2 1/2 days in Melbourne
 

We will be in Melbourne 2 1/2 days this November. Any suggestions on what to see? We are from San Francisco and debating whether it's worth spending a whole day on the Great Ocean Road when we have highway one and Big Sur here. We were thinking one day renting bikes and going thru the parks, gardens, zoo, St Kilda.

Giving the GOR only one day would not be worth it for you - it would be a race against time to get back the same evening. Save it for another time when you can stop over for a night or two before you even get to Port Fairy.

Explore the area near Flinders Street station, the Ian Potter Center, the park down below, take a river cruise, walk across to the Botanical Gardens and marvel at the way they managed to have separate sections representing the various climates of Australia - a beautiful and interesting place.

Take public transportation or bike down to St. Kilda - don't expect the world, it's nice but not overwhelming by world standards.

Maybe take one of these tours for a day: www.winetours.com.au

Appreciate your suggestions. The Ian Potter Center will be a new addition to our list. I wasn't' crazy about a long drive on the GOR the day after a 20 hour plane trip. We will pass on the wine tours as we live close to Napa Valley and headed to New Zealand wine country the next week. Thank you!

My favourite day trip in Melbourne is to go out to Heide, a museum and art gallery easily accessible by train. It's an important site for Australian modernism and has an interesting collection from the 1930s.

The cafe is run by a famous Melbourne chef, Shannon Bennett and there are always interesting exhibitions as well as the garden planted by modern art patron Sunday Reed (Nicole Kidman named her daughter after her).

http://www.heide.com.au/

We love the Queen Vic market, it has fresh food as well as clothes, souvenirs, etc etc. Big market! 15 mins walk or a tram ride from the centre of the city. Check if it will be open on your days in Melbourne -
http://www.qvm.com.au/

Melbourne Cup Day is the first Tuesday in November. It's a public holiday and if you like horse races, you could go along to check out the weird and wonderful things people wear. Train ride from the city centre.

It's fun exploring the lanes in the city, start at Degraves St which is opposite Flinders St Station and walk all the way through to the mall where the department stores are. That will give you a feel but there are a lot more lanes about. You can do a laneways guided tour.
http://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/Pages/Home.aspx

A nice walk, or cycle, would be along Southgate/the river, down to Docklands and back up, in a big circle.

Kay