Studley Park Boathouse

Most Sundays in our household start with a hangover and end with a ridiculous activity. This time the activity was rowing a boat, the theory being that with enough physical exercise one should sweat out last night’s booze.
It become obvious very quickly that my housemates and I are impressively weak as we comically struggled to actually move the boat, however we had an absolute ball attempting to. Even when a storm came in quicker than you could say «oh crap» we were still giggling all the way down the river.
The boat hire is cheap! Only 25 clams for a ½ hour (there was no way our biceps could handle anymore than that) and while you can call ahead and secure a boat, we simply walked on the day and nabbed one.
A fun little adventure for kids, families and hungover idiots.

This was one of my favourite places in the 80s and it hasn’t been updated our repainted since. The best thing about it is the nature. Unfortunately I can’t really recommend the kiosk and they even charge a credit card surcharge, just like in the 80s.

I have really fond memories of this place. The food isn’t particularly spectacular and the view isn’t something people are lining up to Instagram. It’s quaint and has a certain country charm however that makes you forget how close you are to the city. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel for a moment like you took a day trip to a quiet town off the beaten path.
I used to come here more regularly with a group of co-​workers for some quiet. Sometimes a group of girls keen for a walk around the trails before lunch (less quiet!), sometimes a buddy and his great big boofhead of a Golden Retriever, who would stretch out happily while we chatted by the river. Some days we opted for a restaurant meal, other times we grabbed a pile of potatoes from the BBQ (we walked them off already, right?!)
If you’re looking for a mini-​escape from the hustle and bustle, or a family activity (for two or four-​legged children) to get some fresh air — the Yarra Bend Park area and Studley Park Boathouse would make a great excursion.

Beautiful environment, the warm rain helped. Staff was friendly, really excellent service actually. There was a minor misunderstanding over the menu which they corrected beyond our satisfaction, in my mind this is something I can stand behind more than the absence of a problem, which might have just been dumb luck.
Here at the café the desserts are outsourced and of high quality… the best flour-​less orange-​almond cake I think I’ve ever had, the server informed me it was from from Columbo’s.
Highly recommended.

Sometimes it is tough living in the city to get a little taste of the great outdoors. You can find a park, but it still feels like you’re in the city. Every now and then I love the feeling of escape.
Studley Park is buried so deep within Yarra Bend Park that you might not know where you are. It’s got a cute little riverfront and a great outdoor food stand, café and plenty of space to stretch your (or your dog’s) legs.
Weekdays are great as it is a bit quieter, but the weekends are never overrun. Pick a pretty weather day and go for a ‘vacation’. If you grab a bite at the kiosk, you’re sure to get good portions for the money! Pretty decent coffees too.

One of my favourite places in Melbourne. I catch the bus here from Johnston St in Fitzroy and it always amazes me that you can go through the dingy streets of Collingwood, cross the Yarra and then arrive at this enveloping natural landscape. To have this so close to the city makes me a proud Melburnian.
SO when you get there? A few options. There’s a BBQ area and walking trails. Or you can sit by the water at the kiosk or restaurant and have a coffee or some lunch. Or you can hire a rowboat, canoe or kayak, which is why I come.
It’s $ 12 for a half-​hour for a single kayak or $ 17 half-​hour for a rowboat for two people. Half an hour has always seemed long enough to me — you can have quite a good row upstream (you aren’t allowed to head downstream) and sit in the still, calming water for a while, then come back. Alternatively, you can get a real workout in a kayak and get quite far, then paddle back for a reward of a cool drink at the kiosk.
The café and restaurant are mid-​range, with French-​inspired mains at $ 20 – 40.