Re Melbourne

[blondietoo]

What does CBD stand for??

[room010]

Central Business District, ie, downtown.

[6andy6]

With all this talk about Melbourne and its public transport - I thought I would repost a post I made in our roll call a couple of months ago to help those that are doing independent walks and looking around Melbourne.

"
As a service to all our overseas visitors (and interstate visitors of course) to Melbourne I thought, as a local, I would compile in one place a number of websites and resources that people can use when visiting Melbourne for the day and if they wish to go off independantly. Now of course this is not exhaustive and does not include places outside the city which given the length of time we have, would be hard to do on your own.

The local State Government tourism website for the entire state – however does have a section on Melbourne.

www.visitvictoria.com


Two websites (one State Government and one the City Council) dedicated to Melbourne and contain public transport and visitor facilities are

http://www.visitmelbourne.com

http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/ForV...rVisitors.aspx

The Free City Circle Tourist Tram (or trolley car for our US friends).

You need to get yourself in the CBD to catch this so you will need a public transport ticket (or Myki pass as we call them in Melbourne) to get there;

http://ptv.vic.gov.au/maps-stations-...ce-city-circle

http://ptv.vic.gov.au/route/view/1112

Hop-On Hop-Off tourist bus service (also free).

Visits attractions that may not or would require a change of tram;

http://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/get...stshuttle.aspx

http://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/Get...ttleRoute.aspx

Public Transport

Important Details of our public transport system ticketing – we have recently changed to a new touch on touch off card based ticket. From the end of December 2012 no paper tickets are issued and a card is compulsory. Unfortunately, the powers that be have, for the present been a bit short sighted when it comes to tourists and tourists as well need to buy a card. Important note: Tickets cannot be bought on board the tram/light rail service that runs from Station Pier cruise terminal into the city. If the ship or the cruise terminal tourist information centre does not sell them, then the Beacon Cove cafe/convenience store at the base of the pier (and just to the left of the light rail/tram terminal) does. There is also a tourist ticket that offers various discount entry to attractions however, to my knowledge this is only sold at the CBD*Southern Cross Station (which is useless if your standing on the pier). Any ticket purchased however, does give you unlimited use of all trams, buses and trains within Zone One or Two of the metropolitan service.

http://www.myki.com.au/About-myki/myki-visitor-pack

Tram/Route 109 is the one you use. Its the only route leaving Station Pier into the city and runs along Collins street (so when you return look for Collins st in the CBD. Trams heading back to the pier head towards Spencer st).

Public Transport map

http://ptv.vic.gov.au/maps-stations-...ropolitan-maps

Attractions

Shrine of Rememberance (remember to go down into the crypts and up to the lookout – good views back to city)

http://www.shrine.org.au/Home

National Gallery of Victoria & The Ian Potter Centre for Modern Art (the latter at Federation Square)

http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au

National Sports Museum (at the MCG).

http://www.nsm.org.au

Immigration Museum

http://museumvictoria.com.au/immigrationmuseum

Royal Botanic Gardens. These are near the Shrine of Remembrance as well.

http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au

Melbourne Zoo

http://www.zoo.org.au/melbourne

Queen Victoria Market (open Tuesdays, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday).

http://www.qvm.com.au

Melbournes Laneways & arcades

http://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/pla...ndArcades.aspx

The Block Arcade

http://www.theblockarcade.com.au

The National Trust of Victoria (property is in inner Melbourne and can be reached by public transport although some walking would be required – but no more than 10 minutes for either).

Ripponlea Estate – Built by the Sargood Family in the 19th century its one of the last remaining grand estate of the metro area with several acres of grounds. Tours of the house are guided.

http://www.ripponleaestate.com.au

Department stores – the 2 biggest are Myer Melbourne and David Jones. Both are in Bourke street in the city (there are also city stores of Target store and a Big W). Note that in Australia – our sales tax (called the GST) is included in all price tags already and IS NOT added as an extra at the check out.

http://www.myer.com.au/about-us_myer-melbourne.aspx

http://www.davidjones.com.au/store-l...ke-Street-Mall

Government House – grand 19th century palace style home of the Governor of Victoria (not the Governor in the US sense - your equivalent of a US Governor is called a Premier in Australia) – our Governor is the representative of HM Queen Elizabeth of Australia. Tours are only conducted on Monday and Thursday mornings via the National Trust. Contact them for details.

http://www.governor.vic.gov.au/government-house/tours

Parliament House of Victoria.

