My Melbourne Itinerary

alphakim

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hello.. I second Genie47 on his suggestion of the great southern route (aka Melb-->GOR --> Grampians --> Melb)

1. The price of petrol in Australia (Will rent a car from Hertz)
Petrol Prices varies from region to region.. regular 91 unleaded ranges from 1.50 to 1.35.. typically prices are cheaper in the city area and gets more expensive as you move further from Melbourne... my suggestion is once u see a cheap petrol station, just fill it up even if the car is half full as you never know if there will be a cheaper station down the road.

2. Accommodation (Economic)
Again it ranges depending on where you wanna stay. for touristy places like GOR, it will be more expensive, if you got a car, maybe can stay some place out and drive into town when necessary. expect to pay per room between AU$150 - 200/night

3. Weather condition (I think it is cold)
The key is wear multiple layers. When i was there 2 weeks ago, the weather can change from 14 deg one day to 32 deg the next...so bring a waterproof jacket, long sleeve tee etc ....

4. One day per location can do how many places of visit
again depends, i suggest staying 2-3 nights at GOR, another 2-3 nights at Grampians (if you are a avid hiker)

5. My initial plan is to visit Melbourne City for one day tour then later starts the touring for 7 days
You can go for the wine tour at Yarra or penguin at Philip I....up to you..7 days along the southern route is quite relaxing and nice pace...

8. SIM card for data plan
i got the Optus card (AU$2/day plan)... but the reception along GOR is intermittent at best.. along the touristy area, its fine, can check FB, upload pictures to irritate your friends, but once out of the town area, i get no signal unfortunately...

9. Food and Drink (Economic)
if eating out every meal, expect to pay between $10 - 25 per pax, or u can cook your own which will be cheaper. No Mcd or KFC along GOR until Warnaambool.

10. Expenses allocation for the whole trip (inclusive air tickets x 2 pax): $3.5k
again depends on how much u paid for your airfare... but on average of $700/pax for airfare, leaving you with 2k expenses for a 8 days trip with car rental might be pushing it, but again, if you can tahan backpackers lodge and simple meals, why not?

Thanks for your advise. I think my wife and I are not fussy for the food and accommodation. Most importantly, is the rental car must be able to complete the whole journey w/o giving us problem.

I think I will go with Hertz as I saw a lot of forumers recommended that.
 

liemsc

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why would you want to drive in Melbourne City? Its quite a small city and got tons of public transport options and the city circle tram is FOC. I would suggest putting the Melbourne city stay at the starting or the ending part of the itinerary so you can avoid taking the car. Not to mention the parking charges! You will just be paying rental and parking all day which make no sense.

Drive only when you need to visit the surroundings (Yarra, Philip Isle, GOR, etc etc).

Totally agree with this advice. I rented a car for a week, and left it in the apartment carpark for two days within the week, when I only went around inside city [my apt carpark fee is flat/day]. Got bitten (hard) on the first day, when I brought the car out for grocery shopping (+lunch) at Coles Southern Cross station ; had to pay AUD 34 for parking almost 3 hours. Bloody expensive parking...:s22: After that, only bring out the car for out of city trips :)
 
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liemsc

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Thanks for your advise. I think my wife and I are not fussy for the food and accommodation. Most importantly, is the rental car must be able to complete the whole journey w/o giving us problem.

I think I will go with Hertz as I saw a lot of forumers recommended that.

For car rental, I suggest to compare with APEX's rate (if you haven't considered them). Read my review on APEX in the other thread under this Australia forum.
For accommodation, you may want to check airbnb.com as well ; I got my staying places in Melbourne and Sydney from there - all turns out to be great.
 

kevin301

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13773410104_b2c5f2fd32.jpg


Hi Guys,

I am planning to travel to Australia Melbourne this coming May. I wonder which touring is better?

As this is my first time touring trip, I would like to seek your advise on:

1. The price of petrol in Australia (Will rent a car from Hertz)
2. Accommodation (Economic)
3. Weather condition (I think it is cold)
4. One day per location can do how many places of visit
5. My initial plan is to visit Melbourne City for one day tour then later starts the touring for 7 days
8. SIM card for data plan
9. Food and Drink (Economic)
10. Expenses allocation for the whole trip (inclusive air tickets x 2 pax): $3.5k

I would prefer Option A as it is more convenient to drive back to Melbourne.

Car Rental costs
Can budget approximately the following for 7 days rental:
1) Rental: A$500
2) Petrol: A$200

Food
A comfortable estimate for me is A$100/couple/day. Won't be able to eat anything too fancy, but sufficient even for additional coffee stops, snacks, etc.

Accommodation is more varied in terms of price range. Can't really estimate for you.
SIM card should cost no more than A$20 if you're using Optus $2 days or similar plan.
 

Not_So_Blur

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13773410104_b2c5f2fd32.jpg


Hi Guys,

I am planning to travel to Australia Melbourne this coming May. I wonder which touring is better?

