janev

We are coming into Melbourne by ship, arriving at Outer West Station Pier. We're then thinking to go into Melbourne - taking the tram (109 - is the place to get on really near the pier??). Once in the Centre of Melbourne we are thinking of doing the Golden Mile Walk (this starts I think at Federation Sq and ends at the Royal Exhibition Building). Can you please tell us where to get off the 109 tram to be nearest to get to Federation Sq ? At the end of the walk I'd really like to go to St Kilda's market. How easy will it be to get there from the end of the walk and then from ST Kilda's back to Outer West Station Pier??

Do you think this sounds like a good day to see lots of things in Melbourne?

Can we easily buy tickets for the tram - so we need exact fares ready?

Are shops generally open in the Centre of Melbourne on a Sunday?

Any thoughts/ideas would be much appreciated.

vbca

Sorry, can't help with specifics as it is years since I have been to Melbourne. However, the trams are a great way to get around, and the drivers are really helpfull. I'm sure they will tell you where to get off etc. We were standing on the stop, undecided what to do, or where to go, and the driver got off the tram and said, "You look lost, can I help you?". Of course we accepted, got a ticket to the end of the line and back. Took an hour or so, and was a great way to look around at least part of the city. Of course we still don't know where we went, but it was great.
If you get a chance, visit the Museum, and if you want a great meal, Fanny's, on Lonsdale Street, is great.
"Melbournians have always taken pleasure in dining out. While there are world-class restaurants such as Stephanie's (405 Tooronga Road, Hawthorn; 20 8944), and Fanny's (243 Londsdale Street, the City; 663 3017), the joy of eating out in Melbourne is the enormous range and styles of cooking. Dinner at Stephanie's is fixed at $45 a person, plus about $16 for a bottle of wine. A meal for two with wine at Fanny's can cost $100."
Last ate there about 10 years ago, It is still the standard by which we judge other restaurants.
Pity you have such a short time. Melbourne is a lovely city.

Bokhara2

vbca, Fanny's, Stephanies, Miettas - they were indeed wonderful restaurants. However, they've all been gone for many years, sadly.
You were fortunate to experience them.

vbca

Dam! That's another dream shattered. I first went to Fanny's in about 1966. We ate in the Garabaldi Room, and had a bottle of Sauterne (we were both young, and this was realy sophisticated). Eaten there every time I have been in Melbourne, and although not up up the first experience, the food was always fantastic.
I'm away to sulk in a corner now

JohnFitz

I am a Melbournian and will try and answer your questions .

First what day of the week are you intending to arrive ? You ask if shops are open on a Sunday so I assume that is the day ?

That is important because the St Kilda Market on the foreshore is only open on a Sunday and is usually winding down by about 4pm .

From the Exhibition Buildings the tram that takes you direct to St Kilda is at the corner of Swanston and Victoria Streets .That is about a 2 block walk ( 5 minutes ) from the corner of Rathdowne and Victoria Streets , which is the western corner of the heritage Exhibition gardens.

That tram goes past Fed Square and all the way along the beautiful St Kilda Road which is a wide tree lined boulevard and then turns into Fitzroy Street St Kilda and runs down to the beach and the market and pier etc .Takes about 30 to 40 minutes . This is usually operated by one of the famous W Class green heritage trams .

The use of public transport by the light rail ( route 109 ) depends on what day of the week imo .

On weekends reduced services operate on all routes and so delays increase. If weekdays and in the early morning or around 5pm they can be very crowded .

The light rail station is reasonably close by the dock . There are shops and cafes all around that part of Port Melbourne .Once it was a lonely spot but not now.It is one of the most fashionable residential addresses in Melbourne.

best to look at www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au which has the full range of transport timetables and you can do a route search . Most city bound trams go near or past Fed Square .

Look at www.thatsmelbourne.com.au . It is an excellent web site full of information .

Shops are open on a Sunday .They are open in St Kilda along Acland and Fitzroy streets also .

Lots of eating options .Ask if you want to know more .

