I always thought Melbourne was about shopping, dining and the arts. So I was pleasantly surprised to discover many other things that I could do in and around the city.

What I like about holidaying in Australia is that the tour operators and guides are helpful, knowledgeable, humorous and very patient, and they take safety precautions seriously.

So whether it is in ensuring you don a helmet to protect your head or a jacket to keep you warm, taking care of your belongings or explaining procedures in detail so that you know what is happening, they do a great job.

Here are some activities to consider on your next visit to Melbourne. They will make for great show-and-tell conversations with your friends after the trip, too.

Float on air

Standing in a hot air balloon basket at sunrise was surreal. It was so unlike being in a plane or helicopter because of its silence.

The air was perfectly still. There were no vibrations or purring engines - the ascent was gentler than the lift in my office.

The scenery beneath me glided seamlessly from one frame to the next, like a giant slide show on the rolling fields and vineyards of Yarra Valley, which lies an hour's drive from the city. Objects were so clear that I could count the wild kangaroos by the ponds, and see errant cows stray from the herd.

Part of the fun is helping the pilot set up and pack the balloon away. Yes, you have to do some work, so make sure you wear clothes that you do not mind being soiled.

It is quite educational, too, as you observe how the pilot checks for wind direction, and find out how hard you need to sit on a semi-deflated balloon to deflate it completely!

Spoilt for choice: Take a hot air balloon flight, ride on a Harley Davidson bike or go horse-riding in Victoria's high country

Global Ballooning operates hot air ballooning over Yarra Valley and Melbourne.
Website:www.globalballooning.com.au/

Ride a Harley

I vowed never to ride a motorcycle in a city, because it was too dangerous for my liking. But a Harley-Davidson ride in Melbourne was a completely different experience.

The bike is broad and steady, and will not topple easily. It is also not as easy for cars to squeeze you out of a lane.

HD Chauffeur Ride offers chauffeured tours on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle in and around Melbourne. Some bikeshave a sidecar, which are ideal for children.

Tour options include oneand two-hour city tours, as well as half- or full-day tours that take you out to the Yarra Valley or the Great Ocean Road.

My chauffeur, Paz, made sure I geared up with a helmet, leather jacket and gloves before we rode off coolly "into the sunset".

It was a very enjoyable ride, as I leaned back comfortably, watched the scenic sights of the city, listened to soothing music on an impressive stereo system and Paz's commentary as we passed by interesting sites.

For more information, visit www.hdride.com.au

Take your pick: try go-karting or milking a cow

Drive a go-kart

Learn to manoeuvre the sharp turns, slopes and corners like a Grand Prix pro on the 750m gokart circuit on Phillip Island, a miniature replica of the Grand Prix circuit next door.

Imagine yourself in a race car, taking that sharp-rightturn-after-the-slope like a pro. Just make sure you do not skid off the track and land on the grass. But even if you do, help is on hand to rescue you and your vehicle.

You will get a print-out of your lap time after your drive so that you can compare your speed with fellow go-karters.

Take a guided tour of the Grand Prix circuit later, and explore some of the off-limits areas.

For details, visit Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit's website at www.phillipislandcircuit.com.au

Shoot the rapids

Whitewater rafting specialist Linton Smith installed shower facilities in his trailer so that his customers could enjoy a hot riverside shower after shooting the rapids.

For an adrenaline-pumping whitewater rafting adventure, take a day trip or an extreme two-day package. Trips are seasonal.

Visit Adventure Victoria's website at www.adventurevictoria.com.au for details.

Go horse-riding in Victoria's high country

Saddle up

Don an Aussie oilskin coat and go horseriding like the Man From Snowy River in Victoria's high country, about two hours' drive from the city.

For information, visit www.adventurevictoria.com.au

Fur, fins and feathers

If you love farm animals, drop by the Warrook Cattle Farm, an hour's drive from the city. Watch a sheepdog at work, milk a cow, shear a sheep, crack a whip, feed a lamb and cuddle baby animals.

Website:www.warrook.com.au

Try trout fishing at Rhyll Fishing Park on Phillip Island, then have your prize catch barbecued by a chef. The park has both a lake and an indoor rainforest pool.

Try milking a cow

Website:www.rhyllfishingpark.com.au

If watching a few penguins in the zoo already thrills you to bits, you will be awestruck on Phillip Island by the hundreds of wild little penguins waddling before your eyes, ignoring your presence en route to their homes in the burrows.

The penguins can be quite noisy. Some "shout" from one hill to the next, while some feathered couples seem to be squabbling outside their homes. Various penguin viewing experiences are available, with some offering exclusive guided tours to restricted areas.

For details, visit Phillip Island Nature Park's website at www.penguins.org.au