possum52

10 hours ago, WAVTAM said:

Using Metro I see bus 442 crosses bridge, but stops short of proceeding down Roberts road. Is there another bus that does that?? 

Should one just do taxi and or Uber? 

Expected cost for that???

Robert Street is not open to the public on cruise ship days. I would suggest you have a read of this link - How to Get to White Bay Cruise Terminal. I would use a taxi or Uber.

In the link I provided, there is a link to a map showing how to get to there which is handy for the taxi/Uber driver. 

Uber estimates the cost between A$18.63 - A$21.70 at this time - Sunday 12.42pm AEDT 

6 hours ago, SoBaycruiser said:

I heard taxis were about A$45-55 from the airport to downtown.  We arrive on a Saturday morning.  Should we expect less traffic going into downtown at that time?

Taxis will likely be more than that. Pre covid, we paid $60 on a Saturday morning to a hotel a block from Central Station.

4 minutes ago, rwmiller said:

I hope you are right.  We are now having our cousin work the booking from Australia hoping there are no issues. Appreciate all the help. Everyone’s answers are giving us confidence that the US Princess reps are wrong. 
 

Bob

I would suggest that the US reps, even if in the Phillipines are only familiar with what is required for US citizens. Please come back and tell us how it all works out.

5 minutes ago, Wanderers2 said:

The itinerary may be the key to why a passport is required.  If they have an Australian travel agent it may be advisable to contact them by email.

The itinerary is Australian ports only - leaving Brisbane on Monday week on Coral Princess. 

As you appear to be in the US, the Princess website will automatically go to the US Princess website just like here in Australia it will automatically go to the Australian version of the site. Try adding /en-au to https://www.princess.com and see if that takes you to the Australian website.

3 hours ago, MMDown Under said:

An Aust Open bonus was Sasha won his semi final. 

No, Medvedev won the semi in five sets.

Quite day for us, went to watch grandson play cricket. Our son, daughter in law and two granddaughters are in Sydney on holiday. Today, son and nearly eleven year old granddaughter did the bridge climb. While they were up the top, the roulettes flew over and they had a fantastic view of their display plus all that was happing on the harbour including the tall ships. Daughter in law and younger granddaughter wandered around The Rocks enjoying the celebrations and the market. They all had a great day. Picked a great time to be in Sydney.

9 minutes ago, Blackduck59 said:

Thanks Linda, this will be the second time we have been so close to an F1 race and not gone. We were in Belgium during race weekend but it would have cost about $2500.00 to attend because of the price of accommodation. The only room available was priced at $1300.00 for the 3 days (and you had to book all 3 days), normally that room would have been less than $400.00 for 3 days. This time we have to leave Melbourne the day of first practice. So near yet so 

11 minutes ago, Blackduck59 said:

Thanks Linda, this will be the second time we have been so close to an F1 race and not gone. We were in Belgium during race weekend but it would have cost about $2500.00 to attend because of the price of accommodation. The only room available was priced at $1300.00 for the 3 days (and you had to book all 3 days), normally that room would have been less than $400.00 for 3 days. This time we have to leave Melbourne the day of first practice. So near yet so far.

Our daughter in law works for the State Sports Centre Trust and her office is at MSAC (Melbourne Sports And Aquatics Centre) which is situated beside the track. She, in past years has not been able to work due to the GP as it is almost impossible to get to there because of barriers and security and no car parking. 

Just now, Mareblu said:

Apparently locals avoid swimming at this beach.  It’s not patrolled and dangerous.  Tragically, reportedly a rip claimed these people.  On a beach, green does not mean “go”.

Yes Linda, it is a very dangerous beach. Only board riders who know the conditions should use it. It would likely be a rip that took them. I would hope there would be signs saying it is dangerous but in saying that our local life saving club where Rob and I are life members is always rescuing both adults and children from the mouth of the river located in our suburb. There are signs everywhere close by stating that it is dangerous and do not swim there. But every summer there are numerous rescues because either people don’t read the signs, don’t understand them or think it won’t happen to us. 
 

