comming to melbourne...what can we do

[leebeeag]

we'll after four years we've finally:smiliedance: decided to go on a holiday and we're headed your way.
the thing is i don't know what to do while were there.
we have a six and a two year old (boys).We'll only be there for a few day then on our way to canberra(maybe driving).not sure!!!

If any locals can give us some local advise it would be a great help.

Where to stay?? what to do?? should we rent a car??etc

please help us

[Milliner]

You could go to the
Zoo
Aquarium
Museum
Puffing Billy an old steam train if you are staying in the city you could catch just you regular old train out to Belgrave.
Healsville sanctury I would suggest you hire a car for this one.

[Jif]

You might find this site helpful http://www.visitmelbourne.com/

Within the city centre trams are great but the trains all run in a sort of straight line, to the centre and out again, so not easy to get across the city anywhere. With boys of your ages, I would certainly hire a car to get around.

Puffing Billy, the steam train seems to delight little boys of all ages which is on the way to healesville sanctuary, a really nice place to get close to ozzie animals. Its near some nice camping/ motels and cottage accomodation etc, if that's what you are looking for?


I would say the penguins on Philip Island are a must do but you might struggle to keep the boys awake past sunset, when they all run past you up the beach but there is accomodation there too if that helps?

[BlueGin]

Personally, I wouldn't bother with a car, as the train system is fabbo! Especially on Sunday's, there is a discount ticket.

The zoo is a great idea, good zoo, and on the train line so handy too.

The city is fun for shopping, and is laid out in a grid so you wont get lost, and the Yarra River (passes Flinders Street railway station, which is the big city one) is wonderful to either get a boat tour along, or just take a stroll.

This is a great site for info on what's coming up and where to go:
http://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/info.cfm?top=259&pg=3059

and this one:
http://www.federationsquare.com.au/
Is pretty cool, as being newish, Federation Square might be a good place to have said you've been (and it's opposite Flinders St station).

They're all things that could be 1 day if your kids have great stamina, as they're all either close together or readily accessible. Otherwise, they'd also be fun to space out. The city really is a great place for a short visit, as you get to see and do lots of local stuff without much travel time.

If you do hire a car, I'd take a day down the Great Ocean Road, beautiful rugged beaches, and cheap surf shops :thumbsup:

have fun!