On my last trip out to Australia to run the Sydney Marathon, I flew over on a direct flight from…read moreLAX. I got off of the plane into the international terminal 2. Although I was given a paper incoming passenger card to fill out, I didn't do that as I had already filled out the digital Australia Travel Declaration on the Qantas mobile app to get a QR code. Apparently, they were still transitioning over to the digital format as none of the Border Force agents knew what to do with that QR code. After taking care of that, I exited the terminal to head over to terminal 1 to catch my short flight into Sydney.

If you're switching from domestic to international departures, most likely you'll have to pick up…read moreyour bags and recheck them. It's a very long walk from Terminals 3 & 4 to terminals 1 & 2. So you really need a longer layover in order to get everything squared away. My other suggestion is to just do carry-on only so that you can save time. This really is a huge airport and the signage isn't always the best. Lots of places to eat though and just about everything you need to keep busy while you wait. Watch the big boards to figure out which check-in desk you're allowed to checkin at as that part can be a bit confusing.

We had a couple hour layover in Melbourne Airport and we started our wait here…read more It was the first time trying out the Singapore Airline Lounge and it was much smaller than the Air Zealand's. Checkin at the front went smoothly and *G status gained us admittance. The rep reminded us of the early closing hours before we entered since the lounge was open only when a Singapore Airline flight was scheduled. Inside there lounge wasn't busy at all. The furniture and decor inside was average and mirrored those in other airports. The buffet offerings contained both Western and Asian selections. We gravitated towards the dim sum steamers since we wouldn't get them in the next lounge we'd visit. Overall decent pork siu mai and shrimp/ginger dumplings. What stood out was the barista service offered/ made to order coffees and teh tarik (milk tea). It was delivered in a short time to our table. I looked forward to the teh Tarik but it was the iced latte that was the better of the two drinks. The opening hours were inconvenient for non-Singapore Airlines flyers but at least quiet and less crowded option in MEL.

Singapore Airline Lounge is a relatively small lounge in Terminal 2. The service is an okay but the…read morelounge only opens for a few hours a day. There are two places for passengers on United flights to stay at Melbourne airport ever since the closure of the United lounge several years ago, and I think the Air New Zealand Lounge downstairs is a better choice: it is bigger and has better service and longer open hours.

I had the greatest pleasure of attending the Chocoholic Tour hosted by the best in the business,…read moreKristen Mercieca, in the beautiful, sunny city of Melbourne on Sunday, 30th March 2014. If there is one word to describe this experience, it'd be 'Chocolate-licious'! My family and I were all marvelled by Kristen's insatiable passion in the history and culture of chocolate making and its deliciously chocolatey influence in Melbourne's vibrant food scene. During our relaxing tour, everyone got to experience the sights, smell and sweetness of the best chocolates Melbourne has to offer to the world, as well as hear the interesting background behind each of the shops, their unique histories and fascinating stories passed down through generations. My kids totally enjoyed the experience (and exercise), not to mention tasting the yummy chocolatey delights from each of the shops during the tour. I especially loved the quirky and tasty little chocolates from Koko Black. They were all uniquely special in their own ways, in taste and style. Overall, Kristen made everyone feel welcome and thoroughly entertained by her sweet blend of humour, passion and knowledge in everything chocolates in the two hours of fabulous food and fun. We certainly had the best afternoon with the kids in Melbourne, and would highly recommend this Chocoholic Tour to anyone, in Australia or from overseas!

Catch Lilydale or Belgrave line to this station. Almost on time on every trips (I've had) …read more...... Overall nice and quite zone 2 station.

