Melbourne on board

[Buccaneer_1]

We have the overnight in Melbourne coming up on the 28th January - Odyssey en route to NZ. Being Oz we've been many times to Mel so will probably head for a theatre or a restaurant in the evening rather than look at any tours that might be taking in Melbourne by night or similar. Maybe even give the cousins a call. With 3 sea days straight after this stop being ashore for the evening is probably a good idea.

 

Does anyone know if they organize anything on board for the evening of that overnight stop that we should stay for rather than go ashore. I recall a poolside BBQ and ice cream somewhere on a previous overnight in another port but don't recall anything in either Barcelona or Bali earlier this year.

[tsavorite]

Melbourne overnight is quite often the deck BBQ. The ship is moored some way from any habitation, where people could be disturbed. And of course it is going to be calm. But then the following night is also a possible BBQ night, as with an early evening sailaway, the ship is still in sheltered waters until the BBQ and entertainment are over. The final decision about the BBQ timing will only be made a couple of days beforehand, as the key issue is the weather, and Melbourne can have rain and chilly temperatures even in the mid summer.

[wripro]

That is something you probably will not know until you board. If there is nothing taking place to your liking you can always make a last minute restaurant reservation.

[Laylam]

Buccaneer_1, I don't know when you were last in Melbourne, but our public transport ticketing system has changed in the last 12 months. Now, all travellers on public transport must have a (so called) smart card, known as "myki". The government has come up with a "visitor pack", which I believe can be purchased at Station Pier for about $14. The visitor pack covers all day travel & also includes discount vouchers for various tourist attractions

 

http://ptv.vic.gov.au/tickets/myki/myki-visitor-pack/

 

.

[Buccaneer_1]

Thanks for the above. Bit the bullet and booked to see King Kong at the Regent with an early dinner and a late supper back in the suite. Have had many deck BBQs and can miss one if that's the case particularly in 4 seasons in a day Melbourne although January not usually anything but hot and dry. Thanks for the transport info - I'm usually there on business and taxis again will be the order of the day for the theatre. We'll decide on the second day when we get there.

Edited November 27, 2013 by Buccaneer_1

[Kstornado]

Buccaneer,

Since we haven't been to Melbourne before, what do you recommend? Also, being from Oz maybe you can help us with our few days at the GBR prior to coming to Sydney for a few days before embarking on our cruise. We will definitely book a reef trip. We have seen some recommendations for the Kuranda tour & also the tour to Daintree. We will be staying in Cairns, so we know the Daintree trip is a long day. If we go to Kuranda, should we do Daintree, too? We have never been to either Australia or New Zealand, so we are really looking forward to this trip. Thanks for any help you can give us.

[MrsWaldo]

Hi,

 

I go up to the reef pretty regularly. (came back a few days ago)

 

Few qs. What do you want out of your reef trip. Glass Bottom boat, dive, pontoon, more than one location?

 

For your rainforest trip they are much of a muchness in terms of what you see but the Skyrail gives you the option at Kuranda of being both above and inside. I think train up and skyrail back is a better way to go as if you aren't fussed on Kuranda itself you can head down a bit earlier IME.

 

Are you locked in to staying in Cairns (if so which hotel so I can give you a few more tips). If not consider Port Douglas as it has the best snorkel trip on the reef (no platform) with Wavelength and you'll be closer to the daintree.

[ab21au]

Agree with MrsWaldo, up in the train and back Skyrail. Also love Port Douglas, one of my favourite places in North Queensland.

[marazul]

Port Douglas is great. Highly recommend it over Cairns. Most tours of the GBR or the Daintree start in PD and you get transported there from Cairns. It would save you quite a bit of time if you start from PD. Kuranda is between PD and Cairns.

If you want to do a trip to the GBR avoid the large QuickSilver tour (unless you don't want to get wet). You get the feeling of being on a crowded bus trip. There are several smaller boats that take you to great snorkeling places.

