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A week in Melbourne, AU

A travel journal to Melbourne by aussiemate

Pink and Blue SunsetMore Photos

Here's a journal of the highlights that any visitor to Australia should not miss. Everyone has seen photos of the Sydney Opera House and heard about the Great Barrier Reef, but Melbourne is not to be missed as the best metropolitan city in Australia!

  • 7 reviews
  • 7 photos

A week in Melbourne, AUBest of IgoUgo

Overview

Grand Prix
The best time to visit is in late January during the bright summer days of the Australian Open. Aussies are notorious sporting fanatics, and they turn out in full force to cheer on their favorite native heroes. The Tennis Centre's retractable roof makes it a unique and beautiful piece of architecture.

The Southbank and Southgate walks along the Yarra are terrific. There are street performers and a myriad of restaurants and shops and often a jetski or boating competition going on. At night, try your hand at gaming in the famous Crown Casino.

The view from Rialto Tower offers an unobstructed view of the entire city as well as the Grampions.

You don't want to miss the spectacular little penguins emerging from the surf on Phillip Island at sunset. These darling birds swim home after a long day of fishing, wait for their mates, then run up the beach in a straight line until they pair off and run into their dunes. They are the cutest animals imagineable. Nearby is a Koala Park, Seal Rock, and Wombat Park. You can spend all day enjoying creatures in their natural habitats.

Quick Tips:

Dinner and especially sticky date pudding at the Blue Train Cafe in Southgate.
Clubbing at Metro on Saturday night.
Shopping on Chapel Street in South Yarra.
Dinner at the Tramcar Restaurant.
Puffing Billy Railway Ride
For the golf enthusiast, there are over 40 courses within 15 minutes ride of the city. They are beautifully manicured and have reasonable greens fees.

Best Way To Get Around:

Public transportation is excellent here. There are trams, busses and trains. However, the city is extremely walkable and quite easy to navigate. The best bargain is to buy the weekly transit pass that permits you to use trams, trains or busses whenever you want and is only . Then you can walk everywhere within the city and take a train out to Chapel Street or a tram to the zoo. I have only used taxis when I am carrying too many shopping bags and am too lazy to take the tram!

Darling Towers Executive ApartmBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Darling Towers"

This complex was a two bedroom serviced apartment with full kitchen. Housekeeping came twice per week, and the accommodation was quite spacious. We could eat out or use the kitchen if we felt like cooking or having take away food. We were a quick walk to the train station and two stops out of the CBD, which was great, except at 2am when the train whistles were loud enough to wake us up. We were also only a short walk from the shops, bars, movies, and restaurants of Chapel Street.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by aussiemate on July 5, 2001

Darling Towers Executive Apartm
32 DARLING STREET Melbourne, Australia 3141
61398675200

Blue TrainBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Blue Train Cafe"

Yummy Fish N Chips
This restaurant didn't look like much, but you could dine outside overlooking the Yarra River and the CBD, so we tried it. The food was excellent and was mostly local cuisine. They also had quite a few specials. We loved the risotto and fish and chips specials. All of the desserts were mouthwatering. After speaking with many other locals, we found that Blue Train is famous for their sticky date pudding. We tried it, and now we know why - it's beautiful. The waitstaff is very attentive, and peoplewatching is fun at this cafe. It attracts an eclectic group of diners. I've never seen so many unique hair colours. Plus from the window seats of this second storey establishment, you can watch all of the people wandering along the banks of the Yarra. If you eat here at night, you can see and hear the hourly flame shows put on by the Crown Casino. You can even feel the heat from the flames, which is wild. This is a great place for a reasonably priced meal with good service and a good view.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by aussiemate on July 6, 2001

Blue Train
Mid level, Southgate Complex Melbourne, Australia 3205
+61 (0)3 9696 0111

Melbourne ZooBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

It's a pretty good day overall. It's like going to the Taronga Zoo in Sydney but on a smaller scale. There are more animals and venues in Sydney, but the Melbourne Zoo is above average. I'd rate the San Diego, National and Bronx Zoos as well as Taronga ahead of it, but otherwise it's great. There are lots of educational and animal feeding segments for kids and adults to enjoy. It does get very crowded during summer, so try to go during the week. Parking is also difficult, so try to arrive early.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by aussiemate on July 6, 2001

Melbourne Zoo
Elliott Avenue Melbourne, Australia 3052
+61 (0)3 9285 9300

Yarrambat Park Golf CourseBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Yarranbat Golf Course"

I loved the course because of the large amount of wildlife that inhabits it. It was not unusual to spot a mob of Easter Greys hopping by. Next door was a sheep farm! The course was very long and had several holes with water on them. It was a par 69. It can be a frustrating course for beginners because of its length and because it's easy to lose golf balls, but it is well maintained and a great course for an intermediate or better player. It also is well designed so you don't have to wait for the foursome in front of you on any holes. I've played at five courses around Melbourne, and this is my favourite.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by aussiemate on July 6, 2001

Yarrambat Park Golf Course
Yan Yean Road Melbourne, Australia 3091
+61 (0)3 9436 2201

Surfing at AngleseaBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Surfing
We took a group lesson on how to surf. The waves were friendly but not too rough, since we were beginners. One of our friends was able to actually stay standing on the board for a few seconds before falling off. The water was warm and completely clear, and the surf areas were roped off to keep out bathers. It was a lot of fun, and I was very sore for the next two days. It was terrific exercise for the upper body.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by aussiemate on July 9, 2001

Surfing at Anglesea
Anglesea, VIC Melbourne, Australia

Phillip Island Wildlife ParkBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Philip Island Penguin Parade"

Penguin Hiding
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. We had been to see the penguins twice before but hadn't stopped at the Koala Conservation Centre on Phillip Island before. We got a close-up view of 12 koalas in the afternoon. Then it was off to the "Penguin Parade". Hundreds of "fairy" penguins came 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 sight to see (& hear!). I couldn't believe how loud the birds were! These birds don't come home until after sunset, so dress warmly. We had gone in February the two previous times, and going in June was even colder. This time we also walked around the inside of the conservation center and saw some penguins nesting and some bunnies grazing through a plastic window into the side of the hill. To me, this is the best sight to see while visiting Victoria, and I insist that all my friends go.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by aussiemate on July 9, 2001

Phillip Island Wildlife Park
Phillip Island Tourist Road Cowes, Australia 3922
+61 (0)3 5952 2038

About the Writer

aussiemate
aussiemate
Melbourne, Australia

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