We flew through Melbourne three times on our latest trip to Down Under…read more International arrivals required a little bit of a hike to get to immigration. We were able to use the egate to enter so no more passport stamp. We grabbed our luggage and proceeded through customs. That was the much longer and slower line. Definitely better to declare conservatively (per announcement on our flight) and explain all Yes answers to the agent. To connect to our domestic leg to Hobart we followed the signs to T3 and did the self serve baggage drop like everyone else. Security was next and water was allowed to be carried through. To connect to our international flight to Queenstown in T2 we had to queue to check bags and get our boarding pass since they had to verify our NZETA and return flight. Security screening was quick but a little slower at the egate customs as people fumbled around for their passport (required first step). Some people had to be rerouted to the in person agent when flagged by the egate. After all this, at least there was a good selection of restaurants and shops in each terminal we visited. Prices were roughly just a couple AUD higher than outside the airport so it felt reasonable. Overall good signage and well connected terminals.

Our recent MEL experience included 2 domestic flights, one coming in from Hobart on Virgin…read moreAustralia, and the other flying up to Alice Springs on Quantas. The highlight of these experiences was running into members of Allegaeon at baggage claim. They are an American death metal band from Fort Collins, on tour here I guess. I'm not into that type of music, but one of my step-sons has made some cool art related to that genre. I can't speak for the International side of MEL, but I found Domestic to be "Easy Out/Easy In", even though this is a busy place. It also helps when your tour guide is facilitating baggage check-in and transportation. Security was on our own, but by this time, Gayle and I knew the Australian Rules (everything out of your pocket, plus belt). Signage was good, so there were no problems finding baggage claim or our gate.

This is the original Observation Deck for Melbourne, before the Grollo brothers finished building…read morethe Eureka Tower last year. It gives you a 360 degree view of Melbourne and its surrounds on level 55, and was opened to the public in 1994. It is now the second tallest building in Melbourne. You can use the binoculars to get a close-up view of the ant-like humans, and you can get wind-whipped on the outdoor viewing balconies. There is a lovely cafe up there, but considering you have to pay entry to the tower, I'd say take your own snacks!

Great place to take 360 degrees view at Melbourne.read more

I stared at the Dandenong Ranges Information Centre for years before I actually went in. I used to…read morestand at Upper Gully train station waiting for the 732 Box Hill bus to arrive to take me home and the Info Centre would always be sitting right there in front of me. It never occurred to me to walk in and kill some time. The day I did go in I met some friendly people who all got involved in a conversation about things to do and places to see in the Dandenongs. I left filled with ideas about Olinda and Sassafras and considering taking a ride on Puffing Billy. I also left with a lot of brochures and a card with the centre's number on it should I have any more questions while on the road. It's safe to say that they were extremely helpful. The centre is open every single day from 9 to 5 and caters not just for tourists but for locals. I found out about a lot of things that I had no idea existed despite living in the area my entire life. Check them out to make some groovy weekend plans that you will remember for a long, long time.

Friendly helpful people who know the area. Lots of eye catching brochures so you can remember the…read moreplaces you have just been told about. Helps plan the trip. Looking forward to making the most of this great country this summer by not missing any of the special events that are on in the Dandenongs. The local maps are great so you can see how far or should I say hoe close everything is. It makes it easier to fit the maximum into each day without feeling rushed. To get out of the city into the lush green tall trees and tree ferns automatically makes you feel more relaxed. I love wandering the gardens, so many to choose from and the markets with local produce. I can go home with something to remind me of the lovely day I have spent in the country without spending a fortune. A mini holiday every weekend.

Economical and convenient way to travel from MEL to the central business district. You can buy a…read moreround trip ticket at the kiosk next to the bus stop. It's a double decker and the bus is always full.

I don't understand why Melbourne's otherwise outstanding tram system doesn't extend to the airport…read morebut it doesn't. So your option is an expensive cab or the Skybus. Fortunately there was a stop right outside our hotel so it was super convenient. There are several routes that go to different places - just ask & staff will make sure you get to the right bus. The buses we were on were very clean, with pleasant drivers and ample luggage space. There is also free WiFi that actually worked. I'd rather take a tram but the Skybus gets the job done.