First constructed in 1866, the Vue Grand is a superb historic hotel in Queenscliff about 90 mins from Melbourne. With very good accommodation in modernised old rooms, the Vue Grand is the place to stay while looking over the sights of Queenscliff or visiting the Historical Museum or discovering the local area of Bellarine. The Vue Grand has a number of cafes and eating areas as well as bars but the highlight is the Grand Dining room.
Just a nice place to stay in provincial Victoria.

46 Hesse St
Queenscliff VIC 3225
phone 5258 1544
www.vuegrand.com.au/

Google map: tinyurl.com/yd6uhwj

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Melbourne is getting a collection of great little restaurants along its bay and Vincents is another one. It has fantastic views across Port Phillip Bay and the surrounding bayside suburbs from the upstairs dining room.
The menu is mediterranean based and of course offers lots of fish choices.
The pastas were great as were the home made dips. Service was smart and efficient. BYO and also licenced, Vincents is just a nice place to go and have a meal

468 Beach Rd
Beaumaris
ph 95893161

www.vincentscaferestaurant.com.au

Google map: tinyurl.com/oezpl9

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

A small town nestled at the base of the Strezlecki ranges , Yarragon has a range of speciality shops covering arts and antiques, bookshops and places to taste the local cheeses and wares. We stayed at the Yarragon motel, a small neat and tidy place just off the main highway (it was cheap accommodation too.)

about 130km SE of Melbourne on the Princes Hwy

www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-factsheet/yarragon-20081113-5zus.html

Google map: tinyurl.com/pf36vv

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Situated on the shoreline between the marina and the bay, Rìva really makes the most of its bayside location. There are views across the bay, the marina and the Melbourne skyline and the outside decks sare great. The menu and wine list are pretty good. Rìva was packed when we went and although it's a bit different, it's still a great place for a night out.

St Kilda Marina
on the foreshore
42b Marine Parade
Elwood, 3184, Vic
p: 9537 2224

www.rivastkilda.com.au/

Google map: tinyurl.com/py7xom

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Montsalvat is an eclectic collection of European-style buildings set in bushland in Eltham (a suburb of Melbourne).

Built in the '30s by Justus Jorgensen, it was a retreat for artists and sculptors. These days it's a nice place to visit on a quiet Sunday afternoon to view the various art exhibitions and sculptures (or in my case a celebration of a wedding in the Great Hall).

7 Hillcrest Ave. Eltham Victoria 3095
Phone: (03) 9439 7712
Fax: (03) 9431 4177
www.montsalvat.com.au/

Google map: tinyurl.com/oev4oe

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

A daggy old longstanding hotel (robbed by bushrangers in the 19th century!), Milano's has gone through a renovation and rejuvenation
and today it has decent dining facilities (new bistro) and new function areas (for receptions or parties). The bay and city views from the upstairs function area is amazing.

In addition, Milano's is gaining a reputation as a great place for live music featuring local acts Dining and entertainment deals make this a great night out.

4 The Esplanade, Brighton Beach, Victoria, AUSTRALIA, 3186
Phone: (03) 9592 3555
Fax: (03) 9592 3619
next door to Brighton Beach railway station

www.milanos.com.au/

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Hotel Phillip Island is centrally located in Cowes on the esplanade with simply one of the best views from any eatery I have been in. The food is good with a quite extensive menu with plenty of seafood listed.
Quite a nice spot to while away the time with a drink, a meal and the view.

11-13 The Esplanade
Cowes 3922

Phone +61 3 5952 2100

www.hotelphillipisland.com/

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Melbourne's tallest building now has a viewing platform on level 88 which is approx 300 metres above sea level. The view from there is amazing, being able to see across to the Dandenong ranges or across Port Philip Bay.

However, for the adventurous and definitely not the faint hearted, there is the 'Edge', a box of glass (with a steel frame) which slides out about five metres from the viewing platform, so you can also look DOWN!

Go for the view at the Southern Hemisphere's highest look out!

Skydeck 88
Eureka Tower
Riverside Quay
SouthBank
phone: 96938888
www.eurekaskydeck.com.au

Google map: tinyurl.com/ovm3he

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Named after a notorious Victorian brothel keeper, Madame Brussels has a deliciously kooky garden party theme, complete with grassed interior, trellising and parasols.

Bright young things in tennis whites will bring you iced Pimms and cucumber sandwiches. Scrumptious in every way.

Level 3, 59-63 Bourke Street, Melbourne
www.madamebrussels.com
+61 (0)3 9662 2775

Google map: tinyurl.com/pfaryy

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

There are two Melbourne observation decks, both giving you amazing views over the city and the bay.

However, I prefer the Rialto. There is a coffee shop and place to sit and hang out for a while - it is quiet.

