Melbourne main tourist attractions
 

Hi all

A.can u grade best (5)tourist attractions in Melbourne
B. what special non-tourist attraction u'd recommend?
C. Melbourne by night - where to go ?
D. Phillip Island - where to see wildlife ? (except for the 'parade')

Thanx in advance

aby

we enjoyed Southbank and walking by the river. also, the war memorial in the park was surprisingly really good. be sure to go inside and up to the top for great views. you need to get there beofre the last hour open to do this. st kilda nad the beaches are fun for a day. we loved Luna Park, and, of course, walking down cake street there, sampling along the way.

Hi there, you haven't had much of a response to your post but I thought I might add some ideas.
Melbourne is known as the restaurant and garden capital of Australia (though it is fast being caught up to by Sydney in the restuarant dept) - so as to your question of Melbourne by night you will not be short of lovely restaurants to try from the cheap to the extravagant. Melbourne also has great entertainment, from pubs and clubs (live bands)and great little hidden bars to the enormous Crown Casino (which often has shows on). There are always great stage productions on too - in some of the lovely theatres (check for the dates when you are coming to see what's on and pre-book). Melbourne is a relatively safe city for a big city - particularly around the city centre (just use common sense).

For the best tourist attractions (in no particular order) try the Botanical Gardens and Fitzroy Gardens (Captain Cook's Cottage is very interesting), the top of the Rialto Tower for great views across Melbourne and the Bay, the Melbourne Zoo, the Werribee Open Plain Zoo, take a trip on a Melbourne Tram, explore the Queen Victoria Markets and the little laneways around Flinders Lane (quirky little shops, eateries and fashion). If you have more time head to Healsville Sanctuary. If you have a full day or so head out on a tour of either the Yarra Valley wineries or the Mornington Peninsula Wineries (I'm sure there would be a bus tour if you haven't a car) or a trip to Sovereign Hill at Ballarat(a trip back in time to Victoria's goldmining past). Melbourne doesn't have the iconic landmarks of Sydney but does have some wonderful examples of Victorian Architecture amongst the very modern city buildings so just walk around and remember to look up. Jump on a tram down to St. Kilda and feast on the continental cakes in Ackland Street - with a walk along the bayside later to work it off.

You probably won't see much wildlife on Phillip Island apart from the penguins as a lot of it is now holiday houses and residential - although I think there is a boat tour of some discription. For wildlife you would be best to head out to Healsville Sanctuary - though they won't be "in the wild" you will see animals unique to Australia.

We did not venture out much in the later evenings, but here are some things I can recommend for you:

I would highly recommend visiting the Automatic restaurant at the Crowne Casino on the southbank, especially at happy hour/dinnertime. They have wonderful food (the linguine w/seafood was my fave), excellent service (they were over the top on their accomodations for a special dietary need), and a great bar (try the cocktail w/lychee liquer -- most excellent). Chat with their manager (his name has escaped me) and he will load you up with recommendations to match your interests.
http://www.automaticcafe.com.au

Young & Jackson is a hopping pub that was packed at happy hour. The cafe next door has excellent food too.
http://www.youngandjackson.com.au

I would also recommend visiting the Queen Victoria Market, especially for the food. There is a great french cafe right at the entrance, and they have fabulous sandwiches and coffee.
http://www.qvm.com.au/home.php

I would avoid Lygon Street, as our food experience was TERRIBLE and I have read (outside of Fodor's) that that's a common theme.

St Kilda is good for a lazy walking day, but for some reason I expected it to be more than it was. I actually really enjoyed walking in the residential part of this neighborhood.

Have fun!

Melbourne Zoo is excellent and during the summer, has concerts two evenings each week, so you can combine watching the animals, listening to the music and having dinner at the same time.
You could do the BBQ cruise to see the penguins in Port Philip Bay.
Don't forget the free City Circle tram around the CBD - you could take it to Docklands and have dinner at one of the terrific restaurants there.

For Melbourne by night I recommend

1: The Rialto Tower Observation deck is great ( 55 florrs up and a 360 degree veiw of melbourne) and it has a nice cafe where you can sit and relax with a glass of wine and have a very tasty dinner and lookout all over melbourne The veiw from up there is fantastic and its great to go before its dark and stay to see both views Day and Night


2 : The Tram Car restaurant is well worth checking out and you will get to see the city by tram whilst enjoying a really good dinner.

3: A horse and carriage ride through the city in the evening is lovely

Non Tourist Attractions well somewhat non tourist

1 : Montsalvat in Eltham ( about 20 mins from the cbd) is well worth a visit Its an old Artists Colony set up by the Heidleberg School of Artists. Fabulous Gardens and quite amazing architecture Its well worth the visit and from there you can head out to a lovely Hotel called Wellers in Kangaroo ground ( about 10 mins from Monsalvat) have a great meal and enjoy the rolling hills From there its not all that far to a rather amazing market on Sundays called the Saint Andrews Market Great Ecclectic Gear lots of home made stuff, organic fruit and veges and some rather strange but friendly stall holders

Some things just to do or see
1:The Victoria Market Lots to see and buy from here

2 : A boat ride from Southbank to Williamstown is defintly a great outing and you can spend the day wandering around lovely shops and some very good restaurants before catching the last boat back to Southbank Where you can check out the Crown Casino and the Giant Flames that erupt every hour ( best seen at night)and then wander in to the foyer of the Crown Hotel to see a wonderful light and water show ( really worth a look)

The Old Melbourne Gaol is worth a visit as is the Botanical gardens ( you can go on an Aboriginal heritage walk through this park led entirely by an indigenous team) The Fitzroy gardens and Captain Cooks Cottage are also worth going to

Make sure you have a look at the Federation square ( you will either think the building is an amazing design or you will just shake your head) definitely have a look tho

The Melbourne Museum is definitely worth going to as is the Shrine of Rembrance in St Kilda Road

Puffing Billy train ride is fabulous

Go up into the Dandenong ranges or up to Olinda

There is so much more to see and do melbourne is a vibrant wondefully multi cultural city and I really hope you enjoy your visit


( damn I miss it Tho moving to Queensland has its benefits too *L*)