There are many cost effective ways to see Melbourne, Australia. Here are some handy tips for getting around and making day to day life in Aussie much simpler.
1. When booking your flight with Qantas, select your destination as Melbourne without a stopover where possible. Some stopovers can incur additional charges. Check for this when making the initial booking. You will need to enter the country via Sydney's international Airport on your way to Melbourne. Once you're through customs a shuttle will transfer you to the domestic departure terminal for free. When you book your seat, ask specifically for the seat near the emergency exit. Leg room can be a problem and here you will have plenty of room to stretch out or even stand up and do some gentle exercise.
2. Book your vacation to arrive in Australia's summer season. Melbourne weather gets hot, but in comparison to northern states the temperature is pleasant with no humidity whatsoever. Packing light luggage for your vacation is much simpler when you're taking shorts, t-shirts and flip flops rather than bulky knits and jeans. Pack some shorts and t-shirt into your carry on bag. Dress in a sweat suit when your leave and change before landing. You will absolutely not look out of place being in the city wearing this type of clothing.
3. Melbourne is a shopper's paradise. If you're looking for souvenirs, buy clothes. T-shirts with Aussie logos, rolled prints of Australian landscapes and unique jewelry all keep the luggage light. Replace a whole suitcase with smart new attire and donate yours to charity while you're there. Everyone back home gets a gift and you still have light luggage.
4. Don't rent a car. Melbourne has plenty of taxis and the tram and train system is outstanding. You can travel anywhere you need to go in Victoria on a Melbourne train. Hop a tram for the city adventures, or a train to travel further to scenic country locations for a whole day-trip.
5. Don't book a city Motel. Get a city map and ride a train 15 minutes to an out lying area. The price of your classy hotel will drop by as much as 75% for a fully serviced room including breakfast. If you plan to stay for 1 week or more, don't be shy, ask for a discount before paying and you will probably get it. A shuttle bus runs from Melbourne Airport directly to the train station in the heart of the city. Ask one of the station stewards for directions to your platform and head off to settle into your Motel. If you need to wait, Spencer Street Station is also home to a lovely bar and restaurant upstairs with a view of the city.
6. Melbourne is home to the stunning Botanical Gardens. Check the weather forecast for the hottest day of the upcoming week and pack a picnic before you go. Make enough food to leave some in your Motel room for dinner. When you get back you already have something prepared rather than shower and dine out. Go for a swim and read a book that evening. If you're not used to dry heat, the day out can be very tiring.
7. Tipping is not necessary. If you feel the level of service has been outstanding, feel free to drop 10%. Our workers are paid a minimum wage and tipping is not standard practice.
8. If you arrive on a weekend, be sure and exchange your currency before leaving the airport. Our banks do not open on Saturdays. Hours are generally from 9.00a.m to 4.pm. Monday through Friday.
9. Our electricity supply is different from the United States. Buy a hairdryer or cheap electric shaver for under $10 after you arrive. Don't get caught having to buy an adapter you may never use again.
10. Our emergency services can be contacted by dialing 000 from any telephone. Buy a phone card and keep it in your wallet in case you need help, or to call a taxi in case you get lost or miss your train back to your Motel. You can buy Telstra Phone cards in most convenience stores or in the supermarket. If you need medicine or medical treatment look in the Yellow Pages. We do have 24 hour clinics. Our Pharmacies are called Chemists. Directory assistance is 013.
11. Your cell phone from the U.S. won't work in Australia. You can rent a mobile phone, but it will cost anywhere up to $80 for 10 days. Motorola offers a phone for around $45 for purchase which will work anywhere in the world. If you plan to travel more in the future this would be a better option.
12. Melbourne has a host of tourist sites to visit including Art Galleries, a spectacular Museum, Live Theater, inner city gardens and a Zoo. Outlying areas such as The Dandenong Ranges, 40 minutes to the east of the city, will allow you to explore a more hilly area covered with gigantic native tree ferns and gum trees full of Koalas. Take a train ride on the famous "Puffing Billy", an old steam train which roams through the gorgeous hill country. To the north of Melbourne you will find some of the best Antique stores in the state. Mt. Macedon, just 30 minutes away is a great spot to spend the day and shop for curious collectibles. Visit tea rooms for scrumptious scones with jam and whipped cream before taking a hike up the local mountainside. Here you will have breathtaking views of Melbourne off in the distance.
