myki Explorer Melbourne?

[shuyak]

Wonder if any recent cruiser or locaks can advise if myki Explorer is available at Port of Melbourne?  If so, what attraction special offers are included?

 

The PTV site has a few places listed, but clicking each link will lead to "Sorry - Page Not Found ".

 

Hope to better plan our day at Melbourne in coming March

 

Thank you!

[MicCanberra]

The Myki explorer comes with a full day's credit as well as the card. The Myki card, which is $6, not $5, does NOT come with any balance on it and you must put money on it before you travel. If you plan on travelling for a full day on day 1, then the explorer would be more advantageous. However, If you only plan on doing travel less than 2 hours on the first day, then just pay the Myki card and put the relevant money on it.

The myki explorer is like a gift pack, it includes a myki card, is preloaded with 1 day full fare worth of travel and also includes some discount coupons to local attractions. The benefit really is the discount coupons, if you don't plan on using them just buy a card and load it with whatever money you need.

 

I would imagine that the sites listed on the PTV site would all offer a d8scount but I cannot tell you what they are.

[shuyak]

@MicCanberra, thank you!

 

Yes, if we understand correctly, there are perhaps 3 options to use trams from cruise port to CBD on a weekend port day:

 

1. Buy myki card @A$6 and load A$6.70 the weekend daily cap.

 

2. Use mobile myki (after setting up the google pay) for free and top up with the minimum A$10.00.

 

3. Buy myki Explorer @ A$16 and receive loaded myki card plus maps and attraction discounts.  Attractions shown in PTV site (that leads to "Page Not Found") include:

    Melbourne Skydeck
    Immigration Museum
    MCG & National Sports Museum
    Melbourne Museum
    Melbourne River cruises
    Puffing Billy Railway
    Queen Victoria Market
    SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
    Sea All Dolphin Swims
    Lyonhouse Museum Galleries
    Sovereign Hill

 

We plan to join a CBD walking tour then explore on our own.  Figured even mobil myki will be the cheapest way with minimum waste (only need A$6,7), the maps come with myki Explorer will be handy.  In addition, if we can go to 1 or 2 discounted attractions, it will make better sense then getting just the myki card.  The question remains:  are those listed attractions for real?

 

Seeking fellow cruiser's insight since PTV does not have much info about the myki Explorer.  Thank you.

 

 

[RosieCanberra]

I'm assuming they must be updating the web page, very strange. 

 

Every time I have sailed into the Port of Melbourne, Public Transport Victoria have had a counter selling the cards and providing information and maps. When are you sailing?

[Docker123]

There is/was a myki kiosk on the upper floor of Station Pier to but a card, or Explorer pack. Someone who has been through there recently may provide up to date info.

 

From the web, the Explorer would be the best value for a day visit.

 

[shuyak]

1 hour ago, RosieCanberra said:

Every time I have sailed into the Port of Melbourne, Public Transport Victoria have had a counter selling the cards and providing information and maps. When ayou sailing?

 

13 minutes ago, Docker123 said:

There is/was a myki kiosk on the upper floor of Station Pier to but a card, or Explorer pack. Someone who has been through there recently may provide up to date info.

 

From the web, the Explorer would be the best value for a day visit.

 

 

@RosieCanberraand @Docker123, thank you both for the info about the availability at the port.  We will be in Melbourne in 2 and half months!  Am looking into the various attractions - at least we can narrow down the list and see how it goes on the day.  Thanks.

[boeckli]

I was in Melbourne first week in December and yes, there was a Myki kiosk on the upper Station Pier floor (and it was quite busy too). Also to note is the fact that there is a bus service which leaves from the street level of the cruise terminal (thus avoiding the walk to the tram stop):

 

The Bus 109 City Express shuttle runs direct from the Cruise Terminal on Station Pier to the city, stopping on Queens Bridge Street. The journey takes approximately 20 minutes.

