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Melbourne laneways are the secret pleasure ways of our city. They are small, cosy, comfy regions of magic . There is a warmth there that reminds me of years gone by.

I love the cafes with the dark interiors that make them quietly seductive. They are romantic, moody places of pleasure. You can go there with friends, a lover or on your own. There is a place there for everyone .

Sit and watch the world go by. Relax and have a moment to yourself away from the madness of the rest of the world. You can watch people walk by or watch friends having an animated conversation or lovers holding each other in a sweet embrace.

You don’t even need to sit down, just walk through and enjoy the beauty of the moment, the atmosphere and the area. Enjoy the poetry and magic .

Block Place

This is one of my favourite little Melbourne laneways which is in the Collins St area. I love watching people enjoy their conversations. I love to see what type of food people are eating. I love the warmth of the heat lamps and the waiters in their uniforms.

I love the way the little awnings on top of the stores lovingly touch. I love the dark brown wood of the chairs and the little tables that sit so close to each other they hug. I also love the signs. There is so much atmosphere in this little area.

Centre Place

Another one of my favourite little Melbourne laneways is Centre Place which runs off Flinders Lane. I use this little area as a short cut because I love it so much.

There are many little moody cafes and restaurants and sandwich stores. You will also find a few little vintage clothes stores as well.

I love the mix of people I see here.

There are business men enjoying a quiet cup of coffee away from the madness of the corporate world.

Students are having an inexpensive meal and people of all types are just relaxing and enjoying each others company.

If you look up you can see the balconies of the residents living above with their pot plants adding colour to a grey wall.

Degraves Street

All the above areas can be found in the Flinders Quarters as can Degraves St. There are some beautiful little stores and cafes in this little alleyway. Again I love the dark timber in the cafes. I love the cakes in the glass displays. I love cake!

There are many little cafes lined up next to each other and in the centre of the street are a line of tables protecting the people enjoying the vibe of the area.

The type of stores you will find here is a little barber shop, a wonderful old fashioned paper and diary store, a Belgian waffle house a travel agent, an art store and a lovely bakery on the corner. It is a little world onto itself hiding from the world but aren’t all treasures like that. They are all just begging to be discovered and enjoyed. So come and enjoy.

Hardware Lane Melbourne

Between Queen and Elizabeth St and across Little Bourke Street you will find Hardware Lane.

You can spot it from its red brick paving and line of beautiful trees which lines the little laneway. It is a great place to have breakfast or lunch.

There are many cafes and restaurants to choose from. Sit under any of the umbrellas and watch the diners or pedestrians who use it as a short cut or just enjoy the chatter of friends catching up over lunch.

It is another beautiful place to sit and enjoy our beautiful city.

Scott Alley 

Scott Alley is a wonderful little alley. It has one of my favourite cafes which I like to keep secret as my own little pleasure but I will divulge here just for you. So don't tell too many people.  

The wonderul cafe is called Roule Galette. It has crepes which it freshly makes on the spot. You can get  different fillings. My favourite is Hazelnut. Delicious!

The alley also has a few clothes stores and a beauty salon. 

From here you get access to the Port Phillip Arcade which will take you to Flinders Street, right in front of Flinders Street Station. 

Scott Alley is at the top end of Flinders Lane. So as you walk up to find it stop by and admire some Australian art including Aboriginal art in the art galleries.

Sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee or have some lunch in one of the little cafes or browse the clothes stores.

Manchester Lane

Manchester Lane is between Swanston and Elizabeth Street and has some lovely little cafes and beautiful clothes stores. Manchester Lane the club is here also. It is in a very central location. Easily access it off Collins Street and enjoy this discovery. 

Return from Melbourne Laneways to More Melbourne Precincts