Melbourne Journals

Marvelous Melbourne

A June 1997 trip to Melbourne by akakd

Magnolia Court Boutique Hotel Photo - Magnolia Court Boutique Hotel,

Quote: Melbourne was Marvelous in what was their beginning of Winter. Weather was mild & sunny, sporting beautiful Autumn leaves. I certainly wouldn't hesitate to return in "off-season". We began our first day walking in lightly brisk air past Flinders Street Station to the National Gallery of Victoria. We enjoyed passing Victorian-style buildings & wide tree-lined boulevards scattered among modern high-rises. Melbourne, Boston's Sister City, is worth a serious look.

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Marvelous Melbourne

Overview

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Gabby, who worked the night shift at Magnolia Court, was very helpful in arranging our romantic evening on the Colonial TramCar Restaurant for my husband's birthday. It proved to be one of the highlights of our trip. To find out more about this MOVING TramCar Restaurant, see the article written about it.

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Magnolia Court Boutique Hotel

Hotel

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Magnolia Court is a boutique hotel located in historical East Melbourne near Fitzroy Gardens. Our room was in the older, historic section. The room was a bit worn, but comfortable. The bed, nightstands, tv, love seat, table, & desk were up a few steps. The water closet (toilet) was a separate room, I think on the same level. The bath/shower & sink were right inside our bedroom door to the left of the steps leading up to the bedroom area. The hotel had a wonderful, modern glassed-in breakfast room. There was also a spa on site, as well as a very welcome washer & dryer. If you go, say "hi" to Gabby.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on January 6, 2001

Magnolia Court Boutique Hotel
101 POWLETT STREET
Melbourne, Australia 3002
61394194222

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Colonial Tramcar Restaurants

Restaurant | "Colonial TramCar Restaurant"

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To celebrate my husband's birthday, we delighted in The Colonial TramCar Restaurant, aboard a MOVING historical 1927 tram that travels around the city as you dine on gourmet cuisine and see the city all lit up at night. This burgundy restaurant on wheels is the only actual traveling tramcar restaurant in the world, and an innovative approach to dining. Food is prepared fresh on the tram and served with traditional silver and white linen service. One delicacy--Pepper Crusted Kangaroo. It was more than a bit unnerving to pet them by day, dine on them by night. I, personally, opted for the award winning cheese & delighted in delicious chocolates. The Colonial TramCar Restaurant won the National...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on January 6, 2001

Colonial Tramcar Restaurants
Board at stop 125, Normanby Road
Melbourne, Australia 3205
+61 (0)3 9696 4000

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National Gallery of Victoria

Attraction

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Probably my favorites in the National Gallery of Victoria were two Rembrandts on the 2nd floor: "Two old men disputing" (St. Peter & St. Paul?), 1628 and "Portrait of a man", 1667. There was also a lovely Great Hall with its stained glass ceiling on the ground floor and Rodin's Balzac in the Courtyard.

Member Rating 2 out of 5 on January 6, 2001

National Gallery of Victoria
180 St Kilda Road
Melbourne, Australia 3000
+61 (0)3 9208 0203

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Phillip Island Nature Parks and Penguin Parade

Attraction | "Phillip Island Tour"

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We took an afternoon/evening bus tour to Phillip Island. En route, we stopped to spend time with kangaroos. They ate out of our hands and seemed to love the attention. Next we stopped at the Koala Conservation Centre on Phillip Island for close-up views of koalas at dusk. Then it was off to the "Penguin Parade", a steady stream of "fairy" penguins coming in to nest after a day out swimming/fishing. These are the smallest known penguins, just 13" tall. They are actually "ink blue", not black. It was truly a site to see (& hear!). I somehow managed to lose my warmest hat off the side of the railings. I'm comforted to think somewhere off Phillip Island, a little penguin has made a nice, warm nes...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on January 6, 2001

Phillip Island Nature Parks and Penguin Parade
2115 Phillip Island Road
Cowes, Australia 3922
+61 (0)3 5952 2038

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Ballarat Wildlife Park

Attraction

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We were met at the gate by the resident wombat who has gotten so heavy, they wheel him out in a wheelbarrow to greet arriving guests! We had a closer view of koalas here than at the Conservation Centre. In fact, we were able to pet one despite the trainer being clawed across the face. Strangely, koalas don't like the wind & don't like their faces or heads rubbed. When a little boy patted the koala's head & the wind started blowing, the koala got frightened & clawed the trainer's face, drawing blood. She had cuts across her nose, cheek, & eyelid. With face bleeding, she brought out a different koala for us to touch. We learned that koalas survive on eucalyptus leaves & very little water, hence t...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on January 6, 2001

Ballarat Wildlife Park
Fussell & York Streets
Melbourne, Australia

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Sovereign Hill

Attraction

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Sovereign Hill portrays life in the goldfields around 1851-1861. Here you can: pan for gold, watch craftsmen at their trades, ride a coach, pay a call to the two schools, talk to costumed people, shop, & eat. Sovereign Hill is likened to our Williamsburg.

Member Rating 2 out of 5 on January 6, 2001

Sovereign Hill
Bradshaw Street
(Ballarat), Australia 3350
+61 (0)3 5333 5777