yeah Jme, Dont listen to these freeks, the city is that bad! just stear clear of the public transport and the train stations in the city. My advice is to hire a car like goldie said, all the good stuff is out of the city. As for somewere to stay, I would pick somewere in southbank or docklands, Crown Casino is is a pretty nice place to stay, but im sure u could find somewere equally as good. As for things to do, I would be wanting to go to the Queen Vic Market, take a boat cruise along the Yarra River, drive down to Portsea/Sorrentto for some nice scenery, there are heaps of great things to do in the Dandenong ranges aswell as some awsone B&B's up there for a romantic night in the hills, plenty of other things to do down here, just hit up the tourism victoria site linkey link do hit up princess hwy late on a friday night if u wanna see how some of these vic boys roll Cheers, Connor