Whilst travelling back home via the Newell we were looking for somewhere to rest overnight, and booked Comfort Inn Goondiwindi online.

We were pleasantly surprised with how lovely this standard motel was. Beautifully presented, very clean and tidy rooms, a very friendly check-in team, and none of that awful commercial cleaner smell when we opened the door!

The shower was nice and hot (warning - it may take a little while to heat up for the first shower), great foxtel channels on the tv (many more than usual), a very comfortable bed, and extremely quiet despite being on the main road (and we were in the 2nd closest room to the road).

The mini bar is comparable with prices in the supermarket, and room service from the local hotel (across the road) is available between 6pm and 7pm every day.

For a nice stay over whilst driving the length of the Newell Highway, we highly recommend The Comfort Inn Goondiwindi.

Approximate cost: $109/nt

This is our hotel of choice during our 'half-way break' during our regular drives to NE Victoria.

This hotel/motel is just lovely. The rooms are lovely and big and are always clean and bright and have lovely views onto the golf course next door or the gardens of the property. The bathroom is always clean and is rather big. The king sized beds would be the best beds I've EVER slept on during trips away.

Although being on the Newell Highway (the closest accommodation to Western Plains Zoo), the rooms are far enough back from the highway that you don't hear any traffic noise overnight.

We have had breakfast included during our stay, and it is a lovely fare of a buffet breakfast, with all the usuals included.

I love Quality Inn International and look forward to our next visit.

We had to 'book end' a trip to NE Victoria with a few nights in Melbourne, and found this lovely little motel courtesy of word of mouth.

Miami Hotel is about a 15 minute walk up from Southern Cross Station (or an $8 taxi ride) and whilst being three star rated - was a five star experience for us from start to finish.

The staff here are some of the best I've met in the hotel industry. Very welcoming, helpful with ANY need you might have (whether that be searching for a local place to dine or finding the trams or just helping you with a pram around the property), and treated you like a friend rather than just as a client.

They highlight that they cater for school groups and family accommodation - but we never felt overrun by school children or large numbers of people at any stage during our stay, even though we knew a school group was staying. The place seemed to cater especially to ensuring noise levels were not uncomfortable for any guests staying in the facility.

The rooms were just lovely. We were in a Superior Queen, and I was delighted by how clean and comfortable the room was. The bathroom was lovely and bright and had a large shower; the bed was very comfortable and there were blackout curtains which helped with having a young baby and the sun still being up at 8pm. A lovely surprise was the walk in robe which was perfect to store our items in whilst traipsing around Melbourne.

Small breakfast packages can be included for your stay - if paying separately it is $8 for the basic breakfast (toast, cereal, juice, coffee) or $14 for the superior (same as before, but eggs cooked to order and bacon also included).

I really can not speak highly enough of this hotel and would recommend it to anyone seeking accommodation close to the CBD that doesn't break the bank.

Approximate cost: $100/night

Abbey Road has quickly taken over as our favourite eating spot on Acland St whenever we visit Melbourne.

A lovely, laid-back, friendly pub type experience, with plenty of different types of food on offer. Meals are served at any time of day or night (we were able to have an early dinner at 4:30pm for example), and the quality is divine. For something simple, I always love the baked potatoes, and for a bigger appetite the lamb shanks are just delicious.

The staff here are so friendly and efficient, and were very willing to help us with our baby during our meal. I would recommend them to anyone after a casual, relaxed and inexpensive meal whilst in St Kilda.

Approximate cost: $15

Laurent would easily be one of my favourite 'niche' bakeries to visit during my trips to Melbourne. I find the sweets and lunch items on offer to be absolutely divine (I've tried many!) and the service to be really lovely and friendly. It is a little on the expensive side for a bakery, but these are specialist cakes, tortes and baguettes on offer, so I guess it's to be expected.

Approximate cost: $15

We came here for breakfast during a brief trip to Melbourne, and I have to rave about this place.

It is a boutique creperie as well as chocolate/hot chocolate retail store, and it was just lovely to sit down and be served these amazing crepes which tasted delicious as well as didn't break the bank.

The service here was impeccable - we were given free hot chocolate shots to try, as well as regularly visited to ensure we had enough water, drinks, food on offer. We were also traveling with our five month old baby, and the wait staff on were always willing to help with various baby needs we had during our breakfast.

I also have to compliment them on the bathroom facilities - it's such a little thing, but it really makes a difference when you see products such as l'occitane for use by customers and nice, clean bathroom facilities. It also was a blessing to see a change table set up and ready to go.

Approximate cost: $13

I LOVE this 'cafe' in Albert Lane - a little treasure of a place.

The staff here are so lovely and helpful towards me and my little boy whenever we visit. It can get a bit cramped, but they are always willing to lend a hand to help get me seated and organised when visiting with bub.

The teas here are more than you could imagine - I have a favourite (rooibos), but I'm always tempted by more than the wallet can allow for.

I haven't tried many of the food items - I got stuck on the warm sticky date pudding and so that's all I have!

The price is fairly decent for a pot of tea for 1 - $4.50 last time we visited (and that covered 2 cups).

Whenever I have a daytime trip to the city, it invariably means a trip into The Tea Centre.

This restaurant is probably my favourite in Brisbane. The waitstaff are so friendly and knowledgeable over the food items and drinks they serve. The food is impeccable - well presented, generous portions and absolutely delicious. The ambience is also something to be noted - not unlike a little trattoria you'd expect in the back alleyways of Florence or the like.

A lovely little restaurant to spend your evenings. We have been here multiple times to celebrate my birthdays, and will continue to return on every special occasion!

Approximate cost: $30

I always find the staff here so friendly and willing to help out. I'm a breastfeeding mum and they are very supportive in making sure I get a seat on the 'lounge' area to keep me comfortable whilst doing so.

The menu is the same as most other Coffee Club franchises - yummy, substantial and not too hard on the pocket.

Approximate cost: $20

I often come here with friends for cupcakes and a DIVINE hot chocolate! This place is simply superb - a friendly little cafe with it's own little 'niche' in the market.

Perfect for relaxing functions too such as baby showers, kitchen teas and 'big year' birthdays.