Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Melbourne Qs & Help w/GOR Itin Please

We arrive @ Monday noon and depart @ Friday 7 am. That is 3 1/2 days and 4 nights. My questions:

-If I choose two nights on the GOR, should I do one night each @ (tentatively) Lorne & Warrnambool; or just pick one for two nights as a base?

-Is a good itinerary to do the first 2 1/2 days on the GOR and the final 1 1/2 days in Melbourne?

-I realize we don't need a car IN Melbourne, but as our flt leaves @ 7:30 am, is the quickest way to the airport to just keep the rental car & drive ourselves?

I have been reading allot of threads. I have noted (at the very least) to try and see: Twelve Apostles, Otway Fly Tree Top Walk, Pt Fairy, and possibly the laser show @ Flagstaff Hill.

Thanks for any recommendations!

-I realize we don't need a car IN Melbourne, but as our flt leaves @ 7:30 am, is the quickest way to the airport to just keep the rental car & drive ourselves?

The rental drop-off is about 100m from the terminal so it's a very short walk. If you're going to pick up the car at the airport, dropping it back there is probably the easiest option.

The rental drop-off is about 100m from the terminal so it's a very short walk. If you're going to pick up the car at the airport, dropping it back there is probably the easiest option.I think you are being a little more 'literal' than me :p I meant that we're staying at a hotel in the CBD & have a 7:30 am flight. What is the quickest way between the hotel & airport? Public transport is available, but might be time consuming. So should we keep our rental car & drive ourselves?

do you mean you are arriving in Melbourne THIS Monday?

There are heaps of airport/hotel shuttles from the CBD.
The drive to the airport takes approx 25mins, but you are flyingout early so an early morning dash out there in a taxi might be better, it is (like most airports) bedlam in the morning.

I think Warnnambool is a great base to place yourself.

Not sure when you arrive- there can be seasonal great whale watching there
feel free to PM or ask= Melbourne is my home town- we are suffering right now with the deadly bushfires, bu it's a great place ^

We are traveling mid March. Why do you suggest a taxi in lieu of using the rental car we will still have? Thanks.

basically the only way to the airport from the CBD is a freeway with tolls.
Not sure the circumstances on how to paythose tolls using a rental . Would the rental company charge you for them separately?

Even as a local- the drive out there is nasty in the mornings, and I have done it countless times, taxis, buses, lanes that require minimum passengers in a car, just thought it might be less hair-raising to take an alternative. :)

Thanks for the extra info ^ We are fairly self sufficient so I was curious why you mentioned the taxi. I would be ok to take the bus or whatever, but I don't want to have to leave REALLLY early to catch the 7:30 am flight to Tassie...

I am most undecided about whether to stay in two places or one places on the GOR tho.... :confused:

I would not miss the penguin parade. While touristy they penguins have adapted to us watching them!

ugh the penguins- sadly it is in the wrong direction from the great Ocean Rd.

They can be really contrary creatures, last time I took visitors there, I sat in the coffee shop :cool: it was cold, and the penguins mostly stayed home that night :rolleyes:

anyways.
Lorne is very nice, better class of hotels available than Warnnambool, nicer restaurants, it would be a great base. March can still be warm, and as you would be there midweek it seems, not too crowded but things still open for the season. A lot of our coastal towns shut businesses down out of season.. but mid March should still be OK.

However if you are looking for something a bit more folksy, Warnnambool would fit the bill.

Counter meals in pubs, ... that's traditionally very Australian.

Wherever you end up staying.. the drive along the Great Ocean Rd is nothing short of spectacular... anyone I have taken, raves about it.

check out the Shipwreck drive, climb down to the site of the Loch Ard shipwreck, so many stops along the way. good times :)

Thanks for the suggestions -- I am still stuck on this decision ---If I choose two nights on the GOR, should I do one night each @ (tentatively) Lorne & Warrnambool; or just pick one for the two nights as a base?