Hope that has helped a little

marg

You may also want to visit the Queen Victoria market which is reasonably close to the Exhibition Building. The market is great for clothes, souvenirs, food and people watching. Last time we went past the Exhbition Building, it was closed but a glass inner door allowed us to glimse the interior - if you want to see more than that, you may need to see if you can get admittance.
Federation Square is just across St Kilda Road from Southbank (on the bank of the Yarra - lots of eating places from the cheap to the expensive) and the National Gallery of Victoria which has a terrific collection. The Ian Potter Gallery at Fed Square has a collection of Australian paintings and artworks whereas the National Gallery is an international collection.
Hope you have a great day in Melbourne and come back one day to spend more time with us.

janev

Thanks for all of your replies.

JohnFitz - yes we shall be there on Sunday. I did try to do MetlinkMelbourne but found it difficult to put places from and to - I know that sounds silly but I obviously didn't know what the places should be called. If you don't mind what place should I input from Outer West Station Pier (ie. what do I call this "get on&quot Federation Sq I manages to input as a landmark (initially I put it as a road!!). Then is it Rathdowne St to where at St Kilda for the market??
Can I come back from St Kilda and get back onto the 109 tram or must I go back into the city to change?

Sorry for so many precise questions!It would be nice to be less precise, but we have such limited time!

Thanks for the tip that St Kilda market closes at 4pm ish and limited transport service at weekend - good to know and marg I'll check out that other market.

Do you think the Golden Mile Walk is an interesting heritage walk? - it looks so to me.

Thanks for all of your help so far, its very much appreciated.

DownUnder

The Queen Vic Market is the only market in Melbourne worth considering. It is huge and one of the best in the world. St. Kilda ( a collection of second rate stalls) just does not compare. http://www.qvm.com.au/home.php
Catch the tram from Station Pier, it leaves from within sight of the ship, take it to town do your tourist walk and then continue to Queen Vic Market, almost within sight and no more than 5 minutes from the Exhibition Building. Don't waste your valuable time at St.Kilda. Definitely not one of Melbourne's better suburbs.
The city circle tram takes you to all of the major tourist attractions in the CBD. http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/route/view/1112 Sunday is one of Melbourne's busiest shopping days with everything open.

puttakka

BKmk - spending a Sunday in Melborune in Nov, then driving off the next day

SkaiSW

I went to Melbourne for one day too. I met a terrific guide who for a very reasonable price can take you on a customized tour. Just tell her what your interests are. The link is below

http://www.walkingmelbournetours.com...rs_Contact.htm

Her email is
[email protected]

You might ask for a tour first and then spend time doing something you saw on your tour. I also recommend the Ian Potter museum.

marg

There is a free city circle tram which does a loop around the CBD and Docklands. This passes Federation Square, Exhibition Buildings and goes very close to the Queen Vic market. The City Circle trams are vintage trams and look quite different from the everyday ones and are signed clearly. There is usually a taped commentary. Once you get into the city you could use this, or as an alternative, see if you can get an all day ticket.
Incidentally tickets are sold by machine on the tram - the drivers won't sell you a ticket. I don't think they take notes so you may need to be prepared with lots of dollar and two dollar coins. They will give change but not from notes. You also need to validate your ticket as you get on the tram. I hardly ever use the trams so usually some kind person will help me sort out what I am trying to do - as they will with you.

shandy

Queen Victoria market is an institution and always worth a visit. However, as you have such limited time I would suggest the Arts Centre Market which operates on a Sunday in the City itself in the Soutbank/Arts Centre precinct - only a couple of minutes walk from Federation Square/Flinders Street Station. If you want some good quality souvenirs this (and the St Kilda one if you are still interested)is where to go as they specialise in handcrafted goods only. The Vic Market whilst lots of fun also has a lot of trashy stuff at it.

Incidentally there is also a free hop on hop off tourist bus which will shuttle you around most of the major sites. Both Fed Square and the Royal Exhibiition Buildings are on the route so you could walk one way and then use the bus to come back stopping off at other sights. See http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/info...08&pg=2701

In regards to the 109 tram, you will need to get off at the Cnr of Collins and Swanston Streets which is stop no. 6. It may be announced as the stop for the Melbourne Town Hall. It is then just a one block walk down Swanston Street to Federation Square.

janev

Thanks for all the replies with really useful information.
Shandy - yes I do like crafts, and thats why I'd looked at St Kilda's. The Vic sounds interesting (I can see from their web site that they sell a whole range of things),but I'll also check the Arts Centre Market info more. Again thanks for precise tram info from 109.
SkySW - the walking tour with a guide looks good and I have also read good things about goodwill guides (we have had such a guide in Japan and that worked well) - but really I think we'd prefer to wander at our own pace, its always slightly different when you are with someone else, but there are pros and cons of course.

