Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Its a shame more Americans don't spend time in Melbourne

You have the Penguin Parade, Ballarat for historical reinactements, Great Ocean Road where I saw REAL wild koala and great unspoiled beaches, The various gardens around Melbourne, trams, Dandeong ranges, Yarra wine country, Grampians for yet more wildlife(although suffering from forest fires). Its very easy for this American to say he spent 2 1/2 weeks in Australia but didn't see Sydney and didn't really miss it.

You have the Penguin Parade, Ballarat for historical reinactements, Great Ocean Road where I saw REAL wild koala and great unspoiled beaches, The various gardens around Melbourne, trams, Dandeong ranges, Yarra wine country, Grampians for yet more wildlife(although suffering from forest fires). Its very easy for this American to say he spent 2 1/2 weeks in Australia but didn't see Sydney and didn't really miss it.

I would totally agree - Melbourne is a great city with a good transport infrastructure and is surrounded by areas of interest and natural beauty. Sydney is a great party town but doesn't make my #1 slot - that goes to Melbourne with Hobart a close #2.

The Great Ocean Road reminded me of driving the PCH - did both in a convertible in the sunshine :)

completely agree regarding MEL. I've been to SYD 5 times, and MEL once, and look forward to spending more time in MEL. I'm done with SYD, not that there's anything wrong with it, I just like the feeling in MEL much better. Very artistic, interesting place.

I would not compare GOR with Calif. coast, as GOR is completely unique and fantastic, and I wouldn't want to give impression that if you've seen one you needn't see other. As I'd said on another post, I'd suggest only going as far as 12 Apostles, unless going on much further towards Adelaide, as driving times are long, and the drive until there is IMHO by far the best part.

I would not compare GOR with Calif. coast, as GOR is completely unique and fantastic, and I wouldn't want to give impression that if you've seen one you needn't see other. As I'd said on another post, I'd suggest only going as far as 12 Apostles, unless going on much further towards Adelaide, as driving times are long, and the drive until there is IMHO by far the best part.

Not comparing PCH as GOR as like for like more the experience of a new vista around every bend, although less traffic on the GOR when we did it. We enjoyed our stopovers at Apollo Bay and Port Fairy. The latter has a fascinating history and some great walks. We decided the drive from PF to Adelaide would not be interesting so returned to MEL on the highway which only took 3 hours or so.

Looking for your considerable opinions and advice ^

On my way back from Oz to Europe, I have an arrival in MEL @ 0930 and departure around 1730, so will have about 5 (ish) hours to kill ...

What do you suggest doing ?

Nothing too strenuous mind .... :p

Nice lunch somewhere, shopping for mens clothes, sightseeing ... what to do ? :confused:

I'm sure that I will get my direction from here :D

Thanks in advance.

John P

I completely agree! I loved Melbourne! We made our first trip to Australia over New Year's 2002-2003. Spent our first few days in MEL and I fell in love with it. Beautiful weather, great food, easy to get around...even went to St. Kilda and attended "Bus" with Rod Quantock...what a funny "show"!

Continued onto Yarra Valley and stayed at Chateau Yearing. Everything was perfect...down to the nest of just-hatched new baby birds on our patio.

Tasmania was great too...visited Hobart and spent Christmas Eve / Christmas Day in Freycinet. It was like living in a postcard for 3 days!

Sydney was like any other American city. Yes, it was cool to spend New Year's at the Park Hyatt under the bridge, but I would return to MEL before I return to SYD.

Now, if you could just get rid of those speed cameras... :cool:
(they tracked us down in the USA and our attorney advised we pay the fee)

Or as I found when I was there this fall, its nice to be in such a great city and NOT see any fellow Americans! I see plenty of Americans every day in America where I live, when I travel I prefer to have the place "to myself" as it where and experience the local culture instead.

Looking for your considerable opinions and advice ^

On my way back from Oz to Europe, I have an arrival in MEL @ 0930 and departure around 1730, so will have about 5 (ish) hours to kill ...

What do you suggest doing ?

Nothing too strenuous mind .... :p

Nice lunch somewhere, shopping for mens clothes, sightseeing ... what to do ? :confused:

I'm sure that I will get my direction from here :D

Thanks in advance.

John P

Take the SkyBus from just outside the terminal, runs every 10-15 minutes, takes 15 minutes and costs about A$15 one way. Drops you at the edge of the CBD but only a 10-15 minute walk to the centre or you can take a shuttle bus. Taxi is IIRC about A$40 one way

There is a very good river cruise that you can take to see the city from the water - I'll look out details when I am home tonight and send them

There are two main department stores - Myers and David Jones that are both close to the old GPO building. For once the mens shopping was better than the womens and my wife was surprised to see that I had spent more than her! And the prices were very competitive.

In terms of lunch - what kind of cuisine do you like - there's a huge choice and at all price points

If the weather is poor there are some great museums and galleries and the great thing about MEL is that everything is accesible in a fairly compact, walkable area and of course there is also a free tram that circles the city

I'll post some more details later

Take the SkyBus from just outside the terminal, runs every 10-15 minutes, takes 15 minutes and costs about A$15 one way. Drops you at the edge of the CBD but only a 10-15 minute walk to the centre or you can take a shuttle bus. Taxi is IIRC about A$40 one way

I'd suggest taking one step further. The SkyBus offers free shuttles from the CBD station (Spencer Street or something) to central CBD hotels. Just get one of them to drop you off to a hotel close to the first thing you want to do, e.g., somewhere along the river.

