Melbourne 3d2n might not be enough if you're planning to go to those places you mentioned.

Yarra Valley, Puffing Billy Steam Train, Koala Conservation (Heallesville Sanctuary?), Tesselar Tulip Festival are nearby so probably you can make go there at the same time. The Tesselar Tulip festival is only from mid Sept - early Oct. If you are here sometime in November, there's the Warrantina lavendar farm in the neighbouring area.

Personally, I wouldn't recomend going to Chaddy unless if you're in the neighbouring area. I think the Malaysian shopping complexes are bigger and better. If you want to shop, Melbourne city would be enough, there's Myer and David Jones there, and a factory outlet (DFO) beside the Southern Cross station.

Also, Melbourne weather this winter/spring very extreme! It can be extremely cold this week, and then hot the week after.

This post has been edited by sinichi_v: Oct 18 2008, 05:21 PM

grampians you can go there to climb the rocks, see some wildlife, waterfalls, bush walks etc.
for goc, there's also the london bridge (collapsed already), forest walks, waterfall etc. can google for more information. the reason why it is a whole day tour is because it takes about 5 hours to get to 12 apostles?? most tours use the shortcut on the way back so that will be about 3-4 hrs drive.
yes, it is better not to go to goc when it's raining / cloudy. you won't be able to see much of the 12 apostles when there's fog. also, if it's cloudy, it will be a little dark when you reach the 12 apostles?

that's right. no student fare for international students or other students unless if you have a Victorian concession card - other states (NSW, QLD, SA etc) does not apply either.

VLine is only for travelling interstate or remote areas like Ballarat, Geelong etc. Anyway, if you're in Melbourne on a Sunday, you can buy the Sunday Saver ticket. It's about $2.80 per person and you can use it the whole day on busses, trams and trains in both Zone 1 and 2. Pretty good I think?

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Added on November 5, 2008, 5:30 amby the way, countrylink is similar to vline in melbourne. it's used for travelling out to the remote areas or interstate. Sydney's metropolitan transport is here

This post has been edited by sinichi_v: Nov 5 2008, 05:30 AM

customs would really depend on your luck. over the past years, my parents have brought in fish and prawns (it's been cleaned, cut and frozen), instant noodles, mooncakes, biscuits, cakes, belacan, sambal, medicinal herbs etc.

depending on the festive season (and the customs officer), sometimes they allow layer cakes (when it's near cny), sambal / belacan (hari raya), even mooncakes without egg yolks. normally, if you explain properly to the customs officer what those herbs are or that it's for a festive season, they'll allow you through.

as for dairy products, i'm not too sure. some say they only allow those instant drinks with non dairy creamer from japan, US etc those major big countries whereas those from china, malaysia or taiwan cannot bring in. i think it's better to play it safe and not bring in anything in, after all.. all these you can either get it from the supermarket here or the asian groceries.

oh, make sure there's no egg products like mayonaise, even those ayam brands tuna with mayo cannot.

you might want to pack thicker clothing if you're coming this weekend. there's storm in victoria at the moment - mostly in gippsland but then melbourne slightly affected as well. and don't believe what those weather reports tell you. today is supposed to be of a maximum 16, but it's so hot right now!

melbourne 20 degrees is ok, just like you're in an air con room, but if the wind starts blowing then it gets real cold.

don't forget the latest attractions in melbourne - southern star wheel at waterfront city docklands. there's also a shopping place just opened last month - harbour town