhile out on a casual walk! A friend and I were on Day 3 of our 12-Day Southern Australia Explorer cruise with Princess Cruises, we took the local train into town, and after some initial exploration, we eventually made it to Birrarung Marr. To be honest, we knew nothing of this place until we casually came upon it. In Woi Wurrung and Boon Wurrung culture, "Birrarung" was the traditional name of the nearby Yarra River, and "marr" referred to the mist that sometimes settled over the Birrarung. This area was historically used for railway lines and yards in 1856. In 2000, construction of the park began and opened in 2002. The park now hosted a variety of native flora, sculpted terraces, pedestrian and bicycle paths, and was used for numerous events and festivals throughout the year. ArtPlay, a children's art center and gallery was also located on the site. Lastly, pedestrian bridges (William Barak and Tanderrum, respectively) bookend the park. Would we marvel at this public open space along the Birrarung!? PURCHASE Unless you took a river cruise, dined at a nearby eatery, or did some shopping, there were no direct ways to spend money towards the Birrarung Marr - 'nuff said. SERVICE I saw a few supposed city employees who cleaned and took care of the surrounding area. Otherwise, there wasn't anything else directly related to the Birrarung Marr - 'nuff said. PARKING (Varied; N/A this instance) There appeared to be a decent amount of parking on all surrounding streets (please note any posted signs), onsite parking at the nearby Federation Square, and of course the wonderful public transportation such as the tram system which we conveniently took and then walked the rest of the way - 'nuff said. ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE As previously mentioned, this was a completely exposed outdoor area with several art sculptors https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=jFWhi7YvYd0e2r9VU2S85A while the park was decorated in Christmas cheer https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=2k72ZA4tgRzz1XZmFCJdSQ and a beautiful downtown city view https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=eBa5d7pRaKR0QezOOy6M7Q just across the river. Obviously, there was plenty of natural lighting (duh!) while the night stars and electric business and street lights, respectively, filled in the rest. There weren't any TVs while the sounds of construction, conversations, motorized vehicles, and more were heard in the background. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=ch5R0TpstGK_nVzKB0Cw1Q ATTIRE Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops. OVERALL Birrarung Marr was a pleasant surprise to had come upon, and it was a relaxing time as we walked from one end to the other before we left on our next adventure. I was a huge fan of public open spaces used for multiple purposes that invited people to feel comfortable, safe, and offered other options such as places to dine or simply people-watch. I found complete value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $0.00AUD / $0.00USD BEFORE any discounts/tip). And, although there wasn't anything directly you could've paid for to the park, my credit card of choice was accepted at nearly all of the surrounding businesses... AMEX! 5.0 STARS

Located downtown near the Yarra River, this park area provides quiet, serenity, and the ability to…read morebike, run, or walk the pathways. Rod Laver Arena and the Melbourne Cricket Grounds are conveniently located within a few minutes from this location. There are shops, vendors, and restaurants neaby to take advantage of. The city of Melbourne do a great service with this public park.

I have been going to this place since it opened a few months ago, I'd have to say it's probably the…read morebest gym I've been to (for me anyway). It's pretty big, it's always clean & it has a huge women's only section! They allow for casual visits as well, so on the weekends if I want to train with a friend I can.

Great gym, great staff in a great location! Huge free weights area with more squat racks than you…read morecould ever need! Staff are super friendly and helpful. You can train freely without having to worry about being too loud or dropping the weights. All other members are super respectful and I've only ever had pleasant interactions coming to this place. Overall a solid 10/10 gym with everything you could ever need if your goal is to get some serious lifting sessions in!

It was our first time here today and we had a great time…read more My 5 year old tried his best to climb up many of the walls and I was confident that he was safe. I thought the staff did a great job with all the kids. As a tip, be aware that there is parking available through the large roller door. Otherwise on street parking is only an hour.

