Advice on Australian Itinerary

[Agent 86]

The Fairy Penguins at Philip Island (a couple of hours out of town) are always popular with tourists- it's in the evening so it will be cold, but you watch all the penguins come up out of the water and across the beach to their burrows. It can be crowded, but if you have the budget you can pay for aVIP experience where you have just a few people on a section of the beach.

I second this recommendation. When we went, which was at least five years ago, there were three pricing tiers. We chose the "middle" on which meant that we were in a less crowded seating section. I thought the experience was wonderful. You also have plenty of opportunities to see the penguins "up close" as you walk back to the visitor centre as there are normally stragglers still making their way to their burrows.

 

[SafferMom]

My dd is very excited about visiting Melbourne as she is a big Masterchef Australia fan so I need to find something related to visit. I was thinking of going out to eat at one of the judges restaurants - depends on budget I suppose.

Any recommendations ?

 

[SafferMom]

I love the idea of the Penguins, I remember taking my dd12 to see them in Cape Town when she was quite little and she loved the experience. My ds9 has never been and I really want to get the kids excited about Australia as moving so far away from friends and family is going to be really tough. Especially for ds9 as he has a really close best friend who lives within walking distance and they are both devastated they are going to be separated.

 

[LeanneDownUnder]

If your looking for a great place to stay in the middle of the city of Sydney without the price tag My daughter stayed at this B&B right in The Rocks for her year 12 Formal and said it was "Awesome" (she is 18!!) walk into the rocks could see the harbour bridge down the end of the road and the breakfast was very nice. It books out fast though I guess because of the price!

https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Hote...Bed_and_Breakfast-Sydney_New_South_Wales.html

 

[SafferMom]

Wow Thanks Leanne that looks wonderful - I would like to spend a night in the Sydney city if possible

 

[JessL]

Masterchef judges restaurants in Melbourne- Hellenic Republic is in two locations not far from the city. Owned by George Calombaris. Greek food. The Boathouse and Fenix are owned by Gary Mehigan. Fenix is probably easier to get to by public transport. Other options would be Zumbo in Sth Yarra, amazing patisserie owned by Adriano Zumbo who sets a lot of the desert challenges (also in Sydney) and Burch & Purchese, another patisserie owned by Darren Purchese who also designs a lot of the deserts. Shannon Bennets restaurant is amazing, but you might need to take out a second mortgage to eat there.

 

[SafferMom]

I have already crossed Shannons restaurant off the list when I saw the menu prices - yikes!!

Zumbo will definitely be visited and then perhaps Fenix - will peruse the menus to make final decisions.

Thanks for the suggestions @JessL

 

[JessL]

If you go to Zumbo, go to Burch & Purchese as well. It's just around the corner and just spectacular! I was in there a couple of days ago and the deserts were to die for - and you could watch Darren Purchese at work if he's in the kitchen.

 

[SafferMom]

We have finally booked our domestic flights. Because of my husbands meetings we have a slightly convoluted (not to mention expensive) travel itinerary.

We will land in Sydney and fly that evening to Brisbane so our flights are as follows.

Johannesburg-Sydney (we live in a small town 3.5 hours from Johannesburg so we will be driving up to the airport)

Sydney-Brisbane

Brisbane-Canberra

Canberra-Melbourne

Melbourne-Sydney

Sydney-Johannesburg



I was truly hoping to skip Canberra as the flights in and out seem quite a lot more than into the other cities but my husband has a valuable (hopefully) contact to meet with there - they have also offered for us to stay with them which is so kind.


Will now have to start looking at where and when we will require hire cars. For now I think we will only need one in Canberra. We will be staying in dh aunts flat in Caloundra while we are in Brisbane (will spend a few nights with friends in Brisbane itself) and are able to use her car which will save us so much.

The only place we will have to pay for accommodation is in Melbourne so I need to start booking that.

Any recommendations will be welcome.



Am so excited!!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Looks like things are coming along nicely for you, @SafferMom.

The only place we will have to pay for accommodation is in Melbourne so I need to start booking that.

Any recommendations will be welcome.

Are you looking for something in the CBD or outside, near transport etc?
And what budget did you have in mind?

I have a feeling that the Crown rooms might be on sale at the moment. It's the only casino in Melbourne and in the south-west corner of the city.
I also have a feeling that your issue may be number of beds in a room with your kids. If you're looking for 2 rooms, then perhaps the Novotel in Collins Street?

