I love shopping and the best place for shopping out of the city is Chadstone in Oakleigh. It has everything and is huge.

I always love going for a drive to Mt Dandenong and there are some gorgeous tea and scone places on the main road.Just perfect on a cold winter’s day as some places have open fires and potbelly stoves.

Hope this is useful info for you.

Hmm, thats in the middle of winter, that should be ‘out of the beaten tourist track’ in it self. You will probbably enjoy a stroll through Brunswick Street, as that has a bit of character. They have several good museums and parks if you are into that sort of thing, and for that rare ‘cheap pub meal’ with a seedy looking local crowd at a pub with some character in the heart of melbourne, I reconmend the ‘Charles Dickens Tavern’ 290 Collins St. Make sure you go and see the Painting og Chloe at the ‘Young and Jackson’ pub opposite the train station, and learn her story (and you might as well have a few drinks while you are at it). I hope that is some help.

Have fun,

Valberg

1. Check out the wineries in the Yarra Valley. Deceptively close as it’s just an hour of Melbourne. You can hire a car, or take a tour (probably best as everyone can then drink!)

2. Check out Acland Street, St Kilda – the centre of everything happening and yuppiyish in Melbourne. Has some great ice cream shopps.

3. Check out Lygon Street, Carlton – right near the Uni so you can get cheap mamma-made Italian food (it’s Melbourne’s little Italy)

4. If you love bookshops, Readings on Lygon Street is a great indendent bookshop. Actually, I think Acland Street has one too.

5. go see some gigs. Pick up a free copy of Beat or Inpress at any good bar/cafe/restaurant on Lygon Street, Acland Street or Brunswick Street and check out the listings.

6. Greville Street, Prahran is another nice cute area with funky boutiques.

7. If you’re into hiking, check out Wilson’s Prom. Awesome scenery, lovely beaches (inc. Melbourne’s Squeaky Beach) and on weekends, almost as busy as Bourke Street Mall with hikers/daytrippers/campers etc.

8. For all things shiny and shoppy, you can’t beat chapel street, toorak. One of the best Italian restaurants there too, the v cramped dimly lit Caffe e Cucina.

gosh, i’m going to stop here… making myself homesick! ignore the cold, and have a fab time!! I’m sure Melbourne will turn on at least a few sunny days during a 2 week period! ps. don’t forget your brolly/raincoat!

I second the St. Kilda/Acland recommendation, although expect greyness.

This will probably be even more cold and grey, but if you want to see a stormy look at the Not-Quite-12 Apostles off The Great Ocean Road, and can rent a car for a day or three, I’d recommend that. Actually, the trip itself will probably be more rewarding than seeing the Apostles… again, not the best time of year for it, and bring your hoodies at the very least.

Acland St, Brunswick St, Lygon St all very good suggestions. Can go for a nice bike ride / rollerblade along the beach in the StKilda or Port Melbourne Area.

Might also like to catch a game of footy at the MCG or gamble away all your cash at the casino (although there is lots of other stuff to do there apart from just gambling). There are some nice places to rent boats along the yarra (in kew @ studley park or up near warrandyte somewhere I believe – possibly not open in winter though.)

Have fun :)

All a lot of good suggestions – mine is the same as many others. What I would suggest the most is the Great Ocean Road trip – it’s beautiful (and I think I did it in the winter – kind of cool weather, but beautiful nonetheless!). Drive along the coast one direction, and go more inland the other way, see some of the temperate rainforests.

I’d also second the St. Kilda and wineries suggestions (although I haven’t done the wineries yet myself).

You could also check out Victoria Market. A lot of it is pretty touristy stuff, but they have some great deli type food there!

A little late with the reply but most of the above are very much justified. Do remember to take your time to walk through lanes and weave in and out of the main city centre because you can find alot nice cafes and kitschy shops about.

And seconded on the Not-Quite-12-Apostles. :)

All good suggestions, definitely get out of the CBD: Fitzroy St, Brunswick St, Acland St, or Lygon St. Melbourne is the city of coffee, cafes and fantastic food. There are also books like “Cheap Eats” or “The Age Good food guide” that can tell you the best places to go to, what is hot and what is good value for money. For Australian art go to the Ian Potter centre at Flinder Street Station and have a Caffe Latte for me on Federation Square!!

Thanks guys, will definitely check out all your suggestions..actually me and my pals have got an mpv rented and we’ll be zipping around victoria and melbourne and prob go skiing at snwy mtns too. I’m sure i’ll dig the cultural and bohemian aspect of melb alot! really looking forward to the trip, will share my experiences here soon.