What to do in Melbourne
Jul 10th, 2007, 02:05 PM
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What to do in Melbourne
Greetings! My husband and I are going to be in Melbourne at the end of August as part of an Australian vacation (we live in New York). What are the must-dos of the city if we have three days there? Any favorite sights or tips would be great!
We think we will spend one of our days on the Great Ocean Drive... is it worth it? Very pretty?
What is the best area for hotel stay in the city? We'd probably like to be near "the action" (b/c we are in our upper 20's)... and would probably hope to spend in a 3-4 star price-range. Suggestions?
Thanks in advance!
We think we will spend one of our days on the Great Ocean Drive... is it worth it? Very pretty?
What is the best area for hotel stay in the city? We'd probably like to be near "the action" (b/c we are in our upper 20's)... and would probably hope to spend in a 3-4 star price-range. Suggestions?
Thanks in advance!
Jul 10th, 2007, 05:06 PM
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Oh Lizzy you are incorrigible!
My two favourite hotels in Melbourne city centre are the Adelphi in Little Flinders Lane and Hotel Lindrum (near Federation Square). Try all the usual hotel websites (wotif and gostay) for the cheapest price.
Melbourne has fantastic food and terrific shopping (Gertrude st, Fitzroy has some quirky boutiques and shops). Federation square is a must see and the museums around it. The museum at Heide is a nice side trip.
My two favourite hotels in Melbourne city centre are the Adelphi in Little Flinders Lane and Hotel Lindrum (near Federation Square). Try all the usual hotel websites (wotif and gostay) for the cheapest price.
Melbourne has fantastic food and terrific shopping (Gertrude st, Fitzroy has some quirky boutiques and shops). Federation square is a must see and the museums around it. The museum at Heide is a nice side trip.
Jul 11th, 2007, 02:02 AM
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1. NGV Australia (National Gallery of Vic.) at Federation Square.
2. Queen Victoria Markets.
3. Collins Street and hot chocolate at Koko Black at no. 52 Collins.
4. The Exhibition Building (world heritage listed)at Carlton Gardens, Lygon St. Carlton and coffee at Brunettis (cnr. of Lygon and Faraday sts.)
5. The excellent Botanic Gardens.
6. Shopping and exploring Melbourne's lanes and arcades.
7. Dinner at Donovans at St.Kilda or if you want to splurge, lunch at Neil Perry's Bar and Grill at the Casino (fantastic wagyu beef) lots of other restaurants at the Casino and Pure South at Southbank specialises in gourmet delights from Tasmania.
8. A trip to the Yarra Valley and Healsville.
9. A trip on the Great Ocean Road
more than 250kms. of wonderful coastline and very dramatic at this time of the year.
10. The Edge at Eureka Tower, Southbank (new and not even in New York!)
11. Chapel Street Prahran for fantastic shopping.
12. Penguin Parade at Phillip Island.
There are many hotels in the CBD go to www.wotif.com.au for rates and save Sydney for another time as there is so much to see and do in Melbourne!
2. Queen Victoria Markets.
3. Collins Street and hot chocolate at Koko Black at no. 52 Collins.
4. The Exhibition Building (world heritage listed)at Carlton Gardens, Lygon St. Carlton and coffee at Brunettis (cnr. of Lygon and Faraday sts.)
5. The excellent Botanic Gardens.
6. Shopping and exploring Melbourne's lanes and arcades.
7. Dinner at Donovans at St.Kilda or if you want to splurge, lunch at Neil Perry's Bar and Grill at the Casino (fantastic wagyu beef) lots of other restaurants at the Casino and Pure South at Southbank specialises in gourmet delights from Tasmania.
8. A trip to the Yarra Valley and Healsville.
9. A trip on the Great Ocean Road
more than 250kms. of wonderful coastline and very dramatic at this time of the year.
10. The Edge at Eureka Tower, Southbank (new and not even in New York!)
11. Chapel Street Prahran for fantastic shopping.
12. Penguin Parade at Phillip Island.
There are many hotels in the CBD go to www.wotif.com.au for rates and save Sydney for another time as there is so much to see and do in Melbourne!
Jul 11th, 2007, 03:36 AM
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Melbourne's a fantastic city and you'll have a ball! It's sophisticated, cosmopolitan .... why else would it be voted one of the world's "most liveable" cities? And I live in Sydney !
If you stay at the Adelphi ... eat at Ezard (same building). Seriously good food from a chef who doesn't take himself seriously
Boulud's without attitude 
Others have referred you to the Art Gallery at Federation Square etc.,
For a "local" view:
Brighton ... upmarket "village" + English style Bathing Boxes on the beach. You have to go onto the beach to see them ... and it's worth the (minimal) effort - you'll be enchanted.
