Hi, again.

I'll be in Melbourne for a few days in July, mostly for a conference. Here are my thoughts:

Wednesday, July 9th.
Arrive 8:30 pm evening; take Sky Bus to Park Hyatt Melbourne

Thursday:
Walk to the following:
- St. Patricks Cathedral
- Fitzroy Gardens and Brunswick street
- Town Hall
- Royal/Block Arcade
- Old Treasury Building and Gardens
- Federation Square: Birraring Marr Park, St. Paul's Cathedral, Scot's Church, Flinders Street Station
- Ian Potter Centre
- catch tram or walk back to hotel, then head to conference at 6 pm (Exhibition Centre)
- tram back, dinner at Upstairs or Cellar Bar at Grossi Florentino

Friday:
Conference all day. Dinner at The Atlantic

Saturday: Conference all Day. Dinner at Hooks
- time permitting, wander around Docklands

Sunday:
- conference till noon
Catch bus 216 or 219 at SE corner Queen and :18 and :48 past hour to Rippon Lea
- Catch bus back at :21 or :51
- Drink Rooftop Bar and Cinema
- Dinner at Cumulus Inc

Monday:
- Melbourne Museum
- Walk to new Hotel, Downtowner on Lygon
- Tram to National Gallery of Victoria
- Eureka Tower
- wander about
- drink at Bar Americano
- dinner at Jimmy Watson's Wine Bar

Tuesday:
Catch 6 am bus from hotel to airport, with a transit
Walk all bags to Holiday Inn Melbourne airport, where I will stay Wednesday night
Catch flight to Canberra at 8:35.

I think this all sounds pretty doable. Thursday could be tight, but it's mostly walking as opposed to major museums. I'm thinking maybe 2 hours for Ian Potter Centre.

Any suggestions on gay bars? Major things I'm missing?

Perhaps you could fit in our other great art gallery on Monday. That's the National Gallery of Victoria, just across the river from Fed Square and the Ian Potter Gallery.
Brunswick Street is not in the CBD so you may want to re-think that one. It's not that far out of the CBD but even so, by the time you take the tram, have a look around and get back to the city, that would take a couple of hours.
Hope you enjoy your visit.

I do have the National Gallery of Victoria listed already on Monday. Thanks about Brunswick street - did not realize was so far out - maybe will give it a miss. Could give me a bit more pool/relaxation time.

bump ...

How are the eating options at Queen Vic's Market?

You can get things like bratwurst and pastries in deli part to take away. Some tables in lane way to use .

Eating at QV market. It's just like a big food hall at a shopping centre. Nothing fabulous.

I don't know much about the gay bars of Melbourne despite living there for 30 years. I just know the areas. South Yarra is a very upmarket trendy area. St Kilda and Collingwood are more your trendy / alternative areas. I lived in St Kilda West which was near Fitzroy Street where one of the bars is mentioned.

http://www.nighttours.com/melbourne/gayguide/

If you are travelling with workmates /friends, it may be cheaper for you all to get a cab rather than the Skybus. The Skybus isn't cheap if there are a group of you. It all adds up.

I would suggest a small group walking tour of Melbourne's Lanes...I did it last year and can highly recommend it, as you learn so much about Melbourne's culture. You can check their website here.

http://hiddensecretstours.com/tour/lanes-arcades/

For more things to do in Melbourne you can check out my blog post here:

http://www.rockytravel.net/blog/expl...elbourne-city/

Thanks, all. Just traveling solo here ... I think my itinerary is fairly well down at this point.

If you've time, consider just walking along the Yarra (eastwards) or through the botanical gardens towards South Yarra. You can catch a tram back down Commercial Road or Toorak Road. Prahran Market also nice but Vic market is better, I think, but it is closed some days.

What are you doing on Tuesday and Wednesday after going to the airport at 6am? Didn't get that bit.

All looks OK, but maybe Docklands could be given a miss. I don't find it all that interesting, a bit barren and windswept.

I enjoy St. Kilda's for people-watchng and pretty ocean views. I also enjoy the South Melbourne area for the old houses with the fancy iron work, and the weekend market. I'd also recommend the Shrine of Remembrance & Botanic Gardens.

Thanks I'll aim for the botanic gardens (even in winter?) Tuesday and Wednesday are Canberra

I will be taking a large suitcase. Can I take the Airliner Bus from Airport, connecting at Southern Cross, to the Marriott? Or is it worth a taxi? Such a big fare difference

We took the Skybus from the airport to the CBD recently and I thought I saw a sign advertising their shuttle bus service from the airport to city hotels. Could be worth googling. Incidentally it's $17 one way by Skybus to Southern Cross station - the Marriott is the opposite side of the CBD from the station, certainly too far to walk.

Sorry, SkyBus is what I meant. I'm just wondering if it's feasible to take it, and then the smaller transfer, with a large suitcase, a backpack, and a big poster tube ...

If the Skybus does a shuttle directly to your hotel, I can't see any problem with your luggage. The buses are equipped with large luggage bays, although you are expected to handle it yourself.

So I didn't make it to Tarronga. Is Melbourne zoo worth it, or should I stick with Rippon Lea?

Melbourne Zoo is a fantastic zoo, I would browse St Kilda rather than Rippon Lea. The QV market is busy on a Sunday and fun. The American Donut Van at the QV market serves up the most gorgeously delicious hot jam donuts ever...I dare you to stop at just one...other city resturants to consider...Chin Chin and Movida (if you can get a booking...) I have really enjoyed Cumulus...the Melbourne Laneway tour is fabulous...enjoy!