Travel: Australia - Melbourne

[micollh]

MadScientist:

You are most welcomed!

Anything particular info you need?
DW is going to Melbourne soon, and I can ask her to get some info back if convenient...

how to make phone call using our spore phone in Mel ? i need to call the person in apartment (if required)..

and do u thk she can help me to check if there is any day trip to mt. buller (i thk at the airport can get those day tour ?) heee.., if not too troublesome, pleasee.. else is ok, as we plan to go up mt buller for some snow play..

Thanks so much MadScientist !!!!

[MadScientist]

micollh:

MadScientist:

You are most welcomed!

Anything particular info you need?
DW is going to Melbourne soon, and I can ask her to get some info back if convenient...

how to make phone call using our spore phone in Mel ? i need to call the person in apartment (if required)..

and do u thk she can help me to check if there is any day trip to mt. buller (i thk at the airport can get those day tour ?) heee.., if not too troublesome, pleasee.. else is ok, as we plan to go up mt buller for some snow play..

Thanks so much MadScientist !!!!

Your SGphone should be on autoroam. Just select automatic network selection and it should hook up. Then call the number you need, as if you are calling from SG. Clearly, charges apply... A bit higher with the non subscribed autoroam.

Yup, will update you if we know anything... Never been to mount buller... Might be a sit we can consider next time we are there...

[micollh]

MadScientist:

Your SGphone should be on autoroam. Just select automatic network selection and it should hook up. Then call the number you need, as if you are calling from SG. Clearly, charges apply... A bit higher with the non subscribed autoroam.

Yup, will update you if we know anything... Never been to mount buller... Might be a sit we can consider next time we are there...

the no given to me is +61 (0) xxxxxxxxx , so i just dial all the numbers after switching to automatic network right? worried later cant get the call out then stuck.. haaa.. is there any public phone conveniently available in airport ? stupid q right?

[MadScientist]

micollh:

MadScientist:

Your SGphone should be on autoroam. Just select automatic network selection and it should hook up. Then call the number you need, as if you are calling from SG. Clearly, charges apply... A bit higher with the non subscribed autoroam.

Yup, will update you if we know anything... Never been to mount buller... Might be a sit we can consider next time we are there...

the no given to me is +61 (0) xxxxxxxxx , so i just dial all the numbers after switching to automatic network right? worried later cant get the call out then stuck.. haaa.. is there any public phone conveniently available in airport ? stupid q right?

Sounds cliche but there really never is a stupid question.

If I remember correctly, once you are on Oz network, call direct as that number... If cannot, then delete off the (0) and call again.

If really cannot. Seek assistance to use phone from the airport counters. People there tend to be helpful. And yes, definitely have public phones at the airport.

I confirm again in a few weeks time, after my DW returns.

[tinkertinker10]

Joined a tour to Gold coast then to Melbourne for couple of days and rented a car to extend stay. Easy to drive around with GPS and to find food. If you are staying in the CBD area, it is best to take the train ard, they have some trains on some days FOC for the tourists. Good experience for kids to visit the Chocolate factory and the penguins in Philip island and also taking real trains at Puffing Billy. Stuck at Victoria market for shopping and set off late to the mornington on a Thursday and was trapped at bad jam for a couple of hours so hv to turn back and missed mornington so best to set off early for it. Recently the TV program showed tour to mornington, featuring hot spring & wine appreciation and field maze there . Great ocean road is a must go if you like sceanic view, to and fro took whole day and we return to the city ard 11pm! OPtion optional tour to the GOR, Philip island will cost AUD100+per pax so best to rent a car to DIY if you are going in a group. Overall experience was good:)

[MadScientist]

micollh:

Thanks MadScientist, my trip will be in end May..still have plenty of time to plan..thanks for all the tips !!

Micollh,

Materials arrived!

[micollh]

MadScientist:

micollh:

Thanks MadScientist, my trip will be in end May..still have plenty of time to plan..thanks for all the tips !!

Micollh,

Materials arrived!

What's the updates from DW ? heee.. last week AUD $ xchange rate was good.. 1.29 !! wowoowow

[aurorin]

micollh:

MadScientist:

Your SGphone should be on autoroam. Just select automatic network selection and it should hook up. Then call the number you need, as if you are calling from SG. Clearly, charges apply... A bit higher with the non subscribed autoroam.

Yup, will update you if we know anything... Never been to mount buller... Might be a sit we can consider next time we are there...

the no given to me is +61 (0) xxxxxxxxx , so i just dial all the numbers after switching to automatic network right? worried later cant get the call out then stuck.. haaa.. is there any public phone conveniently available in airport ? stupid q right?

Hi,

In Melb, the area code for landline is 03 and mobiles are 04. If using SG phone, just call using +country code/area code/number (e.g. +61 3 9777 7777). If you are on local network, it is possible to deal direct (e.g. 03 9777 7777 or 0477 777 777) but using the +613??????? or +614??????? wouldnt go wrong.