I understand that not everyone may be comfortable going out for an escape room game right now, but…read moreremote playing option has made it possible to enjoy this hobby in a safe environment. No chance of contracting the virus, and no need to leave the house! (Or wear pants!) Well, make sure you lower body is well obscured should you choose to omit essential clothing below the torso. Anyhoo~ Here's my review for remote escape room "ALCHEMY AT HOME"... A really quick summary of the basic premise: Trying to find the elusive and powerful Philosopher's Stone On a scale of 1-5, how much would I recommend this room: 3.5 (5 being an absolute need to tell everyone!) On a scale of 1-5, how memorable was this room: 3.5 (5 being I will remember it forever till I die!) Some special/random features I must inform other Yelpers: - The staff was so nice and warm - If you visit in person in the future, they serve booze! - Very easy room that's perfect for beginners - The online supplemental system will use many password - Be comfortable in using web browsers, tabs, and the likes - Wizards and magic related, but not directly related to any franchise Happy escaping! And stay informed, healthy, and safe, everyone! Oh, should you have more questions about anything escape room, feel free to contact me! I am happy to connect with anyone else who is also into this extremely addicting pastime.

ESCAPETHEROOMers first escape room scheduled in Melbourne, Australia is "Alchemy" at TRAPT Bar &…read moreEscape Rooms. The title explains itself as it is a fully functional bar/ lounge w/ five rooms to choose from. The minute that you venture down the stairs and enter a dimly lit corridor, you are transported back in time to a sophisticated and relaxed speakeasy bar. The spacious bar/ lounge area is also the waiting area for the escape rooms. The room that we booked - "Alchemy", introduces you to a world of wizardry and magic (similar to the Harry Potter books). The room had a few unique challenges w/ minimal technology incorporated. The decor and the puzzles presented fit the theme of the storyline. Since we only had 50 minutes to escape this room, we felt the pressure immediately which we used to our advantage. After successfully escaping, we met w/ the manager who's super helpful and nice and was fortunate enough to receive a tour of all the other rooms as well. Their rooms are very story-driven which we appreciate and would definitely like to try the other ones in the near future. *For more info, check out my Yelp profile.

This is a great small pilates studio, small but beautifully laid out with great equipment. Both…read moreregular teachers Donna and Sarah are very friendly and adapt classes to suit each person, making sure that it remains challenging. Lots of variety too and very good working with any limitations/injuries. Very easy to book and change classes.

From the owner: Fluid Pilates is a fully equipped Pilates studio in Collingwood. At Fluid Pilates we offer…read morepersonalised Pilates instruction addressing specific goals, postural deviations, muscle imbalances and strength and flexibility. Custom designed programs are created to address the individual needs of each client to achieve their Pilates goals whether it be injury management and rehabilitation, pre and post natal Pilates or general fitness and body maintenance. Choose from either small group Pilates classes or perfect your Pilates with private Pilates classes. Contact Fluid Pilates for further information or to make a booking.

Beautiful and welcoming studio! In Melbourne for a few days and signed up for two classes. Small…read moreclass size and judgement free zone!

Ok, so you tried Bikram once and you passed out from the heat and awoke to an auctioneer-style…read moreinstructor barking orders at you and not even noticing your distress. You thought, 'bugger this hot yoga thing' But wait: not all hot yoga was created equally (only bikram yoga studios were) Fear not! There is another style which is practised in various locations. Often called 'power flow,' this vinyasa style which is often paired with yin, is in my opinion far more accessible, exciting and fun than any other type I've tried. I've sampled most studios in this area and Yoga 37 is my pick of the bunch. Here's why... It's laid back seeing and layout is far less pretentious than nearby studios. It has showers which are an essential for sweaty yoga (duh right?) but are missing from some competitors. The feeling of a neighborhood yogi family is created by the staff's willingness to have a chat before and after class. And I don't mean those chats where they tell you to get anal irrigation or to align your chi flow or generally make you feel like a clumsy incompetent yoga poser. Rather they will joke and share plans for the weekend. Personally I was shocked by the owner Penny, remembering my name after I only came along that one time! Another plus is that all classes are only 60min long. This means they are significantly more achievable for newbies and much easier to fit into your schedule compared to the 75-90 min sessions offered elsewhere. Thankfully they provide mats and all equipment, and if you get a trial offer online it will be far better value than others. So what's not to love? A word of caution though: your likely to commence a life long addiction to increased flexibility, clean skin and strength.