If you're interested in good food etc., the Grower's market at Richmond (look up Children's market in the local papers) on weekends. 40 something acres right in the middle of inner city Melbourne - check out the Convent next door - I think they've now an Arts/Theatre in it.
Armadale & Richmond are interesting for shopping & browsing art/jewellery/designer clothing/antiques.
Ackland St., St Kilda. Funky meets Eastern Europe. Go for the Coffee & cakes on weekend mornings. There's a street market along the Esplanade.
In town, explore the little lanes off Bourke Street Mall.
If you're interested in art & have a car, visit Eltham - home to the Australian Moderns of the 40's - 80's.
Take a day + a night & go along the Great Ocean Road. Note: You will need to get out of your car to see the sights - this is not a "whistle stop, glimpse it from the car" trip. If you go a little further, Port Fairy is my favourite place.
3 days ... you'll wish you had more.
If you stay at the Adelphi ... eat at Ezard (same building). Seriously good food from a chef who doesn't take himself seriously
Boulud's without attitude Others have referred you to the Art Gallery at Federation Square etc.,
For a "local" view:
Brighton ... upmarket "village" + English style Bathing Boxes on the beach. You have to go onto the beach to see them ... and it's worth the (minimal) effort - you'll be enchanted.
If you're interested in good food etc., the Grower's market at Richmond (look up Children's market in the local papers) on weekends. 40 something acres right in the middle of inner city Melbourne - check out the Convent next door - I think they've now an Arts/Theatre in it.
Armadale & Richmond are interesting for shopping & browsing art/jewellery/designer clothing/antiques.
Ackland St., St Kilda. Funky meets Eastern Europe. Go for the Coffee & cakes on weekend mornings. There's a street market along the Esplanade.
In town, explore the little lanes off Bourke Street Mall.
If you're interested in art & have a car, visit Eltham - home to the Australian Moderns of the 40's - 80's.
Take a day + a night & go along the Great Ocean Road. Note: You will need to get out of your car to see the sights - this is not a "whistle stop, glimpse it from the car" trip. If you go a little further, Port Fairy is my favourite place.
3 days ... you'll wish you had more.
Jul 11th, 2007, 09:47 PM
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An excellent hotel in Melbourne is the Hatton Hotel www.hatton.com.au It doesn't get much of a mention on this forum, but it is in a great position, South Yarra, with the Toorak tram to the city running past the front door. The rates are reasonable and it is within walking distance to the Botanic Gardens and the excellent restaurant of the Botanical Hotel. In the other direction the Toorak tram also takes you to Chapel St. Prahran.
Jul 13th, 2007, 06:11 AM
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A little hesitant to say this as you're from NY, but Melbourne has some pretty cool nightlife. Specialises in hiding small, cool, funky bars down dark alleys, behind hidden doorways etc. This following article is really old, but it is the best sample of odds and sods I've found. Check the details before you get here
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/20...988455199.html
Note that the one called Arthur's on Corporation lane. They've changed the name to AC/DC Lane.
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/20...988455199.html
Note that the one called Arthur's on Corporation lane. They've changed the name to AC/DC Lane.
Jul 17th, 2007, 09:14 PM
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Here is the Victorian Tourism website. It isn't the most user friendly but you will see the different areas and attractions. http://www.visitvictoria.com/
Jul 18th, 2007, 10:36 AM
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Thanks for all the suggestions, and for the great night life highlights - I'd LOVE to visit one of the "hidden bars" and the article you sent looks really helpful! I imagine finding theses hidden gems is part of the fun... can't wait!
*Bridgett
*Bridgett
Aug 8th, 2007, 07:24 PM
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I travelled to Melbourne on a business trip. What I loved was that the city just absorbed you. I didn't feel like a tourist, like part of the world.
The food was my favorite part. The Italian food is the best I have ever had. And I come from a big Italian family in New England, have been to Little Italy in NY and just got back from Rome.
The rest of the food was great too. I didn't have a bad meal. Unfortunately I don't have the names of the restaurants any longer.
Near the Queen Victoria market, there are all little places to eat. Definitely fun to walk around. And someone might have a camel in the middle of it all.
It might be too touristy for some, but the Penguin Parade was wonderful too.
I loved my room at the Grand Hyatt overlooking the river and South Bank.
Enjoy.
The food was my favorite part. The Italian food is the best I have ever had. And I come from a big Italian family in New England, have been to Little Italy in NY and just got back from Rome.
The rest of the food was great too. I didn't have a bad meal. Unfortunately I don't have the names of the restaurants any longer.
Near the Queen Victoria market, there are all little places to eat. Definitely fun to walk around. And someone might have a camel in the middle of it all.
It might be too touristy for some, but the Penguin Parade was wonderful too.
I loved my room at the Grand Hyatt overlooking the river and South Bank.
Enjoy.
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