IWhat is there to do in Port Phillip in August- can we see the dolphins this time of the year? Also is it possible to drive to port phillip spend some time then drive to the blue mountains and come be there trains to back to Sydney in 1 long day? what re the other options of going to port philliph if we don't drive?

Where do you think Port Phillip is? I have an idea that you havn't quite got your bearings yet or ideas of distance.

I think you mean Port Stephens do you rushme?

But if you hire a car to drive up there, something over two hours depending on from where in Sydney you leave from and when [5-6 am would be good to miss traffic build up], it may be possible to get some breakfast on arrival and a half day boat trip for dolphin watching if they are about.

But then you would have another three hours at least to go either back through Sydney and all the traffic [ probably closer to four hours] and out to the Blue Mountains, and probably about the same or longer if you used the Hunter Valley Putty road to Windsor route [especially if you got lost and ended up at Mudgee or Bathurst]

Seeing as you still have the car, you're going to be obliged to drop it back to nearest depot - quite possibly somewhere down in Sydney and if at a later evening time, it may be best to arrange drop off at the airport unless you will have the time the following morning to leave it at the depot where you hired from.

Actually, to get away to pre breakfast start, you'll probably also have to either get a hire vehicle the night before [possibly work out to an extra days hire] or see if it's possible to get an early hire from the airport.

Yes, certainly be a long long day.

Thank you so much Bushranger. yes i did mean Port stephens.

The car trip may not be doable. Are there day tours/buses that can take us to port stephens and back and include dolphin watching? having said that- can we see dolphins at this time of the year- is it not too cold? The only reason we would go there is to see the dolphins. please advise.

There's quite a few ex Sydney rushme,
. http://www.dolphinadventuretours.com.au/
. http://www.tourstogo.com.au/tour.2590
and a few more if googling
. http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=e...tryAU&aq=f&oq=
The drive down through the National Park for south coast is quite spectacular.

Alternately, seeing as you were after things to do about Melbourne, you could use the day for the BM and do a dolphin trip from down there, even a swim possible:
. http://www.dolphinswims.com.au/
Queenscliff a delightful historical town itself and if you combined it with the ferry across to Sorrento, a visit down to Portsea/Point Neapean and back up the Mpornington Peninsula via Red Hill/Arthurs Seat, it would be a delightful days outing.

A search on Melbourne Dolphin tours will find you more options.

And temperatures should not be a problem as they are not great migratory fish like the whales and Australias waters do not get so articly cold that makes the Whales migrate.
But a check with the different people will confirm what the situation is likely to be at anytime.

And you'll get a wetsuit if swimming yourself.