Places to stay in melbourne

[firm351]

G’day everyone,

In January I am going to be visiting Melbourne and I was hoping some of the Melbournians here might be able to point me in the right direction as far as a nice place to stay goes.

We will only be there for a few days so probably won’t be able to see that much of the place, my wife has a friend who lives at Glen Waverly so staying somewhere on that side of town would be the go I think. We are looking to stay in a holiday/caravan park.

We are driving down from NSW probably on the Hume hwy but not 100% on that yet might decide to go down the princess hwy then after leaving Melbourne we are heading down the great ocean rd, I am not real keen on driving around much while we are there especially anywhere near the cbd because the big city scares me a bit and toll ways just confuse me so any pointers on driving around town would be awesome.

Thanks for any help

Paul.

[krbrooking]

Not too sure bout the accommodation side of things but if you want to avoid tolls just use the west gate freeway and that will take you through to G.O.R. Not 100% sure on the best route to get to it from round that area though I live on the other side of town and don't really go that side much.


Sent from my iPhone using Motorculture mobile app

[Drewboyaus]

Mate, you're pretty much screwed if you don't want tollways but want to get anywhere quickly in the areas you are talking.
I would at least grab a couple of city link day passes for your arrival and departure dates. From the south east (around Glenn Waverley) you will almost certainly need to travel on a toll way to get to the Westgate Fwy and GOR.
Never needed a camping spot round Glenn Waverley area so can't answer that bit. There is a nice Novotel right in Glenn Waverley.
I would allow 12+ hrs if you're coming Princes Hwy from Sydney, it's much slower than the Hume (8-9 hrs). A nicer drive and I would consider breaking it somewhere around Merimbula (Pambula Beach has an awesome camp ground but will be close to full).

[firm351]

Mate, you're pretty much screwed if you don't want tollways but want to get anywhere quickly in the areas you are talking.
I would at least grab a couple of city link day passes for your arrival and departure dates.

Thanks for the reply mate, i dont mind paying the toll its the how to pay bit that confuses me. How do the city link passes work? sorry for the dumb arse question, last time i drove in melbourne i got sent a fine in the mail for not paying a toll, i didnt even realise i was on a toll road until i was on it then i couldnt get off it, confused the hell out of me. Im sure its a good setup just a pain for tourists.

[threedogs]

Best Western may have a string of Motels in that area.
There is a caravan park on Sydney rd just past the Ford factory,
but a while away from where you want to go
You can ring and give your rego and card details
or drive where you want to go plenty of signs around on who to ring
Big rip off if you ask me

[Drewboyaus]

Thanks for the reply mate, i dont mind paying the toll its the how to pay bit that confuses me. How do the city link passes work? sorry for the dumb arse question, last time i drove in melbourne i got sent a fine in the mail for not paying a toll, i didnt even realise i was on a toll road until i was on it then i couldnt get off it, confused the hell out of me. Im sure its a good setup just a pain for tourists.

www.citylink.com.au

Have a look there mate, there is an area of the site to buy day passes for visitors to Melbourne.

[lhurley]

Just be wary that it will probably take you longer to get from sydney to melb. I drove it in august just gone, took us something like 14 hours as we got stuck in traffic leaving sydney. I used the hume there and back.

Also, you will most likely be getting into melb at night, heaps of truck, but it flat and straight and can get quite boring, so be super careful to not doze off.

[happygu]

Paul,

If you are after a van park, then there isn't heaps in Melbourne but there are a couple

Crystal Brook Caravan Park is a nice bush park, not far from the end of Springvale Rd, which takes you straight into Glen Waverley.
http://cbtp.com.au/

Wantirna Caravan Park is a little closer, but a less direct route to Glen Waverley but again easy enough, as you are following major roads
http://www.wantirnapark.com.au/

There are more parks around, but these will be good.

There are Hotels and Motels in Glen Waverley itself, with a couple of Hotels right in the heart of Glen Waverley on Springvale Rd -
Waverley International
http://www.thewaverley.com/

Ibis Hotel
http://www.ibis.com/gb/hotel-6413-ibis-melbourne-glen-waverley/index.shtml

Novotel - if you want a little fancier
http://www.novotelglenwaverley.com.au/

There is a few options for you

Mic

[BigRAWesty]

Here us go mate.
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/showthread.php?p=390237

We ended up staying in Geelong.
Rented a house for the weekend. Found one for around the $140ish a night and had a 3 bedroom house..

[firm351]

Paul,

If you are after a van park, then there isn't heaps in Melbourne but there are a couple

Crystal Brook Caravan Park is a nice bush park, not far from the end of Springvale Rd, which takes you straight into Glen Waverley.
http://cbtp.com.au/

Wantirna Caravan Park is a little closer, but a less direct route to Glen Waverley but again easy enough, as you are following major roads
http://www.wantirnapark.com.au/

There are more parks around, but these will be good.

