The US travel agent recommended McCafferty's, but sold me the wrong pass. Between two US travel agents and the bus company, it took several days to get straightened out. The bus company was very cooperative on this issue and all other dealings I had with them. I don't know if there is any difference in price between Greyhound and McCafferty's, but McCafferty's has a much better reputation in Australia. I generally tried to find single accommodations and in almost all cases the room did not include a bath.
All price mentioned are in local currency.
I checked my email at public Internet access facilities where I could find them. I arrived in Melbourne from Auckland on Feb 10. I already had a reservation at Flag hotel in St. Kilda. St. Kilda is on the beach south of Melbourne and easy to get to by tram. In Euchuca they build steam powered paddlewheel river boats.