Holiday to Melbourne - what would you do if you had 2 weeks?

[molehillormountain]

Hi all

DH, DS (4 years) and I are going to Melbourne for 2 weeks in March and I wondered if anyone can recommend things for us to do. It is a bit of a reconnaissance trip as well to see if we could live there (have PR VISA's) so it would be good to have an itinerary planned with the help of you guys.

Thanks

Philip island to see the Penguins definitely!

Thanks Fairybiker, I will have a look at that now!

A trip on Puffing Billy a steam train that goes through the Dandening ranges. Lots of other nice places in the Dandenings. Trip to St Kilda, there ia alsi a penguin population there. Lots of beaches to choose from. Healesville Sanctuary full of Australian animals. It depends, are you going to have a car.

Thanks for the sanctuary suggestion, it got excellent reviews on trip advisor!

We won't have a car for the whole trip, maybe a few days

Melbourne Zoo - there are Aussie animals and you can take public transport.
The aquarium
Botanical Gardens - there's a lovely children's garden
Melbourne Museum - great kids section
Philip Island - penguins are good but also check out A Maze N Things, it's pretty neat
St Kilda is one of those 'iconic' kind of places to visit - Mr Wolf restaurant on Inkerman St is delicious pizza and very child friendly, need to book tho,and there's always Luna Park
Hop on the train from Flinders down to Brighton to see the bathing boxes, and swim in the sea baths if it's hot
There's a sight seeing free tram in the city but city trams are free to an extent now too
The beaches and suburbs of Bayside are good
Williamstown is a nice morning out
The Dandenongs is a good day out (Sassafrass, Olinda etc)
Werribee zoo or house are both good
Depending when you're in Melbourne, Moomba festival is on in March

Heaps to see

Might be super hot and it might be cool in March, pack for all seasons!!

Do you mean there are two penguin colonies? One in St kilda and another on Philip Island? Which one would you recommend?

Thank you so much to you all! Sounds like there is loads to do! What is the moomba festival? Is it suitable for children?

Yep, Moomba is great with kids. Celebrates vibrancy etc and a big festival thing. Big parade, Birdman competition (people trying to fly across river), fireworks, heaps of kids activities, water skiing competitions, music etc.

Philip Island penguin colony is bigger and geared up for tourists. It's better but also a 90 minute drive.

Drinking coffee is also a very Melbourne thing to do

Can you not go for longer? Two weeks isn't really long enough for an Australia trip or are you not travelling from the UK?

We can only do 2 weeks from the Uk. It is to activate visa mainly

I'm in Melbourne now. Home for 4 weeks which feels just long enough.

In all honesty the jet lag will be a killer for a few days so you really won't have too much time. If you are going to live or work near the city spending time there will be helpful. I doubt you'll get to the penguins (although we are heading there this weekend )

If your trip is to activate visa and see if you could live here then just try to get a feel for the place. But do try to get to St Kilda!

When you move permanently there will be plenty for you to do

We are staying in st Kilda

Eat cake on Ackland street, Vic markets is fun (eat hot jam donuts and/or a kransky) , the Zoo, drink coffee

What is Elwood like? We have booked an apartment there

what dates you going, the F1 GP in on in melbourne weekend of 15th march
that would be at the top of my list

We are going to the Grand Prix. We fly on tues for 2 weeks

Elwood is lovely, close to St Kilda, Brighton and the City. And the beach.

My tip: look at suburbs where you can realistically buy, then wander around those areas. If you are close to moving in your minds, maybe check out some potential kindergartens.

There also an awesome playground near Flinders St station (by the yarra). Your DS will have a great time.

Asking for tips and advice when there are threads you have started, where you are terrified of your DH's reaction to you not wanting to live there?

Alright then

Take a drive along the Great Ocean Road, absolutely spectacular. Pack your swimmers, and stop off in a bay for a dip.

emma maybe OP is trying to give the trip a good go, and finding things to do, to help make up her mind

Thanks for that Emma.

I'm guessing you haven't read the other thread HerRoyal - the other one was looking for "support" in telling DH she doesn't want to move to Australia as she is adamant she doesn't want to move there.

If you are this inconsistent with your DH no wonder he doesn't really believe that you're serious when you say you don't want to emigrate!

So I'm not allowed to enjoy myself on holiday then alpha.