I have been to a few different Go Karting tracks and this is my least favorite. The karts are old and slow and the track is very cramped. Also the staff didn't seem very friendly. The Laser Games were not too bad, but it's all a bit tacky.

Approximate cost: $0

Fine dining at this Yarra Valley winery. I have eaten at the restaurant at Rochford Winery a number times and always found the food and service to be very good. I have taken a few international guests here and they have also been quite impressed. Rochford Winery (It used to be called Eyton, but I am not sure how that fits in now) have a menu that varies with the seasons, but last time I had a homemade crayfish ravioli, which was very nice. In my opinion, their wines are nothing special, but you can easily do a free tasting at the adjacent cellar door and find out for yourself.

Approximate cost: $30

Looking for good old fashioned fish and chips? Sick of really thin pieces fish with no taste? Don't let the name of this place fool you into thinking its just another takeaway joint. I don't often eat fish and chips these days, but these guys are good. I saw a story about their business on SBS and it talked about how they make everything from scratch, nothing packaged or pre-prepared here. They buy all their fish twice a week direct from the Footscray wholesale fish market, their potatoes they buy whole and wash and cut them into chips themselves. They seemed to take real pride and care in what they were doing. "The oil needs to be at precisely 180-190 degrees". So my wife and I decided to drive over and try them out one night. And it was definitely worth it. Prices are very reasonable too.

Approximate cost: $0

The service was poor from the Boathouse Cafe. I have only been here once so I can only comment on my single experience. There was a group of us there for breakfast; about 10 in total, but the place certainly wasn't full. We ordered water; it never came. The orders for our group took one hour to arrive - my wife and I only ordered muesli. There was hardly any milk, so I asked for some more - this was also forgotten.

Approximate cost: $0

Cafe Racer makes fantastic coffee and their toast is excellent. I think they use Phillipa's toscano bread for this, but whatever it is, it's something special and definitely worth trying if you haven't already. I go to Cafe Racer regularly on a Saturday morning after riding along Beach Road. There are heaps of cyclists at this time, so if you are not into cycling then there are probably better times to go! They have good looking foccacias too, but I haven't tried these. Just coffee and toast for me every time.

Approximate cost: $0

My family went on the Tramcar restaurant to celebrate a special achievement and it was a great experience. After waiting a while at the pickup point in South Melbourne (near Jeff's Shed) we boarded the tram. It was a five course dinner, skillfully prepared in what must be the tiniest kitchen in all of Melbourne. I had a steak for main course and I didn't have high expectations, but it was fantastic and would have stood out at any restaurant, let alone one on a tram. The price looks a little steep, but it's all inclusive of drinks so its not bad value.

Approximate cost: $0

Very good place to buy mountaineering equipment and quality outdoor gear. Bogong Equipment have supplied me with a lot of hiking and climbing equipment and I have usually found them to be very good to deal with. Their staff are reasonably knowledgeable and helpful, and a couple of times when I have had to take things back, they arranged a replacement from stock rather than waiting for the supplier to get back to them.

Approximate cost: $0

This is my favorite gym and I have been a member here for a long time. I joined soon after it opened and loved the size and space, without the pretentious feel of some of the big chain gyms. They have plenty of classes, especially spinning and pump which is important to me. The spa and pool are great too. Members of this gym can also access the Collingwood Leisure Centre too, which is great as they a reasonably close by, but have different class timetables.

Approximate cost: $65

Great gym with a small pool, spa and plenty of classes. I was a member at the Collingwood Leisure Centre for several years when I lived nearby. Membership entitles you to use their other gym in Richmond called the Richmond Recreation Centre (see rating), which was great for me as I worked nearby. I like their spinning and pump classes, and then being able to relax in the spa afterwards.

Approximate cost: $65

Thaila Thai is one of my all time favorite restaurants. I have been going there for about 10 years, since living nearby when I was at University. The food is great and the kitchen is in full display - you can see piles of cut vegies waiting to be cooked, flaming woks, and bowls of different sauces and spices. I have some dishes that have become pretty much a staple order - chicken satays, green curry with either chicken or beef, the pad thai and the chicken with cashew nut stir fry. The first and last dishes in this list are not to be missed. The chicken satay has an amazing peanut sauce and the chicken and cashew nut stir fry is as the name suggests, plus a lot of lightly cooked so they are still crispy vegetables.

And the value; there is a $12 minimum per head including drinks and sometimes its hard to keep above this. The dishes are large, so you there is really no need to order one per person if you are in a group.

Approximate cost: $12