Melbourne Travel Answers

there is a free tram that circles the city - it is a kind of brown/maroon colour i live in melbourne and it is a charming city but not exactly packed with MUST SEES in my opinion some people enjoy going out to Belgrave and catching the Puffing Billy train. or you could take a river cruise up the yarra i would go to the national gallery of victoria because i love art - there is one in federation square which has australian work and one just a short walk away for the international stuff - free entry many people recommend the Queen Victoria markets but i find it a bit of a disappointment - it is good for food and veg etc

Aunty Jen (craic) is always right - LOL. A day is not that much and although I'm a volunteer on Puffing Billy, it would be a big slab out of the day and it can get REALLY cold on that train (see my Belgrave page for lots of info). I see you like walking, maybe in addition to the city circle free tram, get off at the corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets ands get onto another tram down St Kilda Road. When you get opposite the pyramid shaped building (Shrine of Remembrance) start walking and include the magnificent Royal Botanical Gardens - one of the best in the world. With the free tram and getting off at the corner of Spring and Bourke Streets (Parliament Precinct) and the shrine/gardens and a coffee/lunch stop, that should keep you more than busy for the day.

Have a look here "Official VirtualTourist Australian Local Chapter" - The_Downunder_Mob's Profile and in The Younger Mob part (in personal pages) there is some good info on Melbourne. I love along South Bank ....walk across one of the bridges near Flinders Station but last time we were there a lot of construction work was going on....Or else check out the old arcades. The Info centre opposite Flinders Station will give you a map of the arcade walk.

My very favourite Melbourne thing to do is to visit the Old Melbourne Gaol in Russell Street. This is where Ned Kelly was hanged and you can wander in and out of many of the cells and view the death maks etc. The entry fee also includes the Watch House Experience next door, which you must do as it is not only informative but extremely entertaining. Lots of great photo opportunities as well. This has won many awards including "Best Tourist Site in Australia".

Lots of good suggestions here - I would particularly echo the recommendations to go on the tourist tram and to visit Melbourne Gaol. If you have a sense of the bizarre, visiting Southbank and/or taking the tram will give you the opportunity to marvel at the exterior of Federation Square (mentioned by craic above) which regularly features in lists of the Top 10 ugliest buildings in the world - I think that Fred Flintstone was their architectural consultant! I would also recommend the excellent Immigration Museum. Something that I love doing when I'm in Melbourne is catching the ferry from Southbank down the Yarra to Williamstown on the coast, which provides an unusual perspective on Melbourne (most tourists don't get to Williamstown, which is a shame as it's an interesting historic port). However, like Puffing Billy, this is probably best done at a warmer time of year, so perhaps 'bank' this one for a future visit? Enjoy - Melbourne is one of my absolute favourite cities, and you'd have to try very hard to have a bad time there! Regards Cathy

Hi, There are many places to visit.As you are planning just for one day out. The must see are: 1.Melbourne Aquarium 2.Crown Casino 3.Eureka towers 4.Hot Air Balloon (on weekends) 5.MCG 6.Restaurants,clubs,shopping malls ............ There are places out of Melbourne to visit,but need more time. Enjoy Melbourne Trip! Sri +61421043176

Thanks everyone, I shall now research these places and keep you posted on what I ultimately plan to do when in Melbourne! :-) Is it going to be very cold this time of the year? I am there in the last week of May..

Hi Abi Melbourne's weather is notoriously fickle, but if you asuume that it will be cool and rainy and plan accordingly, you'll be on the right track. Regards Cathy

Sadly next weekend is predicted to be top of 14 each of the days and rain. Believe me it is VERY cold working on Puffing Billy in those conditions, but fun.

Thanks guys, am coming in from a very hot summer in India, so this gives me a chance to air some of my winterwear! :) Will pack accordingly..

One last question- would any of you recommend the Longhorn Younique tours- esp the Ocean drive tour, it sounds so interesting and yet is horribly expensive!!