Some great restaurants in PD.

http://www.visitportdouglasdaintree.com.au

Edited December 10, 2013 by marazul

[Kstornado]

Thanks to everyone for your advice on reef trips & Kuranda. My husband will not snorkel, so we would like a glass bottom boat/semi-submersible,etc. Reef Magic was suggested from Cairns (they leave right from the esplanade). They are not as large as Quick Silver (already knew not to take it). We are staying at the Pullman Reef Casino Hotel in Cairns. Lots of people told us about Port Douglas, so we thought we might take a day to visit Port Douglas, but if we are doing full day trips most days, it shouldn't matter where we are (besides the Pullman had a great price). If we go to Kuranda, do we need to go to Daintree, too? This may be our only trip to this area, so we want to see whatever we can. Also, can we wait until we get to Cairns to book Kuranda &/or Daintree. Reef Magic e-mailed me that they have a 12 hour cancellation policy, so we could book in advance. Any other suggestions would be helpful.

 

We will also be in Sydney for 4 1/2 days, so any recommendations here beside the Opera House would be good.

 

Thanks again.

[marazul]

We really enjoyed the Daintree. It's a different experience than Kuranda.

You can book most tours once you arrive at your hotel, but do a little research before and identify the companies that have the tours you like. Most have a cancellation policy.

 

For Sydney, don't miss the Harbour boat tours. Visit the fish market, best oysters anywhere. Also, go to the Blue Mountains. There are great walking tours of the Rocks starting from the tourist office. Walk around the Botanic garden next to the Opera House. Take the ferry to Manly and walk to the North Head. The Taronga zoo is great, just a short ferry ride away.

[MrsWaldo]

Yep, Reef Magic was the one I would suggest from Cairns for your needs.

 

Unless you have a car/time then don't go to Port Douglas, the drive up the coast to the Daintree is pretty nice. Not sure when you are there but you should be OK booking a few days before in Feb or March (wet season so Daintree can easily not happen if you get a lot of heavy rain overnight)

 

From Pullman Reef (well located) if breakfast is not included try Coffee Bean in the Pier Centre it's at the entrance which faces the park. Do not eat at the cafe near the pier itself, overpriced.

 

My favourite restaurant with a view and good food is MYogo, still under the Shangri La and looks very touristy (bilingual menu) but is good value for money and really nice food. Dundees is a rip off so avoid it. Rattle and Hum is popular for cheaper eats, but it is very busy and noisy. Salthouse is OK too but overpriced IMO.

 

In Sydney one of the best things to do is jump on a ferry,either to Manly or Watsons Bay. Don't do one of Captain Cook/Majistic tours, overpriced IMHO. Blue Mountains are certainly worthwhile and if you are into walking add either the Spit to Manly (more hike like) or Bondi-Bronte (pathed with public transport nearby if you want to bail out).

If you are into architecture a bus trip up city or parramatta roads to Sydney University (modelled on the old english institutions) You also have the Art Gallery of NSW in the Domain (indigenous plus other art) or MCA right in the Rocks. The Observatory is another good spot, good views over the harbour in all directions.

Edited December 10, 2013 by MrsWaldo

[Kstornado]

Thanks for all the information. We will be in Cairns mid-January. I will book the reef tour before we leave. I will leave Kuranda & Daintree until we get there & have a better idea what the weather is like. Appreciate the restaurant suggestions. Have you eaten at Red Ochre? College student kids of friends of ours said that was the best meal they had in Cairns.

[Buccaneer_1]

I guess I've become kind of redundant on my Melbourne post but that's what happens. Kstornado I agree with most of the above on the reef and Sydney.

 

Certainly Kuranda, Daintree if you have time and a glass bottom boat. You don't have to go way out on the reef and a day trip (half day maybe) to Green Island will cover most of the bases. Check out http://www.visitcairns.com.au. Check the timetables on the skyrail and the train to/from Kuranda and go the option that suits you best but do go both ways as they're quite different.

