Loved the Marriott.
Beautiful hotel, beautiful outside area and decor inside the hotel.
The seafood buffet looked fantastic, however we opted for the a la carte menu due to my husband having a shellfish allergy.
The buffet was $70, avg price of the a la carte menu was around $25.

Approximate cost: $25 - $70

The Australian Outback Spectacular was just fantastic. I highly recommend going if you are visiting the Gold Coast.

On entry you are given a straw 'cowboy' type hat on entry which is yours to keep. You are then taken to get your photo taken which you can later purchase for $15.
Before the show you wait in a large room with a bar and an entertainer sings quintessential Australian songs. Drinks are pretty well priced - $7 for a beer or $9 for one in a stubby holder which you can keep.

You are taken into a large arena with seating in a 'U' shape around the outside. Each row has a long table in front set up with your first course, cutlery and glass. People walk around with Beer, wine, lemonade and water which is free - and they are constantly walking by so your never short of a drink.
First course is flat bread with salad and mango dressing.
Main was filet steak which was just beautiful. With veg and a bread roll. Dessert was pavlova, also lovely.
The show itself was so good. The horses and the tricks they can do on them really were spectacular. There was a tribute to phar lap which was not only enjoyable but educational.
Overall it went for about 2 hours.
Fantastic, like I said I'd highly recommend to anyone especially overseas visitors.

Approximate cost: $70

Dreamworld is probably the best park for all ages.

Fantastic rides - and the Shrek/Madagascar/king fu panda area is fantastic for kids
And wiggles land is great for toddlers and small children.

There's a buffet down the back near wiggles land which is $25 and only $5 for kids which works out much cheaper than the rest of the places to eat.

We didn't go into white water world as it was a chilly day, but it looks great!

Approximate cost: $80, extra $10 to enter white water world.

Fantastic theme park - best of the bunch if you have small children, as there is plenty of little kids rides and they love the shows.

Plan your day! Shows are all around the park at different times of the day.

I did however feel really sad for the animals in such small enclosures.

Approximate cost: $89 - kids under 2 free.

This park needs a lot of money spent on it.
A lot of things (eg. behind the scenes tour) have closed and nothing has opened in its place.
It is nothing like it use to be.

Great roller coasters for the older kids though for younger kids there needs to be more.

Approximate cost: $89

We went to the penguin parade last night and all I can say is WOW.
It was the most amazing experience and I will encourage any guests to the melbourne area to take the trip down to Phillip Island to see these amazing little creatures.
There was a large cement area right on the beach where you sit and watch them come in (1st penguin was about 9:15pm) and make their way up the beach and into the vegetation. I would definetly recommend bringing a coat - it was a very hot day but still freezing as the sun went down.
The real unexpected treat is making your way back up the boardwalk and seeing all the little penguins making their way back to their burrows. The little babies also come out and cry for their parents. The penguins aren't afraid of the masses of people either and just kind of stare at you.
The staff are fantastic and very knowledgable - there was golf buggies available for our elderly relation who has trouble walking to be taken down to the beach & back to the information centre.

Penguin parade is really fantastic and a must see if you are in the Melbourne area. (2hr drive from cbd)

Approximate cost: $25

While I am a big fan of ikea and their well priced flat pack furniture , the store in Richmond is just really stupidly set out.
It's really difficult to get items back to your car - especially if you have bought large items.
If I need to go to ikea I take the drive out to springvale for convenience.

Approximate cost: $Avg ikea prices.

Great little bar right in the city - often with live music.
Cocktails are so good and there is plenty of options to chose from.
It is often packed out though and sometimes you do have to pay to get in.
Always really good atmosphere though!

Approximate cost: $Avg.

Great location, mostly outside seating, with a few tables inside which are really crammed in there.
Really yummy selection of cakes!

There menu is huge and there's an option for anyone.
Food comes out pretty quick and the staff are really attentive.
They also have to run up and down stairs with loads of plates of hot food - which is pretty impressive! Reasonable prices too compared to the surrounding cafes.

Approximate cost: $20

My dad always takes me here when I'm visiting.
It's a brilliant Thai restaurant - food is great comes out quick hot and fresh, and there is plenty of it.
Service is friendly, and they're always really nice to my son.

Approximate cost: $18