What to do in Melbourne
Mar 12th, 2009 | 05:09 AM
#2
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,908
Likes: 0
Melbourne itself is an interesting city, very easy to get around with a free city circle tram and trams/trains making it easy enough to get to both inner and outer suburban areas, the Dandenong Ranges NP area with Sherbrooke Forest, The Pyffing Billy steam train and quaint tea-room and antique shops villages being reachable by public transport.
There's various day or multi day tours you can do to places like Phillip Island/Wilsons Promontory to the south east for some exposure to wildlife though there has been a large bushfire on Wilsons Promontory which may affect access and definitely look/wildlife in various areas.
Other locations that could appeal are Mornington Peninsula which along with Yarra Valley and Mt. Macedon region are vineyard areas and wine tours are available, and then there is the Great Ocean Road and out west you have what is often referred to as the Golden triangle, with Sovereign Hill a historical village that does dinner shows and even has overnight accommodation.
If you have an interest in sports, catching a game of www.afl.com.au may appeal and a night match at either Etihad Stadium, adjacent to Southern Cross Railway Staion at western end of CBD or at the MCG to east of CBD are a great spectacle with vibrant crowd support involvement.
It has been dry down south but parks around the CBD are a lovely feature, the Botanical Gardens on south side of Yarra River which borders south end of the CBD though there is a lot of development occurring on what is known as the south bank, there being a large Casino complex with many retail outlets and restaurants/bars, there being plenty of that throughout and on other fringes of the CBD along with quite a few museums that most larger cities have.
So really depends on what your interests are and do you have the full three weeks available and if you're interested in hiring a vehicle for a week or so, a lot of the outer locations of interest can be put into something of a loop tour, quite possibly a week for Melbourne proper and then two weeks for touring would be ideal if that is possible.
More detail on that if that's your interest.
There's various day or multi day tours you can do to places like Phillip Island/Wilsons Promontory to the south east for some exposure to wildlife though there has been a large bushfire on Wilsons Promontory which may affect access and definitely look/wildlife in various areas.
Other locations that could appeal are Mornington Peninsula which along with Yarra Valley and Mt. Macedon region are vineyard areas and wine tours are available, and then there is the Great Ocean Road and out west you have what is often referred to as the Golden triangle, with Sovereign Hill a historical village that does dinner shows and even has overnight accommodation.
If you have an interest in sports, catching a game of www.afl.com.au may appeal and a night match at either Etihad Stadium, adjacent to Southern Cross Railway Staion at western end of CBD or at the MCG to east of CBD are a great spectacle with vibrant crowd support involvement.
It has been dry down south but parks around the CBD are a lovely feature, the Botanical Gardens on south side of Yarra River which borders south end of the CBD though there is a lot of development occurring on what is known as the south bank, there being a large Casino complex with many retail outlets and restaurants/bars, there being plenty of that throughout and on other fringes of the CBD along with quite a few museums that most larger cities have.
So really depends on what your interests are and do you have the full three weeks available and if you're interested in hiring a vehicle for a week or so, a lot of the outer locations of interest can be put into something of a loop tour, quite possibly a week for Melbourne proper and then two weeks for touring would be ideal if that is possible.
More detail on that if that's your interest.
Mar 13th, 2009 | 03:28 AM
#3
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 784
Likes: 0
Have a look at www.thatsmelbourne.com.au. A good site .
Bushranger has given you a good general taste.
There is also a free bus shuttle service around major tourist sites/ precincts in the city . The above site has lots of detail about getting around .
Over 3 weeks you may want to hire a car as it will make it easier if you want to go further afield but it is not essential .
Are you here for a holiday or work and holiday ? Let us know and please be more specific about what interests so we can all be more precise in offering advice .
Bushranger has given you a good general taste.
There is also a free bus shuttle service around major tourist sites/ precincts in the city . The above site has lots of detail about getting around .
