Guide : Travel in Australia (Melbourne)

[kyubi]

Guys, I am planning to make a trip to downunder next month with me family. Can recommend where I can bring my family to? My kids are 3 years old and 1 plus.

[sunny_blue]

The only 2 things that I can remember for Melbourne is the good food and shopping at the Queen Victoria Market(mix of all cultures) and the trip around the Great Ocean Room... nice view of the ocean... good beach to relax (some areas have calm beaches whereby wave is not too strong) I guess you can show down you pace of life... as for kids I can't think of what they can do or like to do there.

[ac_wong75]

For Melbourne the zoo and Philip island are highly recommended for kids.
Aus is all about nature so the dandenong ranges, Great ocean road, and the Grampians are good
but only if your kids can take long drives there otherwise stick within the city areas

[ahben6]

Great ocean road is a must visit, see the 12 apostles. If ur kids likes farm, u might want to consider a farm say at kangaroobie farm.

[sg.watch]

Great ocean road nice...
Philip island penguin watching not worth..small penguins can hardly see them coming to shore

Airport check in is a mess, going thru customs so long queue.

Strongly not recommended!!!
Dun buy watches or jewelleries or even branded goods in melbourne.
There is only 1 queue for tax rebate counter in airport after tedious check in, the q was so long and i was forced to abandon my claims or else i miss my flight. The airport staff was unfriendly, i told them they shd process my claims first or hv separate queue for those boarding soon but was told rudely to join the long queue.
Imagine all those ppl in front of u starting digging their luggage n receipts item by item and the queue has 50 person in front of u. Only 3 counters was opened. I queue for 40 mins and in the end i had to give up my claims worth sgd1000.
They have a useless tax claims system different from major cities in europe where u can either drop the claims into a box or do all necessary papers in advance outside the customs check in.
Die die only way is to queue... what stupid system for a first class international airport!!!!!!!!!

[ugllyfat]

Great ocean road nice...
Philip island penguin watching not worth..small penguins can hardly see them coming to shore

Airport check in is a mess, going thru customs so long queue.

Strongly not recommended!!!
Dun buy watches or jewelleries or even branded goods in melbourne.
There is only 1 queue for tax rebate counter in airport after tedious check in, the q was so long and i was forced to abandon my claims or else i miss my flight. The airport staff was unfriendly, i told them they shd process my claims first or hv separate queue for those boarding soon but was told rudely to join the long queue.
Imagine all those ppl in front of u starting digging their luggage n receipts item by item and the queue has 50 person in front of u. Only 3 counters was opened. I queue for 40 mins and in the end i had to give up my claims worth sgd1000.
They have a useless tax claims system different from major cities in europe where u can either drop the claims into a box or do all necessary papers in advance outside the customs check in.
Die die only way is to queue... what stupid system for a first class international airport!!!!!!!!!

The pam there cheaper then Sg? Care to share how many hrs u arrived prior boarding?
Thank you

[dronell]

watches are not cheap there... expensive

depends on the flight.
better if you can be in the airport 3 hours before, so at least u have enough time for the GST claim.
if you go there 4 hours before normally the airline chk in counter is not yet open.

[BlckOly]

how is the driving there in melbourne?
is car rental people friendly?

[sunny_blue]

I dun recommend driving in melbourne city itself seems complicated to me. I do drive in other areas in Oz like perth, darwin, brisbane etc...maybe its just me that melbourne gives me the creaps of the trams and cars sharing the same path...

[ac_wong75]

The challenge driving in melba city is the hook turn
Have to be careful and look out for the sign at traffic lights
Usually if tram tracks is on your right be prepared for one

[dronell]

you can rent a car to drive to great ocean road or to some winery
not recommended to drive within city area

car rental is around $40/day without insurance, with insurance normally $60-70

[sunny_blue]

I forget if you rent a car in Oz then recommend that you get the best insurance coverage you can get to save you the trouble/hassle incase of any issues. (dun skim on this) Also try to avoid driving in the nite especially on the country roads some conditions are dark without streetlamps... at times you will get in close contact with wild life cross or the crazy farmer bring his herd back home in the dark...

I dun recommend driving in melbourne city itself seems complicated to me. I do drive in other areas in Oz like perth, darwin, brisbane etc...maybe its just me that melbourne gives me the creaps of the trams and cars sharing the same path...

[Ahjon23]

Hi,I'll be goin on a short holiday wit my wifey next mth to aust..we will like to chk if from Sydney we decide to drive down to Melbourne is it recommended?or I shld juz take a domestic flight to Mel den maybe rent a car to go to the great ocean?any nice suggestion..coz my wifey would like to experience e road trip style of travel..I don mind long hours of driving but to drive in a foreign place I tink I still need some advices like traffic rules n for parking wise..so as to get myself prepared.thx

[praha335ci]

Wouldn't recommend driving from Sydney to Melbourne. There is heavy commercial truck traffic and that stretch reknown for long distance haulage fatalities- Long distance truck drivers are contractors and will often exceed the speed limit and are know to take stimulants to enhance driving time. Its actually cheaper to fly there rather than take a rental car.Try checking out easyjet. Also in Melbourne they have the tram system right in the city and also totally unique road rules with the hooked signs and rights of way . If you're unfamiliar you will run into problems. Its better to take a commercial tour ( which are easily available at all hotels) to get around. BTW I live in Perth Western Australia and am familiar with these cities and when I do travel to Melbourne and Sydney I use public transport and taxis. I find that the eastern states style of driving - tolls and driving with trams ; hook turns to be totally different.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ua0j4ztvQWQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyWIDe0ROQQ

[Ahjon23]

Thx alot praha335ci for e useful info give ..appreciate e help..maybe now I need to do some re-planning before goin to Mel..can I chk wit u is e transport expenses very high in Mel?