ALadyNCal's other threads about this trip. Trip seems to be in March (2 people)

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/898621-suggestions-16-day-itin-aus-trying-plans-flights-stop-overs.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/909752-sydney-neighborhoods-need-short-list-first-timers.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/910342-tassie-ow-rt-itinerary.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/884480-advice-buying-currency-march-trip-aus.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/915931-australian-visa-eta-question-need-help.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-aadvantage/906893-anyone-redeemed-20k-award-qantas-domestic-flights-aust.html?highlight=

GOR
As for the GOR are you planing to drive to Lorne immediately on landing at MEL ? The next day drive to W'bool (This would be the best in my opinion). Drive back from W'bool on the inland route (faster driving)

Airport
From the city (Spencer St rail station) Skybus (www.skybus.com.au) goes every 20 minutes, but for 2 people taxi is only a little more $. A car in the city will be a liabilty. Going by car you have pay the road tolls and return the car. Taxi wil be quicker
The other better option for getting a 7:00am flight is to stay at an airport hotel.

Assuming you're going down the GOR straight from arriving at Tullamarine, drop the rental car off in the city as soon as you get back to Melbourne (day 3?). As you don't need it in the city, there's no point in paying for it to sit there for 2 days and not using it, plus you'll have to pay to park it in the city. Get a cab to the airport when you leave - probably about A$30-40 from the city (about $20-25 at current exchange rates).

Melbourne has some of the most expensive toll roads in the world (at least in comparison with other places I've lived). Driving to/from downtown from Tullamarine means taking the Citylink, for which the 'daily' toll is about $12. (You would think there would be a high-speed rail link direct from the airport to the city, but there isn't, as an 'agreement' never to build such a link <at least in our lifetimes> was part of the 'deal' by which they got the toll road built). Most rental car companies (well, Hertz does, can't speak for the rest but I assume they do) have an 'arrangement' to include tolls in the daily rental. It is probably at a discounted rate but since they charge you 'tolls' for every day of the rental, regardless of whether you go near any of the toll roads, it's not necessarily a good deal. The tolls are all automated (no toll booths) so if you don't prepay the tolls via the rental car company, you're on your own to pay it (you have 3 days to call the number and pay up). I assume if you don't pay, the rental car company will bill you afterwards, no doubt + a service fee.

For where you're going, you can avoid the toll roads (so don't include them in your rental rate). After you leave Tullamarine (heading south towards the city), get on the Western Ring Road (M80), which is before the Citylink (toll) part starts, and then on the M1 to Geelong and the GOR. Coming back, stay on the M1, which will take you over the West Gate bridge and into town.

All the major cities have excellent street atlases available - here it's known as the "Melways" - the rental car companies usually put one in the car (well, Hertz does...) so just ask them "is there a Melways in the car?". As I can't go and get the Melways right now, I'm not sure how much of the GOR it covers but it'll certainly help when you're navigating out of the airport down to Geelong and the GOR and then back into town.

Google maps (http://maps.google.com.au/?ie=UTF8&ll=-37.765287,144.859543&spn=0.258378,0.612488&z=11)

Good summary by tt7.....All the major cities have excellent street atlases available - here it's known as the "Melways" - the rental car companies usually put one in the car (well, Hertz does...) so just ask them "is there a Melways in the car?". As I can't go and get the Melways right now, I'm not sure how much of the GOR it covers but it'll certainly help when you're navigating out of the airport down to Geelong and the GOR and then back into town.
Yep. In the back of the Melway's are 6 maps of the state including the GOR. From W'bool up to Mortlake and onto the Hamilton Highway is the quickest back to city [melway = Melbourne Way]

GOR
As for the GOR are you planing to drive to Lorne immediately on landing at MEL ? The next day drive to W'bool (This would be the best in my opinion). Drive back from W'bool on the inland route (faster driving)If that is a suggestion, then I will go with it ;) Yes, we will leave from the airport towards the GOR by 1 pm on Monday. If spending one night each (in that order) is reasonable, then we'll aim for that.

Thanks for the tips about the TAXI. I guess I will try to return the car in the city and then use a TAXI back to the airport.

