Ideas in Ballarat and Melbourne - Family Holiday

[Mr Paparazzi]

Hey guys,

Need some ideas for best places to shop,visit and family restaurants in Melbourne and Ballarat. Haven't been to both places for a couple of years. Is Queen Vic Market still good, Cardzone still around the corner?

Good places to shop for factory outlet shopping? Good kicks etc etc

Going to Soverign Hill and Luna Park in Melb, anymore ideas in Ballarat?

Any help would be appreciated, I've searched google and just seems dribble and not current.

 

[nathanblack]

Queen Vic is still good. Cardzone still there.

Most factory outlet are in Smith Street, Collingwood. NIKE and other clothing/shoe companies. We also have some DFO like at Airport west or Southbank.

Casino good to kill time.

Ballarat is pretty much only Sovereign hill. They used to have Kryal castle but its closed for renovation for another month. Not a lot else to see. But its only about 45mins to Geelong via the back way. Then you have the beach and Adventure Park. Could be worth a day trip.

 

[kingjack]

Go on an MCG tour it's amazing!

 

[Mr Paparazzi]

Thanks guys, yeah might be checking out Smith Street then, anymore recommendations?

---------- Post added 26-12-2011 at 02:52 PM ----------

staying in Coburg so not far from Collingwood or Bridge Road Richmond

 

[nathanblack]

Smith st has nike, converse, bendon bras for the missus, plus many others. You'll love it. Im sure you'll have a great time and the kids will enjoy Luna Park. Maybe go ScienceWorks too. Its in Spotswoods so you need a car. Enjoy mate.

 

[Mr Paparazzi]

Thanks mate, is there much on Bridge Road anymore? Yeah got a hire car so going all over

 

[Tricolour]

Ballarat really doesn't have much anymore. Sovereign Hill is a good day out though.

Smith Street has some good factory outlet stores, DFO Essendon is just as good. Harbour Town is alright, its in Docklands so and there's some fancy restraunts
around.
Casino is a good idea. They also have a kids bit there Galactic Circus.

Kids will love Lunar Park but Scienceworks is just as much fun and and easier on the wallet. Aquarium is also good.

MCG tour is good. Queen Vic market is alright, Card Zone being there makes going there worth it. Although Card Zone did move around 12 months ago, its still only a block or two away.

That's about all I can think of at the moment. Have fun!

 

[Mr Paparazzi]

Thanks Brandon plenty of help there mate. Definately reckon Science Works might be a go too.

Will look at Essendon DFO too, is much on Bridge Rd anymore?

 

[nathanblack]

Bridge road is still good. But the brands are a bit trendy in general. So you save a lot but its still expensive.

All the DFO locations are good because they combine many factory outlets under one roof. I prefer the Essendon/Airport West one because parking is fairly easy.

Smith St is more competitive imo and better selection/prices.

Acquarium/Melbourne Zoo/Werribee Zoo/ Science works/ Sovereign Hill/ Adventure Park(Geelong) are all great days.

Adventure Park - Victoria's Biggest Theme Park, Official Site!

Werribee Open Range Zoo - Zoos Victoria

Scienceworks: Scienceworks

I grew up in the west, so prefer werribee zoo than melb zoo. Also went scienceworks many times.

 

[Mr Paparazzi]

Thanks Nathan, for the help mate, definately might look at Werribee Zoo mate looks good. Didn't know about that Zoo and my mate grew up in Hoppers Crossing.

 

[kingjack]

Thanks Nathan, for the help mate, definately might look at Werribee Zoo mate looks good. Didn't know about that Zoo and my mate grew up in Hoppers Crossing.

Don't bother with Werribee Zoo mate Melbourne Zoo is the way to go. As I mentioned above MCG tour is amazing. Science works is preety cool ( I live 2 minutes away). If you can go to the Eureaka skydeck in the city you step out in to a glass box it's the highest viewing point in the southern hemisphere.

 

[nathanblack]

The two zoos aren't really compareable imo. Different types of animals and different style of viewing. Werribee mainly having African style animals and a safari style viewing. Love the meerkats. I find it a bit more educational and also more laid back in terms of parking, crowds, commercialisation, etc.

But Melb zoo is great too. Little expensive though.

Mcg tour would be great.

Its a pitty Ballarat cup and Show were both in November.