The Eureka overwhelms you with an artificially created noisy Melbourne soundscape. This takes away from the viewing experience.

www.we-love-melbourne.net/Melbourne-observation-deck.html

Google map: tinyurl.com/o9rlm8

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Armistice day (was Nov 11) and so the Remembrance day ceremonies at the Shrine have passed but Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance is still worth a visit as it hosts a number of exhibitions throughout the year. The latest exhibition is 'Passchendaele: the Australian and New Zealand experience' and it's very good, very simple, very powerful in its message and very moving. ANZACs involvement in the 3rd battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) cost many Australian diggers their lives and this exhibition lets us not forget.

The Shrine was built over six years from 1928 to 1934 as Victoria's memorial to the men and women who served Australia in all armed conflicts throughout Australia's history.

Our Shrine is worth a visit for the
simple message it tells...Lest we forget.

St Kilda rd
Melbourne

www.shrine.org.au

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

A pub with a view, a great view across Melbourne's bay. A pub with decent food in the bistro, a TAB, a lounge bar and accommodation all within 15km of the CBD.

A pretty good local pub with one of the best outlooks in Melbourne.

Cnr Beach & Bay Road, Sandringham,
just around the corner from Sandringham station
Telephone: 9598 7255

www.sandringhamhotel.com.au/

Google map: tinyurl.com/ob4oe2

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Salix restaurant at the Willow Creek Winery on the Mornington Peninsula south of Melbourne is simply superb.

Local produce and seafood, a great view and the fine wines from the winery and other areas create a high-class dining experience. Go for lunch or dinner and enjoy!

Willow Creek Vineyard
166 Balnarring Road
Merricks North 3926

Salix Restaurant
ph: 5989 7640


www.willow-creek.com.au/index.php?page=salix_restaurant

Google map: tinyurl.com/p4l5ox

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

It's a two hour hike to this little bit of Thai splendour a couple of hours from Melbourne. A forested swamp meets the sea in a golden crescent of sand hemmed in by mountains. Granite headlands keep the warm, clear waters nice and calm; continue on to Refuge Cove (2hrs) for a more exclusive swim before a long walk out.

wilson's prom national park

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Wheelers is a pub that has gone through a bit of a transformation and turned into a top class hotel with good food, good entertainment (especially Thursday and Friday nights) and a view to die for.

Having a lazy lunch in the fancy class restaurant overlooking the valley is a great way to spend a Sunday. The Wheelers is a fave with locals. And did I mention the views too?

Wheelers Hill Hotel
Ferntree Gully Road (cnr Jells Road), Wheelers Hill (about 20 mins from the centre of the city along the freeway) Tel. 9560 8922
car parking on site is free

www.melbournepubs.com/v/794/Wheelers-Hill-Hotel.html

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

A quiet private resort at Metung with many upper class town houses and cabins for couples and families. Set on the hill overlooking the lakeside at Metung, Mcmillans is walking distance (10 mins) from the town centre. Go and have a quiet comfortable weekend away. Highly recommended!

3 hours drive from Melbourne on the Gippsland lakes.
www.mcmillansofmetung.com.au

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Going to Gippsland? Like a round of Golf at a new course in picturesque Metung?
I reckon Kings Cove on the hill overlooking Metung is the way to go.

The views are worth the cost of a round, clubs bags and buggies for hire. And if you don't play golf, go to the restaurant for dinner - recently voted one of the best country restaurants
in Victoria

Kings Cove golf course is at Metung on the Gippsland lakes, 3 hours from Melbourne
www.kingscovemetung.com.au/golf/overview.html

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Ride a bike? Melbourne now has a bike trail that goes from Mordialloc (20km SE of the CBD) up to Westgate Park (under the bridge) and beyond to Willamstown and Altona (west of the city). Enjoy the views while riding but stop at Cafe Racer in Beach Rd for an espresso or Half Moon Bay for a feed of fish'n'chips.

Around Port Phillip Bay from Mordialloc (catch the train there from the city) and ride back
More at Bicycle Victoria www.bv.com.au

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Cape Bridgewater, part of the Discovery Bay Coastal Park provides shelter for Victoria's largest colony of seals and just to the east, Bridgewater Bay.

Cape Bridgewater is a headland formed by volcanic action and exposed to all the forces of the ocean. Apart from the seal colony, there are blowholes and 'the petrified' forest to see.
The kiosk on the beach at Bridgewater Bay serves great fish and chips!

18km from Portland in the SW corner of Victoria. Get there via the Great Ocean Rd.

www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=102

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Cowes, main town on Phillip Island. Use it as a base for visiting the penguins or Seal Rock ... or maybe the Phillip Island motor racing circuit, home of the Australian motorcycle GP.
Or while at Cowes, buy the best fish'n'chips and go eat them on the beach!

Cowes, Phillip Island
1½hrs drive from Melbourne

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends