Been to Oz? Help needed

[Halo]

Glad you liked Tramcar - its like a budget version of the Orient Express!

You need to book on-line well in advance. We tried to alter our booking over a month in advance and couldn't as it was already full!

We dined in the Skytower too. It was Ok - worth doing for the view alone but otherwise so so. Not a highlight of the trip but it was good.

 

[youngaussienurse]

Your itinerary looks great!!!! Southbank is the best!!! We go there whenever we are in Melbourne ( we live in the suburbs about 1 hr away) . It is lovely with lots of restaraunts on the riverbank. You should take a boat trip up the yarra river (which is the river that southbank sits on). Also go into the Crown Casino Complex (you don't have to actually go into the casino if you don't want to) but the complex is great. Outside of the Crown complex (which is about a 5 min walk up from southbank) they have huge columns that shoot out huge flames on the hour every hour...it is spectacular. Also the botanical gardens are really nice to walk through if you are into that kind of thing, and the new Melbourne Aquarium is fantastic too and sits right near southbank in walking distance. William Ricketts sanctuary is really nice and displays his artwork of the Native Australian Aboriginies. It is a large garden type of place that you walk through and there are lots of statues and carvings that he has done in trees etc. It is about 1 hour from where you are and not really that accessible by public transport. I would suggest staying around in the city area as there is so much to do there. The arts centre is also a stones throw away from southbank as is the new museum.....also go up the Rialto Towers observation deck. This is the tallest building in Melbourne and the lookout is great. This is also very close to where you are...about 10 mins away. Hope you enjoy your stay in Melbourne and Aus!!! Feel free to ask me anymore Q's

 

[CharleyUK]

Hi youngaussienurse. The Southbank seems the right place to be staying. I like the sound of the flame thing, will have to check that out.

We were thinking about a trip out to the Mornington pennisula- would you think that was worth doing after spending 4 days driving the Great Ocean road or is it quite similar? Also would it be worth taking a organized trip or trying to get there either on public transport or extend or car hire?
The other trip we thought of was doing a wine tour. Not sure if it would be better from Melbourne or Adelaide? Any thoughts

 

[youngaussienurse]

Hi Charley,
The Great Ocean Road is really nice, I live on the Mornington Peninsula and it is nice also, it is where a lot of the winerys are, however probably due to the hotter climate, Adelaide may be a better place to go to the winerys. How about a visit to Ramsay Street (If you like the soapy Neighbours)! I think an organised tour or hiring a car would be the best, as public transport is not that good if you wanted to go to the MP or the GOR.

 

[signtalker]

Excellent thread, were going in May 06, hopefully going to do Australia and New Zealand, flying into Brisbane.

any must sees??, any tips

Jules

 

[CharleyUK]

Hi

youngaussienurse- not sure about the neighbours idea, don't think I could get DH to agree to that one.

Halo- did you eat at the buffet or the a la carte restaurant at the Skytower. We want to take my uncle and aunt there for my birthday as a treat. Worth it or would you suggest somewhere else.

I just love planning