Melbourne (Station Pier and City)

[aussi cruiser]

Hi eveyone we are cruising on Celebrity Mercury Jan 6 2008 and we are from Melbourne, thought you might like some information on getting around. At the end of Station Pier is a tram that takes you straight to the city centre it costs $6.10 Aud for a daily ticket which can be used on all trams trains and buses in the city area. The City is very easy to get around. May I also add that a bus tour to the great ocean road is spectacula coastal drive. Other wise if you want to see Koalas and Kangaroos then Healesville Sanctuary is a must. The winerys in the Yarra Valley are Fantastic. On Station Pier through the gates are about 6 restaurants ranging from Fish and chips, tapas, seafood and fine australian dining and there are a couple of pubs within walking distance 500metre or so. Once in the city centre there is also a free city circle tram and also a free Tourist shuttle bus go to the web site has maps and whats on in melbourne.

thatsmelbourne.com.au When you reach the city at Federation Square there is a large underground tourist info centre.

The Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle is a great new way to see Melbourne's attractions, and it's free!

Hop on and hop off the bus at any of the stops at key city destinations including: Melbourne Museum and Carlton Gardens; Queen Victoria Market; Melbourne Aquarium; Immigration Museum; Southbank; the Shrine of Remembrance; Royal Botanic Gardens and Chinatown. The shuttle runs between 10am and 4pm daily. The complete trip takes approximately 50 minutes, listen to the informative on-board commentary as you travel around Melbourne.

Hope this is of some help to you

There is also a small supermarket at the end of Station Pier.The weather is usually hot in the 30's © over 87 (F) and it is a dry heat. Hope this is of some help.

[kaseyoz]

there is also a large information centre right in the pier area just as you get off, manned by lots of knowledgable locals. Dont know if they also 'sell" tours.

there is also a transport information place where you can buy your all day tickets for trams. we were there on a sunday and it was cheap rates.I think only a couple of dollars. More on the saturday though

 

sydney could take a leaf out of melbournes book on how to treat its toruists

[Lobbylin]

Thanks to both of your for the info!

 

We're booked on the Mercury Aus/NZ cruisedeparting Sydney 23rd Dec - can't wait! (Aussie cruiser - you'll be getting on Mercury as we get off!)

 

Was just reading up on what to try and do in Melbourne on Boxing Day 26 Dec.... How far is it to St Kilda's beach? Would taxi's be running freely that day as we love the idea of lunch along the beach somewhere.

 

Failing that is there anywhere spectacular in Melbourne with views that you would recommend for lunch?

 

Thanks!

Linda

[aussi cruiser]

Hi Linda Dec 26th Boxing Day is a public holiday in Melbourne trams and trains are still running. To get to St Kilda you can catch the No. 109 tram to The Melbourne Exhibition/Crown Casino Stop(3rd stop) then catch the 96 tram (casino side) to St Kilda stay on till the end your in Acland street St Kilda there are many small cafes and eating places there. The following are two buildings offering spetacular views of Melbourne The Rialto observation deck http://www.melbourne360rialto.com.au/ and The Eureka Towers the free city circle tram will get you close to both of them. May I sujest on Boxing Day it is the start in Melbourne of all the Sales head towards Myer or David Jones in Bourke Street Mall you will find some fantastic prices. You should be able to do them all in one day. Taxi will be running that day maybe not as many as usual. Have fun. Hope this has been some help to you.

[Lobbylin]

Thanks Aussi Cruiser! Great Links and suggestions. I'm looking forward to our day in Melbourne.:)

[aussi cruiser]

Hi guys, all of you cruisers on the cruise before me and arrive in melbourne on 26th Dec thought i might pass on some tips.

