A good question.
A local answer.

Ask the hotel to confirm the bathroom enclosure and room category in writing. Marketing photographs can show a different layout from the room you book.

Check current menus for pubs and casual restaurants around Chadstone rather than relying on an old price list. Steak cut, size and sides can change the total.

Choose accommodation near a direct route home and bring a pram plan for both children. A child who loves vehicles may enjoy watching trains from a safe public spot as much as a long paid tour.

Choose by door-to-door effort, not only ticket price. After a late arrival, a transfer involving extra tram rides and luggage may cost more time than it saves.

For a relaxed day from Melbourne, the Dandenong Ranges offer gardens, forest walks and villages without committing to another long coastal drive. Pick one area rather than trying to see the whole range.

The scenic road is slower than the inland highway, especially when you stop at lookouts. Keep daylight for the coast and avoid building a tight arrival time around photo stops.

Use the event's official transport advice first; major tournaments may provide a shuttle from a station or off-site parking. Do not rely on an ordinary suburban train route without checking the last leg.

The airport 901 bus does not start at every terminal. Map your walk to the stop and check the interchange at Broadmeadows, especially if you have luggage or arrive late.

Plan the transport as carefully as the ticket. A wildlife park outside the CBD can use much of a day without a car, so compare a tour, public transport and a rental route before paying.

If most evenings are with your friend, a Preston room near the relevant train or tram route can save repeated cross-city travel. Check the exact walking route from the stop.

Think through daily use: parking a larger vehicle, preparing beds and disconnecting at a campsite before dinner. A car with cabins can be easier if you expect to move every night.

For the Penguin Parade, check the official ticket availability and the tour's return time to Melbourne. Book earlier when your dates fall in school holidays or a busy weekend.