Yes, the trip is in March. We leave in TWO WEEKS :eek:

Hi,

Thanks also from me fort eh tips, because I’m arriving at Tuesday in MEL and taking the rental car directly to Geelong. After one night, I’ll go for the GOS and want to stay in W'bool. So if I read it right I should take the inland route back and drop of the car at the airport and go by public or taxi to town, stay there for the first night and at the airport hotel for the second (want to fly early to Sydney the next day). So this should be the best plan or are there other suggestions?

Hi,

Thanks also from me for the tips, because I’m arriving at Tuesday in MEL and taking the rental car directly to Geelong. After one night, I’ll go for the GOS and want to stay in W'bool. So if I read it right I should take the inland route back and drop of the car at the airport and go by public or taxi to town, stay there for the first night and at the airport hotel for the second (want to fly early to Sydney the next day). So this should be the best plan or are there other suggestions?Yes. Looks OK

You could drop the car at a city rental car depot. All the majors (Avis etc) have city depots. Depends where you are staying. The skybus has another small bus that takes you from the skybus depot in Spencer St to your city centre hotel (at no additional cost). Saves a taxi-tram-walk to wherever you want to go. The Skybus is about Au$15. A taxi from Airport to City is about AU$40~45

If you don't like getting up early stay at an airport hotel. Several hotels but $$. Also local motels with courtsey buses. Most people stay in the city and take a taxi or bus.

Yes. Looks OK

You could drop the car at a city rental car depot. All the majors (Avis etc) have city depots. Depends where you are staying. The skybus has another small bus that takes you from the skybus depot in Spencer St to your city centre hotel (at no additional cost). Saves a taxi-tram-walk to wherever you want to go. The Skybus is about Au$15. A taxi from Airport to City is about AU$40~45

If you don't like getting up early stay at an airport hotel. Several hotels but $$. Also local motels with courtsey buses. Most people stay in the city and take a taxi or bus.

I will as Sixt about there "dopping" point for the car rental. I just thought to bring it back to the airport, because of the toll.

I'll stay the second nigth at a airport hotel, cause I like to sleep long on my holidays :D

Thx.

Thanks for the suggestions -- I am still stuck on this decision --

I like Apollo Bay as a base - it's far enough to not have day trippers but still has lots of facilities. It's in reach of the Otway Fly and the rock formations - 7 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge. London Bridge, etc.

Lorne turned into a day tripper haven many years ago and is absolutely horrible. Expensive "trendy" cafes and restaurants, no parking, and there's nothing really there except the beach. I don't recommend it.

If you decide to take the inland route one way take the slightly more northern road and admire Victoria's dormant volcanoes. It's a spectactular volcano field.

Are you arriving straight from the US? If so, consider the issue of jetlag - it can be horrible. And remember that you are driving on the 'wrong' side of the road. You might do better to do Melbourne first then rent a car Wednesday morning and head out to the Great Ocean Road.

Audrey

falconea -- Thanks for the notes about Lorne. Will reconsider Apollo Bay (which I had thought of first anyway!). Does Warrnambool look good for the second night?

We will not be arriving directly from the U.S. We are arriving from Cairns to Melbourne :)

Thesedays, a taxi from the City will be at least AU$40, more then likely $45.

Also, picking a hire car up from the Airport incurs an additional "premium Location Surcharge" which is charged daily.

Most hotels will charge a fee to park a car.

While the Skybus has a hotel pick up service; a 7:30am departure is really too early to make use of this. Other than that, the fare is AU$16 one/way ($26 return).

For a 5 or more day car hire, I would get the Skybus into the city and pick up the car from there to avoid the levy. You can drop off at the airport and pay no surcharge. (Use the "Western Ring Road" as advised to avoid tolls).

Also, picking a hire car up from the Airport incurs an additional "premium Location Surcharge" which is charged daily.

Charged daily? Really? I thought it's an one-off charge...

Of course, if you pick up at the airport and drop off in the city, they may get you for another charge for one-way rentals.

These charges are all complete rip-offs anyway...

Also, with the Skybus hotel pick-up, you MUST pre-book it at least 24 hours ahead (not just the previous day, but at least 24 hours), and it must be booked through the hotel. There's no fee to the booking, but you (the customer) can't ring up yourself.