There was a local man who it is believed rescued more than 80 people by himself from around 1935 to close to his death in 1980 from near the mouth of the river. 

Just now, MicCanberra said:

It might get the rangers wondering

 🤣

Just now, lyndarra said:

I had to Google "touques".😟

I actually thought it meant a chef's hat but didn't think Lyle would be wearing one at the Penguin Parade. 

53 minutes ago, Blackduck59 said:

Thanks for this Mic and also @possum52 Leigh. Lynn actually said yesterday we should do 2 overnights on the way from Bateman's Bay to Philip Island. So we will see what we can find in the places you suggest Mic. We do want to see more of Philip Island and being we will have a car we can be pretty mobile before we check in to the hotel there. We will definitely get the Penguin Parade tickets well in advance. We will be bringing our Marino wool sweaters and light weight wind breaker/rain jackets. I'm having a hard time finding any of my touques so I may have to buy a new one. I should be able to find something with the word Victoria and some local landmark, or a Maple Leaf.

Good idea Lyle. Just layer up if the day is cool/cold as it can be in March but then it can also be quite hot. Our son and his family usually go to the Penguin Parade at least once a year and it doesn't matter what time of the year they go, it is usually cold while waiting and watching the penguins. I assume, without looking it up touques means what we call beanies - knitted caps like this - 

Sadly a fourth person who was involved in the drowning incident at Newhaven, Phillip Island has died in hospital, Victoria Police have announced.

14 hours ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

No, we did Lakes Entrance to Bateman's Bay easily in one day, and we had a later start than expected that day. 

 

 As Lyle and Lynn are wanting to go to the Penguin Parade and only perhaps staying one night, they would be better to arrive in Phillip Island as early as possible so they can actually see some of the sites on the island other than just going to see the penguins. Sunset in mid March is around 7.45pm so they would need to be seated will before then. So I would suggest they drive to Lakes Entrance which then leaves around a four hour drive to Phillip Island.

14 hours ago, Blackduck59 said:

. Last time I think we had 2 nights at Philip Island but I think it will be one night now. So we only have the one shot to see the little penguins, hopefully we happen to pick a night when there are fewer people with the same idea.

Lyle, make sure you book for the Penguin Parade. Penguin Parade It can also be quite cold in the evening so make sure you have suitable clothing and even a rug.

1 minute ago, Mareblu said:

Yes, I stand corrected, Leigh.  I was thinking of Metung.  We've stayed at both so I shouldn't be confused.  Probably more accommodation to choose from in Orbost.

As Lakes Entrance is more a tourist town and has around twice the population of Orbost, I would think there would be more accommodation choice there. In saying that, Orbost is roughly half way between Bateman’s Bay and Phillip Island. 
 

Metung is beautiful. 

31 minutes ago, Mareblu said:

Hi Lyle,

You will need a sleepover between Batemans Bay and Phillip Island;  it's about 10 hrs without hitches, so too draining when you aren't familiar with conditions (and opposite side driving).  Lakes Entrance, just under 5-1/2 hrs from BBay is a region of natural beauty,  but is a little way off the main route you'll be taking, and your mission is to get to Phillip I.  Orbost, a sizeable town on your route, is just over

4-1/2 hours, so a little under halfway.  There is a range of reasonably-priced motels and hotels in Orbost.  If you had the time, Eden is a wonderful stop:  rich in history of the whaling industry and natural  beauty.  Sadly, if you desire only one stopover, it wouldn't be far enough along, and next day's trek to Phillip I would be too long.  So, 1 stopover:  Orbost.  2 stopovers:  Eden, Lakes Entrance.  Only my suggestions, and I'm sure others will have more advice for you.

Linda, Orbost and Lakes Entrance are both on the Prince’s Highway and on the route from Batemans Bay to Phillip Island. 

33 minutes ago, whitshel said:

I just did mine and it charged me $17 for the NZeTA and $35 for IVL.  I think that is in NZ$ so it should be less in US$$

As it is the NZeTA, of course the price is in NZD which today is around USD 31.70. 
 

