Dare I Plan? Melbourne - Sydney - Auckland
 

Well, at long last, it appears our trip to Australia and NZ is real. Although, I won't actually believe it until the plane is airborne!

Here is our itinerary (based on my husband's work obligations):

1. Arrive Melbourne evening of October 6th

2. Arrive Sydney afternoon of October 12th

3. Arrive Auckland evening of October 19th

4. Depart for US return evening of October 24th


I've got less than 3 days to get my whole life together, buy a suitcase (old one just broke), and pack. So, I'm open to any and all suggestions for weather and clothing and activities.

About me:

I'm a "walker/hiker" and LOVE nature, beauty and the water. Views - I'm looking for them. BUT, I don't like hanging on the edge of cliffs. If that makes sense?

I also love art museums and visiting gardens.

And I'm a foodie - as in love great food and trying new and interesting cuisine.

I'd rather not rent a car if I don't need to, but I have driven opposite side of the street (years ago in England) if it becomes necessary. I like trains and public transportation.


Mr. Gruezi will likely be working a lot, but will join me for dinner. He will go along with whatever I plan otherwise;) He mostly likes to exercise and eat but is good about tagging along.

I'm at the mercy of this travel board as I won't have time to read any tour books until I board the plane on Saturday.

Thanks to any and all who share your "must sees" and other advice!

Yours,

gruezi

Congratulations on your trip becoming closer to reality. You will have plenty to do in each of the cities.

In Melbourne, there's the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Fitzroy Gardens, both close to the city center. And there's a plethora of museums and galleries to keep you busy during your trip among other things. If you want scenery, consider a day trip or an overnight along the Great Ocean Road for some fabulous views of the coast.

In Sydney, there's plenty of walks / hikes you can do in and around the city, including the more popular Spit to Manly walk and Bondi to Coogee. Consider a trip out to the Blue Mountains too for something different.

And in Auckland, you can hike up one of the volcanoes for views of the city and harbor. Think about going out to Waiheke Island for some food and wine as well as hiking.

I was just in Sydney and Auckland last December. You can find my trip report, which includes some links to websites on walking / hiking suggestions, in the Asia forum (or click on my name to find the report).

Thank you tripplanner - very helpful! - I will look up your trip report.

You're welcome, gruezi. Glad it's helpful.

In Melbourne, visit the Ian Potter gallery at Federation Square for Australian art including a superb collection of aboriginal paintings. Also the Victorian National Gallery just across the river. Queen Victoria market for people watching, souvenirs and fantastic food. The Emporium in Lonsdale Street (latest and greatest shopping centre) for shopping and lunch. Walk through Block and Royal Arcades. Use the free City Circle tram to get around - it's the burgundy old-style tram.
Both Melbourne Zoo (with walk-through Australian animal area)and Taronga in Sydney are good to visit.
In Sydney, visit the Queen Victoria building for beautiful old-fashioned architecture and great shops. Take the ferry to Manly for harbour views or do a Captain Cook coffee cruise for views and commentary.
In Auckland, take the ferry across to Devonport for gentle walking and great views. If you visit the Auckland art gallery, make a point of seeing their magnificent collection of Maori portraits.
Hope you have a great holiday.

Great Gruezi!
We might be able to pull a quick GTG together if you let us know when you're available in Sydney.

I'll post some random thoughts later, but just wanted to let you know the Artisans in the Gardens exhibition will be on in the Royal Botanic Gardens while you're here.

Lovely walk around the Opera House, through the Gardens to the Art Gallery of NSW. I'm going & perhaps we could go together if you like. Can't do 14th, but any other day that week is ok.

Thanks everyone for helping me get some ideas together!

marg - thanks for the art and walking ideas - very helpful. The coffee cruise sounds very much like me!

Bokhara - yes, I would love to meet to walk the gardens with you. I will let you know how things look in a few days. I do have a nice chunk of time in Sydney. (I'm a bit sad not to have longer in NZ but I'm trying not to be a pest to my very busy husband who threw this all together last night.)

BTW, my weather forecasts for NZ and Melbourne are looking kind of cool and rainy with some 80s+ thrown in for Sydney. I'm packing layers and a rain jacket and polar fleece. Do I need a real coat of some sort?

Welcome to our side of the world gruezi.

