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For thos who live in Melbourne


SAman4Aus

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I am coming to check Melbourne out in April as a possible city to settle in now that I got my PR.

Ive booked at a hotel called Travelodge Southbank.

Can one walk to pubs from there (not nightclubs were in our 40s :whome: ) and shopping areas? Can one walk to the CBD?

I need to decide on living in Melbourne (bad weather) or Sydney(expensive and trafic).......very tough as both have there + and -

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It's the perfect place to stay for easy access to the Southbank and Crowne Plaza, just difficult to find the right road, so make sure you have a good map / GPS, if you will have a car. I can't remember exactly, but I think the lift for the undercover parking that Travelodge uses takes you right to the Southbank area where there are shops and coffee shops and a view of the river. We were told parking there is normally about $40 a day, but it's much cheaper if you stay at the Travelodge. I didn't see much the night we stayed there, as it was late and children needed to go to bed, but I've seen some great photos of the area. I think the aquarium is close by. If you plan to use trams, then keep in mind you need change for the machine when you get onto the tram. Hope you enjoy your stay! :)

(Edited: typo)

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Yep, I stayed there last year for a work function - nice hotel, pretty modern and comfortable. It's really close to the Crown Complex (bars, shopping, restaurants, casino, etc) and close to the South Bank (duh) where there are plenty of the same.

The CBD is about a 15 minute stroll over the bridge.

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Southbank is an excellent location from which to explore and enjoy Melbourne.

You are close to everything - restaurants (along the entire south bank of the Yarra river as well as northbank on the eastern side of St Kilda Road), galleries, laneways, the Botanical Gardens, Domain, Arts Centre, Federation Square, the CBD (just across the river), etc. BTW - you can just cross Queensbridge to get to the CBD via walking underneath Flinders Station or take the trams that travel over St Kilda Road. See Southbank

(Be sure to check out Sandridge Bridge too - it has plaques up of all the immigrant nations that have been linked to Melbourne).

If I can give you a tip, get an Insight Guide travel guide (at Exclusive Books) about Melbourne specifically. There is so much to see and do in this marvellous place and it's easy to miss a big chunk of it if you don't know where to look. Bear in mind that there are several shopping precincts in Melbourne - they are not all concentrated in one area or all only in the CBD (even if the CBD itself has some amazing shopping/laneway/restaurant precincts to start with). Some of the inner-city suburbs have incredible shopping strips (these are not malls, but streetscapes where little restaurants and shops are combined in a village-type shopping/lifestyle area.)

...And don't believe all you read about the weather. Melbourne's winter is cold (like Cape Town's) but bearable for sure, especially if you're someone who gets out and about and take part in what the city offers. Melbourne is stunning with greenery in winter. However, if you're someone who does not like exploring or stays home all day, then Melbourne winter will probably get to you (as it would in any other city). With the exception of one or two really HOT days, Melbourne's summer is heavenly. It reminds me of summer in Hermanus... magic.

With regard to trams/trains, you can buy metcards at any newsagent or 7/11. Then you just validate on trams. Saves you time and money. Metcards cover travel on all public transport (trams and trains within specified zone). For your purposes, best ticket to get is probably the 10 x 2 hour Zone 1, or the daily Zone 1 or the weekly Zone 1. Just Google 'Melbourne public transport' and all the options will be there. Melbourne public transport is changing over to Myki slowly but steadily, but in essence it all works the same (metcards are prepaid paper/cardboard cards, where as myki cards are prepaid plastic cards - both will be in operation in the time you're here).

Have a great Australian trip and good luck with your decision(s)!

<edited for typo and to add myki link>

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Thanks guys, I look forward to seeing Melbourne in 2 weeks time.

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Okay, so Ive decided on the Travelodge on the Southbank.

1. Kangaroo mentioned in a previous response that I can get a metcard for Zone 1. I though the trams are for free?

2. Are there trams from the Southbank as well or are they only in the CBD ring?

3. What does Zone 1 area cover? Can I hope on a bus in Southbank with a zone 1 card and go to the Vic market and CBD(if Im lazy to walk)

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HI

Go to the information center on Federation Square when you get here and they will help you with everything and you ll get really good brochures about Melbourne. I recommend the Great ocean road to see some more of Melbourne and tell them how long you are going to stay here and then ask for the best ticket to travel around in the city. Melbourne is great and your wife will love the shopping. Go down Smith Street in Collingwood for the best shopping in town.

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Okay, so Ive decided on the Travelodge on the Southbank.

1. Kangaroo mentioned in a previous response that I can get a metcard for Zone 1. I though the trams are for free?

2. Are there trams from the Southbank as well or are they only in the CBD ring?

3. What does Zone 1 area cover? Can I hope on a bus in Southbank with a zone 1 card and go to the Vic market and CBD(if Im lazy to walk)

1) Only the City Circle tram is free. Check out: http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/maps-st...ce-city-circle/ for timing and route

2) Check out the tram routes here: http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/maps-st...ropolitan-maps/

3) Check out the zones here: http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/maps-st...ropolitan-maps/

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HeHe, i've benn in Melbourne for 2 weeks and the weather has been just like Jhb...so right now i'm wondering what people are on about with the 'awful Melbourne weather'.

I'll check back in after winter though as it may then be another story all together!

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