2 hours ago, triplem67 said:

We got the news over the weekend Leigh @possum52  Kuranda Scenic Railway is now out until 1st May at this stage.  😔  

Skyrail is running and available up and back.  All of the private bookings on my Edge Cruise for 29th February or 1st March are getting the official emails now.  

I also chatted to my private transport company today.  Port Douglas road has reopened today... but now they have no water.  😑

Please let this new cyclone stay south of Cairns and Port Douglas.  These poor people need a break.  🤞🤞

I am not surprised that this has happened. It is still very much the wet season in that area, so it has continued to rain heavily at times. Enjoy Skyrail. 

10 hours ago, Blackduck59 said:

I think some of these places aren't booking more than a year out so we will have to wait until March.

Were you looking at booking.com or directly with the hotel? When I looked yesterday, there were plenty of places available in March next year on booking.com. Perhaps contact the places you are interested in and see if you can book more than a year out. 

3 minutes ago, Blackduck59 said:

Thanks Leigh, I know I won't get anywhere near the track but I will be able to see it from there. Hopefully there will be some vendors where I can buy some F1 swag. Is this close by you so we can get together for Lunch? We would love to meet up with you and Rob and anyone else in the area who would like to join us. If you would like please get in touch at lyledotduckatshawdotcom we can plan something.

Sounds good Lyle. Unfortunately we don't live close by but we can arrange to meet up for lunch. We can plan it closer to the time. 

On 1/18/2024 at 7:58 AM, yvr49 said:

Our Noordam cruise starts in Auckland and is scheduled to depart at 7 PM.   We have to check out of our hotel at 10 AM on the morning of the cruise and we plan to spend time at Waiheke Island before boarding the ship in the afternoon.   Is there somewhere at the terminal that we can leave our luggage before boarding the ship in the afternoon?  

You should be able to drop off your luggage at the cruise terminal when you check out of your hotel. Luggage Drop off At Auckland Cruise Terminal

16 minutes ago, Blackduck59 said:

It is the Tyrian Albert Park Lake, 14 Queens Road, Albert Park, 3004 Melbourne. It looked a nice place and there is no deposit and we pay when we get there. Also there is free cancellation up until the week before we arrive.

Thanks Lyle, it looks very nice. It is on a very busy road but very close to the tram line, there is a tram stop just around the corner. The Royal Botanic Gardens are a ten or fifteen minutes walk away and the Shrine of Remembrance is even closer. Not sure if you will be able to access the GP track or not. It is usually fenced off and not accessible to the public some time before the event much to the annoyance of the locals. 

1 hour ago, Blackduck59 said:

Thanks Leigh,

I booked a holiday apartment at Albert Park, we have a view of the race course, of course we will be long gone before the race but I can at least see the track and maybe get some swag. So near yet so far. I think it is good to get this booked now because I'm sure there will be zero availability very soon as race fans realize they need a place to stay.

That's great Lyle. May I ask the address of the apartment? 

5 hours ago, Blackduck59 said:

So now we have a new wrinkle, we have plans to be in Melbourne for a few days before we fly out to Auckland on the 13th of March 2025. Well here we are looking at the calendar and of course the F1 race is at that time. I love F1 but they are messing with my plan and I couldn't afford the to go to the race anyway. This will be the second time I've been so close to a race and unable to go. Getting a room anywhere near Melbourne will be impossible at that time. Perhaps we will need to reassess our Melbourne timing and maybe plan to move our Philip Island stop to that time and drive to the airport from there on the 13th.

Lyle,the GP is not until Sunday 16th March. Racing will start the day after you fly out. I just checked Booking.com for dates 9th-13th March and there are plenty of choices available at reasonable prices.at the moment. Perhaps have a look at booking sites and if you find something you like, contact the property directly and see what the offers are. But I would suggest booking soon and getting free cancellation as close to your date as possible.

4 hours ago, JVes said:

 

The coldest ocean in the world is the Southern Ocean. Perth and the South Island of New Zealand are both in the Southern Ocean. (In Perth's case it's actually just really close.)

 

The coastline of Greater Perth borders the Indian Ocean, not the Southern Ocean. The South Island of New Zealand is classed as being in the Pacific Ocean.