Visiting Melbourne after Mardis Gras - Help

[Cody21]

Hi everyone -- so, my BF & I are planning on taking a Train from Sydney to Melbourne the Wed. after Mardis Gras 2008. We've never been to Australia before and have no clue WHERE to STAY and WHAT to DO in Melbourne. We are a bit in the 'analysis parallysis" phase of things. The Sydney to-dos are coming together fine thanks to a lot of responses from you friendly down under types. However, what about Melbourne??

Specifically, do you know of a reasonbly-priced & Safe accomodation? (e.g., < $100/night). If you had friends visiting, what would be a MUST-DO in Melbourne?

Thank you so much for any help for us virgins from San Francisco. :-)

(be gentle..) :p

[danw]

I've previously stayed, on a number of occasions, at the City Square Motel (http://www.citysquaremotel.com.au/ ) it's a bit tired but the location is great and let's face it you don't spend too much time in your room. Then you trot on down to Halftix in Bourke Street and things will naturally progress.

[Cody21]

Thank you danw -- I'll check out that link.

Anybody else have any ideas??

[Brett Hayhoe]

If you are looking for good clean "gay" accommodation, the Stingo Hotel in Abbotsford is very reasonably priced (www.stingohotel.com) and is very close to the city and all that Melbourne has to offer.

The ALSO Foundation has a whole bunch of places listed as well at www.also.org.au

As far as what to do whilst here, the list is endless - depending on what you are into. The nightclub scene is quite good and extremely varied, Melbourne Zoo is fabulous, the Arts Centre has something for everyone, so too does Chapel off Chapel as an arts space. Melbourne city itself is a veritable pot pourrie of eateries, galleries, shopping etc. You can all the information you need from www.thatsmelbourne.com.au

Hope this helps :)

[Cody21]

Helps more than you know... Thank you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!