26th Dec. (Boxing Day Public Holiday).Things to do, Boxing Day Test Match (Cricket at the MCG), Stocktake sales start that morning head to the city to Myers and David Jones in the Bourke Street Mall for some bargins. Trains and trams run on public holiday schedules.Maybe not for all but its a tradition in melbourne

[uktog]

Hi aussicruiser - as you know you are on our trip! Anyway I have been looking at the Celebrity excursions and want to do the Sports Lovers one that leaves at 1330 (MCG, Fosters Brewery etc) - actually its not for me its for him!! Anyway, can we do this trip on our own without X - I want to be able to see some of Melbourne as well as the Sports stuff so was looking to leave the ship about 0900 (we dock at 0800) - alternatively if I did leave at 0900 what could I do in that time and be back on board for the 1330 excursion. (Do not mind using taxis or drivers if that gives us the best options)

[aussi cruiser]

Hi uktog, I think if your other half loves his sport and Foster you should do this Celebrity excursion it would be hard to do it on your own in that time.

Having said that in the morning you could head into the city to the Burke Street Mall and spend 1 1/2 hours exploring the city and then walk back to Southbank (Crown Casino area) to the The Eureka Towers(http://www.eurekalookout.com.au) for spectaular veiws of melbourne and perhaps the edge. You would need to take taxis there and back to ship to get back in time for the tour at 1.30pm. Hope this helps. Let me know if there's something in paticular you would like too see and i will try to help with directions ect.

[SheilaNC]

Thank you so much for the wonderful information. We'll be on Mercury beginning Feb 17, 2008 and had planned on 'doing' Melbourne on our own using the hop on hop off buses (like we have done in cities in Europe). I'm so glad to get the info on the building with great views. Our plan will be to leave the ship as early as we can, wander around until we really need a rest and either return to the shop for a few hours for lunch or find a quiet, but lovely place for lunch before continuing on our way. Ideas for excellent lunch places where we might interact with local people or any flaws that you see in our plan would be much appreciated. We are open to suggestions and just sorry that we will have only one day to see what we can of Melbourne.

 

We've spent a lot of time in Sydney on a previous trip but this is our first time to Melbourne. Thank you in advance for any help.

[aussi cruiser]

There are many beautiful cafes and restaurants in melbourne. In some of the laneways in between Bourke st and Collins street there are many small cafes, I also own a beautiful restaurant in east melbourne called Zio's Restaurant (http://www.zios.com.au)5 mins walk from the paris end of the city that serves Kangaroo, Emu and Wild Barramundi to name a few dishes. Also if you are walking back to southgate to The Eureka Towers, there are many restaurants and cafesalong the yarra river at south gate. Finally there some good restaurants and cafes at the pier. May I also add there is a great place in the Block arcade off the bourke street mall called Kokoblack(http://www.kokoblack.com)wellknown for fantastic hot chocolate, chocolates and deserts great for morning and afternoon tea. Hope this helps.

[aussi cruiser]

Our restaurant (Zios) is closed from 26th of December to the 21st January. As we will be sailing on Mercury 6th of Jan from Auckland to Sydney.

[mochuck]

Which is the paris end of Melbourne?

[uktog]

Thanks aussicruiser - I kind of guessed that might be the case - doyou know if we can get a taxi firm to say do a 3 hour trip for us in the morning? Can you recommend anyone

[aussi cruiser]

The paris end of the city is the Collins street end near the Sofitel Hotel, there is the Parliment Buliding,The Fitroy Gardens and Saint Patricks Cathedral.

[aussi cruiser]

You probably dont need a taxi for a 3 hour tour you could take a taxi from the pier to the Bourke street mall and take the free Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle or the free City Circle Tram to see nearly everything and then catch a taxi from the Crown Casino at Southgate back to the ship. Melbourne is very walkable. Taxi companies that might be able to do a tour would be as follows.

Melbourne’s major taxi companies include:

 

13 CABS (13 22 27 – within Australia only)

Arrow (13 22 11 – within Australia only)

Embassy Taxis (13 17 55 – within Australia only)

Silver Top Taxis (13 10 08 – within Australia only)

 

Hope this helps

[aussi cruiser]

Hi uktog we will be meeting our 3 daughters at the pier in melbourne, so if you need any help we can meet on board and try and help you. We are also looking at booking the 3rd January 2009 Quest Far East. Where did you cruise on your Eastern Med cruise?

