Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

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CHAPTER 12 . VICTORIA
huge freshwater lake during the last Ice Age that is now dry. A 60km (37 mile)
driving tour starting at the visitor center at the park’s entrance takes you across
the lake bed to the Walls of China. There are several short walks leading off from
the campsites at the park entrance. Call the National Parks & Wildlife Service
NSW (& 1300/361 967 in Australia) for more information on Mungo. Just
outside the park, the Mungo Lodge (& 03/5029 7297; www.mungolodge.
com.au) offers affordable motel accommodation and a casual restaurant.
WHERE TO STAY
IN MILDURA
Mildura Grand Hotel This huge 19th-century hotel is right in the
center of Mildura, overlooking the Murray River. Double rooms are comfortable,
and many were refurbished in 2002. Suites are bigger, and some have balconies
and garden views. State suites are plush and come with a king-size bed.
The Presidential suite (the most expensive) is Art Deco inspired, with a large
marble bathroom and spa. This place is now very famous for Stefano’s, the
restaurant of celeb chef Stefano di Pietri. Voted Best Restaurant in 2002, the
place offers a set menu of five to six courses for A$66 (US$43), featuring the
best local produce.
Seventh St., Mildura, VIC 3500. & 1800/034 228 in Australia, or 03/5023 0511. Fax 03/5022 1801. www.
milduragrand.com. 102 units. A$110–A$143 (US$72–US$93) grand room double; A$176–A$462 (US$114–
US$300) suite. Rates include breakfast. Extra person A$22 (US$14). Ask about packages. AE, DC, MC, V.
Amenities: 3 restaurants; 4 bars; large outdoor pool; golf course nearby; access to nearby health club, spa,
sauna; 24-hr. concierge; shopping arcade; 24-hr. room service; in-room massage; laundry service; dry cleaning;
nonsmoking rooms; executive rooms. In room: A/C, TV w/pay movies, minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer,
iron.
IN ECHUCA
Echuca Gardens B&B and YHA There are evening gatherings around the
piano at this popular two-story log cabin B&B, as well as a pretty neat Jacuzzi in
the front yard surrounded by murals and landscaped water gardens. Rooms are
decorated in native flower themes, and all have balconies. Two rooms have showers
in the bathroom, and another has a shower on the second floor. It’s a short
stroll from the B&B to either the river or a state forest. The YHA has a basic twin
room inside and three tent-like cabins outside, one with a double bed and the
other with two singles. There are also three basic dorm rooms with beds going for
A$18 (US$12) for YHA members and A$22 (US$14) for non-members.
103 Mitchell St., Echuca, VIC 3564. & 03/5480 6522, or 0419/881 054. Fax 03/5482 6951. www.echuca
gardens.com. 6 units (3 in B&B and 3 in hostel). A$150 (US$98) B&B room weekends, A$120 (US$78) weekdays.
Rates include breakfast. MC, V. Amenities: Spa; sauna; bike rental; tour desk; massage; coin-op laundry;
nonsmoking rooms. In room: A/C, TV, hair dryer.
IN ALBURY
Hume Country Golf Club Motor Inn This is a good place to stop if you’re
making the trip north to Sydney. Just on the New South Wales side of the border,
this motor inn has typical motel rooms and two large family rooms, one
sleeping five, the other seven. Suites are also large and come with a Jacuzzi. All
rooms overlook the 27-hole golf course, where a round of golf costs A$20
(US$13).
736 Logan Rd., Albury, NSW 2640. & 02/6025 8233. Fax 02/6040 4999. humegolfmotel@primus.com.au.
25 units. A$82 (US$53) double; A$90 (US$59) family room; A$115 (US$75) suite. Extra person A$10
(US$6.50). AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: Outdoor pool; golf course on the premises; babysitting; coin-op laundry;
dry cleaning; nonsmoking rooms. In room: A/C, TV, kitchen, minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron.