melbourne hotel and weather
Jan 29th, 2005, 05:04 PM
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melbourne hotel and weather
hi
We will be spending a couple of days in Melbourne at the end of July. I would like to know what the weather is and a recommendation for a hotel. We have 2 children girl 18 and boy 13.
Thanks
Karen
We will be spending a couple of days in Melbourne at the end of July. I would like to know what the weather is and a recommendation for a hotel. We have 2 children girl 18 and boy 13.
Thanks
Karen
Jan 29th, 2005, 05:55 PM
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Hello Karen,
Here's a website that shows average monthly temperatures for Melbourne. Although Australia expresses its temperatures in Celsius, the below mentioned website does so in Farenheit. Note not only the average daily high and daily low, but the coldest ever and the warmest ever temperatures for each month. Melbourne's weather is quixotic.
http://www.condoconcepts.com/weather/omelbour.htm
What is your hotel budget range?
Here's a website that shows average monthly temperatures for Melbourne. Although Australia expresses its temperatures in Celsius, the below mentioned website does so in Farenheit. Note not only the average daily high and daily low, but the coldest ever and the warmest ever temperatures for each month. Melbourne's weather is quixotic.
http://www.condoconcepts.com/weather/omelbour.htm
What is your hotel budget range?
Jan 29th, 2005, 08:44 PM
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We stayed at this hotel in January 2004 and it was in a superb location, great price.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR..._Victoria.html
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR..._Victoria.html
Feb 1st, 2005, 06:26 PM
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The weather in Melbourne at the end of July will probably be awful - rain, wind. On the other hand, it may be beautiful - cool, crisp, blue sky day. The weather here is very erratic, to say the least.
Feb 5th, 2005, 01:38 AM
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We just had a record day for rain here on Wednesday. That is the most rain ever recorded in a single day at any time of the year and February is often dry. This week our temperatures have ranged from 38C to 15C daytime maximums. The weather here? Well, I agree with Gwaihir, you just have to turn up and take your chances.
As regards a hotel Karen, can you let me know what your preferance is; City or Suburbs?
Ned
As regards a hotel Karen, can you let me know what your preferance is; City or Suburbs?
Ned
Feb 5th, 2005, 11:23 AM
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Hi Ned,
We would probably want to stay in the city as we will only be there a few days and we have some tours that we may be interested in such as going to see the penquins and koalas and possibly the tram car. Your feedback on these tours would be appreciated. We have our airfare and some tours right now booked through Qantas.
We would probably want to stay in the city as we will only be there a few days and we have some tours that we may be interested in such as going to see the penquins and koalas and possibly the tram car. Your feedback on these tours would be appreciated. We have our airfare and some tours right now booked through Qantas.
Feb 5th, 2005, 12:41 PM
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Hello Karen,
Recommend that you dress warmly when you go to see the penguins. It's an outdoor event, and there's nothing between Antarctica and that beach on Phillip Island. The breeze was really cool even on the midsummer night on which we saw the penguins.
You will have one advantage over us, in that sunset occurs earlier in winter than in summer. Since the penguins come ashore at dusk, this will mean that you will get back to Melbourne earlier than we did, which was after midnight.
When you say you'll be seeing koalas, I don't know which venue you mean. There are koalas at Phillip Island, and possibly you'll be combining that with the visit to the Penguin Parade. On the other hand, there also are koalas at Healesville Nature Sanctuary in the Yarra Valley.
Something that I have done in separate day trips, but that another Fodorite, sandi, reported doing in a combined day trip was a tour that included a ride on the Puffing Billy steam train, lunch at a winery, and a visit to Healesville.
When you refer to a tour on a tram car, I'm not sure what you're referring to. In addition to trains and buses, Melbourne has trams. These are just part of the normal public transportation system, and they aren't tours. There is one tram route called the City Circle Tram that is free and that provides a pre-recorded commentary on the buildings that you're passing. It does a circuit of the downtown core, and it's an ideal way of getting an initial orientation upon arrival.
There also is a special tram on which you can have dinner while the tram takes you through the streets of Melbourne. I personally found it fun to do that. However, the dinner itself was fine, but nothing to write home about.
