My DH and I just purchased out tickets to Australia for Xmas 2012, round trip out of Sydney. We plan to spend the first 4 days in Sydney, then drive down to Melbourne. I found a B&B called the "Post & Telegraph" in the town of Moruya. I have emailed them twice, but haven't heard back. How long should I give them to respond? Should I follow-up with a phone call?

Also, I am not sure where we should stay in Melbourne. We'll be there 5 nights and plan on visiting some of the local parks. We enjoy Botanical Gardens, zoos, parks with light hiking, dining, theater, etc.

Additionally, we'll be in Melbourne for New Year''s Eve. Do they typically have a party? Are there events?

Any advice you can provide will be welcome.

I'm assuming you mean 2013?

Can you book the B&B through a third party? If not, I would ring them.

There are fireworks on New Year's Eve.

What kind of price range are you thinking of for Melbourne?

Haha! Yes, I mean 2013/2014.

I will ring the B&B.

Price range for Melbourne hotel: $200-250 AUD

My favourites in Melbourne are the Urban Hotel at St Kilda near the bay, it's a short tram ride to the City. Also the Lindrum in the city, I like the breakfasts here but I think it is a bit overpriced often $250 per night.

I stayed at one of the Mantra properties in Melbourne recently and it was very reasonably priced $120--a special deal. It's on Little Bourke st. It was your standard characterless chain hotel room but a very good price.

Last month, I stayed at the Crossley Hotel, it was about $180. It's near Chinatown and was a good basic hotel:

http://www.crossleyhotel.com.au/defa...otel+melbourne

Why Moruya? We've stayed there - it's a nice small town but not much in the way of accommodation. There is a caravan park which has cabins but I don't even remember a motel there. Batemans Bay is much larger with a better range of accommodation and restaurants.
If you are into zoos, Mogo Zoo (about 15 km south of Batemans Bay)has a very good small zoo. Also lots of coffee places, gift shops etc on the highway at Mogo.
Also lots of choices for eating and accommodation in Merimbula.

There are plenty of nice hotels in Melbourne within your price range.
If you want a self contained apartment you'll need to stay outside the CBD but there are plenty of nice places in St Kilda and East Melbourne that provide easy access to parks and gardens & they are just a short tram ride into the city. Check out what's available on wotif.com

Melbourne Zoo is beautiful and located just north of the city in Parkville. You might also enjoy the Healesville Sanctuary or the Werribee Zoo ( both of these are about an hours drive out of the city).