Ideas for holiday to Melbourne

BIGDUB · Aug 30, 2012

My girlfriend and I are on university holidays again and we've decided it would be good to get away for a few days. We're both 19 and do accelerated law degrees on a trimester based system, so we don't get holidays very often.
We've booked our flights and hotel and are flying over next week! We're staying in Flagstaff. We're both pretty excited as she has never been to Melbourne before and I haven't been since I was around 13. Now we have 3 nights there, so around 4 days.

We'd like to spend the most of our time there and really treat ourselves.
I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on stuff we cannot miss. I know it really depends on what we're into, but I was just looking for suggestions of stuff which probably appeals to most people - places, experiences, tours. We're not really fussed, we just want to experience the vibrant culture and enjoy what Melbourne has to offer.
We've got a few places penciled in, but very keen on more suggestions:
Crown Casino
Melbourne Aquarium
Melbourne Museum
MCG Tour (National Sports Museum)
Melbourne Zoo

We would also like to know where the best places to shop are. We've heard good things about the factory outlets too, so locations of these would be really helpful!
We're also keen to get down to some markets, so I thought the Queen Victoria Market for sure, but if anyone else knows better please say so.
Any locations of great shopping strips or malls would be fantastic!

We're also keen to check out the night life. So where is the main street for this?

Finally, where should we wine and dine? Is there somewhere in the CBD we just cannot go past? Price isn't an issue, so please let me know if there is somewhere we must go!

I'm looking on these Melbourne tourist sites, but it all looks so good!

Any help is really appreciated!
Thanks!

luck_of_the_irish · Aug 30, 2012

Hey mate
High point shopping centre u cant miss its bloody massive
Werribee zoo theres a tour where u go in this car thing through the zoo animals thats pretty cool

GarnettFan4Life · Aug 30, 2012

I went down there for work a while back and did a tour of the Great Ocean Road and back inland and then back to Melbourne where I was staying and the only down side was it was kind of rushed. Bus driver was speeding the whole time to meet deadline of getting back to the city. So if you do do a tour down that way make sure you take a day or ask about how much time you will have at each spot (rainforest walk, Bells Beach, the Apostles, bakery/food etc).

Highlight was a short helicopter ride over the Apostles (however many are left lol) so there's plenty to do!
Also check out Rialto Tower for a great view and there's food/souvenirs up top floor too.

luck_of_the_irish · Aug 30, 2012

Oh yeah how could i forget the great ocean road being a keen photographer it was the best day of my life i loved it

BIGDUB · Aug 30, 2012

That looks awesome Matt! I'll definitely look into a tour! She loves nature, so that sounds perfect!

As for High Point Shopping Centre we will definitely be checking that one out! So thanks for that!
How far a drive is it to this zoo as well? (we don't have a hire car) so is public transport easy enough to get there?

Thanks for the ideas!

luck_of_the_irish · Aug 30, 2012

U can take the train to werribee n then the bus im unsure bout the bus number ill find out n get back to
U if u want

motiv8dan · Aug 30, 2012

Mate forget Highpoint, Chadstone is were it is at!! So many girls,I get owned by the missus when we go there it is Perve overload, Chapel street in Sth Yarra is good for shopping too, the casino is awesome and can fill a few holes for you, it has shopping, nightclubs and heaps of restaurants....

drob50 · Aug 30, 2012

DRACULA'S!!!!!

We flew to Melbourne for our work xmas party a couple of years ago. Arrived at around 5:00, went to dracula's for dinner, then went to the Cas with $1K + each and flew home at 5:30am!! Great night!! lol

kiwi_in_melb · Aug 30, 2012

Put the money you were going to spend at the aquarium on the black jack table insted even if it only lasts one hand it would still be a better investment.

You definatly have to eat Italian from the restaraunts on Lygon St. If you get time check out the Old Malbourne Gaol aswell.

Theres also the free tourist bus you can catch from about 10 or so stops in the CBD that takes you to the MCG and around a few more touristy things like that.

BIGDUB · Aug 30, 2012

luck_of_the_irish said:
U can take the train to werribee n then the bus im unsure bout the bus number ill find out n get back to
U if u want

Thanks for that! Nah I think we can just catch the train and then grab a taxi from there. Probably easier that way. I just didn't want to get a taxi from the CBD all the way there!
I just checked out the site, looks cool! We have a similar zoo here in Monarto Zoo. Makes for a great day!

motiv8dan said:
Mate forget Highpoint, Chadstone is were it is at!! So many girls,I get owned by the missus when we go there it is Perve overload, Chapel street in Sth Yarra is good for shopping too, the casino is awesome and can fill a few holes for you, it has shopping, nightclubs and heaps of restaurants....

