Tracey Cheung

Kids toys are a dime a dozen these days, with mass-manufactured products getting bought and thrown out time and time again. If you're looking to fill your child's room with high-quality toys that can be treasured for a lifetime — and potentially even passed down to their children — then we've got you covered. These top-notch stores in Melbourne specialise in selling well-made toys ranging from quirky puzzles to handcrafted wooden pieces. Some even have hard-to-find imported products, like beautiful handmade teddy bears from Merrythought.  Looking for an all-ages present? Head to one of the best gift shops in Melbourne.

As a kid, there's few things that are more fun than a huge playground. Flying across monkeybars, swinging up to the sky, diving down a slide — it's a kids paradise. Across the city and its suburbs, there are plenty of sites for kids to run amok and have a ball. Many of these playgrounds also offer picnic tables and barbecues, so you can pack a picnic or fire up the grill and spend the whole arvo soaking up some sunshine.  After more fun for the family? See our guide to Melbourne's best activities for kids. Does your family love a bike ride? Here are Melbourne's best cycling paths.

In a post-pandemic world, one trend that continues to grow and evolve is hybrid working. People are keen to minimise their time spent in a dreary office, opting to work from home or a co-working space instead. As a result, the last few years have led to a rise in exciting, innovative and non-traditional spaces. What's the appeal of co-working? Well, according to Hub Australia's Liberated Work report, 55 per cent of workers said hybrid work has benefitted their work-life balance, while 38 per cent said they were more productive. And the research also shows that it's not just about having the flexibility to work from home; it's also about being in spaces that foster a culture of care, empathy and wellbeing. That's why many modern co-working spaces offer perks like wellness facilities, snacks, drinks and events. They're not only spaces to work from, but also networking and recreation opportunities. If that appeals to you, we've rounded up some of the best co-working spaces in Melbourne where you can book in and begin to collaborate, connect, craft ideas, eat, work and have fun.  Keen to work while enjoying a tasty brekkie? These are the best cafés for freelancer workers in Melbourne.

From its sprawling pubs to its bustling beachside caravan park, its colourful breakwall to its fleet of barbeque boats, Port Macquarie is an Aussie holiday town as charmingly true blue as they come. The 17 (17!) beaches that line the coastline are the town’s calling card – stretching out from the town centre towards the lighthouse that stands with Wes Anderson-style elegance on a headland to the south. Pelicans stalk the jetties, pensioners gather on the bowling green across from the river, and children splash in the playgrounds; holiday mode perpetually on. On weekend mornings, the cafes fill with friends sharing acai bowls, and the sandy stretches closest to town play host to volleyball comps and paddle races. At night time, the streets fill with families finishing dinner with an ice cream, with the walk home illuminated by fairy light-strewn palm trees. The traditional home of the Birpai people, the British settled the town as a penal colony in 1821, and it has gone on to become a busy beach town and a favourite holiday destination – known by those in the know as simply Port.Once a veritable mecca of theme parks (at least six used to operate within the town), Port is home to holiday activities to suit all age groups and interests. Hop in a car, and you'll find bike rides, animal encounters and waterfalls all within an easy hour of the town centre.  Not surprisingly for a NSW holiday destination, Port’s foodie offering is excellent, with fine diners, coffee snobs and unpre

If you haven’t tried the stress-relieving benefits of a hot yoga class yet, what have you been doing? It's like retreating to a toasty sauna, but with the added bonus of getting to switch off, stretch your body and relax your mind. The temperature of each class, depending on the studio, can vary from 27 degrees to 38 degrees. There are sessions that focus on stretching, recovery and relaxation (often called slow flow or yin classes), and others that are more vigorous, with poses that challenge your body and its physical limitations (often called power flow classes). If you’re already a practicing yogi, you’ll be familiar with the benefits, which include increased flexibility, greater lung capacity, improved circulation, reduced stress levels and better balance. It can also raise your heart rate, helping you to achieve a cardio-like workout buzz. We’ve rounded up some of the best studios in Melbourne where you can enjoy a good hot yoga sesh. Just make sure you’re well hydrated beforehand, bring a water bottle and a towel, and wear as little clothing as possible – you will be sweating, trust us. Prefer more of a pamper sesh? These are the best facials in Melbourne. After a good soak? Check out the best hot springs near Melbourne.

If you're searching for a creative outlet that's fun, relaxed and doesn't require a certain level of artistic talent, look no further than a paint and sip class. Perfect for date nights, catch-ups with friends and family, hens parties or team-building sessions, it involves sipping on wine (or another drink of your choice) and zoning out while you work on a painting that you will genuinely be proud of – and will likely want to hang on your wall at home. Paint and sip classes are a safe space where everyone is welcome and encouraged to express themselves in a creative way. No experience is required, and it's definitely not a competition to discover who is the next Picasso. Best of all, it's a chance to completely switch off from the daily stresses of life – trust us, three hours melt away when you've got a paintbrush in your hand. So, to help you tap into your inner Frida Kahlo, here are Melbourne's best paint and sip studios. Want to purchase your own masterpiece? Here's where you can buy art in Melbourne. Love wandering through an exhibition? These are Melbourne's best art galleries. 

