Melbourne is locally referred to as “The Living City,” and on a personal note, it serves as a reminder that living things always have a second chance—to breathe, to change, to make different choices—to live.
My husband is from Melbourne and we’ve been married for 27 years. He’s the oldest of five siblings, and since his entire family lives there, we’ve visited a lot—but for me, not always as a sober person. Now, fourteen years later, and with a number of sober Aussie trips under my belt, I realize how much growth has occurred as I’ve traded the slow death of alcohol—and the need to control people, places, and things I couldn’t—for a fully present, “live and let live” journey through Australia’s cultural heart.
So here’s how we spent three unforgettable, fully present days in Melbourne… a much-needed re-spin on an old set of mixtapes. (Think Side A: chaos, and Side B: clarity.)
Day 1: New Beginnings
Day one prompted a visit to the Immigration Museum. Housed in the historic Customs House, this museum tells the story of reinvention—something every sober person knows in their bones. My kids were riveted by the hands-on exhibits tracing migrant journeys, particularly inside the random mock VHS video store (shoutout to anyone who ever rented Beaches three weekends in a row). For me, what stood out was the Hall of Joy. Reading note after note of what brought others to Australia and the joy they cultivated in becoming a part of the Land Down Under was a moving reminder that new beginnings aren’t just possible—they’re part of who we are.
In the afternoon, we headed north to Brunswick Aces Bar, Australia’s first non-alcoholic bar. Think hipster chic meets recovery haven. We then meandered through Queen Victoria Market, where we sampled crêpes and became self-appointed pastry taste testers before heading over to the University of Melbourne so my hubs could relive his glory days and pick up some fresh merch.
We wrapped up the day with dinner with family members out in Lilydale, and as we drove back into South Bank, where we stayed, the bridges and the skyline lit up like hope itself.
Day 2: Wildlife, Waffles, and Wings
The next morning, we wandered up to Bourke Street to Little Gordon Cafe. We enjoyed a leisurely morning sipping flat whites and munching on smashed avo and waffles with ice cream—because, you know. Aussies and their ice cream-on-everything situation is legit.
Next stop, the fam went shopping, and I popped into the 12:30 Gallery Meeting on Little Lonsdale Street. It was raining, and therefore a reasonably small group was present that day, but a lively one nonetheless!
From there, we met up with family members out east at Healesville Sanctuary in the Yarra Valley. It’s part wildlife park, part spiritual experience. We watched kangaroos bound and eagles soar during the Spirits of the Sky show, and I couldn’t help but think about how sobriety gave me back my wings. The kids explored the Banksia Grove play area with their cousins. When I passed by the Australian Wildlife Health Centre, I was reminded of how we can become a part of each other’s healing journey—because if animals can get a second chance at life, so can we. As the late Ram Dass said, “We’re all just walking each other home.”
Dinner was fish and chips at my brother-in-law’s house, where we ate way too many carbs and consumed way too much cordial. We rolled out of there bloated but thankfully with our dignity intact. Mostly.
Day 3: St. Kilda Shenanigans & South Bank Shine
Next stop: the St Kilda Adventure Playground St Kilda Adventure Playground. The pirate ship jungle gym, the handmade sculptures—it was like stepping into a dream built from cardboard, color, and imagination. Then came a river walk scavenger hunt for street art along the Yarra River. With sobriety, you get to experience it all to its fullest: beauty, joy, and peace.
My husband has fond childhood memories of being set loose at Luna Park—that delightfully weird theme park that looks like it hasn’t changed since the ‘80s. (Naturally, we had to snap a pic there and at the Sydney location, too.)
Shameless plug: If you want a reminder that the brain’s desire for dopamine is alive and well—or that obsessive behavior doesn’t magically vanish with sobriety—watch Exposed: The Ghost Train Fire on Netflix. I’ve watched that series about ten times, and each time it reminds me to live life to the fullest, for the victims and their families.
We ended the day at the dreamy Rooftop Cinema in the city, where we took in a bird’s-eye view of the Living City’s evening shine. My Seedlip mocktail was called the Flux Capacitor, which is obviously every Gen X’er’s dream beverage. ‘Cause, where we’re going, we don’t need… hangovers.
Final Thoughts: Melbourne Lives—and So Do I
I want to close by sharing something from Brunswick Aces Bar that I loved:
“We think everyone should feel welcome in all social settings, and that means enjoying high-quality drinks made with the best non-alcoholic Australian spirits, that don’t make you feel like you stand out from the crowd… Just because you choose to have your spirits alcohol-free, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have the best experience.”
Thank you, Brunswick Aces Bar… couldn’t agree more. Thank you for helping me raise a glass to all the versions of me who didn’t make it, because her death ultimately allowed this version of me to be here today. Still imperfect, still navigating life on life’s terms, but pulsing with a whole lot more strength and self-respect.
Sobriety isn’t always the easiest of experiences, but it is the upgrade I desperately needed.
It’s the zero-proof, undiluted, most life-giving remixed cocktail of all… no matter which continent I’m on.
WHAT A TRIP! Great Ocean Road in Melbourne, Australia: Twelve(ish) Apostles and Twelve Steps
WHAT A TRIP! Sober Travel to Sydney, Australia: A Riveting Experience
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