Since you won't be staying in a hotel, you'll just need to find your own way back to Spencer Street station, but a short taxi ride can solve that problem. (The shuttle back to the station is normally booked by the hotel on your behalf.)

Also, buy a return ticket for the SkyBus, it's slightly cheaper than 2 one-ways. Pick up a free guide book at the ticket booth, it has good discount vouchers for various tourist attractions.

You have the Penguin Parade, Ballarat for historical reinactements, Great Ocean Road where I saw REAL wild koala and great unspoiled beaches, The various gardens around Melbourne, trams, Dandeong ranges, Yarra wine country, Grampians for yet more wildlife(although suffering from forest fires). Its very easy for this American to say he spent 2 1/2 weeks in Australia but didn't see Sydney and didn't really miss it.

Great to hear!

As an annual visitor to Sydney/NSW, I've opted to try Melbourne this coming weekend, as it sounded intrigueing. You've seconded that belief!

Cheers!

You have the Penguin Parade, Ballarat for historical reinactements, Great Ocean Road where I saw REAL wild koala and great unspoiled beaches, The various gardens around Melbourne, trams, Dandeong ranges, Yarra wine country, Grampians for yet more wildlife(although suffering from forest fires). Its very easy for this American to say he spent 2 1/2 weeks in Australia but didn't see Sydney and didn't really miss it.

Personally, I prefer Melbourne to live in... but Sydney (IMO) has better tourist attractions. My parents (who hail from a country town in upstate NY) have come out for 4-month stays in both cities. They would tell you that Sydney-siders (in their day to day interactions) were friendlier and far more welcoming than Melburnians.

Most of my overseas visitors find Sydney to be "easier" - probably because in Sydney you can go sailing on the harbour, go to Taronga Zoo (which is FAR superior to the Melbourne Zoo in both design and locale), see world famous beaches in both Bondi & Manly, take historical walks though the city, do the Bridgeclimb, hike in the Blue Mountains, catch a seaplane up to Palm Beach, visit the various gardens, go on Hunter Valley winery tours, the cliff/coast walk from Bondi to Bronte, etc. and its all far more accessible than the available tourist attractions in Melbourne. With limited time in Australia, they're trying to get the most bang for their buck.

Most of my overseas visitors find Sydney to be "easier" - probably because in Sydney you can go sailing on the harbour, go to Taronga Zoo (which is FAR superior to the Melbourne Zoo in both design and locale), see world famous beaches in both Bondi & Manly, take historical walks though the city, do the Bridgeclimb, hike in the Blue Mountains, catch a seaplane up to Palm Beach, visit the various gardens, go on Hunter Valley winery tours, the cliff/coast walk from Bondi to Bronte, etc. and its all far more accessible than the available tourist attractions in Melbourne. With limited time in Australia, they're trying to get the most bang for their buck.

Personally I'd prefer Melbourne to live in AND visit if I were a tourist. There are literally equivilants for all that you mention and more. :D :D :D

You have the Penguin Parade, Ballarat for historical reinactements, Great Ocean Road where I saw REAL wild koala and great unspoiled beaches, The various gardens around Melbourne, trams, Dandeong ranges, Yarra wine country, Grampians for yet more wildlife(although suffering from forest fires). Its very easy for this American to say he spent 2 1/2 weeks in Australia but didn't see Sydney and didn't really miss it.


I'm just curious, but how do you know that more Americans don't spend time in Melbourne :confused:

you have some official statistics to back that statement up?



Reporting from Montevideo, Uruguay where the morning is promising another perfect day.

Flying to BA in the evening.

You have the Penguin Parade, Ballarat for historical reinactements, Great Ocean Road where I saw REAL wild koala and great unspoiled beaches, The various gardens around Melbourne, trams, Dandeong ranges, Yarra wine country, Grampians for yet more wildlife(although suffering from forest fires).

Not to mention fabulous tennis to watch at the Australian Open!

I'm just back from my first trip to MEL. Was in Sydney in 2004 for 6 days and loved it. This time I thought I'd try MEL (as well as a few days in SYD). I only had about a day in MEL, and spent the rest of the time in the Goldfields area (Bendigo, Daylesford).

MEL was nice, the Yarra was prettier than I expected. The outdoor cafes at Southbank and the bridges reminded me a little bit of the Thames in London (with much better weather). The city seemed a bit grittier and older than Sydney (I'm talking the shopping areas around Collins St., Flinders St. Station, Fed Square. The parks looked lovely.

Downtown MEL is a longer trek from the airport than SYD. The roads are all a mess with the Commonwealth Games about to start.

I'd definitely recommend getting out of the City, the Dandedongs were great, and the countryside of the Goldfields looked alot like Northern California foothills.

All that being said, Sydney is gorgeous to look at and if you like the water, the harbor can't be beat! I agree there are lots of "easy" attractions for tourists, with everything being easy to access from Circular Quay and the great transport system. Taronga Zoo is outstanding, and a trip to Manly cannot be missed.

I think it boils down to a matter of taste. I compare the 2 cities to LA vs. SF. Sydney is like So Cal and Melbourne maybe a little more Nor Cal. Just my humble opinion.......