Three Days Down Under

Originally posted by HighFlyer
The boat trips out to the reef from Port Douglas are quite long, about a two hour journey if memory serves. You can go there by helicopter, i used this company though there are countless others. I flew out on the heli (landing on a floating helipad was a hair raising experience) but had to catch the boat back as i was diving.

Its a fantastic experience to see the reef, but definitely more so if you enjoy snorkelling or diving. Low Isles would be fantastic, especially if you see the Green Turtles.

Thanks,
Sarah

Thanks for the recommendation, Sarah. There's a lot to choose from isn't there? Ideally we'd like to fly to the reef and back to limit the risk of jr. getting bored. We'd love to snorkel whilst we're there, but would have to take it turns, again, all thanks to our darling daughter. We could do the Low Isles as well, which would give us more of a 'family' day out.

Definitely recommend Puffing Billy for a nice day out. I went with my two young nephews and they simply loved it. We travelled in a lovely old First Class carriage with plump seats and had refreshments served at our table all the while gazing at the scenic Dandenong hills. Junior sure won't be disappointed.

Puffing Billy is located in Belgrave, about 30-40 mins drive east of Melbourne. You can also take a suburban train to get there but it's faster by car.

mdvipond jr. likes trains nearly as much as Pin Ginns.

You know, this may well be our honeymoon, but we do seem to be organising our itinerary around a certain someone else. I hope she appreciates this when choosing a suitable care home for us...

And not far from Puffing Billy is the William Rickets Sanctuary - as featured on Billy Connolly's 'world tour of Aus'..
It's a fascinating collection of unusual carvings in the middle of a forest.. hmm, quite difficult to describe actually... but I enjoyed it.

A few other things I should mention as well. Take a leisurely stroll along the Yarra River towards the Crown Casino complex at Southbank where you can find more places to eat, drink and shop. Here you can find lots of bars, cafes and restaurants within the complex. Don't miss the atrium inside where there's a kind of waterfall (raindrop?) show. Can't remember exactly what it is but it's quite interesting.

Also, if you have time, do check out the newly redeveloped Docklands area in Melbourne for more trendy bars and restaurants. Federation Square also has lots going on as well.

If you want to see panoramic views of the city then the observation deck at the Rialto Towers offers excellent views - at a price. However, there is a hotel which offers similar views for free but the name escapes me right now (I think it's either the Grand Hyatt or Sofitel).

The State Library of Victoria is worth a quick visit - it's quite impressive. Telsra Dome and MCG - both are boring, give them a miss.

What else? Can't think of anymore right now. Enjoy the delights of Melbourne!

The MCG isn't boring when then's a game on!!

MCG? Isn't that some sort of food additive?

McCoy, I quite fancy the 'Sanctuary' - remember seeing it years ago on the World Tour and thinking it looked delightfully kooky. Rather like me...

Strawb - again, thanks for all the tips and advice. Here's another one for ya - hotels; Windsor or Westin?

Yeah, it's quite odd - some pictures here:-
http://travel.webshots.com/album/36488077pnHGAA
Note the somewhat "adult"/scary theme... !

What a bizarre day that was - after Puffing Billy, walks in the Dandenongs, the Sanctuary.. we then stopped by Pinoak Court in the suburbs...

[Only the true fans will know the alter ego of Pinoak Court! ]

Well, I've only been in as far as the lobby at the Westin (and that was to apply for a job there several years ago - which I never got in the end) but location-wise you can't get much better than the Westin. It's literally a few hundred yards across from Flinders St station, Melbourne's main train station, and on the corner of Swanston and Collins. You've got trams literally on your doorstep as well as all the shops and restaurants.

I don't know much about the Windsor except that it's a few blocks around the corner on Spring St (which isn't that far away but there's not much on Spring St anyway).

I would be leaning towards the Westin for the ability to earn points/miles with SPG/Flying Club, and also for the better location. Bear in mind that the Westin does not have an executive lounge.

