With it being the third Monday in January, today is officially 'Blue Monday'—the most depressing day of the year. Unsurprisingly coined by the UK as they experience short days and grim winter, it doesn't seem so bad this side of the world. So enjoy the long day, the hot temperatures, and gloat about how good things are in Aussie summer. Here is the latest from this very happy Monday.

The Headlines

• The humble parmi (parma, parmy—discuss amongst yourselves) is peak quintessential Aussie cuisine. Found in every respectable pub from Fitzroy to Footscray, this chicken masterpiece—topped with Napoli sauce, ham, and melted cheese—has been sparking debates for decades. Everyone has an opinion on where does it best, and to help you make up your mind, here's a list of the very best parmis across the city for you to work your way through.

• We all need a break from the hustle and bustle of the city once in a while, and this hiking trail, recently voted one of the best in Australia, is the ideal place to cleanse the lungs. The Mount Lofty Loop is just an hour from the city and gained the number three spot in the country. Taking just 90 minutes and offering views of the Yarra Valley, it's perfect for novice hiker's detox Sunday walk. There are plenty of kangaroos and wallabies en route to further convince you to give it a go.

• Collins Street's famous falcons captured Melbourne's heart last year, with thousands tuning into livestreams of their chicks hatching. In the latest chapter of the story, it seems one of the babies had to be recused from a skyscraper after fleeing the nest. After a short stint in bird rehab, it was set free just before Christmas to live its best life. The countdown is now back on for nesting season to begin again, so we can all waste more of our time watching them through the screen—who said all Aussie wildlife was out to get us.

Where to Eat and Drink

In honour of it being a Monday during dry Jan, today we're spotlighting Brunswick Aces, Melbourne's answer to non-alcoholic fun. Originally a distillery, they crafted the first gin available in both 40% and 0% form and have since opened Australia's first all non-alcoholic bar. Every drink on the rotating menu is available either with or without booze, including all the cocktails, beers, and wines. It’s the perfect spot for a cosy night in a cocktail lounge with no beer fear the next morning.

Where to Live

For those looking to live in the heart of Richmond, this room puts you within touching distance of Swan St and Chapel St. It's armed with the Melbourne rental trio: exposed brick walls, a rooftop to watch the sunset, and loads of bars and restaurants on the doorstep. Two of your future housemates are British chefs—"the cool, not chaotic kind" which means those Sunday roasts you've been dreaming about might just become reality.

Core selling point: green-tiled table on the balcony.

Where to Work

While still a hospo job, working at Her in the CBD is one of the cooler ones around. If you haven't been to the popular joint, they have a classic rooftop, and it is home to the exclusive music room, which is a very sought-after location for a night out. This role involves working across all floors of the venue, so it's worth going to hand in your CV if you've put yourself through the torture that is getting your RSA certificate.

Where to Go

Wheel House in South Melbourne hosts pottery classes teaching you the ways of the wheel in a two-hour class for $125. Pottery is the hobby of the moment and a wholesome skill to learn. At this boutique studio you can learn to throw, glaze, and hand-throw clay to create some cute little handmade pieces for your house. The perfect dry Jan activity for those still going—not to bring it up again.

Match Point Pick

He's been our pick before, but Alex De Minaur is the last Aussie standing in the home slam (with Jack Draper partially to thank for that), and he takes on a teen sensation on Rod Laver tonight. Alex Michelson is an American on the rise who's taken out some big names during Week 1, so it’s set to be a battle for the demon. If you really want in on the action, there are some tickets still available, the "cheap seats" will set you back a cool $289.

Enjoying the Melbourne 417? Share this link with a friend.