Calling all wine lovers in Melbourne, Australia: Visit 3 wineries and 5 bars in one day.

January 18, 2025 - Returning to Australia after four years The last time I visited Australia was during the pandemic, and I felt like I didn't fully enjoy my trip. So, for this Lunar New Year holiday, I decided to revisit Melbourne with my friends, meet up with old friends, and have a pleasant trip. However, the journey didn't start smoothly this time. Our flight was delayed by two hours! I had planned to take the SkyBus, but since we arrived so late, I had to take a taxi from the airport. I felt like I got ripped off because the ride from the airport to the city center took about 15 minutes, and the taxi driver charged me 160 AUD, which converted to 3333 TWD! Despite this, I woke up after only a few hours of sleep and started today's itinerary - visiting wineries! Winery Tour SOUMAH of Yarra Valley Our first stop was this winery in Yarra Valley, where we had lunch and wine tasting. The pizza was delicious, but the pasta was a bit disappointing, probably because it was pre-cooked and lacked texture. The wine tasting fee was 15 AUD per person, but if you purchase a bottle of wine, the tasting fee is deducted, making it very cost-effective! Four Pillars Gin Distillery We originally planned to visit another nearby winery, but it was closed, so we changed our plans and went to this gin distillery. If you like gin, don't miss their unique 'Shiraz & Gin mix' cocktail. The tasting fee is also 15 AUD per person, and you can get a 10 AUD discount if you buy a bottle of gin, which is a great deal. St Huberts Cellar Door Our last stop was this winery, which offers a generous wine tasting experience with two price options: 10 AUD for 3 wines or 15 AUD for premium wines. We chose the 15 AUD option and tasted 9 wines in total. The sommelier was very friendly and informative, and we could sit and enjoy the wine while chatting with friends. The winery has a large parking lot, so it was crowded, but it didn't affect the overall experience. No wonder it's so popular! After returning to the city in the afternoon, we freshened up and took a nap before heading out for a pub crawl organized by our friends. We visited five bars in one night. Some bars had terrible music, and we left within 10 minutes, but we still had a blast! State of Grace We gathered here first, and the cocktails were delicious, making it a great warm-up spot for the night. The Carlton Club This bar has two floors and a rooftop, and the environment was nice. We stayed for about an hour. Rooftop at QT The rooftop offers a view of Melbourne's cityscape, and the night view was beautiful, perfect for taking photos. Spice Market We stumbled upon this bar while walking, and it brought back old memories. We went in with a nostalgic feeling, but it was as bad as we remembered, and we left within 10 minutes (laughs). Garden State Hotel The highlight of the night and the most fun bar! We partied here until 3 AM, and we didn't want to leave even when it closed. We had an amazing time! Just on the first day in Melbourne, the itinerary was packed and exhausting, but it was worth it for such an exciting day! The rest of the trip should be even more amazing!