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Thread: Melbourne and surrounds

  1. #1
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    Melbourne and surrounds

    Melbourne - well its been just over 6 years since I came to live down under. I love this city as it is not a crowded city nor is it a fast paced one, unlike Syndey or London, if you get what i mean. It does not make me an expert to wirte about Melbourne but these are what I know,heard or experienced not only in Melbourne but within Victoria.

    Melbourne is in the state of Victoria and is one of the cooler cities in Australia. It is about 900 kms south of Sydney. Melbourne population is over 4 million but spread over 3400 sq miles.
    It has many councils/municipalities - i live in Epping which is about 22kms north of Melbourne, within the Whittlesea council. Because it spans over a large area, there are many landed properties that you can see just outside city square (which we call CBD). In the city, there are many high-rise buildings, the tallest being the Eureka tower. When measured either by the height of its roof, or by the height of its highest habitable floor, Eureka Tower was the tallest residential building in the world when completed. The building stands 297 metres in height, with 91 storeys above ground plus one basement level. It is one of only seven buildings in the world with 90 or more storeys.

    This is a very cosmo city - it basically has people from all over the world and culturally diverse. Over 35% of its population was born overseas namely from Britain, Italy, Croatia, Vietnam, China, New Zealand, Greece, India, Sri-Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore and Africa. Apart from these, there are other Europeans/Mediterranean descendants. There is a street in Melbourne famous for Italian food (Lygon Street), Little Bourke Street is 'Mini China town', Dandenong is southeast Melbourne is Little India/Srilanka etc. There are Murugan temples, Shiva-Vishnu, Durga, Ganesha temples in Melbourne.

    WHAT TO SEE/DO IN MELBOURNE/VICTORIA? :-
    Melbourne is often referred to as Australia's garden city, and the state of Victoria was once known as the garden state. There is an abundance of parks and gardens in Melbourne and many close to the CBD with a variety of common and rare plant species amid landscaped vistas, pedestrian pathways and tree-lined avenues.
    Within Melbourne, you will get to see many parks, beach, shopping venues (yes! it is a fsahion city after all). Just within a short drive (2 hrs), you will get to Philip island to watch the world's tiniest penguins and other wildlifes, wildlife sanctuaries to see platypus, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, dingos and other native animals. The Great Ocean Road is about 4 hours away from Melbourne, where you can see the 12 Apostles. The drive is scenic and you can stop over at Cape Otway - nice green range. There's beautiful camping/national park not too far from Great Ocean - called the Grampians. I have nto been there yet but was told is it a beautiful place to go and the scene from the top is berathtaking!
    If you come in autumn (March-May), you will get to see the trees changing colors (Maple leaves especially) - its a beautiful sight! If you are adventurous enough, take a drive to Canberra (day tripper) and wonder in the many beautiful colors of autumn! It is pleasing to the eyes and brings peace to the soul especially driving along the countryside...

    ok;.... got to go, to be continued tomorrow .

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  3. #2
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    Melbourne_Skyline.jpg
    Melbourne skyline




    Melbourne_Docklands.jpg
    Melbourne Docklands

  4. #3
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    hmm... eppadi photos-a perusaa aakurathu??

  5. #4
    Administrator Platinum Hubber NOV's Avatar
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    excellent NM
    we dont want experts/professionals views - we are seeking ordinary people's view on each city.

    pls elaborate on immigration matters, stds of living, what to see, what to do and where to eat.
    Never argue with a fool or he will drag you down to his level and beat you at it through sheer experience!

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    Senior Member Diamond Hubber groucho070's Avatar
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    Also, I want to know if there is such thing as Melbourne flower.
    " நல்ல படம் , சுமாரான படம் என்பதையெல்லாம் தாண்டியவர் நடிகர் திலகம் . சிவாஜி படம் தோற்கலாம் ..சிவாஜி தோற்பதில்லை." - Joe Milton.

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    Visa & immigration :-
    Visitors require visas to enter Australia. If you are staying for less than 3 months, you will only need the ETA (Electronic Travel visa-subclass 976) which you can generally apply online or through your travel agent.
    If you are intending to stay longer, then, you will need to apply for sub-class 676. This involves a lengthy process. More details can be obtained from the link below :-
    http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/tour...sa-options.htm
    Always have a valid visa BEFORE you leave your country. Also, have the information of your destination (lodging, contact details) with you in order to complete your disembarkation card.
    You have to declare everything on this card, including all food types, wood products etc. If you in doubt as to the category, please always mark YES, else you risk getting fined! A friend of mine forgot to declare her mooncake so she was forced to throw them away or risk a fine. Dried fish, Baba’s masala powder all need to be declared too – sometimes you will get lucky but sometimes, you might be asked to throw away the Baba’s !!!!