Ahh, Melbourne. I do miss it. I was here during the Commonwealth Games last year and the city was CRAZY I tell you! The Aussies sure do know how to party!

Originally posted by McCoy
What a bizarre day that was - after Puffing Billy, walks in the Dandenongs, the Sanctuary.. we then stopped by Pinoak Court in the suburbs...

[Only the true fans will know the alter ego of Pinoak Court! ]

It took me a little while, but then the stark, awful truth hit me - you're a Neighbours fan aren't you? A visit to Ramsay Street, eh? Think I could just about manage to miss that one out (unless there's a chance I'll bump into Harold, of course...).

Strawb - Westin looks good (if a bit corporate for my tastes) and the location seems excellent. Question is, should I be staying anywhere that had the audacity to turn you down for a job?

Originally posted by mdvipond
Question is, should I be staying anywhere that had the audacity to turn you down for a job?

Oh don't worry about that! I only wanted a casual job for a few months but they didn't have any. At least they wrote back to tell me. So it's fine.

I wasn't going to admit it but, yes, I have been to Pin Oak Court - didn't see much except for a couple of famous houses and definitely no famous faces. And no, I didn't go with the tour bus - couldn't possibly do that!

Have a great holiday in Australia!

Originally posted by McCoy


[Only the true fans will know the alter ego of Pinoak Court! ]

Yep, I dragged my poor husband down there one afternoon during our holiday, he was not impressed. There was no fliming going on, so I made him sit there in the car while I reeled off who lived in which house

Sorry been up in Brisbane for a few days with no t'internet access and had a busy weekend.

Just a few observations from other posts -

no AFL footy on at MCG in December the season finished two weeks ago

the Eureka Tower, Southbank, also has an observation deck but on th 88th floor rather than Rialto's 55th

never been to Pinoak Court - but my mum was disappointed we didn't go when I let on we drove nearby, there is a pub ou can go to with a neighbours night once a week and some of the cast have been known to turn up, if you are interested I can find out its name

Dandenongs - very nice but it a long way to come to see hills, although the view of the city is quite spectactular on a clear day. But if you go to Puffing Billy, not done yet, but peolple say its great fun

Great Ocean Road - not recommended if you are only here for a couple of days as it needs a good two days to experience it all

can't help with the hotels as I haven't stayed in any, although out of state colleagues say the Softel and Lindrum are OK, they are very close to the office so that maybe a factor, the Sofitel has a bar on a high floor with alledgedly very good views of the city. Also the Langham is well sited on the river close to everything.

Phillip Island penguins are worth a look its about a 2 hour drive from the city and the penguins only come out of the sea at dusk which in Decemeber will be around 2100-2130 something to bear in mind for junior. Also they are Fairy Penguins and as such are only 10" high. Cute but small. There is also a koala sanctuary on the island - if you haven't seen any by then.

Check DJs excess baggage charges I think they are quite reasonable from memory the fees quoted are the total not per kg.

Don't forget Cairns to Mel is around 3 hour flight and Mel-Syd is 1h15m

I am not trying to put you off just be realistic aboutthe distances involved. Typical cab Mel airport to city is around $50.

If you have any specific questions or if I can look into anything for you feel free to pm me.

Thanks Rob. I've been reading about Eureka Tower in Rough Guides - we have a penchant for going up tall things on our travels, (World Trade, Empire State, Rockefeller, Sears etc.) so this will have to be one to add to the list.

How far out is it to the Dandenongs? Is it hard to get out there without a car?

As for the penguins, we were thinking of saving time by doing the Penguin Cruise out of Melbourne. Know anything about it? We're also thinking of doing a wine tour, although to be fair we're probably trying to pack far too much into 2 days and may well be better off dawdling round the city and chilling a wee bit.

Thanks again for your help.

Originally posted by mdvipond

How far out is it to the Dandenongs? Is it hard to get out there without a car?

