Mount Donna Buang is located just outside of Melbourne and during winter can have snow.  This is not a skiing mountain but a more a place to take the kids and experience the wonderment of snow in the winter without having to travel for hours to the Victorian snow fields.

Mt Donna Buang is located east of Melbourne, take the Maroondah Highway to Lilydale and the Warburton Highway to Warburton. Travel through the town and on the eastern side is a clearly signed route to the Mount.   There are signs that advise that a toll is payable and this is generally only when the snow is good. The road to the summit is sealed and easy to drive. Signage also advises chains be carried during heavy snow periods. In most cases they are not needed but should be fitted when advised. 

The drive to the summit is picturesque with large tree ferns and tall gum trees. The excitement builds when snow starts to pile up on the side of the road.  There is a large carpark a couple of kilometers from the summit which appears to be used when the road is closed due to heavy snow.  The summt also has a car park so drive to the top if you are able to.

The  snow itself is great for snow man making, walking, tobogganing. There is no resort at the top, nor food so pack a meal or eat and drink a Warburton.

Driving in Melbourne is like driving in most other capital cities in Australia except for a couple of notable exceptions, trams and hook turns. Melbourne has a public transport system that operates Trams. Trams run the length and breadth of the city and are useful modes of transport as they are regular and no matter what time of the day you can pretty much squeeze on one. Trams run along tram tracks and require electricity supplied by overhead lines. In the CBD area of the city trams have their own central lane, however head a couple of minutes out of the Melbourne CBD and trams are mixing it with cars, trucks, buses and pedestrians so things become a little more complex.

Rules with Trams

When a tram stops, vehicles travelling behind them stop also. This is because as soon as the tram stops the doors are flung open and people start to pile off and head for the footpath at the side of the road. To avoid hitting anyone you should stop your vehicle at the rear of the tram when it stops.

The Hook Turn

For the uninitiated this can be daunting but it simple when you get the hang of it. The purpose of a hook turn is to

enable trams and other through traffic to continue whilst a traffic signal is green. So essentially a hook turn is making a right turn from the left lane. Lets walk through it. At some not all intersections a sign indicating a hook turn is displayed. To make a right turn you must be in the left lane prior to entering the intersection. If you are not you will not be able to turn right. Continue on to the next intersection if you are caught out. If you are positioned correctly in the left lane enter the intersection and stop in front of the opposing traffic. Traffic will continue through the intersection whilst you are stopped in the left lane. The traffic signal will change to red and the traffic signal facing your right side will change to green. You will complete your right turn now. Once you have turned and exited the intersection the other traffic will follow.

Up to 3 cars will queue in the intersection waiting to turn right. If you miss being in the left lane continue to the next intersection and turn there, hook turn or otherwise. Melbourne’s streets are in a grid so finding your way back to the street you were meant to be on is easy.

These are the top 10 Hostels in Melbourne as rated by backpackers who have stayed in them. Ratings are defined by Character, Security, Location, Staff, Fun and Cleanliness. These are the cumulative results of this rating system. Of course everyone is different and your stay may not be the same as someone else. This is a guide only. There are heaps of Melbourne Hostels so choose on that is right for you. If you love or loath a place come back and blog about it so other can benefit from your experience.

Book a Melbourne Hostel securely online.

1. Freeman Lodge Avg. Rating: 87%

Latest reviews:

lukecassar75751 (from Australia), May 2008:
Everything was good and we would stay there again except next time we would probably bring our own sheets and towels.

kathrynliddle4490 (from England), May 2008:
the hostel itself is nice. but don’t go there if you are looking for fun/social life! close

2. St Arnaud Avg. Rating: 84%

Latest reviews:

Amelia (from Australia), May 2008:
Would definately stay again and have already recommended to a few friends on their upcoming trip to melb. the staff were absolutely fantastic and and they genuinely wanted to make my trip fabulous. atmosphere was very relaxed and we enjoyed the personalised service.

slowerthoughts (from Scotland), May 2008:
Beautiful hostel, looks more like a country hotel. Staff were really friendly and helpful. Not much in the way of night life immediately around the hostel but tram directly outside will get you into town quickly. Not a party hostel, much more relaxed vibe to this place. I ended up booking in for longer so it must be doing something right..

3. Claremont Guesthouse Avg. Rating: 84%

Latest reviews:

Erin (from Canada), May 2008:
Very quiet hostel in a nice accommodation. Staff were extremely helpful. Nice breakfast with good variety. Would highly recommend the Claremont for it’s character, location and great staff.

4. Base Backpackers - St K. Avg. Rating: 84%

Latest reviews:

Sharon (from Northern Ireland), May 2008:

If you’re a girl - make sure you book into the santuary - you get free shampoo and conditoner, but more importantly free bubbly between 6 and 7 every night (and I mean of the fizzy wine variety!)

Peta-anne (from Australia), May 2008:

The cleaning staff were not very good at their jobs. very haphazard. i.e. they went over the surface of things but didn’t really clean things properly such as the toilets which haven’t been scrubbed in a really long time. Other than that everything was great. And the Base staff were fabulous.

5. Cooee on St Kilda Avg. Rating: 82%

Latest reviews:

mikaelpetre5082 (from Australia), May 2008:

thought it was awsome, everyone else with me had a great time there. everything was very clean and the beds were heapz comfortable!! oh and thank god for the wicked heating, coz it was freezing!

sarahbarry6179461 (from Ireland), May 2008:

Beautiful Hostel - stay here

6. Home Travellers Motel Avg. Rating: 82%

Latest reviews:

Hoang Thuy (from Australia), May 2008:

Quite a loud hostel. Not good if you want to sleep, but good if you are up for drinking. A bit noisy at night with regard to guests. Staff were very helpful. Enjoyed my time there.

yeomansgenius2968 (from Australia), April 2008:

I really loved staying here - all the staff were cheerful and helpful, and the people i met there were so much fun

7. City Centre budget Hotel Avg. Rating: 82%

Latest reviews:

Karene (from Australia), April 2008:

Great staff, awesome location. Will def stay again.
haejk00111 (from Australia), April 2008:

Very clean and good facilities, a step up from your average back packers. Very quiet in the rooms. Helpful and friendly staff.

8. Urban Central Avg. Rating: 81%

Latest reviews:

Hollie (from England), April 2008:
Great showers, great bedrooms. Good location + staff too. Be aware though that this hostel has a nightclub right below it…which means on Fri and Sat night make sure you have some ear plugs, alternatively, make sure you’re out until 4am.. Not too sure on the common areas of the hostel, they seem over run with the long-timers. Regardless I’d stay here again just for the showers and the free pasta.

nd8981253 (from Canada), April 2008:
Location of hostel is great. Located in downtown Melbourne close to everything.

9. Lords Lodge Backpackers Avg. Rating: 81%

Latest review:

still_baljan9615 (from Sweden), April 2008:
The staff is the best. Definitely the nicest you can get and theyll make sure you have a good time, I did. The only drawback is that the city centre is 15 min away by tram.

Natalie (from Australia), April 2008:

Really lovely Place to stay, everyone there is so nice and willing to help out!! Fabulous!

10. Melbourne Metro YHA Avg. Rating: 80%

Latest reviews:

Karen (from USA), April 2008:
I stayed in four hostels in Melbourne and this one was by far the best. The YHAs don’t have the most charm or character but you can always depend on them for being clean and well-run.

Book a Melbourne Hostel securely online.

Ratings and comments obtained from hostelworld.