There are a number of apartment style hotels in town. The Oaks chain is also usually pretty dependable. At least, they are in other locations in Oz that I've stayed in....I've just never stayed in the Melbourne ones.
You'll have to check if they have the right number of beds/rooms for your family.

I also think the Stamford and the Quay West Suites might have family suites. It just comes down to budget.

 

[AdamEfimoff]

I would say Attica but it would be more than Vue du Monde both of which a like Test Kitchen in South Africa

 

[SafferMom]

Thanks PIO - yes we would like to be in the CBD as that's where the interviews are. We would prefer just the one room so would need a room with at least 2 doubles/queens. My kids are happy to share for a few nights. I am busy looking into apartment style hotels and there seems to be quite a choice so we will probably go with one of those. Our budget is small was hoping to keep it under $200 per night but not sure that will be possible. Will definitely have a look at the Oaks chain.

Wow @AdamEfimoff Attica looks wonderful but def out of our budget on this trip. You sound as though you know South Africa?

 

[AdamEfimoff]

Have you tried the age food and wine guide?

 

[AdamEfimoff]

Crown is exxy but very good .

 

[AdamEfimoff]

Just to let you know. Masterchef's judges restaurants are 'hatted' and fine dining . Most if not all will charge at least 150 per a person maybe a bit less. A budget of what you are willing to pay for a meal. Also please if you are going to Brisbane. I can give you suggestions. I work at the expensive Urbane on Mary Street. So I cannot give you advice on that. I cannot review or tell you how Urbane is.

 

[JessL]

I can't speak for all of them, but The Boathouse owned by Gary Mehigan and Gazi owned by George Calombaris whilst not super cheap are not fine dining or anywhere near $150/person. I forgot about Gazi before - it's a souvlakeria in the CBD so very easy for you to visit. You could eat for around $30/person - or even less.

 

[AdamEfimoff]

oh sorry I did not remember those. ^ thats right they own more than one. Also vue du monde's has bistro vue. I also suggest longtime

 

[AdamEfimoff]

http://www.goodfood.com.au/good-foo...food-guide-2016-the-hats-20150907-gjgtoc.html
http://www.goodfood.com.au/good-foo...food-guide-2016-the-hats-20150921-gjprjz.html

 

[Aussie Wendy]

Adding to Brisbane while in town and at Southbank the kids and you might enjoy a ride on the Citycat - a nice up or down river trip - the kids will like standing at the front, or there is the slower City Explorer red boats that run a shorter more inner city circuit but are free. The museum, art gallery and GOMA - in a row stretching along the river are all free - the museum also houses the Sciencecentre which costs. The Museum has one of the cheaper cafes amongst them but lots of other better options through Southbank itself. Also Brisbane wheel. Your younger one is also probably not too old yet to enjoy some of the playground equipment for older kids as well in Southbank as well as the pool and there are the markets on a Fri evening and Sat (11-5) or Sun (9-5). Fri night Eat St markets are a lot of fun I agree but not easy to get to by public transport. Stradbroke Isd is gorgeous and you will all really enjoy your time there. If the kids get really bored and you are in Brissie looking for something to amuse them indoor trampoline centres (I am talking huge sets of trampolines with activities/sports) are now very popular and the kids love them (such as Skyzone in MacGregor - google it).

 

[AdamEfimoff]

Adding to Brisbane while in town and at Southbank the kids and you might enjoy a ride on the Citycat - a nice up or down river trip - the kids will like standing at the front, or there is the slower City Explorer red boats that run a shorter more inner city circuit but are free. The museum, art gallery and GOMA - in a row stretching along the river are all free - the museum also houses the Sciencecentre which costs. The Museum has one of the cheaper cafes amongst them but lots of other better options through Southbank itself. Also Brisbane wheel. Your younger one is also probably not too old yet to enjoy some of the playground equipment for older kids as well in Southbank as well as the pool and there are the markets on a Fri evening and Sat (11-5) or Sun (9-5). Fri night Eat St markets are a lot of fun I agree but not easy to get to by public transport. Stradbroke Isd is gorgeous and you will all really enjoy your time there. If the kids get really bored and you are in Brissie looking for something to amuse them indoor trampoline centres (I am talking huge sets of trampolines with activities/sports) are now very popular and the kids love them (such as Skyzone in MacGregor - google it).

GOMA has a pretty good venture. There is a pizza place near Cove in Brisbane name escapes me. The new developed part near south bank busway station. There is a big pool at south bank sort of like a beach I guess.

You could see afl at the gabba. I really like pearl cafe near there.