Bus frequency:

Morning (8am – noon): every five to seven minutes
Lunch (Noon – 2pm): every 20 minutes
Afternoon (2pm – 5pm): every 10 to 15 minutes

 

To travel from the city back to the ship by bus, you must catch the Bus 109 Express shuttle directly to Station Pier, departing from Queens Bridge Street.

 

[icat2000]

7 hours ago, RosieCanberra said:

I'm assuming they must be updating the web page, very strange. 

 

Every time I have sailed into the Port of Melbourne, Public Transport Victoria have had a counter selling the cards and providing information and maps. When are you sailing?

Yes. They probably are as they just had a few Department changes and business units moving around. And PTV falls into one of the effected Departments.

 

https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/tickets/myki <-- this page appears to be working.

 

https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/more/travelling-on-the-network/visiting-melbourne-and-victoria/

 

 

Edited January 8, 2023 by icat2000

[icat2000]

7 hours ago, shuyak said:

@MicCanberra, thank you!

 

Yes, if we understand correctly, there are perhaps 3 options to use trams from cruise port to CBD on a weekend port day:

 

1. Buy myki card @A$6 and load A$6.70 the weekend daily cap.

 

2. Use mobile myki (after setting up the google pay) for free and top up with the minimum A$10.00.

 

3. Buy myki Explorer @ A$16 and receive loaded myki card plus maps and attraction discounts.  Attractions shown in PTV site (that leads to "Page Not Found") include:

    Melbourne Skydeck
    Immigration Museum
    MCG & National Sports Museum
    Melbourne Museum
    Melbourne River cruises
    Puffing Billy Railway
    Queen Victoria Market
    SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
    Sea All Dolphin Swims
    Lyonhouse Museum Galleries
    Sovereign Hill

 

We plan to join a CBD walking tour then explore on our own.  Figured even mobil myki will be the cheapest way with minimum waste (only need A$6,7), the maps come with myki Explorer will be handy.  In addition, if we can go to 1 or 2 discounted attractions, it will make better sense then getting just the myki card.  The question remains:  are those listed attractions for real?

 

Seeking fellow cruiser's insight since PTV does not have much info about the myki Explorer.  Thank you.

 

 

https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/tickets/myki/buy-a-myki-and-top-up/myki-explorer/

[possum52]

21 minutes ago, icat2000 said:

https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/tickets/myki/buy-a-myki-and-top-up/myki-explorer/

Sara, unfortunately when you click on any of the attractions, it takes you to 'Sorry Page Not Found' as the OP found.

[icat2000]

2 hours ago, possum52 said:

Sara, unfortunately when you click on any of the attractions, it takes you to 'Sorry Page Not Found' as the OP found.

The OP could send them an email to PTV confirming whether its still offering that services. 

 

 

[Docker123]

I had tried some of the links earlier in the day and got the message computer says no. 

 

I tried a couple just now and proceeded to the page.

 

I wonder whether they were doing some maintenance earlier.

 

 

Edited January 8, 2023 by Docker123

[boeckli]

I still get "page not found" when clicking the attractions. 😕

[spersephone]

I don’t know if the Myki Explorer still exists. It’s certainly unclear on the PTV site. However, all of those attractions are genuine.

[lucymorgan]

In case it helps when you are looking at options, there is a free tram zone where you don't need a myki card at all.  Some of the attractions are walking distance from the tram stops.  Here is some info https://www.onlymelbourne.com.au/free-tram-zone

 

Edited January 8, 2023 by lucymorgan

[shuyak]

12 hours ago, boeckli said:

I was in Melbourne first week in December and yes, there was a Myki kiosk on the upper Station Pier floor (and it was quite busy too). Also to note is the fact that there is a bus service which leaves from the street level of the cruise terminal (thus avoiding the walk to the tram stop):

 

The Bus 109 City Express shuttle runs direct from the Cruise Terminal on Station Pier to the city, stopping on Queens Bridge Street. The journey takes approximately 20 minutes.