Most rental agencies consider MEL and MEL City the same depot and are interchangeable, so there's normally no "one-way" rental charge. (This Weekend, I need to travel with checked luggage. I'm picking a car up from the city on Friday evening and driving it home. On Saturday I will drive to the airport, dropping it off before my flight; cost components are: 1) Base rate, 2)Vehicle Registration Recovery Fee, 3) Administration Fee and 4) GST.)

And, yes, the premium location (airport) surcharge is charged for every day of the rental. It is generally calculated as a percentage surcharge on the entire base rental price.

Another place near Warrnambool you could consider checking out is Tower Hill (http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=200), an extinct volcano (a caldera, if my primary school geology is remembered correctly). It abuts the Princes Highway between Warrnambool and Port Fairy.

I haven't been there since I was a kid living in the area, so don't know what it is like today, but I recall back then that if you weren't careful, your picnic sandwich would be snatched from your unsuspecting hand by an emu which had snuck up on you from behind.

falconea -- Thanks for the notes about Lorne. Will reconsider Apollo Bay (which I had thought of first anyway!). Does Warrnambool look good for the second night?

I would stay at Apollo Bay both nights, really. Warnambool is a larger town and doesn't really have much there apart from a whale watching lookout on the sand dunes, which is boring when there are no whales. Other options would be to stay at Port Campbell or Port Fairy, depending on how far you get the next day!

I should mention that Victoria also has stunning marine life - don't ignore it! It's well worth a snorkel or two, or just a reef ramble at low tide. http://www.bluering.org.au is years out of date but will give you an idea of some of what we have here, just in the intertidal zone. (It's a website of Mr Falconea's marine invertebrate photography. I catch them; he photographs them!) Apollo Bay is a good base for this - there's a pretty nice reef "behind the golf course" and others at Skene's Creek (behnd the caravan park) and at Marengo. Worth looking at low tide; I have no idea how safe it is to snorkel over these at high tide so check that locally. Dangerous rips are a feature of a lot of Victoria's coast.

Audrey
(Field work co-ordinator, Marine Research Group of Victoria.)

I would stay at Apollo Bay both nights, really.Thanks for the suggestion. Would we take an inland route back to MEL from ABay or retrace the same route?

Thanks for the suggestion. Would we take an inland route back to MEL from ABay or retrace the same route?I'm a "GOR novice" so I'm probably not really qualified to give advice but ....

Apollo Bay is about 200km from Tullamarine and, according to Google maps, about a 3 hour drive. That's about as much driving as you probably want if you're getting in from Cairns around lunchtime - do-able, I would think but you wouldn't want any more. From there to Warrnambool is 165 km and you would want to take all day doing it (so I think I would opt to stay in Apollo Bay on day 1 and Warrnambool on day 2). From Warrnambool, I would head back to Melbourne (on the morning of day 3) on the inland route - about 270 km or 3.5/4 hours. If you start to head back to Apollo Bay, even if you head inland part way along, it'll take a lot longer to get back to Melbourne. Coming back inland from Warrnambool would get you into Melbourne early to mid-afternoon (check in to wherever you're staying, go drop the car off, relax....).

If you come back inland from Warrnambool, you can take either the B140 or the A1 to Geelong - I have no idea which is better so perhaps others can comment. Google maps (for what that's worth) opts to send you on the B140 (the more northernly route).

p.s., if you're driving in downtown Melbourne and you need to turn right, watch out for the intersections that require 'hook' turns ... you get into the intersection in the far left lane and then wait until the light changes again and then you turn right (from the far left lane/middle of the intersection) - definitely guaranteed to confuse! :)

I think I would opt to stay in Apollo Bay on day 1 and Warrnambool on day 2Thanks. Unfortunately THAT IS THE DECISION I am trying to make. Whether to base for two nights at ONE LOCATION or stay one night in two places :(

I wouldn't bother backtracking on the GOR. I've done it 2x (last time in Sept).

