Melbourne Holiday

[pigfly]

We are planning to go Melbourne with our 3 kids in Dec for a holiday for 9 days. Any recommendation on accomodation and place of interest on how to spend the 9 days around Melbourne. Appreciate your kind assistance. Thanks

[micknlea]

OK, not sure where you are staying if it is central or if you will travel around, it doesn't look big but it is spread out.

OK...in the city,
The Kids museum at the the Melbourne museum,
Sciencworks as well, sort of similar to Science centre here, but the trip there is good, it is just over the West Gate Bridge.
Going for a tram ride (city circle one is an old style tram and takes you around the city. best of all its free)
Melbourne Zoo, (its right near the city too, just a short tram ride away)
The chinese heritage museum with a history of chinese/australians from the 1800s onwards.
Old Melbourne Gaol - wonderful old bluestone jail with lots of interesting stuff about bushrangers etc.
Queen Victoria market, just a fun place to shop for all sorts of things, I think it is open Tues, Wed, Thurs and Sunday...but check on it.
Check out the shot tower and the musical clock (it plays on the hour)
in Melbourne Central shopping arcade (mall)
Check out the old Polly Woodside ship/museum on the river.
Go for a boat ride down the Yarra.
Melbourne Aquarium, also on banks of Yarra opposite the Casino.
Go to St Kilda beach, walk the pier, check out the sunday market along the Esplanade there, lovely cake shops down there too...but at night a decidedly different place!
You can always do a Harley Davidson tour of the city, be chaufeur driven around town on a harley...with sidecar. Although that might be difficult with 5 of you, bit pricey perhaps.
You can also go up the observation deck at the Rialto (in collins Street, if the weather is good the view is stunning, and it is 360 degree, inside!
Not sure how old your kids are, there is always the cemetery tour for something a little different.


Out of the city
Puffing Billy steam train ride at Belgrave in the Dandenong Ranges (outer suburban/bush)
Whilst up in the Dandenongs check out some of the lovely bushland there, if you are lucky you may see a lyrebird/koala.
Healesville Sanctuary, a zoo for only australian wildlife. Last time we were there we saw the lyrebird do his mimicry it was brilliant.
Penguin Parade at Phillip Island (need a day trip to do that) you can also see the seals there too.
Mornington Peninsula, beaches, nature reserves, Arthurs Seat (with maze for the kids which is great fun) and chairlift
Great Ocean road, surf beaches, normal beaches, stunning rock formations, national parks, waterfalls, I think the whale watching would be over by then, but check anyway.


OK, that is about all I can think of off the top of my head, but check out the visit victoria website (think it is visitvictoria.com) I am sure there is much more there, and then you can decide where to stay depending on what you want to do.

Have fun.

[sniper968]

i'd goto 90 miles beach near wilson prom... then to venus bay to collect fresh shellfish... n stay at sandy point...

[perplex_sheep]

A note, since you are traveling with 3 kids. You might be able to save on accomodation by staying in a twin room because i noticed that the twin room in melbourne seems to have 2 Queen Size bed, which is really suitable for 4 people to sleep.

two cents worth.