As this is my first time touring trip, I would like to seek your advise on:

1. The price of petrol in Australia (Will rent a car from Hertz)
2. Accommodation (Economic)
3. Weather condition (I think it is cold)
4. One day per location can do how many places of visit
5. My initial plan is to visit Melbourne City for one day tour then later starts the touring for 7 days
8. SIM card for data plan
9. Food and Drink (Economic)
10. Expenses allocation for the whole trip (inclusive air tickets x 2 pax): $3.5k

If you wish to visit Adelaide and Kangaroo Island, then go for Touring B.

Renting car from Melbourne and return at Adelaide cost you an extra of AUD300. If you have time, drive back to Melbourne to save the AUD300.

Hertz, is expansive, but is the only car rental company that allow to be travelled on ferry to Kangaroo Island, if not, you have to return at ferry terminal and rent at the island.

Driving on GOR, you could use Google Map to estimate your travelling time.

One day in Melbourne might not be enough, if you are visiting Philip Island.
 

drexo5354

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Hi, Staying 5 nites (6 days) in Melbourne in June - family of 4.

Is it better to rent car and drive from airport
or
take skybus (return) and rent car when I intend to travel out of Melbourne.

Staying at South Yarra and think of doing day trips to Great Ocean Drive and Philip Island.

Thanks!
 

kevin301

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Hi, Staying 5 nites (6 days) in Melbourne in June - family of 4.

Is it better to rent car and drive from airport
or
take skybus (return) and rent car when I intend to travel out of Melbourne.

Staying at South Yarra and think of doing day trips to Great Ocean Drive and Philip Island.

Thanks!

Family of 4 taking public transport from airport to city also not that cheap. Might be worth just renting a car from the airport. Furthermore, South Yarra may offer opportunity for street side parking at no cost, as it's not so close to the CBD.

If I were you I'd probably opt to rent a car.
 

jesseca

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My friend and her 3 year old daughter is joining me on a self - drive. Wonder if this is feasible itinerary (not too rush) for 2 ladies and a pre-schooler.

Day 1 – Arrive in Melbourne / Walk around city


Day 2 - Great Ocean Road - Torquay & Lorne
Proposed stay: Torquay

Day 3 - Great Ocean Road - Apollo Bay & Otway
proposed stay: Bimbi park camping under koalas


Day 4 - Port Campbell/12 Apostles/ Loch
Proposed stay: port campbell


Day 5 - Warnambool / Port fairy/ Bay of Islands(Great Ocean Route)
Proposed stay: port campbell


Day 6 to 9 – Drive back to Melbourne, spend a few days in city
- We are thinking of day tour for Penguin Island and another day tour to Mt Buller for the kid.


Questions
- Should I get the car on day 1 before as I like to leave for GOR early next day ? Is parking expansive in the city?
- Is mid august difficult to drive in GOR (wet road ?)
- I am thinking of staying in Bimbi Park - Should I do the groceries in Apollo (but I think we may end up arriving late in Apollo) or should I get it in Torquay ?
- Is it safe to drive at nite ?
- Any recommended offline map for iPad / iPhone ? I am using NavFree


Thanks
 

Not_So_Blur

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My friend and her 3 year old daughter is joining me on a self - drive. Wonder if this is feasible itinerary (not too rush) for 2 ladies and a pre-schooler.

Day 1 – Arrive in Melbourne / Walk around city


Day 2 - Great Ocean Road - Torquay & Lorne
Proposed stay: Torquay

Day 3 - Great Ocean Road - Apollo Bay & Otway
proposed stay: Bimbi park camping under koalas


Day 4 - Port Campbell/12 Apostles/ Loch
Proposed stay: port campbell


Day 5 - Warnambool / Port fairy/ Bay of Islands(Great Ocean Route)
Proposed stay: port campbell


Day 6 to 9 – Drive back to Melbourne, spend a few days in city
- We are thinking of day tour for Penguin Island and another day tour to Mt Buller for the kid.


Questions
- Should I get the car on day 1 before as I like to leave for GOR early next day ? Is parking expansive in the city?
- Is mid august difficult to drive in GOR (wet road ?)
- I am thinking of staying in Bimbi Park - Should I do the groceries in Apollo (but I think we may end up arriving late in Apollo) or should I get it in Torquay ?
- Is it safe to drive at nite ?
- Any recommended offline map for iPad / iPhone ? I am using NavFree


Thanks

Parking in Melbourne is expansive, about AUD20 for overnight parking, as most hotel in city do not offer free parking. Travelling in Melbourne CBD is easy with the free tram.

My recommendation is to stay one night in Melbourne CBD without rental car. Pickup your rental car on day 2 and overnight outside Melbourne so as to skip the traffic jam and free parking at hotel outside CBD. (I stay in Geelong Riverview Tourist Park). Or stay overnight at Torquay as in your itinerary.

Top up everything in Melbourne, including petrol, as city is cheaper.
 

wideCDMA

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Hi, i'm planning for my Melbourne trip in Sept. Need some advices.

