Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - MEL Beaches and Crown Towers

Heading to MEL in January for poker and tennis. We're planning to stay at the Crown Towers-- they have yet to post rates for January and I'd really like to prepay before the USD hits the floor. When might I expect to be able to book?

Also, for a week or so prior to our MEL visit, we'd like to get some beach time in somewhere in SE Australia. We don't mind driving or flying if it means we get away from flies and jellyfish. Any thoughts on a beach resort somewhere in Victoria or NSW? 3-4 hour drive from MEL would probably be ideal.

Cheers!

I'm guessing by your handle you don't mind cold water? Because the sea temp in Victoria is usually a tad on the chilly side. People generally head North for beach type holidays even southern NSW has some pretty nice spots (Bateman's Bay, Jervis Bay, Moruya) but they are a fair drive from Melbourne.

I guess maybe try Lorne or Portsea.

You may like to consider Port Fairy or Torquay as being places with nice beaches that have a reasonable choice of accommodation. These towns are at book ends of the Great Ocean Road - Port Fairy is about 4 hours drive from Melbourne, while Torquay is quite close to Melbourne. Torquay is very pleasant, while Port Fairy is quite a picturesque historical village with some highly sought after real estate.

The Crown Towers is fine. I would say that the Westin or the Park Hyatt are better in the "luxury" stakes. I wasn't terriby impresssed by Crown Towers - I had a premier room, and I did't think that the service was that good. But if you are coming to Melbourne in part for the poker you will certainly be staying at the right place.

Heading to MEL in January for poker and tennis. We're planning to stay at the Crown Towers-- they have yet to post rates for January and I'd really like to prepay before the USD hits the floor.

Why not buy some AUD cash now and pay cash for the room when you check out? Even though they take a credit card to guarantee the room, there is no obligation to pay for the room with your credit card.

As for the exchange rate, around Sept (I think) 2008, the rate was 1:1, so at around US70c:AUD1, you are still doing pretty good.


Evan :->

Contact the hotel directly and they may be able to book now even though the online reservations cannot. I've been booking hotels, air, tours, etc. for our visit in July and asked that my CC be charged immediately instead of waiting until our visit. If the AUD strengthens against the USD I come out ahead (that has happened already). Of course if you feel the AUD will weaken then it's better to wait.

(Same idea as goldcoastguy but with CC instead of cash). My card does not charge any foreign transaction fees so the effective cost in USD is very close to the "official" exchange rate.

One good choice may be Lakes Entrance/Paynesville/Gippsland Lakes/90 Mile beach area (Marketed as "The Victorian Riviera") - a good 3½ or 4 hour drive East from Melbourne.

More here:

SMH Travel - Lakes Entrance (http://www.smh.com.au/news/Victoria/Lakes-Entrance/2005/02/17/1108500206652.html)
INSPIRED BY GIPPSLAND (http://www.visitvictoria.com/displayobject.cfm/objectid.C75429C7-A73F-41E0-90D9CC71037823E2/)


Note that January is Peak Holiday season so reservations are just about essential.