I read that your trip will be end May. Please come with warm clothings, esp for the kids and if you are driving out to the great ocean road, philip island, puffing billy etc. The first two are coastal (wind coming up from the sound is freezing) and 3rd is on higher grounds. We are experience lotsa rain for the moment and it gets dark by around 6pm. On a freak weekend, there was even some snow up the mountains but that is rare (melted soon after) and got some hail too.. So, be prepared for tempremental weather. Otherwise, there are some really good days with clear blue skies, crisp air and natural 'air-con' as you go about your day.

Within the city, do check out Melbourne Museum for the kids and have a walk around carlton gardens just infront/behind the museum. There is a nice playground just behind the Museum too. A short walk away is Lygon St for nice italian and greek food. Be sure to check out Brunetti along there for their great cakes (closes at 7pm), there is also one along swanston st in the city which closes later at 10pm. If you miss or need more familiar fare, killiney kopitiam just opened on Lygon st, a Papparich in QV building (swanston st) and of cos, chinatown.

Queen Victoria mkt is closed on Mon and Weds. Take note of the varied closing time during the other days (somedays 2pm, 3pm or 4.30pm). There is a free city shuttle bus that stops along all the melb city attractions like the museum, vic mkt, st kilda, federation sq (very pretty at night too). Main tourist information centre is right smack at the corner of Flinder st next to fed sq if you need to go get more info or sign up for various day tours, if you havent already sign up for any at the airport. Try bunyip cos their tours are more personalized cos the group is small.

There is also a free city circle tram (red/brown in colour, you cant miss it) that travels in a loop around the city. It helps that the whole CBD is in a nice little rectangle grid so you dont get lost easily. The tram goes down to docklands/harbourtown where there are eating places and DFOs for shopping. Be sure to check out pumpkin patches/cotton on for kids.

If need more info, just ask. I get the monthly free melb child magazine and they have a listing of things to do for kids about town so if you need any more ideas i can look at it.... but i reckon you will be have quite a full on itinerary before landing.. Have fun when you are in Melb.

Cheers!

[micollh]

aurorin:

Hi,

In Melb, the area code for landline is 03 and mobiles are 04. If using SG phone, just call using +country code/area code/number (e.g. +61 3 9777 7777). If you are on local network, it is possible to deal direct (e.g. 03 9777 7777 or 0477 777 777) but using the +613??????? or +614??????? wouldnt go wrong.

I read that your trip will be end May. Please come with warm clothings, esp for the kids and if you are driving out to the great ocean road, philip island, puffing billy etc. The first two are coastal (wind coming up from the sound is freezing) and 3rd is on higher grounds. We are experience lotsa rain for the moment and it gets dark by around 6pm. On a freak weekend, there was even some snow up the mountains but that is rare (melted soon after) and got some hail too.. So, be prepared for tempremental weather. Otherwise, there are some really good days with clear blue skies, crisp air and natural 'air-con' as you go about your day.

Within the city, do check out Melbourne Museum for the kids and have a walk around carlton gardens just infront/behind the museum. There is a nice playground just behind the Museum too. A short walk away is Lygon St for nice italian and greek food. Be sure to check out Brunetti along there for their great cakes (closes at 7pm), there is also one along swanston st in the city which closes later at 10pm. If you miss or need more familiar fare, killiney kopitiam just opened on Lygon st, a Papparich in QV building (swanston st) and of cos, chinatown.

Queen Victoria mkt is closed on Mon and Weds. Take note of the varied closing time during the other days (somedays 2pm, 3pm or 4.30pm). There is a free city shuttle bus that stops along all the melb city attractions like the museum, vic mkt, st kilda, federation sq (very pretty at night too). Main tourist information centre is right smack at the corner of Flinder st next to fed sq if you need to go get more info or sign up for various day tours, if you havent already sign up for any at the airport. Try bunyip cos their tours are more personalized cos the group is small.

There is also a free city circle tram (red/brown in colour, you cant miss it) that travels in a loop around the city. It helps that the whole CBD is in a nice little rectangle grid so you dont get lost easily. The tram goes down to docklands/harbourtown where there are eating places and DFOs for shopping. Be sure to check out pumpkin patches/cotton on for kids.

If need more info, just ask. I get the monthly free melb child magazine and they have a listing of things to do for kids about town so if you need any more ideas i can look at it.... but i reckon you will be have quite a full on itinerary before landing.. Have fun when you are in Melb.

Cheers!

Thanks soo much for sharing these info.. it'll definitely be useful !! I may give the museum a miss as my kids are 4+ and 2+ wont be interested yet ? thinking to visit the aquarium, good ?

[aurorin]

The aquarium is nice.. though sydney's better. But kids will like it anyway. Surprisingly, the melbourne museum isnt just targetted for the older kids and adults. My DD loved it from the age of 2.. the dinosaur bones and animal exhibits are really cool and there's a two play areas (on each side of the museum), indoor garden and a children's gallery with activities as well.


For 4 and 2, you might also wanna try the zoo. Melbourne zoo is in the city but Werribee Zoo, 1/2 hr drive in the west has a african theme and safari bus which takes you into the big enclosure to see the zebras, giraffes etc. Might be cool for the kids and adults.

Oh, if you go shopping at DFO at docklands, there is a indoor playground called monkey mania where you can deposit the kids (charges apply) and your hubby if u want some peaceful shopping time. *chuckles*