13. Don't forget, Melbourne is also right on the coast and the best beaches within 5 minutes of the heart of the city are Brighton Beach or St.Kilda Beach. Many years ago St. Kilda was a very rundown area. Over recent years however, millions of dollars have been spent and the district is now home to affluent businesses and multi million dollar homes. The "who's who" hang out here, so people watching can be quite interesting. Keep an eye out, you may see someone famous!
Source: Associated Content
Showing posts with label Australia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Australia. Show all posts
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Sightseeing and Activities in Sydney, Australia
If you want to go to the most amazing place on earth then you need to go to Sydney, Australia. Not only is it absolutely breathtaking, but there are endless things to do and see in this amazing city. With Sydney's diverse cultural makeup and complex infrastructure, there is nothing you cannot do and see. All you have to do is decide where you want to go and take a bus, train or ferry to get there.
Sydney has some of the most awe-inspiring sights in the world from its architecture to its natural wonders. We've all heard of the Sydney Opera House but its nothing until you've seen it and experienced a piece of theatre in it. During the day or night the Opera House is a sight to see. Next to the Opera House is the amazing Sydney Harbour Bridge. It was considered a genius architectural feat when it was designed and built. Now you have the opportunity to walk over the top of the bridge or walk across it to see the gorgeous Sydney skyline. Want to see something more natural? Sydney Harbour is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world with its white sand and sparkling blue pristine waters. Among the favorites are Manly Beach and Bondi Beach. You can also try Palm Beach and the Basin area. It's not really a gorgeous beach area but it is a nice place to picnic and see the natural Australian landscape. If you dare you can climb the 45-degree angle hill to see some authentic aboriginal carvings.
For those of you who are nature lovers, you must try some of the walking tours Sydney has to offer. My personal favorite is the Manly Beach to the Spit Bridge walk. This is a quite a hike and not for the weary but will delight you with a beach walk over the North Head of Sydney Harbour into the wooded areas until you reach the Spit Bridge where you can talk a bus home! Be sure to bring some water! Maybe the mountain scenes are more your thing then take a day trip to the Blue Mountains. All you need to do is take the train to Katoomba to see this gorgeous natural wonder and learn the legend behind the rock formations known as The Three Sisters. Finally, how about some interactions with the native wildlife? Would you like to come up close and personal with a kangaroo? How about actually touching one or touching a koala bear? Then you need to spend some time at Koala Park, a zoo with every native Australia animal you can imagine.
So now you're wondering what activities are there to do over there? How about taking some surf lessons or catching a rugby game at Olympic park, the official sight of the 2000 Summer Olympic games? If you are not afraid of heights take a ride up the Sydney Sky Tower to see the beautiful Sydney Skyline; go at night to see the lights of the Opera House! The Art Gallery of New South Wales has pieces from all the major artists plus many more. Looking for something more historical? Spend some time in the Rocks district at the Observatory or go to Parramatta. Maybe you are interested in doing some good old-fashioned shopping? Sydney has many markets where you can find local goods and plenty of souvenirs at unbeatable prices! Try Paddy's market first and then you can go to Balmain, Paddington, and Glebe markets as well as many others. Looking for some Sydney style? The Queen Victoria Building in the heart of Sydney is home to endless fashion stores.
Now that you have done all these activities I am positive you've worked up an appetite. Thanks to Sydney's diverse culture, it has a diverse selection of cuisine from which to choose. Sydney offers Italian, Chinese, Indonesian, Thai, and many others as well as its own traditional foods. You have not tried everything until you have eaten Kangaroo! It is absolutely delicious; try the Blackbird Café in the posh Darling Harbour district or try the Bar Italia in Leichardt for some Italian.
If after all this you still need more then Sydney has got it for you! For some more breathtaking views try going to The Gap but bring some tissue because this beautiful cliff overlooking the ocean is where many people come to end their lives and it can be emotional but it is still a must see. Finally, Watson's Bay is another beautiful area and along the way you'll encounter a nude beach so beware! Looking for the nightlife? Australians are big into the party scene and every night of the week you can find a place to party but remember most of the bars have a dress code and it doesn't include tennis shoes and sometimes jeans! Aussies love to drink so if a local buys you a drink you better buy one back or risk the wrath of a shunned Aussie!
