Layover in Melbourne, can we get out?

It used to be ejeddi that public services of many kinds were the responsibility of governments but more and more there are many services that get privatised and I would not think Australia is alone in doing that and there are many reasons for it that could be discussed at length.

Yes, the Yarra is a fine area to walk along and you could even start at the Maritime Museum where an old vessel the Polly Woodside is situated and then walk the southern side up past the Casino and you will find no end of restaurants, some that front the yarra and others inside the buildings, there being a couple of food malls.

There are also many shops and casual comfortable dress is pretty much normal for just about anything to be done around Melbourne during the day.

If you want a quick bight ...

The Great Australian Bight is in South Australia, so a bit too far. But if you want a bite to eat ... Melbourne is your place!

seeing you eat vegetarian, from a vegetarian, stop at a Lord of the Fries, as you walk around the streets of Melbourne

Look I love me public transport and me light rail and all that. It is all ace. But the service to the airport needs to be a PTV service and cost the price of a Myki fare. To do the Sydney option and charge AUD15 is pointless. May as well keep the Skybus. There needs to be a demonstrated business case and that needs to be for a service the price of a Myki fare. Full stop.

There is a robust business case ... airports are monopolies, and so are the service providers. Travellers are (mostly) not taxpayers or voters in Victoria, so gouge 'em. How it works.

A few things Mark for there is no business case if you look at how often the Skybuses are near empty, PTV is really a thing of the past with much more reliance on private enterprise for all manner of travel infrastructure and services.
The Skybus is just an option that do not drive out there themselves, use family or taxis and any of those users will still likely use those means.
The best that could ever be hoped for is something like Sydney and Brisbane have and the investment and ROI would mean pricing on that basis.

PTV is really a thing of the past with much more reliance on private enterprise for all manner of travel infrastructure and services.

I hardly think so ... all Melbourne services (trains, trams, buses) are packed solid and more popular than ever.

PTV is really a thing of the past with much more reliance on private enterprise for all manner of travel infrastructure and services.

I suspect Trav meant PTV as an entity with employees. Or that was way I read it and I think that's right. I just meant it needs to come under the standard PT system.

The other thing with the train/tram/whatever is who are the users. Businessmen going home or to the airport from home? That's mostly taxis on the company card. Older people with suitcases, families with suitcases? They'd normally get someone to take them. Heck, I usually get the lift out to the airport from the far reaches; it is 2/2.5 hours on PT and Skybus (which would then be a train to the airport if it existed) or an hour in a car door to door. You put two people going to the airport in that car and it becomes less expensive, in most cases, than two $15 air train tickets. You put four people in a min-bus taxi and it is cheaper than air-train from city. Fit able-bodied tourists with hotels in the CBD or businessmen going from airport to office? Bingo. Is that enough? Not IMO for a standard rail fare to cover the cost of infrastructure. And I've never found the skybus, which the train/tram replaces, particularly occupied so are you going to get more on it if it is a train/tram at the same cost?

I'm not opposed to it, let's be clear. But I think it is a bad idea as a AUD15 skytrain or a standard fare if that standard fare can't cover the cost of the infrastructure or leave the tax payer with a massive bill.

Well, getting back on to the honeymoon rails seeing as you have let that slip ejeddi, rather than tire yourself out more than you have to pounding the pavements and seeing how many people might think you strange because you want to shake their hand!, jj!
a couple of more romantic things you could possibly do in about 5-6 hours:
. Catch a train to Belgrave and then the http://puffingbilly.com.au/en/visit-puffing-billy/timetable/ - it would likely be a squeeze though and you would probably not make it to Belgrave in time.
Never mind, a taxi ride takes you to
. http://www.studleyparkboathouse.com.au/boat-hire-make-your-special-day-one-to-be-remembered/
Lovely spot on the Yarra for lunch and if you feel energised enough, an hours row.

Enjoy that honeymoon.

Puffing Billy and a paddle in the murky Yarra River at Studley Park are two of the least interesting things I think you can do with your limited time in town, to be honest.