Thinking of adding a fur-ever friend to your family? Consider adopting one from a rescue shelter instead; they're chock-full of adorable pets full of love to give, eager to be taken home by a loving owner. There are so many heartfelt rewards of adopting, and we think it beats buying a pet from a pet shop.  What are the benefits of adopting a rescue pet? Firstly, you’ll feel good knowing you are helping to reduce the number of pets in animal shelters or being euthanised. You’ll also instantly feel their love and appreciation for you giving them a second chance at life.  What’s more, they often come already socialised and toilet trained with basic manners through their previous time in foster care. “Then it’s just about reinforcing the existing desired behaviours and building on these,” says certified applied animal behaviourist Dr Kate Mornement. It can be expected that your adopted pet may be a little anxious or timid, but Lara Shannon, a certified dog trainer and behaviourist and National Pet Adoption Month ambassador says, “Seeing them then transform into a calm, loving and playful companion makes any challenge more worthwhile.” It can also be a more financially attractive option over buying a pet, as the fees are lower and they come already desexed, microchipped and vaccinated. What should you consider before adopting a pet? Lifestyle and personality Consider factors like whether you have the time to exercise, train and spend time with your pet. Do you go away a lot and ca

Even if the thought of needles makes you squirmish, try not to rule out acupuncture, a form of Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), that has been used for thousands of years as a drug-free method of pain relief. The practice is used to treat various health conditions such as infertility, lower back pain, headaches, labour pain, menstrual cramps, osteoarthritis and more.  It involves small, sterile, single-use thin needles placed on various acupuncture spots on your body, depending on the area of concern. The placement is based on the body’s energy pathways and it works by clearing blockages of energy and restoring a healthy flow of energy, or Qi, through the body. It may sound scary but it’s known to cause minimal pain and in fact, some people don’t feel it at all. According to YongHe Chinese Medicine Clinic, "You may feel slightly dull aching, warmth, itchiness or a heaviness sensation. This is normal and is called the 'get energy' reaction." Serious side effects are rare and a review by Science Direct reported feelings of dizziness, fatigue and nausea were the most common adverse events identified.  What’s great about acupuncture is that it looks at the underlying causes of your symptoms, with a tailored treatment plan based on the findings. Your first visit will typically involve Chinese medicine pulse and tongue diagnosis to determine the root causes. Dr Abbie Cloherty is an acupuncturist and founder of Zhong Centre in St Kilda, a clinic that has mainly attracts clients se

Fiji is oft-considered the friendliest nation on the planet, largely thanks to its Bula spirit. If you learn one word when visiting, it should be ‘bula’, a Fijian greeting that also means life. You’ll hear it every day from Fijians warmly embracing you into their culture, and this attitude is what makes Fiji such a joy and pleasure to visit. Seeking to escape the toils of daily life and slow down for a bit? You’ve come to the right place. Fiji is a happy place where there’s no room for drama or stress; as the locals say, all in Fiji time. Adventures filled with nature, family time, relaxation, culture and romance abound in this country that’s made up of 333 unique islands. Many resorts offer the chance to easily engage in activities like snorkelling in stunning reefs, having close encounters with beautiful marine life and hiking through lush forests to admire waterfalls.  We’ve rounded up three resorts that will provide you with a top-notch relaxing and enriching escape. Looking to explore closer to home? Here are our favourite day trips from Melbourne.

If you're a busy parent shopping for kids' clothing, it's easy to just turn to the major department stores and retail brands. But on occasions like photoshoots, weddings, parties and more, perhaps you want your child to dress in something a bit more special. To help you hunt down some one-of-a-kind duds, we've gone ahead and done the research for you and rounded up our city's best proprietors of quality kidswear. In these stores, you will find exclusive and designer pieces, as well as quirky and cheerful prints and designs. The clothing is sure to bring extra joy and brighten your little one's morning while getting dressed.   Bonus: many of these shops also sell a great range of carefully curated quality toys so you can get some of that gift shopping done while you’re there.  After some family-friendly fun? Here are the best playgrounds in Melbourne.

When going out with the kids, the costs can quickly add up to a very expensive day out — especially when you have more than one child. Thankfully, there are heaps of low-cost or free kids' activities to take advantage of across Melbourne, it’s just a matter of knowing where they are. Whether you're looking for indoor or outdoor activities or are after something arty, educational, nature-filled or active, we've rounded up some of our top affordable picks for you to try. And to sweeten the deal even further, many of these spots allow you to BYO food for a picnic.  Have a scroll and prepare to enjoy a fun day out and quality time together without the stress over the hole it’s going to burn in your pocket. Afterwards, check out the best kid-friendly pubs or cafés.  While you're at it, check out the best playgrounds in Melbourne, plus 25 things to do for under $25 in Melbourne.