JohnFitz

janev I am sorry that I am sorry that I am unable to be more precise but I rarely use public transport these days . I am happy to look into it for you .
I agree with downunder that the St Kilda Market has a lot of second rate staslls but it has been in operation for about 30 years or more and people love it . I disagree that St Kilda is not worth a visit.I lived there for 13 years on the Upper Esplanade opposite the Market . The tram trip there is lovely and the cake shops and cafes and restaurants are excellent .Try Laus Kitchen in Acland Street for lunch or Cicciolina for Italian or Stokehouse which sits on the beach .

janev

John Fitz - thanks for all your help - I know what you mean we don't use public transport a lot either.
I think our plan will be to take the tram into the Centre, follow the Golden Mile Walk and depending on how much time that takes we can decide whether to go to St Kilda or not. Thanks for your tips for there - I still think that area sounds interesting.

JohnFitz

Hijanev , I have pulled out my street directory which also has details of tram routes and think I have the answers for you .

1. The terminus for the 109 is opposite Staion Pier .You have to cross a road .It is very close .I suggest a day pass as against a 2 hour pass .

2. Get off the 109 on the corner of Spencer and Flinders Streets in the city. This is the first stop after you cross the Yarra River .I think the stop is actually before the corner and you alight to the left of the tram .

3.Walk straight ahead to the corner or cross to the other side of Spencer St.on the pedestrian crossing at the tram stop .Opposite the stop is some parkland on the river . Whichever way you go you must pass under a railway viaduct which abutts Flinders Street .

4. Trun right .Fed Square is on the corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets about 4 blocks up . A tram runs along Flinders and you can use your ticket ( day pass ) or walk .Flinders St Station extends on the river side right up to Fed Square .

5. From the Exhibition Gardens the tram that is easiest is the 96 which you would catch from the corner of Nicholson and Victoria Streets , which is the eastern corner of the gardens . This runs down Bourke Street .

6.The most scenic trip to St Kilda is on the 16 St Kilda Beach tram which you catch at the corner of Bourke and Swanston Streets . This runs all the way along St Kilda Rd and to the Esplanade and the Market and Acland St .

7.If time is short then catch a taxi in St Kilda back to the ship .They are readily available around there .It will take you along Beaconsfield Parade on the beachfront the whole way ( which is about 4 km ) and a nice trip .It should cost about $15- $20 max.

8. Otherwise you need to go back on the number 96 which runs from Acland St along the Esplanade and lower end of Fitzroy Street but then need to change near the city when it intersects with the the l09 .A bit complcated in terms of the time needed on a Sunday timetable .Taxi is my tip .

Hope this is not too confusing and answers your questions .

janev

Wonderful - thank so much for this detailed information. As we do have such a limited time this is great and will allow me to plan well as we want to see as much as possible.
Thank you.

shandy

JohnFitz has given you some good advice re the trams. However, I would suggest that instead of getting off the 109 tram by the corner of Spencer and Flinders you stay on it and get off at Stop 6 as I suggested earlier. JohnFitz suggestion will get you there but it is rather messy intersection with the river, the train viaduct etc and can be rather hard to cross. The four blocks walk up to Fed Square is hardly one of the more scenic areas of the city so you won't be missing much. If you stay on and then get off at cnr of Collins and Swanston it is only a one block walk south to Fed Square. I think you will find this much simpler.

JohnFitz is right on the mark with all his other suggestions though.

JohnFitz

shandy I agree. It crossed my mind that janev could walk along the river bank on either side of the river as another option and which is rather nicer than Flinders Street.

In the old days a conductor on the tram could have provided advice and assistance but since they were abolished there is a limit to what the driver can do for tourists or anyone for that matter .

janev

Thanks - I have logged all of your tips. Thank you very much for all your help - we very much look forward to our day in Melbourne.