Ideally Melbourne and it's surroundings deserve 5 days, IMO. It needs 1 day for the downtown core, at least 1 day for the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley to the east of Melbourne (Puffing Billy, Healesville, etc.), and 3 days for the Great Ocean Road (GOR), which is the road that hugs the coastline on the way to Adelaide. There are people who do as much as they can of the GOR on 1 day, and even that is a pleasant drive.
Still, even if you contract the GOR down to 1 day, you still need 3 days in Melbourne. Since you have only a couple of days in Melbourne, you're going to have to make some choices.
If you manage to see Australian native animals prior to arriving in Melbourne (e.g., in Far North Queensland), I would suggest 1 day in downtown Melbourne and 1 day doing Puffing Billy (instead of the short leg of the Puffing Billy route that you would do if it was part of a larger tour).
You can catch a regular train from Flinders Street Station to Belgrave. At Belgrave switch to the narrow guage Puffing Billy line. Go to the last station, Gembrook, and have lunch in the little town. Use Puffing Billy to return to Belgrave. If it's a Saturday, Sunday, or Wednesday, you can hop off at Menzies Creek station to see the eclectic collection of locomotives at the locomotive museum. When you reach Belgrave, hop on a regular train back to Flinders Street Station in downtown Melbourne.
The Penguin Parade is an evening activity, so should not interfere with your day time activities.
The Queen Victoria Market, in the NW corner of downtown Melbourne, is a neat thing to include in the day you spend downtown. The Vic Market is closed on Mondays and Wednesdays, so I recommend scheduling your downtown day for another day.
If you're in Melbourne on a Sunday, it's fun to take in the Craft Market on the Esplanade in the seaside neighbourhood of St.Kilda, a short tram ride from downtown.
Recommend that you dress warmly when you go to see the penguins. It's an outdoor event, and there's nothing between Antarctica and that beach on Phillip Island. The breeze was really cool even on the midsummer night on which we saw the penguins.
You will have one advantage over us, in that sunset occurs earlier in winter than in summer. Since the penguins come ashore at dusk, this will mean that you will get back to Melbourne earlier than we did, which was after midnight.
When you say you'll be seeing koalas, I don't know which venue you mean. There are koalas at Phillip Island, and possibly you'll be combining that with the visit to the Penguin Parade. On the other hand, there also are koalas at Healesville Nature Sanctuary in the Yarra Valley.
Something that I have done in separate day trips, but that another Fodorite, sandi, reported doing in a combined day trip was a tour that included a ride on the Puffing Billy steam train, lunch at a winery, and a visit to Healesville.
When you refer to a tour on a tram car, I'm not sure what you're referring to. In addition to trains and buses, Melbourne has trams. These are just part of the normal public transportation system, and they aren't tours. There is one tram route called the City Circle Tram that is free and that provides a pre-recorded commentary on the buildings that you're passing. It does a circuit of the downtown core, and it's an ideal way of getting an initial orientation upon arrival.
There also is a special tram on which you can have dinner while the tram takes you through the streets of Melbourne. I personally found it fun to do that. However, the dinner itself was fine, but nothing to write home about.
Ideally Melbourne and it's surroundings deserve 5 days, IMO. It needs 1 day for the downtown core, at least 1 day for the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley to the east of Melbourne (Puffing Billy, Healesville, etc.), and 3 days for the Great Ocean Road (GOR), which is the road that hugs the coastline on the way to Adelaide. There are people who do as much as they can of the GOR on 1 day, and even that is a pleasant drive.
Still, even if you contract the GOR down to 1 day, you still need 3 days in Melbourne. Since you have only a couple of days in Melbourne, you're going to have to make some choices.
If you manage to see Australian native animals prior to arriving in Melbourne (e.g., in Far North Queensland), I would suggest 1 day in downtown Melbourne and 1 day doing Puffing Billy (instead of the short leg of the Puffing Billy route that you would do if it was part of a larger tour).
