Fun Down-Under

Melbourne is a fab city. It's laid back with great weather in the summer/spring months. Winter will get cold, not as bad as Ireland but still cold & wet!!! The city centre is quite small and very easy to get around using the tram system. Must see in Melbourne is the Victoria Market, this is open everyday except Tuesdays and Thursdays. Would definitely recommend a trip during the weekend though as its got a much better atmosphere and stalls. Federation Square and the Docks during the summer months have things going on eg music, salsa dancing etc.

Quick Tips:

Always visit the tourist office in Federation Square. They produce a brochure each month with a guide to what's on, best restaurants, best pubs and clubs, and often contains discount coupons. Even the locals use this guide!

Best Way To Get Around:

Within the city centre the tram is the best way to get around if you're feeling too lazy to walk. You can get two types of tickets, 2hr ticket which is valid for 2hrs from validation AUD3.10 or an all day ticket AUD5.90. This will do on any train, tram or bus within zone 1 which is basically the city centre and 1km each direction. Tip: 2hr ticket validated after 6pm will be valid until trams stop that night. You can purchase the ticket on the tram using coin ONLY, or at most shops eg 7Elevens. Tip: If you purchase the ticket in the shop, validate just past the hour eg 11:10 you will get longer validity on the ticket as it cannot work out the correct 2hrs!!!!! Tried & tested.....

There are three different chocolate walking tours. They operate on Saturday but they will organize a tour mid-week for a group of 10 or more. If you like chocolate its fabulous. We got to eat chocolate ice-cream, were taken to Coco-Black (the best real pure chocolate cafe in Melbourne) and similar places and also saw how chocolates were made. They gave us free hot chocolates of different types of chocolates. It’s for chocoholics on l-plates and even if your not its so worth it.

Beaches at Philip Island are really one of the best in Melbourne. The Penguin Parade itself can be a bit of a let down. It’s quite cold there at night so make sure you wrap up really well. While we all have images of hoards of penguins coming out of the sea and walking up the beach in groups they do not... they come up in ones, twos or threes so it does take quite awhile for it to happen! It is worth a visit because it’s a big tourist attraction in Melbourne and something you won’t get to see at home. However, be aware of the cold and the time it takes for them to come ashore.

Football at the MCG is an absolute must. Whether you're sporty or not the atmosphere will completely take you away. The view from any seat on the stadium is the same so you're guaranteed to be able to see it... Add a rowdy fun crowd, a few pints of beer & you cant go wrong...one of the best nights I had in Melbourne...!!!

I'm not much of a gambler/casino type person but I had a great night at the casino. The atmosphere was a top with serious gamblers (very interesting!) and ones just having fun (like me!) The staff is very friendly and helpful, especially when they hear the Irish accent and will explain any rules of any game to you. Bear in mind that Saturday nights can get quite rowdy; if you can go any other night of the week I would definitely recommend it.

Queen Victoria Market is an absolute must for anyone that visits Melbourne. I would say it's the first thing you should do! The market is open everyday except Tuesdays and Thursdays. The weekend (Saturday and Sunday) is much busier, has better stalls and the atmosphere is just fantastic. Anything you want to buy be it food (so fresh!) clothes, souvenirs, household stuff you can get at half the price at the market. You will also find stuff that you wont be able to find at the shops! I loved it!

While I wasn't into the Irish pub scene while in Oz (why social with Irish when you can do that home!) I did really enjoy a Sunday pint at Pugg Mahones on Elgin Street. The bar staff were really friendly & we did get after hours there. Its a lovely bar & with more Ozzies in it than Irish and you will see some of the older generation Irish in there having a pint of Guinness. It was one of my fav ways to spend a Sunday evening/afternoon!!!