<Do I need a real coat of some sort?>

No, you're on the right track with waterproof and fleece/layer.

As a diehard South Island fan, I'm not particularly well-versed on the North Island, particularly Auckland, but I was just there a few weeks back. You might enjoy an excursion to the SkyTower - views-o-rama.

What park of Auckland will you be staying in?

Hi Mel - thanks for the advice on the coat - very helpful! We are looking into accommodations in Auckland and open to suggestions. Also, my husband just told me we'd extend NZ by a few days - I was feeling we were cutting it short so I'm glad. We will be in Auckland and Wellington and could head further south after that. I hear the SI is the nicest area but we may be trying to do too much? I am motivated to move a bit in NZ as I love scenery and I doubt I'll get back there ever again. Plus, we should be a bit rested by then.


On Sydney - if anyone knows - my husband's company is suggesting the Four Seasons. He likes the QT Sydney for convenience/location but apparently there are no views there thus his office mates there are pushing 4 Seasons. He also has been told the Shangri La (sp?) is very nice. He can choose any of the 3 as long as we can still get a room.


Melbourne we are booked at the new Sheraton. Any opinions welcomed on that.


Thanks again everyone. I'm so glad I have all of you to ask. Particularly given how quickly we are pulling this together.

You might enjoy the Te Papa museum in Wellington.

I suspect it'll be next to impossible to fit the SI into your itinerary unless you're adding LOTS of days, not just a few.

With such limited time I'd stick to Auckland, Wellington and vicinity.

If you can add 3-4 days though, you could possibly fly to Queenstown and see a very small but very pretty bit of the SI.

The Shang has better rooms IMO would be my choice. the 4 Seasons is closer to Circular Quay.
Whichever you choose, tell them it's your first visit etc & beg for a Harbour view.

There is a a bit of a hill between CQ & the Shang - but if you can do the Camino, you won't notice it ;)

Thanks Mel - that's what I suspected. It's really hard to get a perspective on things having never been there before so I appreciate your input.


Thanks Bokhara - I will beg for a view!

October is Good Food Month in Sydney.
Lots of good stuff, including the night noodle markets in Hyde Park.

www.goodfoodmonth.com

How exciting! Be sure to include a ferry ride in Sydney: I suggest the one to Manly Beach so you can get a holy experience of revelation with the fish and chips at Manly Fish Market on Steyne Street. (It's a take out counter toward the back of the shop, but oh that fish and chips!)

Well I'm eating light this week so I'll be ready for good food month and holy experiences with fish and chips!

Hi Gruezi,

we didn't get to Melbourne so i can't help you there but I've got a few suggestions for Sydney and NZ, based on the things we liked best:

Sydney - the Gardens of course [and try to see the Governor's house as well], the ferry to Manly and the walk over to Cabbage Patch Beach, Watson's Bay [the library Tea shop is great but bizarrely closes after lunch so doesn't offer afternoon tea; the restaurant on the pier is very good too and very cheap] the Art Gallery of NSW, the Fish market, and the area of old Sydney above the Rocks [some great very old pubs].

NI - we didn't stop in Auckland so i can't comment but the Coromandel peninsular [about 1-2 hours drive away] was fantastic, and we liked Napier too especially the Gannet colony. We didn't really have long enough in Wellington but certainly Te Papa and the Museum of WEllington City and Sea were very interesting. There are also some botanical gardens but it was raining so we missed them.

I agree that by the sound of it you don't really have time for the SI; save it for another time.

Hi Gruezi! Have a wonderful trip. We will be arriving just as you are leaving. We arrive on October 30th. This is our 1st time in AUS and NZ so I don't have any suggestions to add. I am tagging along on your request to get ideas as well. I hope you don't mind. ;)

Bokhara2: I just looked up the October Good Food month and especially the Night Noodle market. We will just miss that, too! Such a shame. It sounds like great fun.
Have you ever been to the Hunter Valley Uncorked in Balmoral? It is the weekend we arrive. We are thinking of using one of our coveted days to venture out to this event. I hope it is worth it. We don't have too many days in Sydney.
http://www.wineaustralia.net.au/en/e...and-wine-event type:music-and-wine-event type type&where=country:australia country country&AusCheck=true&AusName=Australia&statesandr egions=

Cristeen
Yes & enjoyed it. You could combine it with the Cremorne to Balmoral walk.


http://cremornepointmanor.blogspot.c...dneys.html?m=1

gruezi -

I assume you've arranged your OZ visas?

