Hello,

I'm coming to Melbourne in the middle of march and looking for suggestions for what to do with kids in Melbourne and also where to go for 2-3 nights within 1.5 hours drive. From there we will be heading to Mansfield for 3-4 nights for a wedding. Any suggestions on where to go and accomodations (up-market but kid friendly) would be helpful!

Try -
http://www.visitmelbourne.com/Region...ns/Family.aspx
http://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/Wha...ortheKids.aspx
http://www.littlemelbourne.com.au
http://www.au.timeout.com/melbourne/kids
http://www.onlymelbourne.com.au/melbourne.php?id=2261
http://www.kidspot.com.au/thingstodo/
http://www.melbourneplaygrounds.com....o.php?id=24192

For out of town, go visit a few wineries in the Yarra Valley and take the kids to the Healesville Sanctuary. It's (more-or-less) on the way to Mansfield. Perhaps go for a ride on Puffing Billy first, then up to Healesville and the wineries and then on to Mansfield.
http://www.puffingbilly.com.au
http://www.zoo.org.au/healesville
http://www.visityarravalley.com.au

For accommodation (in Melbourne and elsewhere), wotif will give you a pretty good idea of what's available at what price point -
http://www.wotif.com/search/results?...6&viewType=all
I'd have to admit some of those prices are a bit scary ... There are quite a number of short-stay apartment blocks around (which should turn up in a wotif search) - they may be worth investigating if you want somewhere kid-friendly (which, let's face it, most inner-city hotels aren't particularly). I would try to stay somewhere within the CBD <central business district = middle of town, not necessarily the 'business' part>, as that would make it easier to get back for a rest, if the kids (or the adults!) get tired etc.

Depending on when you're here, the Formula 1 Grand Prix is on March 13-16.
http://www.grandprix.com.au/index.php

Also check stayz.com for accommodation and consider staying in one of the inner suburban areas adjacent to the central business district for a more local feel.

Good idea to visit Puffing Billy/Healesville/wineries enroute to Mansfield. Alternatively you could travel beyond Mansfield to the area around Beechworth and then Mansfield on your return to Melbourne. A longer drive but nice too.

Also watch out for Labour Day holiday in March - a good day to be in Melbourne (google search Moomba) but busier out of Melbourne as people head away for the long weekend.

Ride Puffing Billy steam railway in the Sandenong Range, which is in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. You and the kids will love it. Watch videos of Puffing Billy on Youtube.com and read about it on the internet, and then you will see what I mean.

Another excelltn choice is to drive some of the Great Ocean Roiad, but allow at least 1/2 a day for that. Go toi Lorne for lunch, shop at the surf shops and hit the beach.

Half a day for GOR is not nearly enough. It's at least 2 hours drive to Lorne and that's the beginning of that really scenic section of road. If you do go, however, walking in the area is lovely.

HEllo!

Thanks for everyone's feedback. What's better for kids the mornington penninsula or phillip island? What do people typically prefer for nice accomodations and hotels between the two?

I would think Phillip Island, for the proximity of the Penguin Parade, koala conservation centre,Vietnam war museum, Churchill Island; Cowes & Rhyll, boat trip to Seal Island and more.

Have you looked at both websites? www.visitphillipisland.com.au
www.visitvictoria.com.au

Also on Phillip Island for kids and other chocoholics:
http://www.phillipislandchocolatefactory.com.au/
They'll enjoy the interactive games and displays.