Last minute reccie - help please

[lolly]

Hi all, Havent been on the site for ages - tried to stop obsessing about Oz and see if we still felt strongly after a few months not thinking about it so much.
heres the problem........we have decided we want to go do a reccie but work situation dictates it can only be this October. I spent ages at the start of the year reading threads on this fab site about how best to fly with, how long to stop over in singapore (quick stop or try to get a sleep) but have forgotten most of it all...doh. We are going with two boys age 9 & 6 and want this to also be a holiday for them so also tips for holiday things to do in Sydney and Melbourne. After originally planning to go to Brisbane we have settled on Melbourne as we think the climate will suit our youngest son more.

I would appreciate anyones opinion on this to save me going goggled eyed searching again.
Thanks for any help
lolly

[The Broughtons]

Hi Lolly,

Welcome back, me and the OH just said the other day we wondered where you had got to!

If you're heading to Melbourne for a holiday type trip then the following are a must - actually visit Melbourne and go up the Rialto Tower. The views across the city are fanatastic. The Crown Casino is not far from here and although the kids won't be able to go inside where the games are the water fountains in the lobby are cool. The Aquarium isn't far from here either.

The Great Ocean Road is fab for scenery and the views really are stunning but not that exciting for kids.

Philip Island and the penguin parade is an absolute must do. You settle down on the beach at around 5.30 and wait for the fairy penguins to come in from the sea. They congregate on the beach and then waddle off to the dunes to find their burrows. The kids will love it. Whilst waiting for that time of day there are several animal places to visit - we loved the Wildlife Wonderland - you get to walk round the kangaroo and wallaby enclosures and if you're really lucky, the keepers sometimes let visitors go in and say hello to the koalas.

Healesville Animal Sanctuary is great and if you want a little Australian History you could venture to Coal Creek, an old mining museum set up like it would have been years ago, and Sovereign Hill - this is in Ballarat and is an old gold mine.

Hope this gives you a little food for thought. We will be in Melbourne in 2 weeks time so perhaps we could catch up as well.

Take care,
Felicity

[lolly]

Hi Lolly,

Welcome back, me and the OH just said the other day we wondered where you had got to!

If you're heading to Melbourne for a holiday type trip then the following are a must - actually visit Melbourne and go up the Rialto Tower. The views across the city are fanatastic. The Crown Casino is not far from here and although the kids won't be able to go inside where the games are the water fountains in the lobby are cool. The Aquarium isn't far from here either.

The Great Ocean Road is fab for scenery and the views really are stunning but not that exciting for kids.

Philip Island and the penguin parade is an absolute must do. You settle down on the beach at around 5.30 and wait for the fairy penguins to come in from the sea. They congregate on the beach and then waddle off to the dunes to find their burrows. The kids will love it. Whilst waiting for that time of day there are several animal places to visit - we loved the Wildlife Wonderland - you get to walk round the kangaroo and wallaby enclosures and if you're really lucky, the keepers sometimes let visitors go in and say hello to the koalas.

Healesville Animal Sanctuary is great and if you want a little Australian History you could venture to Coal Creek, an old mining museum set up like it would have been years ago, and Sovereign Hill - this is in Ballarat and is an old gold mine.

Hope this gives you a little food for thought. We will be in Melbourne in 2 weeks time so perhaps we could catch up as well.

Take care,
Felicity

Hi Felicity,

God that was quick - thanks for those. my kids love anything to do with wildlife so that all sounds great.

you must be sooooo excited....has it all gone to plan?. Have to keep in touch so I can dig you for info on melbourne - dont know any areas or much about the city at all really, just think the climate seems the best for us.

Just about to ring a few travel agents to get some quotes but dont know how long we should look to stop over in singapore.....will have to get it booked in the next week or so. Then i'll spend the next month planning where to go oncd we get there.

once again thanks loads for the info

lolly

[Rachel&Stu]

Hey Lauren:v_SPIN:

Welcome back!!

Like Fizz, we shall be in Melbourne too, but we're not going quite as soon as they are.

Nice to hear from you again. Keep us updated!

Rachel x

[hays]

Hi Lolly, welcome back! I have no helpful advice what so ever........so, nuffing changes there then!! have a fab reckie, and dont stay away from PIO for so long this time!
Hays x

[lolly]

Hi guys
Thanks for the welcomes back. Decided against the reccie after all that but def decided on Melbourne (mornington probably) . Be great to se you all there 1 day.

Take care

Lauren