I only ask because I can relate to last minute trips and how some things can be overlooked.

Bokhara2- great idea! Thank you!

Hi AnnHig - thanks so much for all those great ideas. I'll be bringing along this thread.

Cristeen - oh please tagalong here! I will share back on our time.

Mel - yes - my husband has been to Australia a few times before so he got that all taken care of. Thx for the reminder :)

Hi Greuzi
By coincidence, I went past the new Sheraton today when I went out to buy some lunch. It is very well placed at the eastern end of Little Collins Street, about a minutes’ walk to the free city circle tram. A few short blocks to Flinders Street station and Federation Square.
On 12 October in the lane opposite your hotel, there is a Latin American lane festival – food, drinks. Music, dancing, crafts etc, you might be interested in this.
My not to be missed recommendation is the opening of the Melbourne Festival on 10 October at 6pm at Federation Square (https://www.melbournefestival.com.au...on/genre/free/). Indigenous welcome, followed by free concert. I doubt that you will see anything like it anywhere else. You could combine this with the visit to the Ian Potter (as recommended by Marg above).
Also highly recommended is the Centenary of the first World War exhibition on at the Shrine of Remembrance, you could combine this an exploration of the Alexandra Gardens, the Queen Victoria Gardens and the Botanical Gardens. Catch any tram going south along Swanston Street
http://anzaccentenary.vic.gov.au/eve...ng-exhibition/
For a combined garden and art experience, Heide Gallery of Contemporary Art fits the bill. The home of the Heidelberg School of Art and the added bonus of a very nice café run by Shannon Bennett (head chef at the highly rated, very expensive Vue De Monde at the Rialto). It is about 25 to 30 minutes from the city and you can get there by the Bullen bus (number 200, I think), leaves from Lonsdale St (http://www.heide.com.au/)
Margs’ suggestions of the The Emporium ( great for shopping and good quality lunch spots) and the Melb Zoo are both good (tram 55 from William St goes to zoo)
Taking a ferry to Williamstown from Southbank along the Yarra, thro’ the ports and across the bay is worthwhile (I think). Williamstown altho a suburb is of historical significance, architecture, and views of the city across the water etc. You can get the ferry from there to St Kilda, explore St.Kilda, see the fairy penguins and get the tram back to the city.
This is just a smattering of ideas, there are heaps of things to see and do in Melbourne.
If you are interested in day trips to Ballarat, Yarra Valley, Philip island, Bendigo et al, the coaches leave from Fed Square (behind the Ian Potter on Exhibition St)
Hope this is helpful and you have a great time in Melbourne. The weather forecast for next week looks good, no rain temperature range from 28C to 17C (daytime), 9C to 12C (overnight).
Daylight saving stars on Sunday 5 October, so you will have longer days to explore
Cheers

I missed the bit about you being a foodie.
Some recs, these are all in the city and within easy walking distance of your hotel
Burma Lane
Cumulus (no reservations)
Grossi Florentino (Bourke st)
Ezard
MoVida (spanish tapas, very popular in a laneway)
Becco (Italian)
Supernormal (new, innovative, I think named best restauraunt of 2014)
BARS
Madame Brussels (Rooftop)
Goldilocks(Rooftop)
New Gold Mountain (Liverpool st off Bourke)
Bomba (Lonsdale St)
Siglo (Spring st, on top of Eurpoean, Views over Parliament House)
Ampere (16 Russell place- open very late, drinks and food)
Red Humming Bird (246 Russell St - look up and see a red bird cage)
The doorperson at your hotel will be able to guide you to any of these. You can also look them up on google or their websites
Enjoy

Wow MissB - many thanks for such a thorough and helpful post! Very much appreciated.

And some Sydney foodie recommendations:

Ester (New restaurant of the year)
http://ester-restaurant.com.au/

Nomad (mod Australian)
http://restaurantnomad.com.au/

Six Penny (chef is graduate of Noma)
http://www.sixpenny.com.au/

Moon Park (modern Korean)
http://www.moon-park.com.au/

Cho Cho (San modern Japanese)
http://chochosan.com.au/

Mr Wong
http://merivale.com.au/mrwong

Berta Italian
http://www.berta.com.au/

Din Tai Fung (cheap excellent dumplings)
http://www.dintaifungaustralia.com.au/

http://www.melbournefestival.com.au/.../#.VC-CHCmSx0y
Better link to opening of Melb Festival (I hope!)

