Going to be visiting Melbourne in the near future?  Aren’t you lucky!  Melbourne is one of the top tourist destinations in the world, beckoning to travelers and adventurers from around the globe.  There are so many things to see and do, you’ll want to spend as much time here as possible.  Here are five of the attractions in and around Melbourne that you will not want to miss.

5.  Healesville Sanctuary

Not far from Melbourne is Healesville Sanctuary, also known as the Sir Colin Mackenzie Sanctuary, named after its founder.  Located in the Yarra Valley region, this sanctuary is Australia’s leading wildlife park. You’ll see emus, platypus, kangaroos, koalas, Tasmanian devils, and more, all in their natural habitats.  Rugged beauty surrounds you as you get up close and personal with more than 200 species of Australian wildlife.  It’s an experience you’ll never forget.  Healesville Sanctuary is just an hour north of Melbourne, so it’s perfect for a day trip.

4. Yarra Valley Vineyards

While you’re in the Yarra Valley area, there are a number of other attractions to visit, including more than 70 wineries.  This region is the birthplace of Australian wines, home to world renown winemakers and tiny, hidden gem wineries.  Cruise the beautiful countryside, savor the heady vintages, and enjoy a delectable meal prepared by a top chef at one of the wine restaurants.  A perfect way to spend the day.

3.  Philip Island

Now turn your car to the southeast and travel about 140 kilometers from Melbourne to Philip Island.  Here you’ll find an array of activities that are bound to keep the entire family happy.  The most famous attraction is the Parade of the Fairy Penguins, but there are also dozens of other activities you won’t want to miss, including a visit to Seals Rock, the Koala Conservation Center, and more.

4. St. Kilda

This colorful inner city suburb of Melbourne is rich with history and offers a bevy of attractions.  It gracefully blends a unique artist culture, beautiful parks and gardens, theatres, shopping, and, of course, magnificent St. Kilda beach where water sports abound.

1.  Great Ocean Road

Just 243 kilometers from Melbourne is one of the most spectacular scenic ocean routes in the world, the Great Ocean Road.  The views are stunning, the rainforests lush, and the beaches are breathtakingly beautiful.  You’ll see sites like the famed 12 Apostles rock formations and cruise through the Great Otway National Park.  You really need to dedicate more than one day to this fascinating journey, so arrange a short-term car rental that allows you enough time to truly enjoy this adventure.

Want to know a way to save some money on this vacation of a lifetime?  Instead of renting a car from traditional sources, try peer-to-peer car rental.  You could save up to 60% and drive any kind of car you want as you enjoy the wonders of Melbourne and the glorious region it rules.

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This is a guest post by Hugo Davison

Its 8.30am on my first day in Sydney and I’m standing on the pavement outside of my hotel.  So far, so good. I’ve slid on some sunglasses, switched on the smartphone and punched Sydney Opera House into the GPS. Turn right. Good start.

Before I left I had thought to ask the hotel concierge about Bondi Beach – his eyes rolled exasperatingly before shaking his head and directing me to Manly, Bondi’s larger, more fashionable brother. ‘And you can catch a ferry from just by the Opera House’ he said. So that’s where I headed – Manley beach via the Opera House for a mid-morning snack and a dabble in the Aussie surf.

I was looking forward to a good surf session (how hard can it be?) until I arrived at Manly wharf and realised what I was up against. It wasn’t the monstrous waves or the threat of deadly shark attacks that bugged me – it was the surfers. Packs of sculpted Grecian-like males and their tantalisingly oiled female friends tossed surfboards like feathers and seemed to exude a mesmerising and imperturbable hipness. All of a sudden stripping down and swimming in the shallows did not seem so attractive – this was no place for the amateur paddler. Unsure of what to do, I resolved to take a wander in order to observe the beach culture from afar. Eventually I came across an idyllic little spot called Shelley beach where I stole a flash dip in the brilliant blue Pacific Ocean.  Feeling content that I had successfully concealed my modest pastiness from the general crowds I headed back towards the wharf and parked myself in the bar. I watched two ferries drift lazily in to dock whilst clutching a glass of the local TED. (It was a great beer and who really wants to spend an hour falling off a surf board anyway..?)

On my return to the high-rise Sydney skyline it occurred to me that I was foolish to let the Manly locals intimidate me. If I was to embrace Sydney then I should learn to strut my stuff like the natives – so I decided to get geared up Aussie style with ‘thongs’, ‘singlets’ and ‘boardies’ (Flip Flops, a loose vest and swim shorts). I headed to Paddington, where I had been told the cities edgy and artsy crowds are in residence, to go clothes shopping.  An hour later I thought I looked unstoppable.

After freshening up at the hotel and a sagacious wink to the concierge I headed out for a night of Aussie revelry. Alas, my recent spending splurge on getting the local ‘look’ had done little to conceal my real identity. Funnily enough I got chatting to a group of local guys who all surfed. They promised to take me down to Manly the next day and get me out on the Ocean. Native at last!

If you want further heads up on places like Manly and Paddington then more information can be found here.

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Everyone’s different and so it follows that everyone has different preferences when it comes to things like choosing which Heathrow airport parking best suits them or which Heathrow airport hotel they want to stay in. Luckily at Heathrow there are loads of options so no matter what you want from a parking space you’re sure to be satisfied. Below is a quick round up the main options that you have to choose from when parking at Heathrow.

On-site Parking
This is the best option for anyone wanting to park as close to the airport as possible. On-airport parking sites are located within the airport’s grounds so you’ll be really close to the terminal when you drop your car off. By choosing the on-airport parking you’ll get the quickest transfer times to whichever of Heathrow’s five terminals you’re flying from. All the sites within the airport’s grounds offer transfers of less than 15 minutes and some are as quick as three minutes.

Off-site Parking
When it comes to Heathrow airport parking if you’re looking for the lowest price then off-site parking is for you. Transfers will still be quick and easy but you’relikely to get an even cheaper deal. So, if you don’t mind parking outside the airport boundaries then off-airport parking is worth a look.

Undercover Parking
If your car’s your pride and joy then why not give it the extra special care of undercover parking. It’ll be nestled away in one of the Heathrow airport multi-storey car parks out of the wind, rain, sleet or snow. All the car parks at Heathrow airport put safety as their top priority so no matter where you park security won’t be a worry. Undercover sites are safe and they’re the ideal defence against the unpredictable British weather.

Meet and Greet Parking
Add a touch of luxury to your parking experience with the ‘Meet and Greet’ option. Do away with the usual search for a space, or even the car park, just drive to the terminal and leave the rest to the valet. This service is available at selected Heathrow airport car parks and gives you the smoothest start to your holiday. You won’t have to be transferred at all; you won’t even have to park your own car. What’s more, when you get back from your holiday your car will be patiently waiting at the terminal, ready to whisk you off home as soon as you like.

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