[aussi cruiser]

Hi uktog we will be meeting our 3 daughters at the pier in melbourne, so if you need any help we can meet on board and try and help you. We are also looking at booking the 3rd January 2009 Quest Far East. Where did you cruise on your Eastern Med cruise?

[uktog]

and we have booked the 17 Janaury 2009 Far East!!! On the Eastern Med, which was wonderful we left from Rome and went to Mykonos, Rhodes, Santorini, Istanbul, Ephesus, Athens and Naples (for Capri or Pompei)

We have a quote from someone for a trip involving the 2 sports venues and the city that I need to download - 6 hour trip in total (Melbourne Private Tours - Josh?) and I will come to some conclusions on this. DH is not always happy about being cut loose in a city but we shall see. Whatever we do we will seek you out for advice!

[aussi cruiser]

Sounds good Just keep in mind that you might not be able to visit some of our sporting venues at that time of the year. Rod Laver Arena and Vodafone Arena will part of the Australian Open tennis from the 14-27 January. It is a busy time for Melbourne and the city is alive also try visiting this web site for maps and other information. http://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/info.cfm?top=264&pg=2201 What have they sujested for you to see?

Also forgot to sujest a visit to Federation Square.

[aussi cruiser]

If I was to suggest a day in the city of Melbourne by public transport, I would suggest a tram from the cruise ship (Station Pier) No 109 (you will need a zone one daily ticket) this will take about 10mins to the Crown Casino and then a very short walk to the Eureka Towers for a view you wont forget , when a lovely walk along south bank to see the Melbourne Arts Center, Concert Hall and the National Gallery (Art Museum), then turn left onto the Flinders st bridge, across the bridge you come to Federation Square from here you continue walking up the street you are in it is called Swanston St continue to the Bourke street mall spend time here and surrounding arcades and laneways great for lunch or coffee, after exploring the city keep walking up Swanston st, past China Town and you will come to the State library and Melbourne Central from here you can catch the Burgundy coloured city circle tram (free) you will have to catch the tram from the middle of the road and the tram will be heading right along Latrobe st. stay on this to see The Parliment buildings, you could catch this tram and do the full circle take approximately 1 hour and 15mins then perhaps get of at the corner of Flinders St to see Captains Cooks Cottage, the MCG and Rod Laver Area then get back on the tram till you get to Flinders street station. Get off and catch the No. 16 tram to St Kilda passing the Shrine of Remembrance to Acland St St Kilda, St Kilda Pier and Luna Park great area for lunch or afternoon tea. The tram to St Kilda takes 26mins and comes along every 9mins and for this you will your daily zone one card to get back to the cruise ship take the tram from the same place you will need to catch the No. 96 to the Exhibition Centre opposite Crown Casino get off and catch the No. 109 back to Station Pier and the Cruise Terminal

All easy to get to by free city shuttle and city circle tram or by tram the zone one daily ticket costs $6.30 Aud Melbourne is very easy to walk about.

 

If I had to suggest a tour out of the CBD then personally, I would choose the Puffing Billy, Wines & Art, shore excursion organized by the Celebrity, other tour companies have this tour but because of the length of the tour it might be better to go with the cruise tour. The Dandenongs area is beautiful and the countryside in the Yarra Valley and the wineries are great. Domaine Chandon is very interesting and has beautiful wines and views. It’s a same they don’t go to Healesville Sanctuary as it is on the way to the Yarra Valley.

Try this web site for tours they have private tours (http://www.viator.com/Melbourne).

Theres are only my thoughts and are not for everyone but hope this helps you.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Here is a shot of the pier at Melbourne.Taken with a telephoto lens from a high rise in the city,when Sapphire and Pacific Princess were in port together.

 

 

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Sorry.It posted twice.

[SheilaNC]

Aussie cruiser,

Thanks so much for the suggested city tour. That's exactly what we would like to do since we've not been to Melbourne before. I will print and bring your suggestions with us and plan on following it precisely. Now if you can work on having a clear day for the views, I'd be most appreciative! :)

[aussi cruiser]

Will try, good luck as i said melbourne is so easy to get around and on your way are a few information booths and the main information centre is at Federation square.