robr

Ok thanks again Mwenenzi, didn't realize Melbourne was as bad as Sydney when it comes to parking. This works out as I just got a new credit card that pays for 1 hotel night if we stay someplace for 4 nights. So I moved things around to keep us in the same hotel for 4 nights before we head toward Phillip Island.

Exec_Plat

Ah, Citi Prestige? Saved me around AUD3500 on my trip.

robr

Yup! The $450 signup fee hurt at first until I started looking at how much it's actually going to save me, then it was a no brainer. The kids will welcome the Admiral's Club access it provides during our 5 hour DFW layover. I travel about once a month for work, so I'll welcome it too

Mwenenzi

What hotel are you staying at?
In the city all the major rental car places are in Franklin St, within 100m of each others. No need to go back out to the airport (its in the wrong direction for you anyway)
For parking costs look here https://www.wilsonparking.com.au/ There is one other large parking company.

robr

I havent decided yet. I was reading the south bank was a good area,but I'm open to suggestions. We have a 2BR suite at quay West in Sydney and was thinking of similar accommodations in Melbourne. I'm thankful prices in Melbourne seem to be less than half of Sydney prices!

robr

Cprich thanks for the ecotour recommendation. I booked with Paul. Btw what's the deal with tips for something like that? I've read conflicting info about tipping. Some say don't tip, some say a small tip is ok but a large tip is insulting.

nux

Do not tip, there is no obligation to tip anywhere in Australia. You can round up a few dollars in a taxi, and for good service at a cafe/restaurant.

Some comments on your itinerary:
For Sydney, you have a lot planned for your first day when you may well be quite jetlagged. I would suggest planning a bit less and moving things to another day.

For Melbourne/Victoria, no point hiring a car for the first few days. The Star Wheel isn't a great attraction, Skydeck will give you a better view of things. On Dec 2 you could go from Fed Square, walk along the yarra across to the Botanical Gardens and then loop back around on the other side to Eureka for Skydeck.
What F1 track do you mean to see?
Your Dec 6 day has far too much to do and a lot of driving. I would suggest staying around Portsea area for most of the day to fit it all in, ferry across to Queenscliff end of the day and the next day take your time to do the Great Ocean Road and get to Port Campbell.

robr

Even when you hire a guy to pick up your family and take them on a 10 hour private tour in his land rover? That's crazy to us Americans you wouldn't tip for something like that. I realize tipping is never an obligation, it's not in the US either, it's supposed to be for appreciation when someone goes above and beyond. But as they say, when in Rome..... Or Oz

Mwenenzi

Southbank is good area. A busy part on the city day & night. The Crown Casino complex is at the west end. Parking can be difficult. In that area I usually park in in the casino car park (but do not go to the casino)
http://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/Pla...Southbank.aspx
https://www.southgatemelbourne.com.au/

As above tipping in Australia is not common or expected. Just round up the $1 or $5 ($5 is the smallest note) for taxis or good restaurant. But is not expected. In Melbourne I often had taxi driver's round down say $65.25 to $65.00. Or a $64.75 fare they will give back $0.25.

nux

Yes, absolutely no need to tip. You are paying money for the tour, the tour operator you paid employs someone to perform the tour and pays him for that.

If you think he went over and above I strongly suggest you provide that feedback to his employer rather than tipping him.


Also added some comments on your itinerary above.

Mwenenzi

On Dec 6 to Port Campbell I thought he meant the faster inland route. And then the next day along the coast (GOR) back to Melbourne. But agree Dec 6 has too much travel-distance.

The car-bike race track at Phillip Island is small undulating track. Doubt if open of public access. Not much to see anyway. Is good to watch car races at the track.
The Melbourne F1 grand prix is held on what, for 50 weeks of the year, are public roads

CPRich

I concur with no need to tip. I asked/researched in advance, for the same reason. Not expected, as is true with almost everything while in-country.

CPRich

If you're arriving early morning, as I did, go take the I'm Free Tour at 10:30a. It will force you to avoid sleeping, getting on Oz time, and will give a very good orientation to the city. It ends down by the Opera House/Bridge, and goes through the Rocks district, so it gets you where you want to be with some good background/history. It's "free" up front, with a "pay what you think it's worth" pitch. It was a valuable 3-hour investment to us.

Walk Coogee to Bondi, not Bondi to Coogee. Bondi is the highlight, and there are more places to rest/snack/eat/etc. when you're done.

I don't recognize most of the items on Dec. 6. Is this along the GOR, or are you bypassing for an inland route? I'd recommend the drive, and it can take a full day. We were in Geelong by 10:30 and only got to Apollo Bay by sundown. You'll have several extra hours of sunlight, but you might want to stretch the trip along the southern coast to an extra day.

Your Dec. 7 day is exactly the same as ours. 12 Apostles by about 8:30, a few coastal stops ending at the Grotto, then return to Melbourne. We were in our hotel by 2:30, so you have extra time that day.

And as you appear to be a fellow F1 fan, you and Paul will have plenty to talk about. Just don't bore the rest of the family....

Mwenenzi

The initial items in the Dec 6 list are in the Mornington Peninsular.: too much for 1 day even when driving non stop on the faster inland route to Port Campbell.

CPRich

Then I'd recommend ending Dec 6 around Geelong or Torquay, use the 7th for the full day GOR drive to Port Campbell, and move the 12/7 items to 12/8.