Melbourne

[woodley]

We will be docking in Melbourne and want to get some info. on what to see in one day. We do not enjoy ship tours due to price, lack of spontaneity, and being herded like cattle. We are quite happy to pay for private tours, use public transport or rent a car. Any suggestions as to what we "must see" or is this a port that you can just wander and find enough to fill a day?

 

Any suggestions will be gratefully received and considered.

Thanks:)

[moyaroo]

It really depends on you. If you love wine, there is the Yarra Valley or Mornington Peninsula for the local grown and fantastic (Pinot Noir in the Mornington, Chardonnay and all the reds in the Yarra)

 

Some go for the old steam engine Puffing Billy see http://www.puffingbilly.com.au/

 

the Mornington is scenic as well as having good wines.

 

One might want to wander the Botanical Gardens or just go up some of the backstreets of the CBD (the alleyways are chock a block with cafes and hidden gems of shops)

 

Lots to do and not even mentioning here the dread topic of the Great Ocean Road (recommended for land tourists but not for cruisers)

 

If your ship leaves real late they may have a tour to Philip Island for the Penguin Parade, not to be done unless on the ships tour due the the late hour and need to get back to the ship.

[room010]

This may be heresy but I think the Penguin Parade at Phillip Island is very over-rated, especially as you have to spend a chunk of your precious day ashore actually getting there and back. It's a good 90min drive each way. If you want to see the Little Penguins go to Melbourne Zoo.

 

To be honest Melbourne doesn't have quite the Wow Factor of Sydney but if you are happy to explore the central city area you will make all kinds of quirky and interesting "finds". Don't forget to use the trams! There's a tram from Port Melbourne pier, 2 mins from your ship, right into the city. The Aquarium is worth a visit as is Queen Victoria Market for buying your "Australiana" souvenirs. There are plenty of galleries and exhibitions. And we have the best coffee so find a cafe (hundreds of them!) and enjoy the atmosphere. Melbourne is the foodie capital, some say of the world, so you won't starve. If you want to travel out of the city then Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary is worthwhile or take a winery tour either on the Mornington Peninsula or Yarra Valley.

 

I agree that you really can't "do" the Great Ocean Road in a day.

[rdowney]

Check out the Melbourne Greeter Service, which provides free guided walks with a local volunteer. Ours was great, and we saw a lot of hidden spots that we would have missed on our own. Make your request as early as possible because they are busy when cruise ships are in port.

 

http://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/Gettingaroundthecity/Visitorassistance/Pages/MelbourneGreeterService.aspx

[graceinmelbourne]

It is very easy to get into the city from the port. I think it is the 109 tram which takes you right into the heart of the city. When you are there there is plenty to keep you occupied. There is a big information centre located at Federation Square and they can give you a map and suggestions.

 

Some of the places you can visit while you are there either walking or using the tram are:

 

 

Royal Botanic Gardens - huge gardens located very close the city.

Jump on a tram and get off at the Shrine of Rememberence. The entrance to the gardens is just behind the war memorial.

 

Southbank area - You can stroll along the river and have a drink in one of the many bars and restaurants.

 

Wander through the laneways of the city making sure you visit the beautiful Block Arcade on Collins Street.

 

At Federation Square you can visit the Ian Potter gallery which is free showcases serveral floors of Australian art.

 

Queen Victoria market which has plenty of souveniers and food.

 

Take a photo on the steps of historic parliament house and the treasury building.

 

Also try www.visitmelbourne.com.au for more ideas. Also http://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au

[Kiwi Kruzer]

We have been to Melbourne several times on a cruise.

It has the best public transport we have experienced.

As suggested, take the the train into the city,

visit a wonderful City..

and enjoy.

Jump on a tram, and visit St Kilda.

[woodley]

Thanks so much for your suggestions. We have decided at this port we will use the public transport and enjoy the city, from what you have all said this sounds like a really nice city to explore.

[yarramar]

If you decide to spend time at the Queen Vic Market check out the trading hours on the day you are in port so as not to be disappointed. They are closed Monday and Wednesday and close at 2pm on Tues & Thurs. Tram 55 from Elizabeth St wiil get you there.

 

Make sure you try the coffee at any small cafe (not a chain i.e. Starbucks style). After scouring France & Italy I could not find anywhere that comes close to the quality or price that you will find in Melbourne. Saying that, a great area for lunch or coffee is DeGraves St, off Flinders Lane. http://degravesstreetonline.com It highlights the essence of Melbourne food & coffee culture

[lynsteve]

the tram terminus is directly across the road from the dock.

