What do you show to a couple from New Zealand when they're going to Melbourne?

[reynardo]

Serious question, my southern friends. A couple I know from New Zealand are going to be in Australia for a week in October prior to a wedding. They'll be in Melbourne. I've suggested the penguins at Philip Island, Healseville and the Wildlife park there, and the Dandenongs. Also, the Great Ocean Road to Mt Gambier via the Apostles. What else would you suggest for a couple of days? Or a really good day trip.

Comments

[trixtah.livejournal.com]

Heh, I haven't seen any of those things. Yet. I don't know about the penguins, personally - there are plenty back home (depending where you live).

I'd also suggest doing urban stuff - Melbourne's a great city - there's fab food, good galleries (National Gallery of Victoria and ACCA are excellent), music and musicals, clubs for all manner of tastes, Cook's Cottage in Fitzroy Gardens, cocktail bars, coffee, the sculptures and art along the Yarra River, and even the Old Melbourne Gaol (we've heard of Ned Kelly in NZ).

[sootysmudge.livejournal.com]

l'm not asure l'd recommend the penguins at Phillip island, l'm assuming there are also penguins in New Zealand.. but l reckon Healesville would be good. Make sure you tell them about the free City Cirlce tram in the CBD of Melbourne and there is also a free tourist shuttle bus.. both are great for tourists. If they like galleries, there is an Art Deco exhibition on at the National Gallery in St Kilda Rd. If they like sport, get them to go on a tour of the MCG.

[dorukai.livejournal.com]

Cycle up the Yarra bike track.
Go to Acland St in St Kilda and partake of awesome cakes, it's the cake shop district!
Also French Fantasies on Toorak Rd in South Yarra has the best eclairs and sausage rolls I've ever tasted.

[(Anonymous)]

Sovereign Hill and the Eureka Stockade (Ballarat)

[17catherines.livejournal.com]

I love showing people Sydney Rd, because (despite the name) that whole stretch from Brunswick into Coburg, full of people and cafes and shops of pretty much the entire mediterranean and middle east and india and parts of asia, really symbolises melbourne to me. We walk the length from Brunwick Rd to Bell Street. Always makes me happy.

I think you know how I feel about Sassafras, too. That's a good day trip.

[shadow-5tails.livejournal.com]

Just a few ideas:

In Melbourne City:
Royal Botanic Garden/Shrine of Remembrance
Carlton Gardens, with the Exhibition Centre/Melbourne
Museum/IMAX
Flinders St Railway Station/Federation Square/St Paul Cathedral
Fitzroy Gardens/The Conservatory/James Cook Cottage/The Treasury (note - urban gang possums after dark!)
Queen Vic Market
Chinatown
State Library
Docklands/Victoria Harbour
NGV & the Arts Centre - there are free exhibitions in the Arts Centre itself, and small costume displays and the like. By October, the Spiegeltent should be back in the forecourt for all sorts of evening fun.
Theatres galore
City Circle Tram, which will get you to most of these.

St Kilda has penguins on the pier if they don't want to go all the way to Phillip Island - there are Penguin Sex Tours(!?) run at key times of the year..

Mount Dandenong for a day trip:
Olinda/Sassafras
National Rhododendron Garden
William Ricketts Sanctuary
Skyhigh Mt Dandenong
Puffing Billy

Mornington Peninsula as a day trip:
Arthur Seat National Park/Seawind Garden
Ashcombe Maze (I think there's a couple of mazes down there now)
Point Nepean National Park
Cape Schanck and Lighthouse
Sorrento/Rye
- Dromana has good fish & chips

Alternately, the Bellarine Peninsula/Queenscliff are in the other direction, and a day trip down there could take in Torquay. Start really early and you'll get to Lorne and the Erskine Falls, the Otway Fly, etc.

Ballarat (w- Sovereign Hill) or Bendigo - there's a number of fine art galleries in Bendigo, and I think a vintage fashion show on at the moment.

Williamstown:
The Strand
Gem Pier
Maritime Museum
Scienceworks
Railway Museum
- Breizoz is good, of course, but you're rather spoilt for choice when it comes to food down there.

If they're going to Healesville Sanctuary, the Yarra Valley Wineries aren't far. And my pick of the area (even above the sanctuary!) is Badgers' Creek for a barbecue and a lot of lovely native birds - lyrebirds are regularly seen near the walking tracks.

Werribee Open Range Zoo/Werribee Manson

The Grampians are good for an overnight escape, as if the Bright/Beechworth/Rutherglen area.

P.S.

[shadow-5tails.livejournal.com]

Missing Melbourne yet? *grins, ducks, runs*