Bus frequency:

Morning (8am – noon): every five to seven minutes
Lunch (Noon – 2pm): every 20 minutes
Afternoon (2pm – 5pm): every 10 to 15 minutes

 

To travel from the city back to the ship by bus, you must catch the Bus 109 Express shuttle directly to Station Pier, departing from Queens Bridge Street.

 

 

@boeckli, thank you for the latest info - very helpful! 

 

All:

 

Thank you very much for the reply!  Yes, we looked up both metropolitan tram network map and CBD free tram map, as well checked out PTV Journey Planner to form some routing options. 

 

Will keep it flexible and enjoy the day in this wonderful City no matter what!

 

Thank you.

[Port Power]

The counter selling myki  cards was still at Station Pier on Friday.  It wasn’t busy when I went through at 8:30am.  However, you can also buy a myki card from the vending machine at the tram stop.  It wasn’t working on Friday, so the inspectors told people to hop on the tram anyway and buy their card at a “Seven 11” in the city for the return journey.

 

It seems PTV has finally acknowledged how incredibly user- unfriendly the myki-only system is for visitors and are heading the way of Sydney where you can tap on with your credit card.

Edited January 8, 2023 by Port Power
Changes are coming

[shuyak]

4 hours ago, Port Power said:

The counter selling myki  cards was still at Station Pier on Friday.  It wasn’t busy when I went through at 8:30am.  However, you can also buy a myki card from the vending machine at the tram stop.  It wasn’t working on Friday, so the inspectors told people to hop on the tram anyway and buy their card at a “Seven 11” in the city for the return journey.

 

It seems PTV has finally acknowledged how incredibly user- unfriendly the myki-only system is for visitors and are heading the way of Sydney where you can tap on with your credit card.

 

@Port Power, thank you for the current info.  Will plan to get the myki Explorer at the pier.

 

We actually look forward to take Sydney public transportation with credit card - no Opal needed!

[Port Power]

2 hours ago, shuyak said:

 

@Port Power, thank you for the current info.  Will plan to get the myki Explorer at the pier.

 

We actually look forward to take Sydney public transportation with credit card - no Opal needed!

If you are going to use a few ferries in one day, remember to buy a day pass.  Only $8-$9, it’s much cheaper than paying by sections. 

[NSWP]

2 hours ago, shuyak said:

 

@Port Power, thank you for the current info.  Will plan to get the myki Explorer at the pier.

 

We actually look forward to take Sydney public transportation with credit card - no Opal needed!

Indeed tap and go with ye olde plastic. Enjoy your trip.

[spersephone]

Coming off the Grand Princess yesterday in Melbourne, it looked like the PTV counter was shut. Hopefully they’re open for you! 

[Port Power]

2 hours ago, spersephone said:

Coming off the Grand Princess yesterday in Melbourne, it looked like the PTV counter was shut. Hopefully they’re open for you! 

That will be because it was Sunday.  They should still man the desk on cruise ship days no matter if Sunday or a public holiday, but like the muni card itself, PTV is not visitor friendly.  There is still the self service machine at the tram stop.

[shuyak]

15 hours ago, spersephone said:

Coming off the Grand Princess yesterday in Melbourne, it looked like the PTV counter was shut. Hopefully they’re open for you! 

 

13 hours ago, Port Power said:

That will be because it was Sunday.  They should still man the desk on cruise ship days no matter if Sunday or a public holiday, but like the muni card itself, PTV is not visitor friendly.  There is still the self service machine at the tram stop.

 

Fingers crossed!  Thanks.

[spersephone]

Sorry, we got off on Monday morning at 10am. Seems odd that it wasn’t obviously open.

[boeckli]

4 hours ago, spersephone said:

Sorry, we got off on Monday morning at 10am. Seems odd that it wasn’t obviously open.

 

Maybe due to the fact that it was a turnaround.  They also do not provide the shuttle bus on turnaround days (denoted by an * on the PTV website schedule)