Day Trip // Cat Cafe Melbourne

Yesterday, my friend and I took the train to Melbourne to visit the newly opened Cat Cafe, the first of it's kind in Australia. Considering we are both 'Crazy Cat Ladies', we thought this would be a perfect excursion for the both of us and we had both been dying to go and check it out.

First, a little about what a cat cafe is, so you get the idea. A cat cafe is a place you can go to play with and watch cats. The cats you play with live at the cafe - it is not somewhere you bring your pets for a playdate. The first ever cat cafe opened in Taiwan in 1998 and they are now very popular in Japan and other asian countries, and also scattered throughout Europe. There have been studies done to show that there are mental health benefits of spending time with cats, so it can be a good alternative to owning a cat if for any reason you are unable.

You have to book before you go. I very highly doubt you'll get in if you just walk-in, because they have been very popular to date. You can book on their website catcafemelbourne.com, although there is a $10 fee per hour which must be paid upon booking. They don't allow more than 15 people in with the cats at any one time - this is great because it prevents overcrowding and lets people actually see the cats (there are only about a dozen cats). 

Two of the cats which live at the cafe are one-eyed, Braveheart and Ruby - and let me tell you, I've got a soft spot for less-than-perfect moggies. These two were both quite young still and very, very beautiful. Of course, they played with the other cats and visitors just the same. Having only one eye doesn't hold them back in any way.

At the time we visited (1 o'clock in the afternoon), the cats were quite lazy and were happy snoozing for the majority of the time we were there - anybody who owns a cat will be familiar with this. It's important to remember that just like humans, cats need time out too. They have lots and lots of toys and cozy places for the cats to snooze (check out the giant cat tower!) and there are couches in all the rooms where you can snuggle with the kitties.

All in all, I would definitely recommend checking it out if you're a cat lover. It's a really fun experience.

Have you already been? Let me know in the comments what you thought about the Cat Cafe Melbourne.


Becky x