I picked up my rental car in Melbourne CBD and avoided the airport tax. No extra to drop off at ADL. Picked up my partner at MEL and got there avoiding the toll highway (there is a road that parallels the toll highway until it is no longer tolled).

On my 1st trip, we left St. Kilda and drove to Geelong and then camped at Otway for 2 days (went north to my friend's home in New England via Castlemaine/Goldfields). 2nd time was leaving Marysville (destroyed by fire last week) to the town just east of Apollo Bay. Backtracked some 20Km in the early morning to catch sunrise. Skipped Otway and did the 12 Apostles and Loch Aird walks and ended up in a small town west of Warnambool for the evening (went on to Coonawarra from there via Mt. Gambier).

Thanks. Unfortunately THAT IS THE DECISION I am trying to make. Whether to base for two nights at ONE LOCATION or stay one night in two places :(Sorry, I can't help you make a decision - all I can do is suggest what I would do in the circumstances, which I thought I had done clearly and unequivocally. As I said "I would opt to stay in Apollo Bay on day 1 and Warrnambool on day 2). From Warrnambool, I would head back to Melbourne (on the morning of day 3) on the inland route". Obviously, YMMV and only you can decide - I don't know what else to say.

I picked up my rental car in Melbourne CBD and avoided the airport tax. I'd be happy to save the $$$. The question would be how time consuming it is to take transportation into the CBD to get the rental car & then head out to the GOR? Sorry, I can't help you make a decision - all I can do is suggest what I would do in the circumstances, which I thought I had done clearly and unequivocally. As I said "I would opt to stay in Apollo Bay on day 1 and Warrnambool on day 2). From Warrnambool, I would head back to Melbourne (on the morning of day 3) on the inland route". I appreciate the opinion & tho't that was and is a good idea. It's just someone posting a contradiction adds confusion to the pot. Your recommendation is still my Plan A ^

I'd be happy to save the $$$. The question would be how time consuming it is to take transportation into the CBD to get the rental car & then head out to the GOR?Don't even think about taking some alternative transportation into the city in order to avoid the airport surcharge.

I don't know who you're renting from but (out of interest) I looked up some Hertz rates a couple of days ago (for pick up at Tullamarine on a Monday in March). They wanted about $40/day for a Toyota Camry and about $35/day for a Toyota Aurion (better than a Camry), which are pretty amazing (low) rates (though you have to add the registration recovery, airport surcharge etc. etc). The airport surcharge (which as serfty pointed out in an earlier post is a percentage of the rate) was about $7/$8 a day. If you rent for 3 days, that will cost you A$24. Rather than pay that, you're going to waste an hour or two schlepping into the city, on the Citybus - which I think someone said costs $16/person? Don't even think about wasting time going into the city to pick up the car - apart from the fact that it may actually cost you money to do that, it's a complete waste of time.

Don't even think about taking some alternative transportation into the city in order to avoid the airport surcharge.Great -- I won't ;)

Great -- I won't ;)Nor should you, As I posted:... For a 5 or more day car hire, I would get the Skybus into the city and pick up the car from there to avoid the levy. You can drop off at the airport and pay no surcharge. ...[The sky bus is $16 o/w]

FWIW, here is a breakdown of the car rental fees on my reservation. P/U @ the airport & drop off @ the CBD (48 hours):


Base Rate: 2 day(s) 62.00 AUD
Taxes & Surcharges: 33.58 AUD
Surcharge 21.95 AUD
- 10% applies to all rental & additional charges (Goods & Services Tax)
- $5.50 per day (Vehicle Registration Fee)
- 15.0% (Premium Location Surcharge)
- Tax = Admin Fee
Tax ( 3.500% ) 11.63 AUD
Kilometers: Unlimited
Approximate Total 95.58 AUD

Does this distance & time sound right?

Driving directions
Warrnambool to 123 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
269 km – about 3 hours 44 mins

Does this distance & time sound right?