After you've seen the gorgeous beaches and beautiful landscapes you will not want to leave this amazing city. I guarantee you can find something that everyone in the family will fall in love with. So the next time you are planning a family vacation or honeymoon Sydney is the place to be and don't let the airplane trip scare you because Sydney is more than worth it!
Source: Associated Content
Sydney has some of the most awe-inspiring sights in the world from its architecture to its natural wonders. We've all heard of the Sydney Opera House but its nothing until you've seen it and experienced a piece of theatre in it. During the day or night the Opera House is a sight to see. Next to the Opera House is the amazing Sydney Harbour Bridge. It was considered a genius architectural feat when it was designed and built. Now you have the opportunity to walk over the top of the bridge or walk across it to see the gorgeous Sydney skyline. Want to see something more natural? Sydney Harbour is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world with its white sand and sparkling blue pristine waters. Among the favorites are Manly Beach and Bondi Beach. You can also try Palm Beach and the Basin area. It's not really a gorgeous beach area but it is a nice place to picnic and see the natural Australian landscape. If you dare you can climb the 45-degree angle hill to see some authentic aboriginal carvings.
For those of you who are nature lovers, you must try some of the walking tours Sydney has to offer. My personal favorite is the Manly Beach to the Spit Bridge walk. This is a quite a hike and not for the weary but will delight you with a beach walk over the North Head of Sydney Harbour into the wooded areas until you reach the Spit Bridge where you can talk a bus home! Be sure to bring some water! Maybe the mountain scenes are more your thing then take a day trip to the Blue Mountains. All you need to do is take the train to Katoomba to see this gorgeous natural wonder and learn the legend behind the rock formations known as The Three Sisters. Finally, how about some interactions with the native wildlife? Would you like to come up close and personal with a kangaroo? How about actually touching one or touching a koala bear? Then you need to spend some time at Koala Park, a zoo with every native Australia animal you can imagine.
So now you're wondering what activities are there to do over there? How about taking some surf lessons or catching a rugby game at Olympic park, the official sight of the 2000 Summer Olympic games? If you are not afraid of heights take a ride up the Sydney Sky Tower to see the beautiful Sydney Skyline; go at night to see the lights of the Opera House! The Art Gallery of New South Wales has pieces from all the major artists plus many more. Looking for something more historical? Spend some time in the Rocks district at the Observatory or go to Parramatta. Maybe you are interested in doing some good old-fashioned shopping? Sydney has many markets where you can find local goods and plenty of souvenirs at unbeatable prices! Try Paddy's market first and then you can go to Balmain, Paddington, and Glebe markets as well as many others. Looking for some Sydney style? The Queen Victoria Building in the heart of Sydney is home to endless fashion stores.
Now that you have done all these activities I am positive you've worked up an appetite. Thanks to Sydney's diverse culture, it has a diverse selection of cuisine from which to choose. Sydney offers Italian, Chinese, Indonesian, Thai, and many others as well as its own traditional foods. You have not tried everything until you have eaten Kangaroo! It is absolutely delicious; try the Blackbird Café in the posh Darling Harbour district or try the Bar Italia in Leichardt for some Italian.
If after all this you still need more then Sydney has got it for you! For some more breathtaking views try going to The Gap but bring some tissue because this beautiful cliff overlooking the ocean is where many people come to end their lives and it can be emotional but it is still a must see. Finally, Watson's Bay is another beautiful area and along the way you'll encounter a nude beach so beware! Looking for the nightlife? Australians are big into the party scene and every night of the week you can find a place to party but remember most of the bars have a dress code and it doesn't include tennis shoes and sometimes jeans! Aussies love to drink so if a local buys you a drink you better buy one back or risk the wrath of a shunned Aussie!
After you've seen the gorgeous beaches and beautiful landscapes you will not want to leave this amazing city. I guarantee you can find something that everyone in the family will fall in love with. So the next time you are planning a family vacation or honeymoon Sydney is the place to be and don't let the airplane trip scare you because Sydney is more than worth it!
Source: Associated Content
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)