Established nearly two decades ago at the site of an old printing factory in Yarraville, Chalkstore stocks clothing for ages ranging from newborns to seven years of age. Most of the stock is local brands, while the toys and homewares are sourced from countries like Germany, France, Denmark and the United States. To give you an idea of what to expect, the range includes products like Flensted baby mobiles, Coconuts helmets and coloured kids' hair chalk that rubs out. Owner Mick says “Customers love to find something new and different at Chalk," says Mick Pearson. 

Ollie’s Place has been around since 2005, and you will find fun, cute, timeless pieces that your children can wear to play in style and comfort. The shop prides itself on high-quality garments, without the high-end price tag. There are several locations across Melbourne, including in South Wharf, Maribyrnong, Broadmeadows and Epping. 

If you would really like to splash out for your child or for an exclusive type of gift, Bonpoint is the place. Bonpoint’s fashion house was founded in 1975 in Paris and is renowned for its beautiful and luxurious French-chic style pieces. Think merino wool, cashmere, delicate prints and timeless French berets. Bonpoint has stores all over the world but currently Chadstone Shopping Centre is the only location in Australia. It even stocks some beautiful classic pieces for mums too.

  Mount Eliza kidswear establishment Little Nook was established in 2016 by a mother-and-daughter team, and it's since become a mainstay for the local community. It supports and stocks local brands and sources brands from overseas, as well as hard-to-find labels. Shelves are stocked with a varied selection of clothing, shoes, toys, books and gifts.  "We keep a selection of affordable but great quality gifts for kids to gift their friends. We have really special pieces, such as the Banwood bikes/scooters," says Nicole, one of the founders. 

Located in South Melbourne, Little Darcy caters for ages zero to eight, stocking fun and quality clothing as well as toys, furniture, homeware and gifts. It stocks Australian and internationally designed children's wares such as Bergstein boots, Grimm’s wooden toys and shoe brands recommended by podiatrists like Pretty Brave. Filled with wooden items, pastel colours and pretty prints, this store is full of cuteness and softness and its motto is ‘keep it fun.’

If you are looking for designer or trendy gear for your children, Buckets and Spades prides itself as the premier destination for designer children's fashion. Here, you'll find products from leading Australian and International designers such as Minti, Munster Kids, Huxbaby, Bobo Choses, Mini Rodini, Nature Baby, Tutu Du Monde and BOSS. The Brighton shop has been around since 1996, and since its opening, its been hand-picking high-quality kids' clothing for babies to teenagers. 

The next time that you're on a trip to the lovely Mount Macedon region, incorporate a visit to Sticky Fingers boutique in nearby Gisborne. Your children will stand out in the adorable pieces you’ll find here, which include standout brands like the Bobux podiatrist-recommended shoes, Oh Flossy! non-toxic children’s make-up brand and the popular Tap A Shape toys that keep kids entertained. Sticky Fingers also has a toy box in the store to keep your little ones entertained while you browse and shop.

Give your productivity a boost when working from the beautifully designed workspaces in this light-filled, open-plan converted warehouse space. The friendly team will ensure you're well taken care of, and you'll also have access to bookable meeting and board rooms, soundproof phone booths, bottomless beverages and monthly events. This location, which is nestled right smack dab in the heart of Collingwood, is the sister location to the Cluster in the CBD. Abbotsford and St Kilda locations are also expected to open soon.   

When Inspire9 opened in 2008, it was Melbourne's first community-led co-working space for freelancers, creatives, start-ups and small businesses. Situated in Richmond within the heritage-listed Australian Knitting Mills building, it offers an abundance of naturally lit workspaces, height-adjustable desks, multi-sized meeting rooms equipped with AV media, community drinks, lockers, rooftop fitness classes, a games area and lounges for meetings. Fitness classes are included in memberships. 

Creative Cubes has locations across five locations, all offering flexible arrangements suited for everyone from freelancers to larger corporations. Bookings and memberships include access to amenities like barista coffee, mail service, showers, fully stocked kitchens, fresh fruit and more. 

Our HQ is a stylish, comfortable co-working space designed to make you feel at home while nurturing collaborative work with others. Inside, you'll find amenities like a concierge, on-site parking, high-tech meeting rooms and ergonomic sit-stand desks, as well as on-site café Baketico. Membership also entitles you to perks like brunch and meet sessions, masterclasses and other monthly social events with free nibbles and drinks.   

This large and vibrant co-working space in St Kilda is close to the beach and features an on-site café. Members will have access to professional events, including upskilling workshops and sessions on subjects like digital marketing, financial planning, meditation and leadership, and wellness activities like yoga and meditation sessions. Network with other members at B.A.S. Club, an initiative aimed to help businesses connect, grow and learn from each other, and make new friends at Friday night drinks.