Driving directions
Warrnambool to 123 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
269 km – about 3 hours 44 mins

Google (correctly) informs you that the shortest distance is via the Hamilton Road (B140) but this is much narrower road than the Princes Highway (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Warrnambool+VIC,+Australia&daddr=-38.225235,143.039246+to:Cobden+Stoneyford+Rd+to:me lbourne&hl=en&geocode=%3B%3BFbo2t_0dKvyKCA%3B&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=9&via=1,2&sll=-38.298559,143.025513&sspn=1.082053,2.351074&ie=UTF8&ll=-38.300715,143.302917&spn=1.082021,2.351074&z=9) (A1) which is the inland route that most people take when travelling to Melbourne from Warrnambool. It's a while since I have done it but 4 hours should be more than adequate. I think the time Google has given you for the other route is probably a little optimistic.

You can compare the condition of the two roads with Streetview.

Google (correctly) informs you that the shortest distance is via the Hamilton Road (B140) but this is much narrower road than the Princes Highway (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Warrnambool+VIC,+Australia&daddr=-38.225235,143.039246+to:Cobden+Stoneyford+Rd+to:me lbourne&hl=en&geocode=%3B%3BFbo2t_0dKvyKCA%3B&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=9&via=1,2&sll=-38.298559,143.025513&sspn=1.082053,2.351074&ie=UTF8&ll=-38.300715,143.302917&spn=1.082021,2.351074&z=9) (A1) which is the inland route that most people take when travelling to Melbourne from Warrnambool. It's a while since I have done it but 4 hours should be more than adequate. I think the time Google has given you for the other route is probably a little optimistic.

You can compare the condition of the two roads with Streetview.

Hamilton Highway is IMO, while a slightly 'lesser' road than Princes Hwy, nevertheless just fine, and my No. 2 preferred route for the trip (No. 1 is rather backroad and difficult to explain). There's usually much less traffic on HH than PH.

Also, the half-complete Geelong bypass extends to where the Hamilton Hwy enters Geelong, so is very useful for bypassing Geelong Central and lessens the time. 3 and a half hours (perhaps even less) is a pretty good estimate for the trip.

Looking for alternative town for one night. Apollo Bay & Lorne are pretty booked for one of my nights. Would Portarlington or something near there be a good choice? I would continue on to Apollo Bay the next night and Warrnambool the final night. Thanks :)

Looking for alternative town for one night. ... would Portarlington or something near there be a good choice?

My preference would be Queenscliff - not very far from Port Arlington.

I would agree with Queenscliff, a charming historic town.
The problem with Portarlington is it takes you east before you go back west.
Geelong, Torquay, or Angleasea are all options, though I think you will enjoy a stay in Queenscliff.

This is a big coincidence because we are also visiting MEL (in June). We arrive from LAX on a Friday morning and leave for CNS on Tuesday. We're staying at Travelodge Southbank and our CNS flight is at 0720 on Jetstar out of Tullamarine. How early do we need to leave the hotel accounting for traffic, security, etc? Is Citybus the best option?

A double coincidence because I live down the road from ALadyNCal (we are in RSM).

A question on GOR and the penguins at Philip Island...are these worthwhile even in mid-winter? Are there any places that aren't too great in winter?

One last question, does anyone have experience or comments on the small group tours to the GOR?

Thanks in advance!

...We're staying at Travelodge Southbank and our CNS flight is at 0720 on Jetstar out of Tullamarine. How early do we need to leave the hotel accounting for traffic, security, etc? Is Citybus the best option?For 2 or more people for an early flight I would take a taxi as post 20 (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/11262908-post20.html) by Serfty above. 07:20 is a busy time at the airport. Not sure what the offical check in time is, but I suggest being at the airport no later than 06:15. 06:00 would be better.

For 2 or more people for an early flight I would take a taxi as post 20 (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/11262908-post20.html) by Serfty above. 07:20 is a busy time at the airport. Not sure what the offical check in time is, but I suggest being at the airport no later than 06:15. 06:00 would be better.

Thank you for the info. "Official" times on websites are often different from reality so it's good to have advice from local residents. I looked at MEL-CNS airfares for weeks and the early Jetstar flight was the best fare at AUD283. Of course now there's a midmorning Virgin flight for AUD249....oh well

A question on GOR and the penguins at Philip Island...are these worthwhile even in mid-winter? Are there any places that aren't too great in winter?



