Stars' Secret Melbourne Spots: Archie Thompson, Andy Lee and more

With international borders closed, interstate travel an uncertain proposition and lockdowns forcing us to stay close to home, seeking out those secret spots in Melbourne that bring us joy, solace and hope have become more important than ever before.

We spoke to a handful of prominent Melburnians who shared their secret city locations –  the places that invigorate them and make them feel at home – from local cafes and walking tracks to their favourite sporting grounds and even a very specific park bench with magic views of our great city.

LIBBI GORR – END OF NORTH ROAD, BRIGHTON BEACH

During the brutal Melbourne lockdowns, ABC Radio Melbourne’s weekend breakfast host Libbi Gorr found sanctuary in her favourite secret spot, on the beach at the end of North Rd, Brighton. 

In her five-kilometre range, a solo walk along the boardwalk whenever she could helped her through the tough times, something many Melburnians can relate to. 

“It’s spacious, it’s beautiful, and it’s a walk close to home, and it positions me next to sand and water and freedom,” she says.

“That spot, at a beautiful sunset, it puts everything into perspective.”

The spot also reminds Libbi of her former home in Sydney, where she spent a large amount of her adult life.

“I discovered it about four or five years ago, and it was the closest thing I could find to North Bondi, where I lived forever,” she says.

Growing up away from the water, Libbi now loves and appreciates the beach.

“I grew up in a more leafy part of Melbourne, my childhood was not one of beaches but hot, stinky days where we would swim in my cousins’ pool and get in trouble if a bobby pin fell into the pool in case it went into the filter,” she says.

“So, gravitating to the beach instead of the leaves has been not so much a life-changing thing but a real shift in my enjoyment of being outside.”

ANDY LEE – GOSCH’S PADDOCK

As the winter sun shines down on Gosch’s Paddock in Melbourne’s sporting precinct, there is a fair chance you might find Andy Lee having some downtime. 

Andy has spent many an hour on the footy oval, with AAMI Stadium in the background.

“It does feel like a secret spot because there are never many people around,” he says. 

“Bec (his partner) and I will often wander across with some yoga mats or an AFL footy as it is our closest park to home.

“It’s a beauty.” 

Andy also has personal training sessions at Gosch’s Paddock and has kicked the footy with his main sparring partner, Hamish Blake.

“I was down there with Hamish once and his boy Sonny, and we were playing footy,” he says.

“I had my Carlton top on and Hamish and Sonny had their Melbourne tops on, and a photographer came out thinking we were players,” he says.

“When they realised we weren’t, they got back into their car quickly.” 

Another secret sport for Andy, just up the road, is Dimitri’s Feast cafe in Swan Street, Richmond. 

His friend Mick Molloy is also a regular there.

Away from Gosch’s Paddock, Andy is back on Channel 9 hosting the new game show The Hundred.

PETER ALEXANDER –  THE STABLES CAFE

All his life Peter Alexander has had a dog by his side. 

So, it’s imperative that when the fashion designer goes out for a coffee, his sausage dog, Betty, comes along. 

So, his secret spot is the beautiful The Stables of Como Cafe, in the Como Gardens in South Yarra. 

“I like the whole casualness of it,” he says. “I’m quite casual myself, and the fact you can bring your dog and then go for a walk in the garden; it’s very Melbourne.

“It’s unpretentious, and it’s such a nice little cafe, and the staff are great.

“I walk away always feeling satisfied, and that’s a nice feeling to have.”

Peter remembers taking the great Barry Humphries to his secret spot.

“He wanted to go somewhere in Melbourne that he had never been before, and he thought it was just wonderful,” he says.

After a trip to The Stables, you might then find Peter at Haigh’s Chocolates in Toorak, another favourite secret spot of his.

ALICIA LOXLEY – PARK BENCH, STUDLEY PARK

When Alicia Loxley left Melbourne for Perth for work aged 21, she didn’t realise how special the place was.

Moving back home at 26, the Nine News presenter soon discovered a real love for her home city. 

That includes her secret spot, a park bench at the top of Studley Park, off Studley Park Road in Kew. 

“I think that spot represents everything I love about where I live,” she says.

“Obviously, it has breathtaking views of the city, and when I run past that bench, it really takes you by surprise.

“The first time I saw it, I couldn’t quite believe just how amazing the view is.

“It’s also a really steep hill to run up, so when you get there, it’s nice to have the park bench there as well,” she laughs.

Overlooking the Collingwood Children’s Farm and the suburbs of Abbotsford, Fitzroy and Collingwood, the park bench is a beautiful spot to just take our city in, she says.

Alicia has also been there on New Year’s Eve with her family.

“We have watched the New Year’s Eve fireworks a couple of times; it’s just one of those iconic Melbourne spots.”

ARCHIE THOMPSON – COE & COE, YARRAVILLE

For former Australian soccer champion Archie Thompson, the cafe Coe & Coe in his home of Yarraville is more than just a place to get a good cup of coffee.

The Coe & Coe chain of cafes was started in Port Melbourne by his ex-Melbourne Victory teammate and great friend Nathan Coe, at the height of the club’s success last decade. 

For Archie, it was a place he would go to get a morning coffee before training, including the years of 2014 and 2015 when Melbourne Victory won the A-League Premiership. 

So, every time he steps into his secret spot, it brings back wonderful memories. 

“Nathan opened the cafe with his brother in Port Melbourne, and it was a great time for us all; we used to chill and hang out before training every day,” he says.

“It brings back great memories, and I’m so glad there is also now a Coe & Coe in Yarraville.” 

Archie only recently moved to Yarraville, and he is loving it. 

His daily routine often starts with a coffee at Coe & Coe, which is located in Wembly Avenue, Yarraville.