The Abbotsford convent is one of my favourite plac...

The Abbotsford convent is one of my favourite places in Melbourne to relax, eat and walk by the river. Steeped in history, its magnificent buildings spread over 16 acres of prime riverside land. Predictably it almost fell into developers hands at one stage. It is now preserved as a community space with plenty of art studios, cafes, yoga and function rooms. Nestled close to the Children's Farm as it is, you can walk past the horses and goats as you pop into the "pay as you feel" Lentil As Anything cafe for something wholesome. Afternoons are for sitting on the lawns in the sun and watching jugglers practice or simply forgetting you are only 4km from the CBD. It really is a gift to have such a place so close to the city.