Travel: Australia - Melbourne

[micollh]

bebebub:

I had that once. Out of 4 applications, 1 was withheld. Wait a day or 2, and the approval came through. Depending on the website you use, you can contact them for assistance.

Go down High Comm also no use. They dun entertain walk-in tourist visa applicants these days.

they emailed to say ETA grant. that's it.. waste time .. waste leave.. but glad it's done. so troublesome.. they din even say why it was not successful. so not transparent.

[bebebub]

micollh:

bebebub:

I had that once. Out of 4 applications, 1 was withheld. Wait a day or 2, and the approval came through. Depending on the website you use, you can contact them for assistance.

Go down High Comm also no use. They dun entertain walk-in tourist visa applicants these days.

they emailed to say ETA grant. that's it.. waste time .. waste leave.. but glad it's done. so troublesome.. they din even say why it was not successful. so not transparent.

Chill, dun be upset.
Yes, no explanation. I think immigration dept generally dun give reasons, including Singapore. Most times the application will come thru, if u dun see any real reasons to be rejected. Just random lah.
Melbourne is a great place for family holidays. Hv fun!

[micollh]

thanks bebebub… im going going going soon !!!

[micollh]

any tips on taking cab in Mel ? go by meter ?

[aurorin]

micollh:

any tips on taking cab in Mel ? go by meter ?

Cabs are notoriously expensive here. It goes by meter (but may have dodgy ones at the airport that offer 'fixed' rate but dont go for those) and a trip from airport to the city can cost up to A$60+..

Take airport shuttle, tram or train (in and around city).. it is convenient and cheaper.

From airport to city, there is the airport bus shuttle from outside the international terminal (red bus - abt ~$17.5 per person one way, children free i think, google 'Skybus') to southern cross train station in the city, which then offers a free bus transfer to any hotel in the city. Alternatively, there are pte bus transfer direct to hotel (~A$28 two ways - google \"Starbus\" but i think also got other companies).

Rent a car for travelling outside of city. I usually do my rentals when i need from East Coast car rental, which is abit cheaper than Hertz etc, and its located in the city. A small car per day will be less than $50 a day (cheaper than taking cabs) unless if you have some membership etc from Hertz, then maybe cheaper with them.. Just make sure you go google/youtube on how to do \"Right Hook Turn\" which is unique to Melb city, cos of the tram lines. New drivers will be abit confused by the signs and how to do.. plus traffic in city is abit busy so better go do homework abt it first before driving in and out of the city.

Cheers!

[kooky83]

Yea, I think it will be good if you know how to drive in melbourne. Definitely much cheaper to rent a car and drive your family around to different attractions. Find a good hotel with convenient location so you can drive to the places easily.


Some places i recommend to go with your family.
Sovereign Hill
Australian Shark and Ray Centre
Collingwood Children's Farm
Scienceworks
Melbourne Aquarium
Werribee Open Range Zoo

[Blessed Homemaker]

My kids love Werribee Zoo, Puffing Billy and penguin watching @ Phillip Island. They were 2 & 4 then.

[micollh]

back. had a wonderful trip there… weather was superbly good… only rain half day during our 1 week stay there… we took the airport transfer provided by jet bus… only AUD15 per adult for return. service is good !..nothing much to complaint abt melbourne… love the weather to bits…went philip island day trip including koala watching on tree, churchill island visited the farm with sheep shearing, etc (but only 45 minutes there), penguin parade of course… and then puffing billy train… kids love it… Queen victoria market, night stroll besides yarra river, shopping at harbourfront, south wharf (DFO)…tried paparich at QV… not muc time for zoo/museum though… ask kids they said ok to miss… haaaa… we took the city bus (free) to go one round of the whole 13/14 stops… and tried 1 stop on their city tram and also we tool their yarra train from crown to Lonsdale… tried all… with kids in tow… amazing right ? Australian are very friendly… keep asking "u need a hand" all help up… cos we are with a pram… my 2 yo just sit inside be himself "cutey cutey" haaaa… my girl enjoys more though she is happy throughout…great trip !


ok… planning for my next… haaa… not so soon … still haven finish unpack no more maid liao…

[MadScientist]

micollh:

back. had a wonderful trip there.. weather was superbly good.. only rain half day during our 1 week stay there.. we took the airport transfer provided by jet bus.. only AUD15 per adult for return. service is good !..nothing much to complaint abt melbourne.. love the weather to bits..went philip island day trip including koala watching on tree, churchill island visited the farm with sheep shearing, etc (but only 45 minutes there), penguin parade of course.. and then puffing billy train.. kids love it.. Queen victoria market, night stroll besides yarra river, shopping at harbourfront, south wharf (DFO)..tried paparich at QV.. not muc time for zoo/museum though.. ask kids they said ok to miss.. haaaa.. we took the city bus (free) to go one round of the whole 13/14 stops.. and tried 1 stop on their city tram and also we tool their yarra train from crown to Lonsdale.. tried all.. with kids in tow.. amazing right ? Australian are very friendly.. keep asking \"u need a hand\" all help up.. cos we are with a pram.. my 2 yo just sit inside be himself \"cutey cutey\" haaaa.. my girl enjoys more though she is happy throughout..great trip !


ok.. planning for my next.. haaa.. not so soon .. still haven finish unpack no more maid liao..

Oops! I was out in action for that long?
my apologies...
Anyways, am very glad that you had a great time there with the family!

[micollh]

Thanks MadScientist… it’s not hard to explore in Mel…will definitely revisit this place !