 

Manly ferry and the beach (v good aquarium at Manly if that's of interest) is a better option than Bondi which I think is over-rated being from the Gold Coast as I am [if you don't live on the Gold Coast you're just camping as my friend Des says]. See both if you have time but I'd always opt for 3 days on the Gold Coast and its hinterland rather than Sydney. Not sure how the Blue Mts look after the fires but a great day if you walk a little or a lot. I'd also add the Rocks area in Sydney - sort of just under the bridge - to what others have suggested.

 

Melbourne I presume is only for the stopover time with Seabourn ? Exploring Melbourne's laneways, shopping, the Galleries, there's a reasonable safe (no surf in the Bay) beach not far from the cruise terminal, river cruise. If you have time Phillip Island or the Yarra wineries are good. I'm sure there's Melbourne residents who can respond in more detail.

 

Enjoy Australia. For the most part we speak the same language and have a lot of ideals in common. New Zealanders too, although most of them are in Australia now.

Edited December 10, 2013 by Buccaneer_1

[ab21au]

. I'd also add the Rocks area in Sydney - sort of just under the bridge - to what others have suggested.

 

 

If you are into markets, there are street markets at the Rocks area every weekend. A walk across the bridge to north Sydney is always nice. Go under the bridge to the park and sit and look back towards Sydney CBD. Just wandering around Sydney harbour area is great.

[koalapanda]

Ok so I am biased, however having travelled and lived far and wide Melbourne is still one of the most green and gorgeous Cities of the world. Once again in 2013 we were anointed the world's most liveable City.

So my friends see the City do not bother with the Danenong Ranges the Penguins etc. These destinations will take hours to arrive and return to with no time to explore the main event - The City of Melbourne. (fanfare please)

Take the hop on hop off bus, jump on a tram and see our Art Centre our Galleries and explore the lanes of the City Centre. Go to Degraves Street and walk, see the block Arcade sit and have a coffee while you watch Melburnians wander. Melbourne is famous for it's coffee and eateries.

Our beautiful Botanical Gardens and The Shrine of Rememberance & Museum are close by.

Go to St Kilda on the tram walk along Acland street and find our European influence in the many Pastisseries, then walk along the waterfront to drop the calories you have just consumed back to the Port.

There is lots to see in our City a truly cultural experience.

Edited December 14, 2013 by koalapanda
sp

[wripro]

Agree completely, koala panda. Going outside the city anywhere is fine if you have several days but with only one stay in the center and experience what Melbourne has to offer, which is a lot.

 

I cannot remember the name now but there is a company that offers free walking tours of the city that are really wonderful. We got insights we never would have gotten on our own. If anyone is interested I'm sure it can be googled.

[seabournaddict]

oh Degraves Street rings a big bell! Spent half my youth in a little shop there "Martins Ballet Boutique"...no longer there. (I also worked just around the corner in Flinders Lane.....my memory is still working! :D

[Laylam]

Agree completely, koala panda. Going outside the city anywhere is fine if you have several days but with only one stay in the center and experience what Melbourne has to offer, which is a lot.

 

I cannot remember the name now but there is a company that offers free walking tours of the city that are really wonderful. We got insights we never would have gotten on our own. If anyone is interested I'm sure it can be googled.

Was it 'White Hat Tours'? I used to subscribe to their newsletter, very informative and the guy has a wicked sense of humour. Their website here http://www.whitehat.com.au/Tours/MWTours.html

[wripro]

That does not ring a bell but could have been. All I remember is that the tour left from the information center in the middle of the main square. WE had a wonderful gentleman who was chock full of insights and information.

[Laylam]

That does not ring a bell but could have been. All I remember is that the tour left from the information center in the middle of the main square. WE had a wonderful gentleman who was chock full of insights and information.

Melbourne has 'Red Coated Volunteers' posted all around the CBD, I think some of them may give guided walks. Here's a review of Melbourne which may give some ideas of what to do....

http://www.independenttraveler.com/trip-reviews/notes-on-a-big-hearted-city-melbourne