You can catch a regular train from Flinders Street Station to Belgrave. At Belgrave switch to the narrow guage Puffing Billy line. Go to the last station, Gembrook, and have lunch in the little town. Use Puffing Billy to return to Belgrave. If it's a Saturday, Sunday, or Wednesday, you can hop off at Menzies Creek station to see the eclectic collection of locomotives at the locomotive museum. When you reach Belgrave, hop on a regular train back to Flinders Street Station in downtown Melbourne.
The Penguin Parade is an evening activity, so should not interfere with your day time activities.
The Queen Victoria Market, in the NW corner of downtown Melbourne, is a neat thing to include in the day you spend downtown. The Vic Market is closed on Mondays and Wednesdays, so I recommend scheduling your downtown day for another day.
If you're in Melbourne on a Sunday, it's fun to take in the Craft Market on the Esplanade in the seaside neighbourhood of St.Kilda, a short tram ride from downtown.
Feb 7th, 2005, 02:17 AM
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Hello Danielle,
I agree with what the other posters have said. July here is cold and drizzly, rather than the real wet we have had in the past week or so.
If you want to stay in the city then a couple of good hotels (not too expensive but very good) are the Stamford on Little Collins St, the Novotel on Collins St and the Holiday Inn on Flinders Lane and Spencer St. Negotiate with them, especially if it is mid week in July.
If you are going to see the Penguins in July take heed of Judy's advice, make sure that you are very warm. It is a long way to go to Phillip Island just for this. At the risk of being shouted down I would say that you may want to think about whether it is worth it or not. I think that you would be better served by going down the Ocean Rd for a day or so.
I agree again with Judy about the trams. They are just part of life here. The City Circle tram is free, with commentary and you can get off and on as you please. It is well worth doing. Take the tram to St Kilda if you want to get out of the city and down to the Bay. Its ok there, nice cafe's etc.
There really is just so much to do here. If you have specific interests then let me know. For example, Melbourne is the sporting capital of Australia, great stadiums and events. There is an abundance of theatre and other live shows. Depending on what really interests you, you may not want to be doing day trips all the time.
Cheers
Ned
I agree with what the other posters have said. July here is cold and drizzly, rather than the real wet we have had in the past week or so.
If you want to stay in the city then a couple of good hotels (not too expensive but very good) are the Stamford on Little Collins St, the Novotel on Collins St and the Holiday Inn on Flinders Lane and Spencer St. Negotiate with them, especially if it is mid week in July.
If you are going to see the Penguins in July take heed of Judy's advice, make sure that you are very warm. It is a long way to go to Phillip Island just for this. At the risk of being shouted down I would say that you may want to think about whether it is worth it or not. I think that you would be better served by going down the Ocean Rd for a day or so.
I agree again with Judy about the trams. They are just part of life here. The City Circle tram is free, with commentary and you can get off and on as you please. It is well worth doing. Take the tram to St Kilda if you want to get out of the city and down to the Bay. Its ok there, nice cafe's etc.
There really is just so much to do here. If you have specific interests then let me know. For example, Melbourne is the sporting capital of Australia, great stadiums and events. There is an abundance of theatre and other live shows. Depending on what really interests you, you may not want to be doing day trips all the time.
Cheers
Ned
Feb 12th, 2005, 07:33 PM
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this website (from the government's bureau of meteorology) gives stats on what the weather is like year round in melbourne
http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averag...w_086071.shtml
if you are after forecasts closer to your arrival, just check out www.bom.gov.au and follow the links to victoria and then melbourne weather. i tend to think it is generally wetter in spring- september through to early november than it is through winter. as with earlier posts, i would have to agree that melbournes weather is quite unpredictable and even the forecast for tomorrow can be out by as much as 10 degrees celcius (luckily this is not very common though!)
http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averag...w_086071.shtml
if you are after forecasts closer to your arrival, just check out www.bom.gov.au and follow the links to victoria and then melbourne weather. i tend to think it is generally wetter in spring- september through to early november than it is through winter. as with earlier posts, i would have to agree that melbournes weather is quite unpredictable and even the forecast for tomorrow can be out by as much as 10 degrees celcius (luckily this is not very common though!)