Tours are conducted on days when Parliament are not sitting – check the calender on the website for details;
http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/visit/public-tours

Old Treasury Building Museum.

(this is just down from Parliament House in the Parliamentary precinct along Spring street at the 'top' of the city). Treasury Gardens and the small JFK memorial are next door (by the lake) and adjoining Fitzroy Gardens (with Captain Cooks cottage). Has rotating exhibitions and focuses on the history of Melbourne itself.

http://www.oldtreasurybuilding.org.au

http://www.onlymelbourne.com.au/melb...ils.php?id=681

Old Melbourne Gaol.

Historic building and attraction. Where the infamous bushranger Ned Kelly was hung.

http://www.oldmelbournegaol.com.au

St Pauls Cathedral (Anglican)

http://www.stpaulscathedral.org.au

St Patricks Cathedral (Catholic)

http://www.cam.org.au/cathedral

Jewish Holocaust Museum

http://www.jhc.org.au/visit-the-centre.html


A pleasant ritual in Melbourne is Afternoon tea at one of our old historic hotels, The Windsor. Afternoon tea is a bit misleading as, although expensive, it is the equivalent of a late lunch or early dinner and includes finger sandwiches, cakes scones and cream. I have been there several times and there has never been an issue to ask for a top up of any sandwiches or cakes.

The Windsor Hotel is directly opposite the State Parliament and the Old Treasury Building Museum. Reservations are required.

http://www.thehotelwindsor.com.au/di...dbar_7-en.html

Other places for that treat in the CBD include;

Hopetoun Tea Rooms in The Block Arcade (see further above) -http://www.hopetountearooms.com.au

Koko Black - Chocolate salon and cafe - they have one in the Royal Arcade and also on Collins street (upper) - http://www.kokoblack.com/salon/royal-arcade
and http://www.kokoblack.com/salon/collins-street

Lindt Chocolate cafe in Collins street - http://www.lindt.com.au/swf/eng/cafe...ins-street-vic

Apologies for the length. As I said - I am sure I have left out stuff."

[dizzy1948]

Fantastic info - as you can see - we are Interstate the only thing I can't get my head round is the myko - but I'll get it in the end - perseverance. We have tag on and tag off here in Perth - so that bits easy - but the rest of your info and links has just been "copied and pasted" onto my trip list - thank you so much. It's all in one spot now - to decipher at leisure

[debsjc]

Originally Posted by kuldalai

To clarify things :

1. The Light Rail # 109 operates from Port Melbourne to the CITY as # 109 showing a destination of BOX HILL . It travels first to the boundary of the CBD in an old railway reserve. It joins the street network in Clarendon St, which then becomes Spencer St. Alight at corner of Spencer & Collins Sts for Southern Cross station. The tram then trurns right and goes right up the full length of Collins St. In order the cross streets are King, William, Queen, Elizabeth, (alight here for major stores in Bourke St parallel to Collins St, or take tram here in Elizabeth St for Victoria Market. ) Next is Swanston St alight here for Town Hall and Federation Square. Next Russell St, Exhibition St, and finally Spring St (Parliament House, Treasury Building, Treasury Gardens & Captain Cooks cottage.)

2. Returning from the CBD to the ship just take a # 109 tram in Collins Street showing a destination of # 109 PORT MELBOURNE.

Sorry to be a pain, just checking I have this right.

To take the tram #109 we should buy either a Myki visitor pack at $14 or a Myki 1 day card for zone 1 at $13 (this is for a Monday)?
Seems like for the extra $1 we may as well buy a visitor pack?

[blondietoo]

Originally Posted by room010

Central Business District, ie, downtown.

Thank you for deciphering for me

[Jacs]

Originally Posted by debsjc

Sorry to be a pain, just checking I have this right.

To take the tram #109 we should buy either a Myki visitor pack at $14 or a Myki 1 day card for zone 1 at $13 (this is for a Monday)?
Seems like for the extra $1 we may as well buy a visitor pack?

