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Forum Question Posted By: Replies:
Melbourne
1 week in Melbourne and surroundings
Posted: Sun August 7, 2011 10:38 AM UTC
Hi!

I will be travelling to Melbourne next month (Sep 11) with my family. There will be 5-6 adults and a toddler.

As I only have 1 week, I would like to ask for recommendations and suggestions on my itinerary and what I should not miss on this trip. We are flying in and out of Melbourne.

We should be doing some self-drive trips, hence, I guess the GOR is not to be missed. We plan to do a loop starting from Melbourne and up to the Grampians and back to Melbourne. I mean we plan to do a 4days 3 nights along this route. Where do you think we should stay? Which are the places we should not miss. We are into nice scenery and any recommendations on self-catering accommodation?

What about Yarra Valley? Phillip island? and the rest? Are there other places we absolutely must not miss?

I heard that Melbourne is a very pretty city and it is an "arty" one too. Are there nice art museums in Melbourne? What should I do over there?

Thanks all in advance for your tips and advice.

Bee
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Melbourne
Re: 1 week in Melbourne and surroundings
Posted: Sun August 7, 2011 11:10 AM UTC
Sounds like you have big plans for just one week. I have only ever had 3-4 days in Melbourne at a time and as such haven't had time for the Great Ocean Road. I had always pictured myself doing that on an Adelaide to Melbourne driving holiday. I found the scenery in the Dandenongs to be pretty nice when a friend took us up there for the afternoon. Easy day trip from Melbourne. I also like the World Heritage sites and there is one in Melbourne near the museum I believe from memory. The Victoria Markets are always popular. This link might be helpful.
http://www.qvm.com.au/
I just love wandering the alleyways in the city and eating way too much.

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Melbourne
Re: 1 week in Melbourne and surroundings
Posted: Sun August 7, 2011 12:56 PM UTC
Hi Bee and hope you enjoy Melbourne.

Is the 3 nights trip included in the 1 week - if that is the case then you don't have a lot of time to see all that Melb has to offer.

For the GOR 1st night Lorne or Apollo Bay, second Port Campbell BUT as its a small place you'll need to pre-book. Grampians really the only place to stay is Halls Gap.

5 - 5 adults + baby you'll need a small people mover - check the car rental companies for a comparison try http://www.vroomvroomvroom.com.au/ and maybe it might be cheaper to rent a vehicle for the entire time as you are planning to do a bit of tripping around - although if you are going to stay in the city you may have problems with car parking.

For Melb I suggest using the city circle free tram and just explore along the way. The National Gallery of Victoria is just out of the city and you can walk there from the free tram. Suggest from there a trip to the Shrine of Remembrance (war memorial but has a great view of the city and suburbs from the upper level) and right next door is the Royal Botanical Gardens and well worth a visit.

Add to your out of Melb list the Dandenong Ranges - lots of quirky towns with art galleries and old fashioned tea rooms serving up Devonshire Tea with scones and cream.

Be aware that Melb can get chilly in Sept, so bring along layers of clothing.

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Melbourne
Re: 1 week in Melbourne and surroundings
Posted: Mon August 8, 2011 05:55 AM UTC
If you only have one week, I suggest you skip Philip Island. I think it is not worth going there as the scenery is not half as nice as on the GOR and the penguin thing is simply aweful (of course that's just my personal opinion!). I think you should rather spend the day in Melbourne.

Some things I liked in Melbourne:
* Fitzroy (a quirky quarter with lots of nice restaurants and cafés)
* St Kilda (beach)
* boat trip on the Yarra
* Immigration Museum (if you are interested in history)
* Shrine of Remembrance (very impressive)
* Royal Botanic Gardens (very beautiful!)
* National Gallery of Victoria

I agree that the Dandenong Ranges are wonderful, you can combine it with Healesville Sanctuary if you would like to see some Australian wildlife.

Melbourne is a fantastic city and has so much to offer - you just need to pick what interests you most :-) And as others have already said, I think that Melbourne is mostly about the atmosphere. Just stroll around, soak in the atmosphere, get a snack and sit by the Yarra River, walk around the streets...

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Melbourne
Re: 1 week in Melbourne and surroundings
Posted: Fri August 26, 2011 03:06 PM UTC
Many of the walks in the Grampians are closed due to major storm damage early this year. http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/grampians-national-park
The Yarra Valley is charming and the Healesville Sanctuary is well worth a visit.

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