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Original poster

Australia Trip

87 replies

AustraliaTrip · 24/03/2024 00:38

Were going to Melbourne and Tasmania soon to see extended family.

We aren't going for ages so haven't got as much time as we'd like to explore but wondering if anyone has hints and tips.

We're likely to visit Healseville in Melbourne

And bonorong in Tasmania (has anyone done the feeding experience? And know which time to go for? Reviews say night is good but morning seems a smaller group?)

We're so excited 😊

OP posts:
Glitterbaby17 · 29/03/2024 18:37

AustraliaTrip · 29/03/2024 00:39

Oh wow Hundred the after hours one sounds amazing. We've ended up going with the morning tour so there will be everyone else around but still looking forwards to it. Worked out v expensive as the family watching need to pay to as it's a tour!

Glitter baby we're staying right in the centre in a towerblock hotel with a kitchenette. But we've got a day trip to Healseville which looks fab! Im writing down dukes/lane ways to Google and Chinatown is alreadg on the list! Do I book? Do you tend to do take away or a sit down. Does it matter where? Do most restaurants in general have a veggie option (half our group!)

We're also planning a (half) day trip to St kilda to see where Little lunch is and to see the fairy penguins but it looks like we can't see them as their is pier work!

Get a take away from Dukes or Vertue it’s just really good coffee. Brunetti also do amazing cakes and coffee if you want to sit in (or lunch). There are loads of places in the lane ways - sit down and look where seems popular / busy as probably means it’s good. Heartbaker bahn mi are epic if you want something to take away - amazing Vietnamese sandwiches!

Glitterbaby17 · 29/03/2024 18:38

Oh and Cold Rock ice creamery in St Kilda is fun for kids - you choose a chocolate bar or sweets and they smash it into the ice cream to design your own flavour

StartupRepair · 29/03/2024 20:16

Mooch around Federation Square ,
, Birrarung Marr and the Art Gallery and Arts Centre.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Holidays
echt · 29/03/2024 23:00

A slight bummer note: Melbourne cafes and restaurants can and do charge more on public holidays. Some even do it on weekends. Meh.

Aussieland · 29/03/2024 23:03

echt · 29/03/2024 23:00

A slight bummer note: Melbourne cafes and restaurants can and do charge more on public holidays. Some even do it on weekends. Meh.

To cover the huge penalty rates we are entitled to for working public holidays and Sundays! It’s not a bad thing it’s a reflection of the work culture that acknowledges the value of peoples time

Original poster
AustraliaTrip · 31/03/2024 14:58

Wow yes thanks for the warning about the extra prices on a public holiday/Sunday! Had some late lunch in the hotel when we arrived and it was quite a bit more. But all good :)

From our rooms (one of the tall hotels) I worked out we could see the gas brigades and we did!!! What a fun first night thankyou for the recommendation :)

They're gone off wondering as our body clock is shot the try and get some sleep.

Tomorrow is a mooch around Melbourne day so thinking of doing some circle tram for the overview (but it's an hour!) and see if can find some coffee (hee hee) see the station and just have a wander. I have some mobility issues so it will be broken up with lots of coffee. 😁

Thankyou all it's great to be here!

Oh and Changi was amazing. We were exhausted but still saw the sunflower garden, butterfly garden, dreamsxape went through to the jewel and saw the waterfall and had a quick wander. It was too busy and noisy and we were too tired so ur was quick but amazing building and would have so loved to have a couple of days in singapore!

OP posts:
StartupRepair · 31/03/2024 21:04

Weather looks a bit weird today. If it is raining pop into the national gallery of Victoria, or the ACMI (film) museum or the Immigration museum. All very interesting and close by.

KnickerlessParsons · 31/03/2024 21:51

Go and see the penguins in Melbourne.

stkildapenguins.com.au/penguin-viewing/

Original poster
AustraliaTrip · 31/03/2024 21:55

Oh that was so on my "list" but the breakwater/pier is closed apparently for refurbishment and we can't see them 😔.

According to the interwebs anyway. We might go to St kilda anyway...

OP posts:
KnickerlessParsons · 31/03/2024 22:09

Oh that's a shame. They are really cute!

Original poster
AustraliaTrip · 31/03/2024 22:22

I SO want to see little penguins. And I don't think we have time for Philip island or that would be the plan.

OP posts:
echt · 31/03/2024 22:50

Aussieland · 29/03/2024 23:03

To cover the huge penalty rates we are entitled to for working public holidays and Sundays! It’s not a bad thing it’s a reflection of the work culture that acknowledges the value of peoples time

Show quote history

I get the public holidays and fully support it. Not so much the teeny tiny writing stuck on a note at the register that you only see when you rock up to pay on weekends. Be honest and have it bold on the menu.

And as for Mother's Day!!!! - not the cakeage, I get that.

Original poster
AustraliaTrip · 01/04/2024 02:09

Gosh yes got stung today too!!! 20%!!
And a card charge in the hotel, but you can't pay cash.

Lovely breakfast in degraves though 😊.

Thanks for the warning echt. I've not seen it anywhere advertised and I'd probably have made a tit of myself wondering why!

Going to do the circle line tram tour in a bit.

There's some very irritating bagpipes...

OP posts:
coxesorangepippin · 01/04/2024 02:20

Victoria Market in Melbourne

See if that stall still sells boreks

LadyKable · 01/04/2024 04:33

AustraliaTrip · 31/03/2024 22:22

I SO want to see little penguins. And I don't think we have time for Philip island or that would be the plan.

You can see colonies of Little Penguins right next to the city - there's a colony off St Kilda Pier actually. (And you don't need to pay to see these ones.)

www.timeout.com/melbourne/things-to-do/where-to-see-penguins-near-melbourne

Original poster
AustraliaTrip · 01/04/2024 04:52

Yes it's the ones at St kilda we wanted to see but the interwebs says that with the fefurbishments to the pier they're not visible?

OP posts:
OP posts:
Aswellisnotoneword · 01/04/2024 04:57

There's a little ferry from Williamstown which takes you to see the St Kilda penguins from the water. So it won't matter if the pier is closed. I'll see if I can find the link.

Aswellisnotoneword · 01/04/2024 04:58

Next penguin cruise is Wednesday

https://stkildaferry.com.au/

St Kilda Ferry

https://stkildaferry.com.au

Original poster
AustraliaTrip · 01/04/2024 05:13

Oh I SO want to do that. Partner has arranged to see people wed/thu evening but Id really like to see penguins.

Will talk to him later 😁

OP posts:
Aswellisnotoneword · 01/04/2024 05:27

I had a closer look and although the ferry originates in Williamstown, you can hop on in St Kilda too, if you were planning to go there anyway.

StartupRepair · 01/04/2024 05:39

Williamstown is very nice in its own right.

FormerlySpeckledyHen · 01/04/2024 07:43

There’s only a few penguins at St Kilda any way.

Philip Island is the place to see them. Amazing.

Original poster
AustraliaTrip · 01/04/2024 07:52

We don't have time for Philip island unfortunately. Or at kilda as its evening.

We will go to healseville though :) they have platypus and koalas 😁

OP posts:
StartupRepair · 01/04/2024 08:39

They are not in the wild but you can meet penguins at Melbourne aquarium