It's really difficult to say without knowing you or your interests. I lived in Melbourne for 9 years with 3 kids and I think we probably visited the penguins half a dozen times. Personally I always found it a delightful experience but I've read posts from others that they're not worth the effort ... what can I say?

It can be cold sitting and waiting at any time of the year and especially in winter. If you do go at that time of year, make sure you are dressed appropriately otherwise it will be pretty miserable.

Although it can get cold in Victoria it's nothing compared to a North American winter and the weather never really stopped us from doing anything. Some roads in the alpine park areas (even quite close to Melbourne) are often closed due to snow but otherwise everything stays open all year round. Again, it depends on your point of view but I like the GOR at any time of year - winter can be quite spectacular and "bracing" as the Southern Ocean is usually at it's wildest at that time of year.

We live south of Los Angeles and your winters seem very similar, with the ocean making things cold and wet but at the same time preventing it from getting *too* cold! As you probably know, we get snow in our local mountain resorts too.

The penguins sound like a good deal. If anyone on this board has used http://www.autopiatours.com.au please comment. I'm debating between a tour and rental car; I've heard the added cost to get on the beach among the penguins is worth it but tours schedules don't support that option.

The same company does tours of GOR...again any comments are appreciated. It seems that could be a good deal...if they do all the driving I don't mind packing it into a single (but long) day.

I haven't experienced an LA winter, but I can say if you get wind from the south, direct from Antarctica, it's not going to be too much fun...

I did a small tour group to the GOR a few years ago (can't remember the name, sorry). It was alright, nothing special. The company I used required you to meet up at their city office (I stayed at the Westin, so it wasn't far) early morning, and drive you out. I vaguely recall they picked up people from the South Bank too, so you should be OK. The driver also gave some running commentary on special locations.

I recall having stops at 3 or 4 places, roughly 30 mins each, depending on the size of the sight. You hop off the bus and take photos on your own. A simple lunch was also included in the price.

The return trip was mid/late afternoon, and they drop you back to your hotel. I did the tour in spring, and it was well dark before I got back to the hotel. If you do this in June, it'll be dark by 6pm.

If you do this June, I'd take a gamble and not booking too far in advance. Spare a day in your schedule and do it when you know the weather will be good. Your hotel should be able to help find you a tour company. If all else fails, go to Plan B - self-drive.

While weather in June can be cold, wet and miserable, you can get brillant crisp and clear skies. That's why I suggest not book too far in advance... However, if you want to experience what Antarctic wind feels like, book now and see what happens. :)

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The penguins sound like a good deal. If anyone on this board has used http://www.autopiatours.com.au please comment. I'm debating between a tour and rental car; I've heard the added cost to get on the beach among the penguins is worth it but tours schedules don't support that option.

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First of I would rent a car. The tours stop at a lot of useless visitor points and a car will give you freedom. We took the tour and trust me if I had to do it over again I would rent a car. As for getting on the beach it is not worth it. You will be able to see the penguins everywhere. They are used to the spectecle. While touristy for me it was one of the best parts of my vacation.

Thanks Leumas and riteshraja- A lot of good info based on your personal experiences. I will look into a rental car to drive to Philip Island and possibly GOR.

Riteshraja- Sounds like you're from SoCal too (we are in south OC).

We live south of Los Angeles and your winters seem very similar, with the ocean making things cold and wet but at the same time preventing it from getting *too* cold! As you probably know, we get snow in our local mountain resorts too.....SYD is similar to LA; MEL is more like SFO or even SEA for winter. Significantly colder than LA and with more variability. As stated earlier in the thread, there are periodic (cyclic) weather patterns that alternate cold with warm (roughly 2 week cycle). The cold cycle part is more like YVR than LAX, while the warm cycle part is like LAX on a cold day. For a short vacation you roll the dice for weather, but overall MEL has a great climate. But there is a reason that lots of Melbournites move to Queensland when they retire, and/or go there for winter vacation!