St Kilda station is a former railway station located right in the middle of St Kilda, it used to be…read morethe terminus of the St Kilda railway line of the Melbourne suburban rail system and is the oldest surviving railway station building in Victoria. It is now accessible by the St Kilda Beach light rail, it is one of only three stations in Victoria to have a 19th century train shed. There is a big bright red sign as you pull into St Kilda Station that is separated into linear panels spelling the letters "Metropol," this sign has become somewhat iconic to St Kilda, and is an association of mine to being at the beach as well as Summer time. Still having remnants of the old railway station there are now a series of shops and cafe's scattered through the old terminal, it is lovely to wander through and think about what the station used to look like on your way on through to St Kilda Beach.

And another random railway station that I'm reviewing. Well, random is probably not the best word…read moreto describe this as that would involve me getting off the train just to review a railway station, and that isn't something that I am really all that keen to do. However, this station wasn't too bad. It's been renovated and also quite clean, and near some pretty decent shops as well.

Ahhh. Balaclava. I used to love getting on and off the train at Balaclava station. OKay, not the…read morewalk down or up those long ramps, that could be a bit painful. But getting off at Balaclava always felt a bit like being in a rock video. First a couple of orthodox jews would get off, all dressed in black and wearing those awesome hats they wear. Then a tough old lesbian couple. Then maybe a backpacker or two, and then finally me. And I'd maybe stop for a coffee, listening to the relaxing thunder of the trains passing overhead, and I'd be happy.

Honestly, I should be giving this place a lower rating than I have, basically due to governments…read moretrying to do things on the cheap. This is basically a major interchange station. Well, sort of since the lines only branch off in two directions. However, they will be bypassing this station for the new metro, which really annoys me, considering that this is a pretty major station. However, there isn't all that much around here anyway so I guess I can forgive them for that.

A great older style station, good ramps to platforms a hub for southern stations in particular…read morebeach stations and you can buy regional rail tickets here! #8 tram at its entrance is a bonus close to Chapel Street shops! Overall a premium station so that bit safer as well!

This was a rather nice old station, like many of the stations that happen to be located around the…read moreinner city. Mind you, I rarely catch the train from here, namely because I generally stay on the train until we get to the next station along. However, as a station this one does happen to be quite nice, and well used as well. The trains through here are reasonably regular as well, which is pretty cool. Oh, and it is also a pretty short walk to Chapel Street.

Honestly, this station really isn't all that attractive, however that doesn't necessarily mean that…read moreit is a bad station, namely because they do have restrooms, and these restrooms are open, which was an absolute godsend at the time. However, this is certainly not one of those stations that I particularly liked beyond that, and it certainly could do with a complete revamp (not that that is likely to happen.

I've always been a little afraid of this station because I heard of someone having a bad experience…read morethere with a crazy guy coming at them violently. Obviously, this isn't the fist scary train station story I've heard (having lived in Frankston) but on my first occasion there twice people asking for money approached me and some punk kids were throwing things at each other hitting patrons around them. Wasn't pleasant and me being afraid of it already didn't help. My local train station is usually Ripponlea on the Sandringham line and I like that station a lot more...

Armadale is an Inner City private school executive vibe suburb of Melbourne. I just wanted to take…read morea bit of a break writing about separate businesses and head onto some local flavour. This is a quality suburb with bohemian, chic cafes and neatly cut trees that separate themselves every metre on popular High Street. It is great to observe that this area is only 20 minutes by train from the city, yet you are in another world. It is a quality problem in itself to decide where to go for coffee as it is to go shopping for high quality clothes. We are talking high quality boutiques such as Perri Cutten, Camilla and Marc and also Metallicus to name. A quieter leafy version of Chapel Street. High Street is emerging and is giving Chapel Street a run for its money. We are taking about having a GP at your doorstep who practises natural medicine - a rarity in itself to organic, healthy supermarkets where organic popcorn and coconut water is displayed prominently on such shopfronts. There is no place for a fast food establishment in this area. Tram route 16 also covers this popular destination. You would be wasting your time coming here in inclement weather. Come when it is sunny, and I can't wait to try and review their brow bar for eyebrow waxing purposes in the european arcade connecting High Street and the train station. Easy.