I have a feeling you can only buy the visitor pack at southern cross station, which is of no use to cruise tourists. The government hasn't thought past people coming to Melbourne outside of arriving by plane or train.

[6andy6]

Originally Posted by Jacs

I have a feeling you can only buy the visitor pack at southern cross station, which is of no use to cruise tourists. The government hasn't thought past people coming to Melbourne outside of arriving by plane or train.

You can(if you wanted to) I believe buy the visitor pack at the convenience store at the end of the pier ( I was in their once as a local and saw them selling them). However, the store is totally disorganized and run on an understaffed basis despite its location by the owner (what's new in this country) who have to look after the bottle shop, the mini supermarket and selling the tickets at the counter plus I think it's a Tatts agent.

[room010]

Visitor packs are also available from the Tourist Centre at Federation Square. Again, no earthly use to cruise passengers arriving at Station Pier. Much as I love Melbourne I have to say that this Myki mess and the complete lack of foresight and planning involved is just an embarrassment. The taxi drivers are happy though

[gone2c]

I agree that this whole ticket issue is really confusing for tourists. However, after purchasing flights between Houston TX and Sydney, staying 4 nights in the Rocks in Sydney and taking a back to back cruise on Rhapsody, I am not going to quibble on paying $28 for my husband and I to get to downtown and back.

[ACA Jester]

FYI, on our just-completed Cruise to Melbourne on Diamond Princess, we bought the Myki Visitor pack inside the Cruise Terminal at the Visitor's information desk before we exited.
The most confusing part for us was the free Shuttle bus that left from the Terminal and dropped off in front of the Victoria Arts Center. We weren't sure if we even needed the Myki card except for the one-way trip back to the Ship on the #109 Tram.

[debsjc]

So can you just but a ticket for the 109 tram, or do you have to buy the Myki?

[Jacs]

You'll have to buy a myki, There is no longer single ticket options since we swapped to this system in December.

[debsjc]

Originally Posted by Jacs

You'll have to buy a myki, There is no longer single ticket options since we swapped to this system in December.

Thanks for the info.

[debsjc]

I've printed out this useful leaflet on the Free Visitor Shuttle bus, and the free City Circle tram.

Could someone please advise if Federation Square is the close stop to the port?
Also, rather than buying Mykis just to get to the free shuttle, would anyone have an idea of the cost of a taxi please?

[dizzy1948]

Re the Myki - our hotel has advised they sell the tourist pack - so perhaps anyone staying over before or after the cruise should check with their hotel. It just so happens we are near the City circle tram line - so we should be good to go - as everything we want to see is nearby - or on that line.

[room010]

Originally Posted by debsjc

Could someone please advise if Federation Square is the close stop to the port?

No, that's the problem. It's about 5km away.

Your best bet is to buy a Myki card at the grocery store next to the tram stop at the cruise terminal - somewhat confusingly called Station Pier. You can then catch the 109 tram which takes you direct into the city centre. Plenty of info and maps available online so you can get your bearings before you get here.

[Valley Girl of VA]

Originally Posted by room010

As the crow flies its a distance of about 5km or a 15 minute tram. You can pick up the 109 service at Station Pier and the nearest stop to Fed Square is probably Town Hall, then a 5 min walk. Detailed maps and routes on Google.

In order to use any public transport in Melbourne (bus, train, tram) you need to purchase a Myki card at the grocery store next to the 109 station at the pier. It's a scan on/scan off system. You cannot purchase a ticket from the driver.

They were selling the cards at the cruise terminal earlier this month.

[debsjc]

On tram 109, could anyone tell me is the Town Hall (stop 6) the best one to pick up the free shuttle. Thanks

http://ptv.vic.gov.au/maps-stations-...trams/tram/722

[Fontana]

Oh! just found this thread, so will repost this article for reference, here too.

Just read this in our local newspaper and thought I would add here for reference, for those cruising through Melbourne.

Top spots: Melbourne's best rooftops
Enjoy the high life with sweeping views and bars that range from bohemian to old school
http://www.goodfood.com.au/good-food...318-2ga4e.html