Korean Job Discussion Forums

[pzebra]

I'm going there for about 8 days in mid january. I heard its summer, so any good beach suggestions? Also what are some adventurous and outgoing things to do? Lastly, is there a famous Melbourne dish to die for? I down for anything: kangaroos, snake, whatever.

[Kurtz]

Melbourne born and bread.

Beaches are nothing on Sydney's so I'd recommend heading down to Torquay, Bells Beach or some other awesome beaches down the coast a bit. Maybe catch the bus out to Portsea.

Not sure of your age, but most backpackers like St.Kilda which is a bit of a dodgy area at night. Cruise along Acland Street and head into some great bars and cafes, and then check out the beach scene (not a great beach but has a good vibe in summer). Fitzroy Street is a complete zoo at night, be careful.

Brunswick Street in Fitzroy is also another good place to hang out. Full of bohemians but these days it's got slightly rich hippies and yuppie set.

Nearby Collingwood also has some nice bars and live music, as does Fitzroy.

The city centre is good too. Walk around little laneways and you'll discover some world class cafes and bars. Many are hard to find so you need some local knowledge. There is a pack of cards called "Melbourne's guide to cafes" or something like that.

Pick up some street press like "Inpress" or "Beat" which lists what is going on.

Good for people watching is Chapel Street in Prahan. It's got some awesome cafes and bars, clothes shopping galore but again watch out at night as the place is frequented by drugged up/violent Western suburbs boys in their done up cars looking to blow off some steam.

In summer there are many festivals, sporting events, and things going on in general.

Melbourne doesn't have a special dish, but whatever you want to eat you'll find in Melbourne. Try wandering the Port Melbourne or Queen Victoria market for some fine cheese, meat, bread and many other types of food.

Bay Street Port Melbourne is also a nice scene. I used to live there. It's kind of a mix of scummy old residents and yuppies mixed together. There are several bars and cafes to hang out in, also you can take a stroll down the beach to St.Kilda. You'll see many cyclists going down Beach Road, I used to be one of them.

Melbourne is kind of pricey these days so I hope you're cashed up.

With a week I'd try get down the coast and see some truly great beaches.

[endo]

Don't forget the beautiful botanical garden.......hell just walk around the downtown core (especially the river area) for a day. It's really nice.

[Kurtz]

^ Good idea

Also check out Melbourne's Italian area in Lygon Street Carlton for some nice pizzas or pasta and step into a cafe for a latte and delicious cake and see some arthouse at cinema Nova.

Feeling lucky? over to Southbank and try your luck at Crown Casino then wander down to the War Memorial.

Head out to Belgrave for some quirky outer suburb action and brush shoulders with some freaks, There's an awesome bar called Ruby's which sometimes has live music. Nearby is the Dandenong Ranges, always a nice place to walk around in.

Hire a bike and head out along the Yarra River, always provides some eye candy and you might see people rowing. I've see Australian Olympic gold medalist rowers at the rowing club along the Yarra.

Do a search on wikitravel, I use that site sometimes when heading to a foreign city.

Word of warning. Melbourne is getting more violent these days. I've never had a problem but traveling on the train at night is sometimes quite sketchy, and places like St.Kilda have many drug addicts and crazy people and Chapel Street and the city centre is getting very violent in the early hours.

[donducky]

Koreans invented Melbourne.

[son of coco]

I lived in Melbourne for a while too, and just visited in November when I went home for 3 weeks. It's a great place. It could be 300 degrees (celsius!) when you're there in January though haha

I think most things have been mentioned. If you're there for 8 days why not jump on a tour bus and go down the Great Ocean Rd for a day trip or 2 days, you'll get to see Torquay and Bell's beach that way too. Or hire a car, we hired a car for 2 days and it cost about $150. That way you can stop where you want, swim on the beaches etc etc.

For me, 8 days in Melbourne would be a few too many if you weren't planning on getting out of the city to do something. Or living there. The Yarra Valley has some great wineries so you could do a day trip there. Phillip Island has penguins. The Mornington Peninsula has great golf courses and some nice little beaches.

The laneways are absolutely fantastic too, a must see! Lots of little cafes tucked away in these wonderful little walkways. There are so many great places to eat and drink. Tiny little places in the suburbs serve fantastic food and there are old pubs to visit everywhere. The Kingston is worth a look, you get off at the West Richmond train station and it's about 100 metres up the road to the left of the exit.

And you have to visit the Queen Victoria Markets, great food and stuff to buy and take home to cook. You can get some kangaroo fillets there and cook them at home if you want to avoid eating at restaurants a lot.

Other local foods to try would be crocodile, emu and possum (if you can find somewhere that serves it).

The Melbourne Gaol is interesting too...if it's hot though the only place to get away from it close to the city will be St Kilda or Brighton (I think). And you'll be hot again by the time you get back to the city.

Have fun, and look at the Melbourne Tourism Info website before you go. You can download maps and look at different things that might interest you to visit.