WHEEZY

Hi all you Melbournites , hubby, the kids (6 and 5) and me shall be visiting Melbourne on Father's Day weekend for the first time, and are looking for advice on where to stay, we're looking 4/5 star, child friendly would be good needs to be in the heart of everything, ie shopping, restaurants etc, so we can cram it all in, and talking of which any advice on what we should do and where to go would be good. Are there any must do's?

Thanks in anticipation

Louise

Bradley7

Hi Louise

Get a tour book would take far too long to list everything just don't expect to be hitting the beaches, all a bit far away from the hub of melbourne. Have fun and go with an open mind it may not exactly be Ramsey Street, oh and you have to go there, I did

WHEEZY

BE is my tour book lol Don't want to do the beach thing, have that around the corner where we live.

Shall definitely be going with an open mind, although, from what people have said I'm expecting it to be very cosmopolitan, great cafe's and great shopping, please don't burst my bubble

What great family must do's are there? Don't need a long list, just one or two fun suggestions please.

MrsB

We used to stay at the Novotel in St. Kilda.

It's a short tram ride into the city, but you've got Luna Park, Acland Street, and the pier (might be closed at the mo?) nearby.

The novotel, have big family bedrooms, with fridges, TV, etc and seem reasonable.

marco121068

We stayed in Melbourne for a couple of days during a recent trip to Oz and stayed at the City Edge Apartments. 5 minute walk to the tram stop or 15 minutes into the city. Very clean and well equipped.

Bordy

For hotels & appartments have a look at www.wotif.com.au & for ideas of what to do check this old thread.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=304128

NIGENABBY

Hi
Novotel in St Kilda is great (as far as location), used to live almost next door to it, so I obviously have never stayed in it, however other Novotels I have used have been terrific.

It is one easy (10-15 min max) tram ride into Melbourne, on the beach, so I have no idea what the person posting that the beaches are a long way away is on about. Ackland and Fitzroy streets have terrific restaurants and cafes (lots of cakes in Ackland St)

Once you reach the city all trains and all but two tram lines go through it, so you should be able to get to just about everything you want.

Perhaps a place for gifts you may not wish to miss is the southbank market on a Sunday (morning is obviously better). It has loads of made things, not just all the usual tat from china that you get at most markets. I usually stop here for gifts before I come back.

If you have the time and inclination a drive (about 2 hours) up to Phillip Island to see the Penguins is worth while. You can now get really close to them (but don't touch they bite!) via the elevated walkways which the penguins walk next to and under. Kids (of all ages) seem to love this. There are bus tours up to it if you want (or you can stay), however check how long a bus tour stays. You often see the Japanese tourists there for about five minutes after the first penguin arrives, missing the best part of the show, which comes when the floods arrive.
Penguin web site http://www.penguins.org.au/
Official Phillip Island Site (Accommodation etc) http://www.phillipisland.net.au/

If you two want a night out or perhaps an entertaining family lunch the tramcar restaurant. It is a real tram and well worth the 'tour' of Melbourne. Not cheap, but a real one off experience and you will see bits of Melbourne you may not otherwise go to.
http://www.tramrestaurant.com.au/

Also try cruising this site http://www.melbourne.com.au/ just lots of ideas

Hope this helps (Melbourne is my home and I miss it)

steve99

Dont stay at the Rydges in Carlton, we stayed there earlier in the year (first trip to Melb) it was a dump, if I went back i'd try and stay in the casino, it looked pretty smart, had some nice restaurants outside it overlooking the river, was central to everything.
Carlton was pretty good for eating and drinking, didnt think much of St Kilda, I thought it would be more upmarket than it was (dont know why I had that view) the beach there was pretty grim so maybe the dissapointment of that put us off.
I still work on UK fathers day so not sure when that is over here, but if the footy is on id give that a go. We went up that big tower where you can see for miles from the top of, that was good for pics etc.
Oh and make sure you take some very warm clothes, the place was bloody freezing when we went and that was in March :scared:
Steve

WHEEZY

Thanks Bordy, have checked out Whatif (great site) looks like there's plenty of choice, we really want to stay CBD area.

The old thread you pasted was great, loads of ideas, thanks again.

P.S. what's Puffing Billy ??
Louise

WHEEZY

Thanks Nigenabby

Great info, will definitely take a look at the market on Sunday (Father's Day or no Father's Day ) Shall also be buying cake from Ackland Street yum!!! And lunch or dinner on the tram sounds fab, will definitely keep my two quite. Would love to visit Phillip Island to see the penquins but I fear with all the shopping, eating and drinking we have to squeeze in in 48 hours, I don't think we'll have time. Ahh well, just have to go back again

Thanks again

Louise

WHEEZY

Thanks Steve

Will give Rydges a miss, Aussie Father's Day is Sunday 4th September, does that mean I may have to watch a footy game , I'll just send the boys Noted about the warm clothes, its cold in Sydney some days at the mo, so I'm expecting it to be a bit chilly in Melbourne, never mind I'm sure I'll find something to keep me warm

Louise

OzTennis

Puffing Billy is a steam train that runs through the Dandenong Ranges about 25 miles from CBD.

http://www.puffingbilly.com.au/index.html

I'd recommend Melbourne Zoo, Rialto Observation Deck, Queen Victoria Market, the Aquarium, Southbank/Southgate, Botanical Gardens, (free) City Circle Tram Ride, ferry from Southbank to Williamstown, Melbourne Gaol (Jail), Melbourne Museum and Exhibition Buildings to kick off with on your first day.

OzTennis

DevMountain

Hi,

If you get a chance, visit the Dandenong Ranges (which is where we live!)

I was surprised about an area like this even existing so near to Melbourne when we first got here.

The best places are Sky High (Mt Dandenong) for a totally awesome view, and while you are out this way a visit to Cardinia Reservior (to get a good chance of seeing Kanga's!)

WHEEZY

Will Do!!! After reading Oztennis' post, looked at the link re: the Puffing Billy and it really looks like something we would all love, Saturday dinner looks fab, but I guess you don't get to see as much as you do if you were to do a lunch time. So maybe a quick scoot around the markets on the Sunday morning followed by lunch on the Puffing Billy Please feel free to tell me 'I hoping' if this all seems like I'm pushing it!!!

Thanks for all your replies guys

Buy a guide book phaaa!! Who needs one of those when you have the Expats on the job

OzTennis

Sounds a realistic schedule. As far as 4/5 star accommodation goes the hotels which spring to mind immediately which are all CBD/edge of CBD are Grand Hyatt, Sofitel, Windsor, Sheraton and Crown (admittedly all 5 rather than 4 star). I haven't stayed in any of them but have dined in them/visited them and seem very good - can't comment on suitability for families.

As far as Puffing Billy goes you can go by train from Flinders St out to Belgrave to catch PB so private car isn't necessary.

OzTennis