There are Hotels and Motels in Glen Waverley itself, with a couple of Hotels right in the heart of Glen Waverley on Springvale Rd -
Waverley International
http://www.thewaverley.com/

Ibis Hotel
http://www.ibis.com/gb/hotel-6413-ibis-melbourne-glen-waverley/index.shtml

Novotel - if you want a little fancier
http://www.novotelglenwaverley.com.au/

There is a few options for you

Mic

Mic,

Great info mate thanks for the links the Crystal Brook caravan park might be the winner so far, the kids would love it there.

[firm351]

Here us go mate.
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/showthread.php?p=390237

Thanks Kallen, hey did you end up going to the aquarium? if you did was it worth it? it will be holidays when im there and im not keen on braving the crowds but the kids will love it.

[BigRAWesty]

Yes we did and I think we went the last weekend of the school holidays.
It was busy, but still very enjoyable.
Eldest 2 and a but at the time loved it. Youngest, 6 months loved it for the first 70%, but by then end was getting tired..
There was a massive New section being done when we were there. Maybe finished by now..
Also checked out Fed square.
And the foreshore carousel in Geelong.

Only there 3 nights, looking forward to going back..

[GQ TANK]

I would consider Phillip island - there are couple of caravan parks, plus do the penguin parade - its worth it. (St Kilda pier also has penguins and BIG water rats, plus its free)

Depending on when you are coming down in Jan the parks might be booked out.

The museum (located in the city) & science works(located Newport) is free for kids and worth doing.

I second the carousal in geelong. - but its on the other side of the bay to your friends.

[Drewboyaus]

Thanks Kallen, hey did you end up going to the aquarium? if you did was it worth it? it will be holidays when im there and im not keen on braving the crowds but the kids will love it.

The Aquarium is awesome. Not to be missed if you have kids and won't be back for a while. It is a bit on the pricey side but arguably the best in Aus.

[firm351]

The Aquarium is awesome. Not to be missed if you have kids and won't be back for a while. It is a bit on the pricey side but arguably the best in Aus.

Tossing up between the aquarium and the zoo. I think the aquarium might win out, i dont reckon there will be any arguments about it being better than the perth aquarium.

[Drewboyaus]

Tossing up between the aquarium and the zoo. I think the aquarium might win out, i dont reckon there will be any arguments about it being better than the perth aquarium.

Melbourne in January you can end up with 35+ daily temps (which you'd be somewhat used to in WA) but would be a shocker at the Zoo with the kids.
Aquarium is air-conditioned!
The Zoo is pretty awesome too though. We live quite close to the Zoo and go there fairly regularly with our kids.

[firm351]

Many thanks to everyone for the advice they gave. Stayed at the crystal brook tourist park in east Doncaster, if anyone is looking for a van park in Melbourne I highly recommend it especially if you have kids.

Went to the aquarium today which was awesome the kids loved it can't believe the penguin enclosure that was brilliant.

[firm351]

Melbourne in January you can end up with 35+ daily temps

Would of loved those temps this arvo when it was pi55ing down and blowing a gale. Did get to see the 4 seasons of Melbourne weather but. Lol

[MEGOMONSTER]

Might be doing a couple days out Phillip island. Bit of fishing bit of walking bit if relaxation.

[happygu]

Many thanks to everyone for the advice they gave. Stayed at the crystal brook tourist park in east Doncaster, if anyone is looking for a van park in Melbourne I highly recommend it especially if you have kids.

Went to the aquarium today which was awesome the kids loved it can't believe the penguin enclosure that was brilliant.


Hey Paul,

Are you and your family still there, as I am not far away from there, and am happy to stop in to say hello...

Mic

[Drewboyaus]

Would of loved those temps this arvo when it was pi55ing down and blowing a gale. Did get to see the 4 seasons of Melbourne weather but. Lol

Been a weird summer so far.......so cold......
And that is genuinely weird. We are normally one of the hottest spots on the planet at this time of year.....think 35+....no idea what's going on.....
Great to hear the aquarium trip went well. It is an amazing place.

[firm351]

Been a weird summer so far.......so cold......
And that is genuinely weird. We are normally one of the hottest spots on the planet at this time of year.....think 35+....no idea what's going on.....
Great to hear the aquarium trip went well. It is an amazing place.

Very strange hey, we left Perth 3 weeks ago and it's been mid 30's into the 40's almost every day so my wife is pretty pleased that the weather has gotten a bit cooler. But 19 deg tomorrow is just taking the piss.

[firm351]

Hey Paul,

Are you and your family still there, as I am not far away from there, and am happy to stop in to say hello...

Mic
G'day Mic,

Bugger mate we are out of here in the morning. Would of been good to catch up. It would've been great to get down to the meet up in Geelong this weekend but the dates just didn't work out.

Paul.