What to do in Melbourne?

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nate

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#209044 9-Mar-2017 23:51

A few years ago I headed to Sydney for an actual holiday, and ask what you lot thought was good to do there. Worked quite well.

This time I'm headed to Melbourne for a week and my lazy ass again is after suggestions - what's good in Melbourne?

scottjpalmer

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#1734111 10-Mar-2017 00:57

Hanging out with @ajobbins and his lovely wife is #1 in my book.

Jase2985

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#1734159 10-Mar-2017 06:54

i was there about a month ago.

Queen Victoria Markets
Melbourne Zoo
Old Melbourne Gaol
Calton Brewery
Crown Casino
St Kilda Beach

General shopping downtown, southbank and docklands.

alasta

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#1734165 10-Mar-2017 07:21

There is a good fish and chip shop at the port if you are looking for somewhere to go for dinner. The tram will get you there in about 15 minutes.

davidcole

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#1734171 10-Mar-2017 07:44

Last time we were there it was very kid friendly.

Melbourne Zoo

Werribee Open Range Zoo

And dinner with Jobbins and Jess.

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dickytim

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#1734179 10-Mar-2017 08:05

Queen Vic market

David Jones

Myer

Gazi (restaurant)

AFL might be starting soon, catch a game, the atmosphere is quite cool.

Crown Casino is nice to visit along with South Bank which is a nice evening walk.

Out of Melbourne go and visit the Mornington Peninsula. Mornington, Rosebud, and Sorrento.

Drive the Nepean Hwy going through.

Phillip Island to watch the penguin parade, I recommend the underground viewing.

Phillip Island Wildlife park, you can hand feed kangaroos, wallabies, emu's etc.

Way too long a list!

MackinNZ

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#1734184 10-Mar-2017 08:17

If your there this month Formula 1 is on at Albert Park from Fri 24 – Sun 26 March 2017

https://www.formula1.com/en/championship/races/2017/Australia.html

nate

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#1734298 10-Mar-2017 11:30

scottjpalmer: Hanging out with @ajobbins and his lovely wife is #1 in my book.

That's where we're staying champ :)

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scottjpalmer

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#1734308 10-Mar-2017 11:39

nate:
scottjpalmer: Hanging out with @ajobbins and his lovely wife is #1 in my book.

That's where we're staying champ :)

I'm looking forward to receiving the sublet payment for my room.

Batman

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#1734325 10-Mar-2017 11:55

When I go there I eat vietnamese Pho - a lot. And other asian food ... that's assuming one likes asian food. That's all i think of and do.

PolicyGuy

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#1734370 10-Mar-2017 13:26

"what's good in Melbourne?" Leaving.
But then I lived my teenage years in Sydney, so I may be a teeny bit biased.

Ava Gardner was in Melbourne shooting a movie version of Neville Shute's "On The Beach" [probably still worth reading], and as she flew back to the USA was asked what she thought of Melbourne. She said it was a great place to make a movie about the end of the world. Oh how we Sydneysiders did laff.

I'd try to go to the MCG or AFL Park for a big match of Aussie Rules footy, it'd be quite an experience
But then I'd like to go to one of the enormous college stadiums for a NCAA game of American Football for the same reasons - the roar of the greasepaint, the smell of the crowd.
And the F1 GP is good is you're there in a couple of weeks - don't buy the 'cheap' tickets, buy the waaay expensive ones and enjoy the whole thing just once in your life :)

networkn

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#1734421 10-Mar-2017 14:59

Considering it's one of the food capitals of the world, my fav thing to do (and the primary reason I ever go) is eating.

There is both an amazing cross section, and some of the best examples of dining anywhere in the world. I would rate it highly behind Hawaii, Tokyo (and Japan in general) and Las Vegas.

allan

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#1734458 10-Mar-2017 16:47

Yes definitely see if you can catch an AFL game. You won't believe the number of people who turn out to mid-week games.

A number of years ago I was working there for a time and staying in East Melbourne. Used to walk past a pub in Wellington Parade every day and could never figure out how it stayed in business. Then I was there when an AFL game was on at the MCG. Discovered when it made it's income!!! Just tried finding it on Streetview, but looks like Wellington Parade has gone a bit more upmarket in recent years

darylblake

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#1734500 10-Mar-2017 18:56

Glad you asked.

I just got back on monday morning at 2am.

1) Cafe's. These are outstanding especially for breakfasts. I went to fitzroy, and some of them were awesome. I also found some good cafes in the bottom of the city not far from flinders st station

2) Richmond. I tend to go here a lot, for bars/pubs, its cool. Got drunk last friday night at the swan hotel, they had a live band playing punk/old school rock.

3) Yarra Valley. Just cuz its awesome.

4) St Kilda. Go to the beach sunday afternoon and get fish and chips on the beach.

5) South Bank. This place is expensive, but awesome. Resturants are amazing and the Crown Casino is huge.

6) Shopping. Look for markets. I went to Rose Street Markets on the weekend.

Have fun!

stevenk

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#1734601 10-Mar-2017 22:56

Things to do in Melbourne...

- Guided tour of the State Library. Believe me, it's a lot more interesting than it sounds.

- If you're after a beach, I'd pick Altona over St. Kilda.

- Scienceworks is worth a visit if you're with children, though it's a bit of a walk from Spotswood railway station.

- Have a wander past the Parliament Building in Spring St (unlike Sydney, it actually looks impressive and governmental) and have a look in the museum in the Old Treasury Building.

As far as food is concerned, one of my favourites are the Vietnamese restaurants in Victoria St, Richmond (#12 (Victoria Gardens) or #109 (Box Hill) tram from the city, or train to North Richmond). If you're after dessert, there are a few great cake shops/cafes in Acland St, St Kilda, at the end of the #96 tram route, plus it's only a two minute walk from Luna Park.

If you're after the most iconic Melbourne meal, find a pub (they're on every second street corner in Fitzroy, Collingwood and Abbotsford) and order a Chicken Parma.

If you've got time and want a day out of the city without hiring a car, hop on a V/Line train to Bendigo. The train from Southern Cross Station takes about 1 3/4 hours and there's loads to see within a short walk of the railway station at Bendigo, plus the Talking Tram can get you further afield, from the Central Deborah gold mine at one end of the line, to the Joss House Temple at the other. It's also worth a look in the Golden Dragon Museum, home to both the world's oldest surviving imperial dragon, and the world's longest imperial dragon.

Personally, the Mornington Peninsula is a bit meh. Portsea (at the end of the peninsula) is over 1 1/2 hours drive from Melbourne, and if you follow the Nepean Highway (which tends to follow the coast), it's endless suburbia all the way.

If you want a day out on Port Phillip Bay, there's a ferry service from Docklands to Portarlington... which thanks to speed restrictions spends nearly half the journey giving you a view of the Yarra from the port to Williamstown. If they're running, it's worth considering the cruise along the Maribyrnong River from Footscray... much more interesting and scenic than the Yarra.

And if you're into markets, Queen Victoria Market is a bit of a tourist trap. For the local markets, South Melbourne Market (catch the #96 (St Kilda Beach) or #12 (St Kilda Fitzroy St) tram) or Dandenong Market (train to Dandenong and a 5 minute walk) are more worthwhile... or if you're really up for an experience, try Footscray Market.

nate

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#1759456 8-Apr-2017 13:30

Just got back from my trip and did lots of stuff that you guys suggested. Thanks again, you're all totes awesome.