I need some help planning my days in Melbourne. I’m staying at the Grand Chancelor in the City Center (Russell and Lonsdale). Has anyone heard anything good/bad about the hotel?<BR><BR>My travel agent signed me up for a day tour that includes a few hour tour of the city and an evening trip to the Penguin Parade. I’m not sure if it will be worth my money, but with only a few days, it seemed like a good idea.<BR><BR>From what I’ve read so far (just the beginning of my information overload!!!), I think I want to go to the Melbourne Zoon and Victoria Market (Foodies Tour?). Also, would it be worth it to go to the zoo in Melbourne and Sydney or should I just choose one? I’m just not sure how to schedule my days and how long it will take for each.<BR><BR>On Day 1, I know I’ll be tired after a long trip, so I was thinking of doing some things around the hotel with maybe a short nap in the afternoon. For the evening, I was thinking of going to the theater or a comedy club. I heard that the Comedy Festival maybe in town. Any ideas on a good show? <BR><BR>Day 2- Planned tour of the city and penguin parade.<BR><BR>Day 3- Victoria market and Market Tour in the morning/afternoon. I don’t know what to do in the evening other than another theater/comedy show.<BR><BR>Day 4- Melbourne Zoo in the morning/afternoon. Catch a plane to Sydney in the early afternoon.<BR><BR>How does this sound? Am I missing something that is a “must see”?<BR><BR>Thanks for all your help!<BR>

Include a visit to Fedration Square and the new gallery, a walk along the Yarra through Southbank and a visit to the Botanic gardens - all near each other so doable in a morning if you start with the Botanic gardens. I' not sure when you're here - but the Melb Food and Wine Festival starts soon and have some great things on. www.melbfoodwinefest.com.au. Hawkers market is on 31st Mar, 1st 7 2nd April and well worth an evening.<BR>

Hi - I haven't been to Taronga Zoo (in Sydney) in years and years - and I live here - but Melbourne Zoo is fantastic. With great walk through areas for the monkey exhibits and for the lions.<BR><BR>The gorilla enclosure is really fabulous. So I think it is worth your time.<BR><BR>Taronga is right on the harbour so the ferry ride over is pretty amazing in itself.<BR><BR>If you are in Melbourne on the weekend maybe you could catch the tram down to St. Kilda - walk along the Esplanade markets and then treat yourself to one of the most fabulous cakes in Acland Street. There are lots of continental bakeries to choose from and a fruit rum baba or a fruit flan is to die for - not to mention the cheesecakes, the eclairs, the cherry slices etc. etc.<BR><BR>You could perhaps have lunch or dinner at the Stokehouse with great views over St. Kilda Beach (upstairs is more posh than the more casual downstairs). Ask for a booth table near the window if you book because they are the most comfortable seats around. Warning: this restaurant is expensive but worth it.<BR><BR>St. Kilda is great at anytime but I only mention the weekend because of the markets - and I'm not sure if it's Saturday or Sunday (anyone??)<BR><BR>The penguins are terrific by the way.<BR>

St Kilda market is on Sunday.<BR><BR>There's also a new elephant 'enclosure' at Melb Zoo. not really an enclosure - it's huge and apparently amazing - it only opened last week - so I haven't visited yet!

I don't think you've said what dates you'll be in Melbourne but maybe this website will give you some ideas and help you plan. <BR><BR>http://melbourne.citysearch.com.au/s.../visitor-guide

Sorry, another thought... Melbourne's newspaper &quot;The Age&quot; has a good entertainment guide (supplement) which is in the paper on a Thursday or Friday (locals might confirm which day). If you're in town and don't have anything planned maybe you could check the guide and see if anything appeals. Normally lots of good live music around. I'm not sure if this guide is available on their website www.theage.com.au<BR><BR>Hope this helps...

I agree the Melbourne Zoo is wonderful. Don't miss it. They've taken out all the asphalt and created a footpath through the rainforest feel, with all the enclosures tucked into the canopy. I wish our zoo at home even came close.<BR><BR>If you don't do the tour approach for the penguin parade, you may want to give a little more time to Phillip Island and the drive down. It's a pretty drive and the seal rocks observatory was a nice walk down to the rocks, while waiting for dusk and the little fellas (penguins) to come ashore.<BR><BR>Poking around some of the arcades in the center might be an easy way to spend time in the city center. Walk along the Yarra at night along the south walk from Crown Casino up to the Performing Arts center or catch a bite to eat.