Melbourne hidden little gems?

[whattheactualfuckery]

Next week I'm flying to Melbourne for 3 weeks visiting family. I've been a few times but many many years ago. Would like suggestions of day trips & attractions especially not so well known places

Have you already see the penguin colony at St Kilda? It is not exactly a secret, but neither what you would expect from Melbourne.
Also the Sea Shepherd has ships anchored from time to time and they are open for a free (donation box at exit) tour and they explain what they do and why.

Hopefully the Melbourne crowd will step in, I am from Sydney, but these were two things I enjoyed in Melbourne!

The penguins are on my to do list.
I'll look into the Sea Shepherd

We stayed in st Kilda beach on our honeymoon a few yrs ago and just loved the local park and having big indulgent breakfasts on the high st, watching the lovely vintage trams stop and start. Oh and there was a lovely market on the Sunday morning and a Fab Salt water swimming pool.

Sounds perfect actiongirl, I'm looking forward to spending time in st kilda

It's been about ten years since I was there, but here are a few trips that I enjoyed:
Train out to Williamstown and then a boat back into the city
National Rhododendron Garden at Olinda (I think that's the place)
Abbotsford Convent, it's now artists studios and has nice cafes etc.
Walk from Brighton to St Kilda along the beach side path.
Heide art museum

I'll see if I can think of any more!

NoH I like the sound of these, the rhododendron gardens sound lovely

The penguins takes quite a while to come out and it was freezing! despite being January, so bring extra clothing, and food!

Freezing in January

South Melbourne markets are lovely and a bit quirkier than the Queen Victoria ones (though I do love the food stalls there).