Your thoughts on Melbourne please....

alison74

Ok, got the chance to work abroad for 3 months in Melbourne, leaving in March. Accommodation would be in an area called Cranbourne (comes with the job)

I have been to Oz before, Sydney and Brisbane.

What are people's experience of Melbourne ? Things to do in and around the city ? Day trips, weekend trips etc ?

Any advice would be appreciated (good or bad !)


Thanks in advance

never_enough

It's supposed to be an amazing place, really vibrant, multi-cultural & beautiful. I've never been but have a friend from there who raves about it...tho he spends most of his time not there & he misses it like mad. Has a great cultural side, but with all the usual sporty stuff too. He does lots of water based stuff & hiking.
I'd jump at the chance~very jealous.

conradmum

I used to live there. If you go in March it'll be getting cool, like autumn here.
What sort of things are you interested in? The St. Kilda/Elwood area is quite vibrant at weekends and in the evening, as is Fitzroy. I can't remember where Cranbourne is - out in the suburbs?
The local 'nature' daytrip is the Dandenongs, a hilly region on the edge of the city. Further from the city there are various 'nature' things to do. Wildlife sanctury on Philip Island. Whale spotting at Warnamboul (sp?)
It really depends what you're into. I would say it's more cosmopolitan but quieter than Sydney, and far less redneck than Brisbane.

tummy_tank

Can i but in on this thread...please? we are going on a 1st visit to Melbourne in Nov (done sydney, brisbane and perth) what hotels are really nice? i have a price for The Langham is this area one of the best for tourists to base themselves? any advice appreciated and i would like to do a wine tour too:beer:

dzug

Cranbourne's a fair way out - rather a long commute if you are working in the centre, or want to go there in the evening, but you are nearer the 'nature' mentioned by an earlier poster. I'd add Wilson's Promontory to the must do list.

But I'd jump at 3 months there.

littlereddevil

My daughter worked there for 2 years and loved it. I went out for 5 weeks and also loved it.She lived right in town. Only downside I could find was the shopping.But I felt very safe there,

alison74

Thanks for your replies so far.

Tummy tank, my friends plan to take me on a wine tour (or 2), so after May I will be able to tell you the best one to go on !

Dzug, I will not be working in the city, but how long is the commute in from Cranbourne roughly ?? 30 min by train ? or more ?

and littleredevil, what is wrong with the shopping ? Not that it would be an influencing factor in whether I go, but nice to know there are shops for a bit of retail therapy should I need it !

Thank you all

littlereddevil

There's just not much shopping!

Skint_Catt

Go for it! The shops aren't as good as Sydney, but they have a few big stores IIRC. The weather is damper and cooler than anywhere else, but its an experience you shouldn't miss.

The Great Ocean Road is a good weekend trip while you're there. Also to the wine valleys and to see the little penguins come ashore at dusk. There's also the Ned Kelly history around and about including the gaol cell he was in.

Grab this opportunity with both hands!

Catt xx

littlereddevil

And go to Healesville animal sanctuary it is not too far out. There is also Melbourne zoo but I preferred the sanctuary.The wine route is really good fun but someone has to drive! Unless you got a bus tour.You can taste as many wines as you like! The champagne place charges a fiver and you get biscuits and cheese with your wine.Others are free.Also agree with others about the great ocean road and the fairy penguins.There is a tower you can go up and see for miles.A walk along the river is also nice.

FL

When I visited there was a big casino there with lots of restaurants and nightlife. Great entertainment for the evenings.

High tower is the Rialto if I remember correctly.

You can also do tours of all the sports stadiums if that interests you as Melbourne is the sports capital of Australia in terms of the events held there.

There is a tram system to get round on and for sightseeing.

Ignore comments re shopping - whilst not as good as Sydney it is as good as any major city with department stores.