Hi, New Here.
I'm heading to the east coast of Australia in November for a month. I will be flying into Sydney, then flying up to Cairns and driving back down the coast to Sydney again. I'm sure there are lots of people on here who have made this trip. I have a good idea on what to see on the east coast. I am wondering if I should visit Melbourne. Anyone have any input. Can anyone suggest some activities in Melbourne?
Reply to this Hello Shane
It all depends on where you are from and what you are looking for. Melbourne is a super city - and it is the most European of the Australian cities. Having said that, the European cities (Paris, Rome, Prague etc) have far more of those things that Melbourne has - restaurants, arts, shopping - so if you have been there and done that, you may want to give it a miss.
However, Melbourne has something that these cities do not - it is a sports mad city - but there will not be much on in Melbourne from mid-October till Christmas. The big benefit of Melbourne is the close proximity to the great sights of Philip Island, Sovereign Hill in Ballarat, and the Great Ocean Road - and November is a great time of the year to be visiting these areas.
Hope this helps.
Reply to this A Sydneysider would say, "No Way" ;-) Forgetting that we're from Sydney... Melbourne is a cool place.. they say it's more cultural than Sydney. Eat-out, Bands, Cafe culture.... blah blah... anyway The "Great" Ocean Road is definitely worth a visit.
Reply to this I am from Melbourne. It is a great city, but it depends on what kind of trip you are after.
It is certainly not tropical, and the beaches and weather is colder than queensland and new south wales.
Melbourne is well known for having great festivals and great nightlife, (more info can be found at http://www.visitvictoria.com), to experience the city you could stay a few days, catch trams around to the city highlights during the day and then wind down in a pub or bar somewhere at night.
Other wise if you are interested in scenery and If you are prepared to travel out of melbourne city, I suggest you a hire a car and take a round trip down the peninsula along the nepeon hwy to Rye (about 3 hours south of melbourne), visit cape schanck (about half hour south of Rye), and catch a ferry from portsea to Queenscliff (where there is music festival on late november), if you wish you could travel down the great ocean road to apollo bay (about a 3-4 hour trip), and then head straight back up to melbourne from appollo bay.
Also there are some beautiful gardens, forest walks, and gorgeous B&B's and cafes in the dandenong ranges (about 2 hours from Melbourne), again i would hire a car and travel up to Olinda (about a 3 hour drive), and the explore the parks etc.
If you decide to go to Melbourne I will be happy to help with any more questions.
Reply to this Melbourne is definitely worth a visit if you have the time and money. There is heaps of things to see and do. I would recommend going to the MCG for game of footy or cricket. Even if you don't particularly like either the atmosphere is great. The city circle tram is free and allows you to take in the city. The Esplanade hotel in St Kilda opposite the beach is a good place for a drink and some people watching, it used to have comedy nights where new comedians tried out ther material. Federation Quare in the centre of the city will also take up some of your day. If you have transport head down to the Mornington Penisula as suggested and visit Port Sea where the Iron Man Series is held or hit Sorrento whch is a very picturesque township. All the townships in this area have come a long way recently and have lovely cafe's etc. There are also literally hundreds of hobby wineries down there where you can get a feed and have some wine overlooking Port Phillip Bay. If you are looking to book some backpacker style accommodation I recommend
www.itchy-feet.com.au . Hope you take the opportunity to see Melbourne.
Reply to this Thanks for the info, I'll be doing some more research on Melbourne before I get my trip planned out.
Cheers
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