Hotel Location
Holiday Inn Melbourne is situated on the banks of the Yarra, and is only
a relaxed walk from the city centre, Southgate, Crown Entertainment Complex,
Melbourne Aquarium, Telstra Dome and city shopping. Melbourne International
Airport at Tullamarine is 25 kilometres from the hotel, only a 25-minute
taxi ride.
The Holiday Inn Melbourne is integrated into the Melbourne Convention
Centre and is directly opposite the Exhibition Centre, a feature that
makes it an ideal choice for those seeking a conference venue.
Distances To / From the Hotel
- Melbourne International Airport (MEL) at Tullamarine - 25 kilometres
A taxi ride costs approximately A$35 and take 25 minutes.
There is the option of the Skybus Bus Shuttle that runs a service direct
from the airport to Spencer Street Station, which joins a minibus service
providing door-to-door hotel drop-offs around Melbourne. This takes about
45 minutes.
Nearby Attractions
Queen Victoria Market
Queen Victoria Market is an historic landmark, a tourist attraction and
an institution for Melburnians. Spread over seven hectares, it is the
largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere. There are almost one
thousand traders selling everything from fruit and vegetables and local
and imported gourmet foods to hardware, Manchester, clothing and Australian
souvenirs.
Royal Botanic Gardens
Established in 1846, Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens is among the most
magnificently landscaped gardens in the world. The gardens extend over
35 hectares and are located in South Yarra, only minutes from the centre
of Melbourne. Here you will find some of Melbourne's most spectacular
scenery and a superb collection of plants from across Australia and the
world.
The Royal Botanic Gardens has rejuvenated
the old Melbourne Observatory and grounds, as well as constructing a new
Visitor Centre on the site opposite the Shrine of Remembrance. Dating
back to 1861, the Observatory contains two working historic telescopes.
Phillip Island - Fairy Penguin
Parade
The Penguin Parade is located on Phillip Island, 140 kilometres south-east
of Melbourne. It is part of Phillip Island Nature Park. The area is a
reserve designed to protect and promote awareness of Little Penguins (previously
called Fairy Penguins). Founded in 1996, it also the home to the Phillip
Island Koala Conservation Centre.
The Parade is open 365 days a year.
The best time to visit is at sunset, when after a day fishing for food
in the waters surrounding Phillip Island, the penguins make their way
across Summerland Beach in groups to return to their sand-dune burrows.
This delightful event is commonly known as the 'penguin parade'. This
unique procession can be experienced from environmentally friendly observation
boardwalks and viewing stands.
There are various tour operators
that offer tours to Phillip Island. Please see the Concierge for further
information and assistance.
The Great Ocean Road
Cross over Melbourne's Westgate Bridge for panoramic views of Port Phillip
Bay, Port Melbourne, the city skyline and the western region. Take a trip
down the Princes Freeway until you reach Victoria's second largest town,
Geelong. Travel along Victoria's famous Great Ocean Road and discover
golden sandy beaches, sheer cliff faces, surf beaches and amazing rock
formations. Arrive at Torquay, Australia's surfing capital and home of
Rip Curl. It also features the world-famous Bells Beach, featured in the
movie Point Break, and is home to the World Surfing Championships.
Pass through the beautiful coastal
towns of Anglesea, Lorne and Wye River, and visit the spectacular Cape
Patton Lookout before reaching Apollo Bay; even take your swimwear. If
you are not in the mood for a swim, discover the magic of the Otway National
Park, silent and untouched, lush tree-fern gullies and towering mountain
ash forests. For the budding photographer, there are many opportunities
to shoot stunning scenery, such as the stone monoliths of the Twelve Apostles
or the remains of the London Bridge.
Yarra Valley
Situated a one-hour drive east of Melbourne, the Yarra Valley is the ideal
destination for wine enthusiasts wanting to stimulate their taste buds.
A day trip can be arranged for you to relax at some of Australia's most
notable wineries such as Domain Chandon, De Bortoli and Eyton on Yarra.
The region is most famous for its production of dry white wines with fruit
accents that are being recognised in world-class rankings.
From this location, you can also
view the Dandenongs and Sherbrooke Forest while taking a ride on the Puffing
Billy Steam Train. Once you have reached your destination, you can wander
among the koalas, kangaroos, wallabies and wombats.
For those who want a closer look
at Australian wildlife, the Healesville Sanctuary is ideal, with 200 species
of native birds, mammals and reptiles, displayed in a beautiful bushland
setting.
