Hello MissB99! My budget of is of American dollar ($60-100). as I have said earlier, I don't need to have five star hotel, I just want to have a comfortable bed, clean and safe area. I would love to hang out with locals. I am so excited that I want to go NOW!! :)

Hi Preenyc, here's another recommendation for Melbourne (even though I'm actually a "Sydneysider" !) -The Miami Motor Inn (http://www.themiami.com.au/)

I've stayed there the last half dozen or so trips I've made to Melbourne (ostensibly for the AFL footy, which, incidentally, you MUST see when you're there !), and if clean, secure, budget accommodation is what you're after (not to mention the great cooked breakfasts), then look no further !

It's located in a reasonably quiet street not far (about 15 mins walk) from the Spencer Street Transit Centre, 2 mins walk to a tram, and about 10 mins walk from the Queen Victoria Markets (http://www.qvm.com.au).

Their advertised rates are currently $AUD63 per night for a single room, but quite often they'll have specials on with anything up to $AUD20 off the regular tariff, just ask them what's available for the dates you'll be in town.

Thank you New_Guy!! I will def. check out your recomendation!! :)

Hello all!! This may be the most silliest question, but what does CBD mean?

I have changed my itinerary around a bit, so any help with this will be appreaciaited. I am leaving NY on March 18, 2005 flying into Sydney, staying in SYD for 6 days, since I want to go to Canberra for a day or two, then travel to Melbourne staying there 4 days. Then leaving for Brisbane and staying there 4 days, one day trip to Gold cost and leaving from Brisbane to NY. Any suggestions?

FYI... I am doing all this with Quantas, since they have this special deal for $999 (US dollars)Australia "Airpass" which includes 3 Bounse flights.

Thanks again for your help!! :)

Hi Preenyc,

CBD = central business district = downtown

In most Australian cities, they call downtown the CBD.

While the term CBD certainly is understood in Melbourne, Melbournians tend to refer to their downtown as "the city."

THANK YOU Judy_in_Calgary!! :)

Judy in Calgary....Sydneysiders also say they are going into "the city" when they travel to the CBD of Sydney. Come to think of it, whilst living in Sydney, I don't think I ever heard someone say, "I am going to the CBD today".

Thank you everyone!! By the way, any thoughts on the itinerary??? Is it too much, too little... :)

Hi Preenyc

Could I also add another cheap place in Melbourne? The Nunnery. I stayed there a couple of times several years ago and it was very cheap then. If you paste in the following url (http://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/con...ument_ID=14635) it has a little summary. Looks like it is part of the www.bacpac.com group so you can also look it up there. It's a former nunnery (hence the name), a huge old mansion that is between Lygon St (full of Italian restaurants) and Brunswick Street, Fitzroy (not to be confused with Brunswick the suburb). And the #96 tram stop is right outside your door on Nicholson Street.

Fitzroy is a studenty, funky alternative area that is very cool and has excellent cafes that serve yummy breakfasts into the late afternoon. Excellent coffee too. I have great memories of my time there!

I'd suggest you go to Melbourne first as the weather starts to get a bit cool there, while Sydney is very nice in April. You can even swim at the beach if it gets a bit warm (which it can).

Hi Preenyc

Well, I'd still suggest you go to Melbourne first as the weather starts to get a bit cool there, while Sydney is very nice in April. You can even swim at the beach if it gets a bit warm (which it can).

Do not get the train from Sydney to Melbourne! I did this once with friends and it was a living hell! Also, as Alan says, you lose a whole day. Check out www.virginblue.com.au to see what flight deals they have.

Could I also add another cheap place in Melbourne? The Nunnery. I stayed there a couple of times several years ago and it was very cheap. The fact that we went back there the following year says something. If you paste in the following url (http://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/con...ument_ID=14635) it has a little summary. Looks like it is part of the www.bacpac.com group so you can also look it up there. It's a former nunnery (hence the name), a huge old mansion that is between Lygon St (chock full of Italian restaurants) and Brunswick Street, Fitzroy (not to be confused with Brunswick the suburb). And the #96 tram stop is right outside your door on Nicholson Street.

Fitzroy is a studenty, funky alternative area that is very cool and has excellent cafes that serve yummy breakfasts into the late afternoon. Excellent coffee too. I have great memories of my time there!

Don't forget to head down to St Kilda beach (the tram is from Swanston St I think) -- but make sure the weather's okay. Fantastic cafes, bars and weekend market.

Now, I reckon 4 days is too long to stay in Brissie (Aussie name for Brisbane). There's just not that much there to see. Why don't you go up to the Sunshine Coast (you can get a coach up there) or down to the Gold Coast (or go out to an island) and only stay in Brissie for a day or two. Really, there are so many nice places that are just up (or down) the coast.

Surfer's Paradise (Gold Coast) is very touristy and somewhat ugly, with skyscrapers lining the beaches -- but if you want to go to Sea World or Dreamworld I guess it's very convenient.