Melbourne in a weekend :)

[Mumfreqflyer]

I'm coming over to Melbourne in a couple of weeks time. I usually come over with kids or for expos but this time it just the 2 of us and no kids!!!! Yippee!

We land around 7:30pm and were going to head to lygon street for dinner. We are staying at punthill Knox.

My husband has training in burswood Saturday from 8:30-4:30pm. Is there a nice restaurant in Melbourne with a view that I can book for that Sat night? I am going shopping for the day on the Sat but will see how my foot holds up as I broke it 5 months ago with my 3rd!!! Surgery today and I'm still in hospital for tonight.

Sunday we don't fly out until 8pm. Suggestions on what to do??? We took a trip to mount Donna buang (sp?) last time we were there and it was snowing but it probably won't be snowing by then.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions first trip away without any kids!! I'm excited!

 

[ckck]

Vue de Monde at the Rialto tower.

 

[Hvr]

Welcome to Melbourne, I'm sure you know that it's football finals time and restaurants will probably be filling fast depending on who will play on the day. Suggest you book early so you're guaranteed a sea. The same with your hotel.

 

[Mumfreqflyer]

Already booked hotels

We were originally supposed to come over on AFL grand final weekend and at $2000 a return ticket in economy I reminded them that it wasn't the best weekend. Is that weekend NRL finals?

 

[Mumfreqflyer]

Strange I never put dates in my original post....

Land Friday 3rd and leave Sunday 5th.

 

[boomy]

Dinner at Attica is a must for any foodie who visits MEL.
Another option is the Tram Restaurant, also a unique experience.

 

[Mumfreqflyer]

I really wanted a view but want all a carte and not degustation as I'm such a fussy eater :/

Something high up that looks all of Melbourne

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Mum was there a specific reason why you chose Punthill Knox?

 

[Mumfreqflyer]

My husband has training at Burswood early Sat morning so this was the place recommended that we stay.

I love the Metropol and would have stayed there but I couldn't see if it was a wotif mystery place and $600 a night was just too $$$$$

 

[Mumfreqflyer]

I'm going to go to DFO at morrabin Sat so at least it's kind of half way

Unless Essendon DFO is better?

Been 3 years since I've been to Melbourne :0

 

[Mumfreqflyer]

Scap Essendon DFO I've been to that one on way to Airport last time and didn't like it

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I'm going to go to DFO at morrabin Sat so at least it's kind of half way

Unless Essendon DFO is better?

Ok advice from a young lady who actually managed Nordica, Calvin Klein among others stores throughout the DFO chain - South Wharf best then Essendon and Moorabbin distant 3rd. Your problem being stuck out Knox is restaurants - most people don't go that far for their holidays.

IMHO central MEL is the place to base yourself - let hubby find his way out to / home from work study commitments - but maybe horse has bolted now.

 

[Mumfreqflyer]

I can still cancel the accommodation as it has a free cancellation before 1st Oct.

If I could get Metropol for around $400/$500 for both nights I would be booking that in an instant!!!

My problem is having had my 3rd surgery yesterday on my broken ankle I am limited in walking so I will have to drive places anyway.

Walking long distances is out of the question as I don't want to overdo it as I have America trip end Oct

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Clearly decision up to you but South Wharf so handy for inner city and then you have availability of all restaurants close by.

Personally I love Waterfront Restaurant and if you can get table out front it's perfect - IMHO of course.

 

[ckck]

I was surfing and chanced upon this website. Melbourne restaurants with a view Melbourne Restaurants with views Victoria

Hths.

 

[vetrade]

Moorabbin DFO is hopeless. South Wharf DFO (next to the Melb. Exhibition Centre) is much better. From there it's only a short walk to Crown Casino where you have the choice of quite a few restaurants which overlook the river - it's a nice area with a bit of a vibe - and probably just as pleasant as the views you can get from much higher elevations IMHO. If you like up-market Chinese, Silks is a favourite of ours - great food, service and decor. Other faves are Conservatory and Cervo (which is more casual). Silks probably has the best views of the promenade and river of the three and we always ask for a window table. Vue du Monde and the other top restaurants will very likely be booked out and you'd probably have to mortgage your house to eat there so unless you are a committed "foodie" forget those.

A minor point but you are confusing "Burswood" in Perth with "Burwood" in eastern Melbourne, which is obviously where your husband's conference is. That part of town is an outer suburb and very "pedestrian" - not somewhere many people would choose to stay, predominantly because there's nothing of interest within miles. We have stayed in the Hilton at South Wharf - not luxury but a nice relatively new hotel and reasonably priced and couldn't be closer to the DFO - it overlooks the DFO carpark. I see you mentioned the Crown Metropol too - nice hotel but we've only found good deals there about 3 months out so probably your stay is too close to get a good rate.

Another option we often use is the St Kilda Road area directly south from the CBD (i.e. the Albert Park Lake area where the F1 Grand Prix is held). Hotels (such as the Parkview) are good value compared to the CBD and it's a short tram ride to the city from outside most - or alternatively it's not much to catch a cab. Some hotels have nice views to the west over the lake and further towards the bay if you can get an upper floor room.

 

[vetrade]

Another comment: You didn't mention your transport intentions but a hire car would probably be a good idea if you intend to go to Lygon Street etc. Would then be a straightforward drive along Burwood Road for your husband on the Satd morning if you did decide to change your accommodation to the CBD.

 

[serfty]

The problem with MEL accommodation from September through Early November is that it can be very expensive on weekends.

This is mainly due to the AFL finals and then the Melbourne Spring Horse Racing season.

What Saturday is your Husband's Course?

 

[Mumfreqflyer]

Saturday 4th October

 

[suze2000]

Also in favour of staying in the city is the fact that city parking is outrageously expensive and there are NO free parking any more except in some places on the edges on Sundays. If you are hoping to avoid walking distances (I'm not sure how that's possible on a DFO visit ), be aware that a lot of city carparks charge like wounded bulls, even on the weekend. I think the cost saving of staying in Knox will be far outweighed by the loss of time and also the petrol costs of driving back and forth (MEL traffic can be a nightmare and the weekend is when they do all the roadwork on the major roads).