Melbourne Aquarium
Within easy walking distance of the hotel, make sure that you are prepared
for anything before entering the Melbourne Aquarium. Travel through billabongs,
rock pools, a transparent tunnel surrounded by sharks and giant stingrays,
and finally go right off the deep end into the 2.2-million-litre Oceanarium.
Why not do something daring, and
participate in a Shark Dive? The aquarium's certified trainers will help
you get a very close look!
Crown Entertainment Complex
Located on the opposite bank of the river, the complex combines gaming,
convention, restaurant, retail and comprehensive entertainment facilities
in one of the most innovative and technologically advanced sites in the
world.
Signature brands such as La Perla,
Gucci, Prada, Gianni Versace, DKNY and Giorgio Armani are located together
in traditional free-standing shops for your convenience.
The Crown Entertainment Complex encompasses
over 40 restaurants, cafes and bars, all in convenient locations. There
is also the popular Planet Hollywood and All Star Café. If you're
not hungry, visit KingPin for a bowling match or Galactic Circus for some
arcade games. If that takes up too much energy, relax in front of the
movie screen with your choice of 10 different cinemas and 433 screenings
weekly!
Melbourne Museum
Melbourne Museum is a storehouse of ideas, promoting public debate on
issues relating to the natural environment, new technology, and other
changes occurring in our society. Exhibitions include the Bunjilaka Aboriginal
Centre, Phar Lap, one of Australia's leading thoroughbreds, and the living
Forest Gallery.
Learn about yourself in the Mind
and Body gallery, or investigate evolution from a prehistoric and genetic
viewpoint.
Melbourne Zoo
The zoo is set at the edge of Royal Park and spreads over 55 acres. It
is constantly changing, with new ideas for improving the life of its inhabitants
and improving the experience for their visitors. There are more than 350
animal species. It is Australia's oldest zoo having opened in 1862, and
still retains some of its significant original features. The designs of
the Main Walk and the early 20th-century menagerie are preserved in a
history zone, so visitors can measure the great improvements which have
been achieved.
Walk amongst the butterflies in the
hot-house or witness the baby gorillas being fed… trail through
a wombat cave and be transported to a tropical forest in the aviary.
Victorian Arts Centre
Topped by a spire reaching 162 metres above St Kilda Road, the Victorian
Arts Centre contains four theatres each individually designed by Oscar-winning
Australian designer John Truscott.
The complex is built with the theatres
reaching six levels below the street; the largest is the State Theatre
used for major opera, ballet and musical productions, seating over 2000.
Attend a viewing of the latest show while you explore the home of Australia's
premier performing-art companies and the theatres they work in.
Nearby Shopping & Recreational
Facilities
Bourke Street Mall
Located in Melbourne's heart, the Bourke Street Mall is home to some of
Australia's leading department stores including Myer, David Jones and
an array of speciality stores and boutiques. Trams operate from the front
of the hotel directly to the mall centre.
Bridge Road, Richmond
A bargain shopper's delight is located just outside Melbourne, with everything
from discount warehouses to variety shops, and a range large enough to
suit all shapes and sizes.
Chapel Street, South Yarra
For the latest fashions and funkiest styles, Chapel Street's designer
labels will impress, complemented by a large selection of trendy cafes
where you can rest those weary feet.
Albert Park Golf Course
Located two kilometres from the CBD, this course has a double-storey range,
licensed pro shop, enormous undulating putting green, bunkers and chipping
areas. Both the driving range and the golf course are fully public, seven
days a week. The golf course has been recently extended to a par-72, and
is the home of the Victorian PGA Championships played every October. The
course runs alongside the racetrack for the Australian Formula 1 Grand
Prix, and is a most picturesque location.
Docklands Gym
Located at the World Trade Centre. Exercise your body in a friendly and
motivational environment with a range of fitness classes and the latest
in cardio and weights equipment.
Melbourne Sports and Aquatic
Centre
This is a facility available to the public that is arguably one of the
largest fitness centres in Victoria. It is open for water sports and contains
a 25-metre lap pool, diving boards and water slides. Tram number 12 runs
from the city via Spencer Street to Fitzroy Street, stopping outside Melbourne
Sports and Aquatic Centre.
Melbourne Fitness Club
Open to both males and females, the Melbourne Fitness Club is located
on the corner of Collins and King Street, a leisurely stroll from the
hotel. It has a range of aerobic classes on offer, as well as extensive
weight and cardio equipment.
Nearest Subway
Spencer Street Station is located a five-minute walk from the hotel, and
Flinders Street Station is a ten-minute walk. A tram service going to
both stations operates from outside the main entrance of the hotel. |