1) Puffing billy train ride, we intend to take the ride to Menzie station. Should we purchase a return ticket or just 1 way then take a cab or bus back? Cos the next timing for the train back will be 2hrs later. Seems like nothing much to do at Menzie station?

2) Any recommendation for zoo/wildlife park? Healesville Sanctuary/Maru Koala and Animal Park/Philip Island wildlife park/Warrook Farm/any other better one?

3) ANy recommendation for farmstay?

Thanks in advance :)
 
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ralphlauren

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Can I know what are the activities you could do when you arrived early in the morning 7am? Check in hotel usually is at 2pm.
 

hapieger

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will be travelling to melbourne next yr late april for 8days..
3A + 2C (5yo & 2yo).. most prob will be self driving..

1. Any afforable apartment in Melbourne city? would prefer free parking...
2. Any recommendation for farm stay?
3. Any interesting places for kids other than PI+Koala & Melbourne Zoo? where to see kangaroo..?

TIA!
 

kevin301

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Can i have recommendations on where to stay in Melbourne city?
Thanks~

First, can I have recommendations on where to stay in Singapore?

Maybe you can list down some info first, such as:
budget
no. of people
type of accommodation you're looking for
what areas you intend to visit most
prefer near train station? or free parking? etc
 

den1555

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will be travelling to melbourne next yr late april for 8days..
3A + 2C (5yo & 2yo).. most prob will be self driving..

1. Any afforable apartment in Melbourne city? would prefer free parking...
2. Any recommendation for farm stay?
3. Any interesting places for kids other than PI+Koala & Melbourne Zoo? where to see kangaroo..?

TIA!

Firstly, it will be super cold. Please be prepared.
Secondly, I doubt there is free parking in Melbourne city. Cheaper parking available though. Crown casino AUD16 full day.
I stayed in Citadel, parking AUD20 full day.
Third, i rather stay service apartments then farms. I went with 2C too, 3.5yo+1.5yo.
Fourth, Werribee zoo, Puffing Billy, Churchill's Farm are great for kids. I think Penguin's parade on PI and the Koala Conservation are ripped off but get the combo tix for better deals.
 

hapieger

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Firstly, it will be super cold. Please be prepared.
Secondly, I doubt there is free parking in Melbourne city. Cheaper parking available though. Crown casino AUD16 full day.
I stayed in Citadel, parking AUD20 full day.
Third, i rather stay service apartments then farms. I went with 2C too, 3.5yo+1.5yo.
Fourth, Werribee zoo, Puffing Billy, Churchill's Farm are great for kids. I think Penguin's parade on PI and the Koala Conservation are ripped off but get the combo tix for better deals.


hi thanks for the reply. i have checked online, it says about 9 - 18 degree.. will it go even lower? if yes then i have to prepare more thicker winter clothing for the kids. my friends intend to go with t-shirt.. :s22:

i tried to read thru all the posts.. some mentioned about free parking at apartment but not sure which apartment have the free parking and which is more recommended for families and kids.

Puffing Billy, Churchill's Farm already in my itinerary. will check out Werribee zoo.. Puffing billy is expensive too.. a short train ride cost A$30!!


ya, the penguine parade is expensive.. the cost of living in aussie really expensive.. )=
 

den1555

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hi thanks for the reply. i have checked online, it says about 9 - 18 degree.. will it go even lower? if yes then i have to prepare more thicker winter clothing for the kids. my friends intend to go with t-shirt.. :s22:

i tried to read thru all the posts.. some mentioned about free parking at apartment but not sure which apartment have the free parking and which is more recommended for families and kids.

Puffing Billy, Churchill's Farm already in my itinerary. will check out Werribee zoo.. Puffing billy is expensive too.. a short train ride cost A$30!!


ya, the penguine parade is expensive.. the cost of living in aussie really expensive.. )=

it will get really low in temperature. better prepare warmer clothing especially if you are going to watch the penguin parade.

i am not sure about free parking in melbourne but outside melbourne, there are aplenty.

puffing billy is a nice long ride from belgrave to lakeside to make your money worth and if you have time. kids under 5 are free though
 

hapieger

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it will get really low in temperature. better prepare warmer clothing especially if you are going to watch the penguin parade.

i am not sure about free parking in melbourne but outside melbourne, there are aplenty.

puffing billy is a nice long ride from belgrave to lakeside to make your money worth and if you have time. kids under 5 are free though

ok noted with thanks!!

btw, how long is the drive from phillip island to GOR? cos we will arrive at melbourne airport and planned to drive direct to either PI/GOR then head to GOR/PI then back to melbourne city for our stop.

is this arrangement ok?

any other must-go places at or along PI/GOR?

below is my itinerary..
GOR
12 Apostles
Port Campbell (do what?)
Apollo Bay (do what?)
PI
Warrook Cattle Farm
Moonlit sanctuary
Mornington Peninsula (do what?)
Melbourne City
Museum at Federation Sq
Collingwood petting zoo
Puffing billy
Crown casino (do what? shopping?)

can help me arrange my itinerary? thks!
 
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