Over 3 weeks you may want to hire a car as it will make it easier if you want to go further afield but it is not essential .
Are you here for a holiday or work and holiday ? Let us know and please be more specific about what interests so we can all be more precise in offering advice .
Mar 13th, 2009 | 04:25 AM
#4
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 0
Recommend Federation Square and the museums there (moving image, Australian Art branch of the National Gallery of Victoria). I also thought the Immigration Museum well repaid a visit of several hours.
Oh, and a performance at the Arts Centre.
Cheers.
Oh, and a performance at the Arts Centre.
Cheers.
Apr 23rd, 2009 | 09:07 PM
#5
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
I'm planning a trip there myself, so i'll share some of my learnt wisdom.
General stuff; Melbourne is the place other Australians go for great shopping and culture - all my mates who have aspirations as actors, artists or any related profession have moved there to try to make it. If you're into theatre there are a lot of options from real intimate indie stuff to broadway type shows (Wicked was on last time I checked). On the shopping side of things, there are lots of hidden gems that are worth seeking out. Mel is also big on food. A few that I've heard raved about are MoVida Tapas, Vue du Monde (V expensive though), and my favourite restaurant meal ever, Borsch, Vodka and Tears. Also Lygon street for Italian food, great coffee and an amazing chocolate shop
Specifics;
Mel zoo is meant to be very good, if you have some cash to spend you can book to get up close and personal with the animals (I'm thinking of treating my hubby to a meeting with the big cats - $70 for a 1/2 hour session) http://www.zoo.org.au/Melbourne/Behind_the_Scenes
NGVI (National gallery of Victoria - International, there's also an NGVA) was great, their special exhibitions seem to be very high quality.
Royal Botanic Gardens - I plan to do the Aboriginal heritage walking tour, Thursday and Friday mornings at 11
I've heard the Centre for the Moving Image is good but not really my thing so I haven't been there
I also plan to check out Last Laugh comedy club (We're a little too provincial to have a proper comedy club in Perth), Croft institute - where they serve drinks in test tubes, the Esplanade sunday market in St Kilda, and CERES, where I hope to learn more about sustainability.
If you have young ones (or if you're young enough yourself) they may be interested in Luna Park, an amusement park.
I could be more specific with suggestions if you said what sort of demographic you're in, and what you enjoy doing.
General stuff; Melbourne is the place other Australians go for great shopping and culture - all my mates who have aspirations as actors, artists or any related profession have moved there to try to make it. If you're into theatre there are a lot of options from real intimate indie stuff to broadway type shows (Wicked was on last time I checked). On the shopping side of things, there are lots of hidden gems that are worth seeking out. Mel is also big on food. A few that I've heard raved about are MoVida Tapas, Vue du Monde (V expensive though), and my favourite restaurant meal ever, Borsch, Vodka and Tears. Also Lygon street for Italian food, great coffee and an amazing chocolate shop
Specifics;
Mel zoo is meant to be very good, if you have some cash to spend you can book to get up close and personal with the animals (I'm thinking of treating my hubby to a meeting with the big cats - $70 for a 1/2 hour session) http://www.zoo.org.au/Melbourne/Behind_the_Scenes
NGVI (National gallery of Victoria - International, there's also an NGVA) was great, their special exhibitions seem to be very high quality.
Royal Botanic Gardens - I plan to do the Aboriginal heritage walking tour, Thursday and Friday mornings at 11
I've heard the Centre for the Moving Image is good but not really my thing so I haven't been there
I also plan to check out Last Laugh comedy club (We're a little too provincial to have a proper comedy club in Perth), Croft institute - where they serve drinks in test tubes, the Esplanade sunday market in St Kilda, and CERES, where I hope to learn more about sustainability.
If you have young ones (or if you're young enough yourself) they may be interested in Luna Park, an amusement park.
I could be more specific with suggestions if you said what sort of demographic you're in, and what you enjoy doing.
