By Kate
Melbourne, Victoria, Nice city - not as spectacular, in my opinion, as Sydney - not sure I would put it on an itinerary limited to three places in Australia - but then again, maybe I would. It was our first stop, so we were jetlagged, and it was cold and rainy. Very pretty city by night - nice combination of modern and traditional architecture - nice walks around river. Make sure to check out "Little" streets - e.g., Little Collins next to Collins, Little Bourke, etc., and alleys and arcades - lots of gems of restaurants, cafes, bars and clubs in those. Close to Yarra valley and Great Ocean Road, which we unfortunately didn't visit - weather was not right for it.

I booked it with intention of going to Phillip Island, for fairy penguins, an idea we eventually abandoned because it was too big of a drive in cold and rain. We replaced that with a drive to Yarra Valley and Healesville Sanctuary thanks to a recommendation from a friend from region - that was a good decision and we had a great day.

Ideas for a first day - go up observation tower to get situated then take free city circle tram to see central city from ground level; Second day see some of attractions, such as aquarium, market, jail or a museum; third day take a day trip - I recommend Yarra valley and sanctuary - three days is probably enough - if you have five take an overnight drive to Great Ocean Road, stopping a lot along way - not sure how much kids will enjoy great views and picturesque towns - ours would - to an extent, but we decided against it.

Queen Victoria Market
Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne, Victoria Great place to go for breakfast (and lunch); we visited in morning, walked over to Melbourne Gaol and came back for lunch. Good produce, fish, meat, cheese, baked goods and also a flea market/ tourist market with usual crap. We went for food and because we love markets. Easy to walk to from CBD

Old Melbourne Gaol
Old Melbourne Gaol, Melbourne, Victoria My son HATED this place - maybe too claustrophobic for him. The girls were fascinated - fortunately they missed some of more gory aspects - like what happened to women prisoners. Many of cells are turned into exhibits of prisoners' lives, famous prisoners, famous escapes and much space is devoted to story of Ned Kelley - see Bill Bryson's "In a Sunburned Country" for more on Mr. Kelley - like Bill Bryson - I don't see what big deal is. More interesting is section on executioner's job, fact that gallows were built by their first user and story of women and aboriginal prisoners. Also, there's a section on third floor that talks about prison being put back into use during second World War to house AWOL soldiers and POWs - some nice stories there - some of this needs to be filtered for smaller children (mine are 12, 10 and 8) . I thought it was worth a visit.

Melbourne Aquarium
Melbourne Aquarium, Melbourne, Victoria great introduction to sea life in Australia - good rainy day activity - we had a cold, rainy stay in Melbourne, so this was good

Idea Fine Food and Wine
fine wine bar and Chinese food on Little Bourke Street. If you're from U.S. you won't even recognize this as Chinese food. Lovely!! (not cheap, but VERY good)

Hotel Victoria
good budget hotel

Healesville Sanctuary
Lovely wildlife park with a world class veterinary hospital to rehabilitate wild animals. Informative staff; easy drive from Melbourne - near Yarra valley wineries, although we didn't make it to any because we spent so much time at park

Melbourne museum
This was a great place to spend a rainy day and a good value. Well laid out, near beautiful gardens and historic buildings, short walk to Lygon street restaurants - worth a visit. From their website:

Situated in Carlton Gardens and next to historic Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne Museum is an exciting and innovative attraction - including permanent and touring exhibitions, dynamic performances and events, cafés, IMAX Theatre, gift shop, and undercover parking.

Port Douglas
Port Douglas, Queensland Main items of in interest to us were willife and sea life, but it was also a pretty town with lots of places to eat, drink, look at marina, etc. We especially liked a late afternoon lunch at Soul and Pepper (mentioned by others) - in late afternoon sun is going down and all day trip boats and sailboats are coming back into harbor. We also had a good time at Iron Bar - menu is kitchy, using a lot of Australian slang, but food is well prepared (Fodor's said this too). We stayed for cane toad races at 7:30, which were hilarious. It's sort of a comedy show with toads. My 8 year old had her ticket number called, which meant she got to be a "jockey." She had to pick up a toad, kiss it and make it travel across a table by blowing a birthday horn at him. You had to be there, but it was pretty funny.

At Mango Tree Holiday Apartments
At Mango Tree Holiday Apartments, Port Douglas, Queensland Ave price: $194 See my review - great place to stay with kids - better than a hotel - 2 story townhouse with fully equipped kitchen and laundry room - across from beach - 15 minute walk from downtown. There are others, but we didn't want to shop around and we liked this place.

I emailed with them ahead of time and arranged to be picked up by van from airport. This was well worth it, since we landed at 10 p.m. and it's an hour ride (a very curvy ride up coast). I think it was $105 for a family of five round trip, though that could be one way price...senior moment...but it's really best way to go).

The Rainforest Habitat
The Rainforest Habitat, Port Douglas, Queensland This place was great - I would say Healesville sanctuary was a bit better, but "Breakfast with Birds" is a must do. The food is good and there are hundreds of exotic birds walking around and joining you at your table. Definitely try to catch various guided walks and keeper presentations. You can learn a lot and my kids loved it - especially getting to feed birds. Also, they have two casowerries (sp?) - a prehistoric bird I had never heard of before going to Australia - amazing creatures. They also allow you to get up close and personal with pea-brained, but ever so cute koalas, and to pet a wombat - this one's name is Max, and he's an orphan they intend to release into wild. They also sell roo food and roos are very nice. Great day. It's a 30 minute bus ride to southern limits of Port Douglas - or you can probably bike there in same amount of time.

Daintree River Cruise
Daintree River Cruise, Cairns, Queensland OK, once again memory fails me on name, but as you are driving toward Daintree village - pass turnoff for ferry, second river cruise sign you see is where we went. Our guide, who seemed to own company, was an old guy from Texas who was very knowledgeable about animals and plants you encounter sailing up river. You also see a number of crocs. I understand from another reviewer who was from Florida how this could seem boring, but we loved it - loved beautiful river views, learning more about mangroves, spying crocs in sand. We took 1 hour cruise - that's probably enough, especiallly if you're trying to get up across ferry and up coast.

Daintree Ice Cream company
Just north of jindalba walk you will find daintree ice cream company. They make fresh ice cream in tropical and tribal flavos. There's one choice - a cup with 4 flavors of day - ours were apple and cinammon, rasberry, coconut and wattle seed (which tastes a bit like coffee). It was delicious. You must go.

Wavelength Reef Charters
Wavelength Reef Charters, Port Douglas, Queensland GREAT day - we went just days before Steve Irwin was killed. It was cold, so defnitely rent the wetsuit. Also, buy their CD (AUS $25) with pictures of day - our kodak disposables did a servicable job, but you have to pick through a lot of pictures- theirs and yours, to get a good representation of an amazing day. This tour goes to three spots and it's devoted only to snorkelers (no waiting for divers to get on their gear). You are accompanied by a marine biologist who gives a talk about corals and sea life (very interesting). It's limited to 30 people. They put on a good lunch and they sell soft drinks and beer (but you can't have a beer until you're out of water for good). They keep a good eye on you. They have a stash of "noodles" on board so that you can hang out and look as much as you want without getting tired. The gear was high quality so we didn't get fogged up and water logged. They had suits and gear to fit everyone from my eight year old to some of bigger people, though there was nobody who was really extra large on boat, so I don't know about that. They also have a good supply of seasick pills (TAKE THEM - you don't want to ruin your day) and sunscreen. This was expensive - almost $500 for a family of five (American $$), but well, well, worth it. If you are going to splurge on one tour, this is it.