Thank you Susan7!

MissB - yes that link worked. Sounds like a great event and I'm pleased we will still be here in Melbourne for it. Thanks for all your help!

We arrived yesterday evening after about 36 hours of travel. We did quite well except Mr. Gruezi's cold (brought back from a week in Brazil) got worse and I had to get him tea, cough medicine and put him to bed. That must be good medicine as he is still sleeping soundly at 5 am while I lie awake reading Fodor's and trying not to make noise. Our hotel is fine - very businessy IMO, but the location seems central and there is a lap pool which after so much sitting around I'm looking forward to using. Today I plan to get an overview of Melbourne on foot and tram and look into a trip to see the "12 apostles" later this week.

Thanks everyone for the speedy and helpful input - I compiled all the information here into a printout which we have on hand for restaurants and walks etc.

glad you arrived safe and sound, save your DH's cold.

do try to make sure he keeps it to himself!

Hi Ann - He is much better today after some codeine from the pharmacy. He's also on a brief Ebola like contamination/isolation plan;)

We switched hotels this am to the grand Hyatt. Much more comfortable and a gorgeous view.

I'm off to explore.

Enjoy!

Gruezi! Welcome!
Love the Grand Hyatt & the "Paris end " of Collins Street.

Hello MissB99, nice to see you popping up :)

gruezi- So glad to hear you have gotten all together and made this wonderful trip. You are quick. I sure hope Mr. Gruezi is feeling better soon.
I have a GOR tour booked (we usually do not book tours. They have very good reviews on TA. They have also been very good at response and communication. It didn't hurt that their pricing was pretty good too. You may want to check them out?
www.melbournecoastaltours.com.au/
I can not recommend them specifically on the tour because we have not gone, yet. We are scheduled to use them, though.

Thanks everyone!

I'm loving this vibrant and fun city.

Had a wonderful tour of the NGA - learned a ton and saw some beautiful and provocative art.

Walked quite a bit and also took the full tram ride around the city center.

Had a most delicious lunch at Cumulus and then walked and walked and had a great latte at Brother Baba Budan a perfect little coffee shop. The coffee here is quite wonderful.

Time for a little nap as Mr. Gruezi has a social event planned for us with some work pals tonight.

Cristeen - I'm going to take a one day tour to the 12 Apostles as I don't want to drive myself. I'll look into your tour company. You are going to love Melbourne. I'm having a ball.

<<The coffee here is quite wonderful.>>

Yeah, baby. I've become a coffee addict.

Gruezi- there's a good tourist info centre in Federation Square. 5 mins walk from your hotel. They will have the goods on Great Ocean Road day trips.

While you're at Federation Square, pop into the Ian Potter Gallery.

If you like Japanese, Chocolate Buddah is good. Between the info centre & Ian Potter.

http://www.fedsquare.com/eatdrink/chocolate-buddha/

Glad you're enjoying our coffee, now you know why we're so fussy!

Have fun exploring - the laneways & arcades are a treasure trove.

http://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/Pla...ndArcades.aspx

Gruezi a very warm welcome to Melbourne.
Following on from Bokhara's post, just a thought. I am in the city, 2 blocks from your hotel , and would be more than happy to meet for a beverage, snack, chat, walk etc. If you are interested, I can meet you in the hotel foyer during the day, just name the time that suits you.
(Bokhara good to "see" you, hope all is well. I must post my completely unplanned trip to Japan earlier this year)

Please do MissB99 - I have one friend living there & another going for her 6th visit on Friday, so I'm very interested in Japan just now.

Gruezi - you'll be in great company!

Gruezi- I am also following your dining reviews. We will only be in Melbourne for a very short stay. We also do not want to try to drive the GOR ourselves. I look forward to hearing which tour you choose and how you like it. The one we've booked is also just for 1 day. It will be a long day but I do want to see the 12 Apostles ,too.
Love hearing your days around the city. Hope you have fun at your social event.