    Currencies and Exchange rates :-
    Currency :- Australia’s currency comprises coins of 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent and one and two dollar denominations; and notes of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollar denominations
    AUD:USD $1 : $1.03 (yes, AUD is slightly stronger than the USD);
    AUD:MYR $1 : RM 3.24

  8. #7
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    Some notes for you to see
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    A) For those who like history
    i) Melbourne Museum – discover Australian history and the rest. Tickets cost ~$10 (adults). See Australia's champion horse Phar Lap, the kitchen set from the hit TV soap Neighbours and learn about local Aboriginal history and culture. Trek through a towering indoor rainforest. Meet live creepy crawlies like tarantulas in the Bugs Alive exhibition. And explore evolution from Darwin to DNA in a showcase that features five life-size dinosaur skeletons. There is a beautiful Carlton Gardens for you to walk around or have a picnic when the weather permits. I used to do that during lunch break when our office was just across the gardens! You can join a free guided tour which will take about 45 mins.

    ii) Royal Exhibition Centre – is a world heritage building and is just within 2 mins of the museum. There is a free tour at 2pm daily.

    iii) Melbourne Gaol – this is the old Melbourne prison which is about 10 mins from the Museum. This is where the famous (or infamous) criminal Ned Kelly was hanged.

    iv) Immigration museum – showcases all things from first migrants etc.

    v) Visit Ballarat (approx. 1.5 hrs away) – this was the Gold mining town. You can get to see the old mine and walk around the settlers villages. Nice.

  10. #9
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    B) Animal lovers
    i) Melbourne Zoo – houses many different animals (as usual)

    ii) Healesville sanctuary – for native animals:- birds, kangaroos, emus, wallabies, wombats, Tasmanian devil (very fierce animal!!), reptiles plus shows & meet the animal sessions

    iii) Werribee zoo – this is about 45mins away from Melbourne – this is an open-range zoo where you can see the animals Safari style.
    A word to note :- all entrances to zoos are abt $25 (adult)

    iv) Melbourne Aquarium – haven’t been there but heard it houses many sea animals.
    Note :- Melbourne zoo & aquarium are in the city; Healesville is about 1hr from the City.

    v) Philip island – watch Penguin parade at dusk – times vary throughout the year (from 5.15pm in winter to 8.45 pm in summer for the penguins to come ashore). Need to book tickets early in peek season otherwise it will be a wasted trip as they block the road and make you go back if you are without a ticket if seatings are full! The Penguins here are the tiniest ones in the world called fairy Penguins
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    C) Other fun stuff :-

    i) Scienceworks – also in the city
    You'll get an inside look at science through live demonstrations, hands-on exhibits, guided tours and interactive activities. In the high-voltage, live half-hour show, you'll be taken inside the Lightning Room. Once you step inside the Victoria University High Voltage Theatre, prepare to be electrified by spectacular bolts of lightning and experience the true power of nature's dazzling electrical storms. Ha ha . Scienceworks is also home to the Melbourne Planetarium. Inside the impressive dome, you'll be transported on an amazing guided tour through deep space.

    ii) Crown casino – for those who don’t know what to do with $$$$. Opens 24/7/365 !! Food is good there

    iii) Hot air balloon around the city

    iv) Go for a walk around the city and you’ll be amazed to find good café’s, little shops, outlets in the Melbourne laneways. Once of my nieces and I enjoyed a good cuppa and some delicious cakes when we stumbled upon a nice & cosy little pastry cake shop – YUMMY cakes and pastries. That’s something you must try – pastries!! Go to this link and you’ll see the Melbourne Walk :-
    http://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/Get...sandLanes.aspx

    v) Walk along the Yarra river that runs through the city – eat, walk, stop, cycle, jog - - you can do anything along the river as there is a good walkway!

    vii) Visit the Royal Botanical gardens – it has many different plant/tree species plus flowers (not sure if you can find your Melbourne Flower here, Groucho .. there is a man made lake and you can take a picnic with you and a book and spend hours in here.

    Viii) Within a walking distance is the war memorial for those who are interested in history and war. On ANZAC day (in April) and on the 11th hour of the 11th month of every year (which is the rememberence day), there are events in the war memorial.

    ix) Art gallery – for those who are interested in ART, this is is must see

    x) Visit the Victoria Market – it has many things such as gift items apart from the usual market stuff. In summer, you can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee while listening to the buskers.

    xi) spend a day at Luna Park – fun and excitement in the city with one of the world’s oldest roller coaster, adrenalin-rushing power surge that spins you until your eyes come out! And many other fun rides. Go to this link for more info :- http://www.lunapark.com.au

    Note :- in Federation Square in the city, if you go to the information centre, you will find out the various trips and passes available and some of them offer good deals and discounts for tours, entrance fees, restaurants and shopping. Check it out.
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