Selvam

<BR>We will be staying in Bllbrae (about 80kms from Melbourne)for 7 days before going to Melbourne. Please recommend the must see things around the area. <BR><BR>We have a car and we are not into museums. Our group includes 2 adults and 2 kids( aged 6 and 10)<BR><BR>After reading the posts, there are so many things to do and we do not know which to rule out here, so can you folks help us here.<BR><BR>By the way, we will be here from 22 to 28 Nov 2002. <BR><BR> <BR>

Alan

Hi, Selvam!<BR>I'm a Sydneysider and really don't know much about Melbourne, but I have watched in dismay as this post sank to the bottom without a single reply. So this is a way of getting it back to the top, if nothing else!<BR>When I was in New York, I was most impressed with their BigAppleGreeter scheme, and had my best day being shepherded around by a knowledgeable local. We don't have anything like that in Sydney, so I was surprised -- and not a little envious -- to find that there IS a Melbourne Greeter scheme. Why not place yourself in their hands for your first day and maybe this introduction to their city will give you some ideas on what to do next? I found Melbourne Greeter on the www.melbourne.vic.gov.au site, which might give you some more good ideas, too. And hopefully this time the Melbournians (lovely people, but a little slow at reading) will add some expert advice to this post. Good luck!

rene

selvam,<BR>I was in Melbourne last September (ended up sataying 3 extra days due to Sept 11) We enjoyed Melbiourne much more than Sydney. There's tons of shopping, Victoria market , penguin parade..yes its touristy but we loved it. We also went to Healsville animal sanctuary, had a guide and saw kangaroos up close, and we even petted a wombat!

Patti

Hi<BR>I was in Melbourne for a couple days in March. We enjoyed going to their zoo - it was marvelous and I feel safe in saying that as we have a marvelous zoo here in D.C. You children would truly enjoy it. We also took a tour of the Great Ocean Road (of course) and found that to be enjoyable. We stayed up near Parliament and, while walking past the theatre, decided to stop and try to last minute tickets to "Mama Mia" We got them and the show is fantastic. Compared to the states - the price is great. We also toured down South yarra (I believe) and enjoyed that too. Melbourne is more cosmopolitan than Sydney and not quite as down to earth.

Mary

Yes visit the zoo, but I'd perhaps recomend Healsville Sanctuary or Werribee open plains zoo in preference. it's a fabulous day out and while you're in the area there are a large number of wineries as well. The penguin parade is also good. <BR>I'd suggest St Kilda on a weekend - very cosmopolitan and a great street market as well as the beach. Visit Southbank and the maritime Museum in Melbourne. Also a visit to Williamstown and Scienceworks Museum at yarraville (not a boring old museum). Spend a morning (or afternoon) in the Botanic gardens. There are some great surf beaches close to where you're staying and you're in easy reach of the Great Ocean Road so a day trip down to the 12 Apostles is a must. In November you could also to go snorkelling or swimming with dolphins - this happens either from Sorrento (on the Mornington Peninsula) or Queenscliff (on the bellarine Peninsula). Both areas are a lovely place for a day trip (the Bellarine Peninsula is where you're staying). I hope this helps.