Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Going to Melbourne and Adelaide Help

Hi All :cool::D
This is my first time going to Melbourne and I would like to have a great time. I need some help on places to eat and getting gifts.Here is my schedule.I have these days to myself Mar 25 and Mar 27th.
On the 26th I a going to Adelaide . Any places to eat and check out.

Sun, Mar 23-Tue, Mar 25
Flights: QANTAS AIRWAYS, QF 0094
From: LOS ANGELES, CA (LAX) Departs: 11:15pm - Sun, Mar 23
Departure Terminal: TOM BRADLEY INTL TERM
To: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA (MEL) Arrives: 8:30am - Tue, Mar 25
Arrival Terminal: TERMINAL 2
Class: Economy Seat(s): Check-In Required
Wed, Mar 26

Flights: QANTAS AIRWAYS, QF 0683
From: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA (MEL) Departs: 12:10pm
Departure Terminal: TERMINAL 1
To: ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA (ADL) Arrives: 1:00pm


Thu, Mar 27
Flights: QANTAS AIRWAYS, QF 0676
From: ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA (ADL) Departs: 9:10am
Departure Terminal: MAIN TERMINAL
To: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA (MEL) Arrives: 10:55am


Fri, Mar 28
Flights: QANTAS AIRWAYS, QF 0093
From: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA (MEL) Departs: 11:20am
Departure Terminal: TERMINAL 2
To: LOS ANGELES, CA (LAX) Arrives: 7:30am
Arrival Terminal: TERMINAL 4

Are you looking for a cheap backpackers or 5* luxury? Any particular interests that you simply must see in MEL and ADL?

I am looking to stay at fair price hotel 125.00 to 150.00.
Places I like to see- if you say a must see this place. I may not get to see Aus again. For food it doesn't matter. I just want to have fun.

Melbourne is one of the most tourist friendly cities that we have encountered. If you want to get to know the city, the tourist office has a wonderful program called Melbourne Greeters. If you let them know in advance of your visit, they will try and provide you will a personal guide to the city. It's amazing and it's absolutely free. We had a great 5 hour tour of the city with a retired university professor. It's different when you get acquainted with a place through the eyes of a native who loves their city.

Adelaide is a wonderful compact city that is easy to explore on foot. In terms of food if you asian food then head for Gouger Street. Our favourite is BBQ City - not fancy but according to my wife the best salt and pepper squid in the world. There is a really nice botanical garden near the hospital that is great for a stroll.

Plenty of other things to do depending on what you like. Adelaide is very close to the coast and there are some very nice little coasts which are pretty cheap to stay in - Henley is a nice town with a great beach.

Melbourne is one of the most tourist friendly cities that we have encountered. If you want to get to know the city, the tourist office has a wonderful program called Melbourne Greeters. If you let them know in advance of your visit, they will try and provide you will a personal guide to the city. It's amazing and it's absolutely free. We had a great 5 hour tour of the city with a retired university professor. It's different when you get acquainted with a place through the eyes of a native who loves their city.

I didn't know about the Greeters.
I'd love to know more about this.
BB

deleted

I didn't know about the Greeters.
I'd love to know more about this.
BB

http://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/info.cfm?top=264&pg=2318

This was truly one of the highlights in a trip that was filled with a lot of great experiences! It took the Melbourne tourist office a while to line up a "Greeter" for us since they have so many requests, but Ken Miller was fantastic. Heard about this service through a posting on Cruise Critic.

http://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/info.cfm?top=264&pg=2318

This was truly one of the highlights in a trip that was filled with a lot of great experiences! It took the Melbourne tourist office a while to line up a "Greeter" for us since they have so many requests, but Ken Miller was fantastic. Heard about this service through a posting on Cruise Critic.

That's brilliant! I'd only ever heard of this programme in the US ... this forum just proves itself over and over ^