The national park is not far at all, about 25 miles east of Melbourne, extending southeast, less than an hour's drive from the city. As I mentioned earlier, you can take the train to Belgrave but a car is definitely advisable as you won't see much when you get there without one - the area is hilly and mainly forest woodland. We drove to the top and had a walkaround, just taking in the great views, and then stopped off on the way back at a few places with cosy teashops, antique and bric-a-brac shops and restaurants as well.

So yes, to get the best of the Dandenongs hire a car and bring along a nice picnic.

P.S. Just don't drive to Dandenong itself, which is a busy suburban town about 20 miles southeast of Melbourne! There's not much to see there!

Hire car it is then - though I'm not too sure about sharing the road with all those trams...

I don't think you've got anything to be worried about, driving in Melbourne's CBD isn't too bad. But then again the CBD isn't very large.

Just a bit of advice; there are a few intersections where if you want to turn right then you have to move to the left lane to do a "hook" turn. I found this quite an easy manoeuvre, you can't miss the signposts. Cars and trams have separate lanes so you don't have to share with each other. Just exercise caution when you approach a tram on your right - and watch for pedestrians emerging between stationary trams.

CityLink is the toll road scheme for certain sections of roads linking Melbourne and the airport as well as south of the CBD. This isn't necessary for your trip to the Dandenongs though.

Finally, Melway is the excellent Melbourne street directory which should come with your hire car.

Not done the penguin cruise - although I understand it is done in Port Phillip bay. There are penguins in the bay but not as many as Phillip Island.

The hook turns Straberry Muppet is on about happen whenever travelling parralel to a tram line and you intend to turn right across the tram line. Once you have done a couple they are straight forward but one thing to note you can only make the turn when the lights turn red irrespective of the traffic conditions. They do terrify some people though.

Wine tour would be good - I have spent a few saturday afternoons touring the Yarra Valley - although I have always been the driver. The reward being I get bought a bottle or two to have later.[y]
My favourite has be Chandon - as I like their bubbles the best (gone off French champagne now). Although there are numerous vineyards. You can get private tours that will pick you up, take you where you want and bring you back again.

The Dandenongs, Belgrave area for Puffing Billy, takes about 45mins to drive from the city, via the Freeway, bit longer on normal roads.

Otherwise just chill out around the city. Hopefully it won't be too hot when you are here - last december while my folks were visiting they were treated to the Melbourne changeability ranging from 42 to 14 daytime highs, over 3 weeks.

Just found this in todays Age

Originally posted by Strawberry Muppet
Cars and trams have separate lanes so you don't have to share with each other.

In theory yes. However our sat nav system had other ideas and directed us into a tram lane. Scarey as hell to see a big tram in your rear view morror flashing it's lights at you[:0]!! (Glad the hire car had a big sticker in the rear windscreen which screamed TOURISTS).Admittedly it happened on our drive from the airport to the city on arrival and we got the gist of things after that (even the strange hook turns)[y].
Driving is fine in the city (we stayed on Southbank just opposite Eureka) but the one way system can make things a bit awkward.If you have the option of hiring sat nav (or have your own to take on your travels)I'd recommend doing so.

The connundrum of when you can and when you shouldn't drive in a tram lane is one of lifes little mysteries. And don't worry even the locals haven't fully grasped how they operate - and that includes the tram drivers[}:)].

I live in Southbank - lucky me - and btw its a pleasant 25degs this evening so a drink by the river on the way home is in order methinks.

Cheers

Thanks for link Rob. So much to do it 2 days...

The whole tram thing reminds me of Amsterdam. Not that I've ever driven over there - but it's bad enough just as a pedestrian.

Best plan is to get the-now Mrs. mdvipond to do the driving. She never reads any of the guidebooks and seldom looks on here, so she'll be in blissful ingnorance of all the fun to be had with trams, one-way systems etc. Serves her right for making me do all the planning, I say... [}:)]