Haha which one is bigger/better though? (While girls are nice I'd rather not be paying for separate hotel rooms that night mate)
Yeah really keen for the casino, heard great things!
I'm assuming there are some really nice restaurants inside too?

drob50 said:
DRACULA'S!!!!!

We flew to Melbourne for our work xmas party a couple of years ago. Arrived at around 5:00, went to dracula's for dinner, then went to the Cas with $1K + each and flew home at 5:30am!! Great night!! lol

Sounds awesome! Was it spontaneous or planned? haha
Went to the cas with 1k each.. How much did you leave with?

I just checked out Dracula's website. Looks very similar to a place here called the Night Train (not sure if it's still around)... let's just say I hope it a lot better than the Night Train
But we'll have to check it out as it does look really cool!

BIGDUB · Aug 30, 2012

kiwi_in_melb said:
Put the money you were going to spend at the aquarium on the black jack table insted even if it only lasts one hand it would still be a better investment.

You definatly have to eat Italian from the restaraunts on Lygon St. If you get time check out the Old Malbourne Gaol aswell.

Theres also the free tourist bus you can catch from about 10 or so stops in the CBD that takes you to the MCG and around a few more touristy things like that.

Really? I've heard good things about the aquarium? Plus we don't have one here in Adelaide.

I love Italian food! Any place in particular? We will probably opt for the fanciest option I'd say - but would love to know what one makes for the best food!

Thanks for the information on the bus too! I've just downloaded the brochure now - Makes transport really easy as it stops right outside our hotel! Will definitely be taking this!

kiwi_in_melb · Aug 30, 2012

If you have no expectations of the Aquarium you'll probably have a good time haha I just thought for what it was it was very over priced.

We have been to about 7 or 8 different places down Lygon St in our time here and havent had a bad feed yet.

BIGDUB · Aug 30, 2012

I've just looked up Lygon St and apparently it's famous for it's food. So that's a must! Thanks heaps for that
As for the aquarium, we got discount tickets for $20 with our concession cards and RAA memberships. So I don't think that's too bad at all!

ooneil · Aug 30, 2012

Yeah Lygon street has the best Italian food I have ever had. Dont miss is.

Go check out some of the small bars and clubs in some of the lane ways.

A favorite of mine is trader bar. The drink prices go up and down during the night like share prices.

http://www.clubsguide.com.au/melbourne/venue/Trader-Bar

drob50 · Aug 30, 2012

BIGDUB said:
Sounds awesome! Was it spontaneous or planned? haha
Went to the cas with 1k each.. How much did you leave with?

I just checked out Dracula's website. Looks very similar to a place here called the Night Train (not sure if it's still around)... let's just say I hope it a lot better than the Night Train
But we'll have to check it out as it does look really cool!

There were about 12 of us, I actually had $2K and was up and down all night, bought drinks all night and a 3 am feed and left with $2010

BIGDUB · Aug 30, 2012

ooneil said:
Yeah Lygon street has the best Italian food I have ever had. Dont miss is.

Go check out some of the small bars and clubs in some of the lane ways.

A favorite of mine is trader bar. The drink prices go up and down during the night like share prices.

http://www.clubsguide.com.au/melbourne/venue/Trader-Bar

I've made the executive decision that we'll be eating at Lygon St at least twice on the trip! I love Italian haha

That sounds like an interesting concept! We will definitely check it out, that website you provided looks really helpful too.
We're planning on going to as many different bars and clubs as possible, just to see what Melbourne has to offer!

BIGDUB · Aug 30, 2012

drob50 said:
There were about 12 of us, I actually had $2K and was up and down all night, bought drinks all night and a 3 am feed and left with $2010

Haha I'll take being $10 up at the end of such a big night any day of the week!

Billyhoyle · Aug 30, 2012

Shopping
http://www.harbourtown.com.au/centre-locations/melbourne-centre-location.html
Chadstone - http://www.chadstoneshopping.com.au/home/- there is a free bus from the city
Chapel Street is also very popular - http://www.chapelstreet.com.au/

Food
Lots of great places
Victoria Street for Vietnamese
Lygon Street for Italian
Plenty of alternatives in the city
Southbank has plenty as well, although can be expensive

Night Life
Depends what you are after
Places like Manchester Lane if you want a cool jazz night out
The Corner is good if you want a band
Chapel street and any number of places in the city good if you want a dance
King Street for late night

carlton91 · Aug 30, 2012

Phillip Island so you can watch the penguins

Jyeza17 · Aug 30, 2012

Queen Vic market isn't that great

Ideas for holiday to Melbourne

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