Crafty city breaks: Melbourne

I’m sure you already know Melbourne is a cultural hive and hub of all things crafty, but just in case you’re making a visit south of the border this season, here’s a guide to some of my favourite places. Some come highly recommended from friend and fellow Crafty Minx Andrea McNamara, but I’ve also consulted Annabel Davies – another crafty lady and old friend from London now living there.

Andrea introduced me to the joys of Gertrude St Fitzroy a while back. There’s so many shops to explore here, the best idea is to start at the top and work your way down, stopping at scrummy cafe and wine bar Enoteca mid-way to replenish the batteries. You’ll find local fashion, unique homewares, excellent vintage clothing and furniture aplenty. My top picks are Amor y Locura (Argentinian imports), Circa Vintage Clothing and Industria, specialising in second-hand industrial fittings which I always wish I could fit in my suitcase for the journey home.

In the city, Thread Den hosts some fantastic short sewing courses which Annabel loves. And after a wander through all the arcades, I adore stopping in at Craft Victoria to check out hip crafts from local designers. A great spot to soak up inspiration and generate new ideas.

Annabel’s top pick? Bison on Little Collins Street. Says she: “Ah I love this place! Beautiful handcrafted stoneware ceramics made from Australian clay that come in a rainbow of earthy colours. No two pieces are the same.”

And if you ask me, no trip to Melbourne is complete without a visit to the Spring Street Wine Bar for delish wine and scrummy cheese, or dinner at The European next door – the perfect antidote to a tiring day spent traipsing about town.

The best spots to lay your weary head? The Lindrum, a gorgeous boutique hotel on Flinders Street where I’ve stayed countless times (book a lovely bright room at the front overlooking the train tracks, not one near the car park!) or the Sofitel on Collins Street for the best big hotel experience around.