 

stevo

[woodley]

Thanks tram info really helpful.:)

[rdowney]

the tram terminus is directly across the road from the dock.

 

stevo

 

However, when we were there in January 09, the local transit system provided a free shuttle bus from the dock to the CBD so that the cruise passengers didn't overload the trams during the morning rush hour. It's hard to beat that kind of service.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

However, when we were there in January 09, the local transit system provided a free shuttle bus from the dock to the CBD so that the cruise passengers didn't overload the trams during the morning rush hour. It's hard to beat that kind of service.

 

Thats an excellent service. They have only started doing that in the last few years, and it works well with moving the numbers in the morning. You still have to get the tram back, so make sure you know the right number to catch.

[graceinmelbourne]

Here's a link to a list of walking tours in Melbourne. Maybe you could get the tram into the CBD and then do a 2 hour walking tour. Probably a good way to get to know the city with an informative guide.

 

http://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/Gettingaroundthecity/ToursandCruises/Pages/WalkingTours.aspx

[aussiespirit]

We will be docking in Melbourne and want to get some info. on what to see in one day. We do not enjoy ship tours due to price, lack of spontaneity, and being herded like cattle. We are quite happy to pay for private tours, use public transport or rent a car. Any suggestions as to what we "must see" or is this a port that you can just wander and find enough to fill a day?

 

Any suggestions will be gratefully received and considered.

Thanks:)

Hi, we will also be docking in Melbourne in March 2011 and think we will do a cruise on the Yarra river, ( I know, It sounds silly, from one cruise to another but this is totally different), try this website, www.melbcruises.com.au ,

 

the Gardens cruise sounds lovely and at $22.00 ea for a 1 1/2hr cruise is good value. Victoria Markets is also interesting and you would pick up lots of cheap souvenirs there. Hope you enjoy your visit to Aus.

[kuldalai]

Melbourne is a really great port of call for cruisers, to do on your own .

 

Walk to the land end of Station Pier and look to the right and slightly inland and you will see the PORT MELBOURNE light rail terminus . (Buy ticket on tram a DAILY Zone 1 allows unlimited City Area travel. Ticket machine Aussie coins only).

 

The 109 Tram takes you into the CBD up Collins Street in the heart of the City, alight at the Elizabeth Street stop :

 

From here one block up Elizabeth Street and you are in the heart of the central shopping area . To get to the Victoria Market take any northbound tram in Elizabeth Street and alight at Victoria Street , look left.

 

Or the next stop up Collins Street is Swanston St .

From here (Cnr Swanston & Collins St) : One block South to Federation Square (Ian Potter Gallery - Australian Art), Flinders St station (Take Upfield line train and alight at ROYAL PARK for one of the Worlds great Zoo's including Native Australian animals.) Over Princes Bridge (next to Flinders St station) for Southbank dining precinct, and National Gallery (International Collection.)

 

At the top of Collins Street the final stop is Spring St - alight here for Old Treasury Building and Parliament House, and Fitzroy Gardens .

 

The Melbourne Museum is in the Carlton Gardens, alight from City Circle Tram when you see the old Exhibition Buildings (Cnr Nicholson & Victoria Sts).

 

A separate City Circle Tourist Tram (Maroon & Gold in colour) circles the City with commentary every 12 minutes FREE . Board these trams in either direction (clockwise/anti clockwise) in Flinders Street, Spring Street or Latrobe Street . The entire circle trip takes around an hour .

 

Great coffee and eating in the CBD or Southbank . To return to your cruise boat, just catch a 109 PORT MELBOURNE tram (Westbound) anywhere in Collins Street, and you will be back at Station Pier within 20 minutes.

 

Melbourne's CBD is a one mile square grid : Order of streets :

Running North/South : Spencer St, King, William, Queen, Elizabeth, Swanston, Russell, Exhibition and Spring.

Running East/West : Flinders St, Collins, Bourke, Lonsdale, Latrobe, Victoria.

[GradUT]

One of the most fascinating places that we visited in Melbourne was the Old Melbourne Gaol, site of the execution of famed bushranger Ned Kelly. http://www.oldmelbournegaol.com.au/

[room010]

A quick Heads Up to anyone contemplating the Penguin Parade at Phillip Island. The highlight of this is the actual "Parade" when the penguins come ashore and scuttle up the beach to settle down for the night. This happens around sunset and so most day trippers from cruiseships won't be able to stay that long to see it.