I'm going to be in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney at the beginning of Feb for the cricket (games 11,12 and the 3 finals) so don't have much time in each centre. Does anyone have any can't miss things to do or places to go in these centres? I've already got a Sydney Bridge Climb pencilled in, but where is the best to go to play with some koala's? Has anyone been on a really good wine tour/cruise out of Perth?

You lucky person you - going on the cricket tour. <BR>Sydney - take the Sydney Explorer bus and get on and off at things you would like to see more of - well worth it. Also take the ferry to the zoo and have a nice day there. Thats about all the time you will have I am afraid. It will come together in Sydney for you as its that kind of place - plenty to do and you don't have to pre-plan. <BR>Melbourne - Take a trip up to the Dandenongs and see the wonderful wood carvings of aboriginals at a place there ( someone may be able to fill in the name of it) Go to Healesville wild life sanctuary and play with the animals. Take a trip down to Philip Island and see the penguins - Take a wine trip of the Yarra Valley. <BR>Perth - don't pre-book because you will want to check out the temperature first before you decide what to do. If its hot then the Swan River Wine tour can be unpleasant while going over to Rottnest Island for some swimming and diving will be just the thing. Again you will be able to do thing when you get there that will be appropriate. A tour of the Margaret River wine areas would be nice too and I am sure that if the weather is mild you will be able to get on a tour/cruise of the Swan valley wineries. Take a trip to Swanborne beach for an 'eye opener' swim seeing you are from Zimb.

The place I think Liz is talking about in the Dandenongs is the George Tindale gardens, Sherbrooke Rd, Sherbrooke. Not the best time of year to visit however. Absolutely go to Healsville sanctuary - it's a day trip in itself - but you could probably also fit in a few winerys. While you're at the MCG for the cricket visit the sport museum that's there. If you don't have time for Healsville - go to the Melbourne Zoo - no cuddling allowed - but lots of native animals in natural surroundings.

Thanks Mary for Tindale name - I think they are wonderful but you are right its not the best time of year. <BR>You are also 100% right about the Sport Museum at the MCG - isn't it going to be pulled down or something soon? I know I heard something dreadful that was going to happen to it but can't remember what.

Liz,<BR>I think the museum is in the part of the MCG that's going to be 'redeveloped' - this includes the 'Long Room' etc. it isn't happening yet and the historic interiors will be kept & reinstalled later. A Feb visit should be okay.<BR>The other thing I forgot to mention is the Melbourne Aquarium - particularly if visitors haven't got time to actually go and visit the reef in Qld! The melbourne zoo is also well worth a visit (rated as one of the worlds top zoos)

The place in the Dandenongs with the carvings is the Ricketts Sanctuary, not Tindale gardens. During the summer, there are free concerts in the Melbourne gardens - check out the daily newspapers for details or ask at the tourist information office at the town hall.<BR>We did a wine cruise along the Swan River in Perth some years and whilst we enjoyed it was a long day and we only visited two wineries. The Margaret River wineries are a long way from Perth, whilst the Swan Valley wineries are much closer. If you are anywhere near to York, there is an excellent small vintage car museum. While you are in Perth, take the boat along the Swan to Fremantle - it's very easy to fill in a day there with the Maritime Museum, the history museum, shops, places to eat etc.