Looking for some Australians' help

[MPTech]

My dream trip is happening!  I'm from the Midwest of the good 'ole USA and I've gone on vacations from East Coast to West Coast and Canada to Mexico, but never internationally. I've also done a fair amount of business travel as well.

My ultimate vacation (still a dream) is to travel to Australia for a couple weeks.  Last week, my boss asked if I'd be interested in a business trip there for a couple weeks this month and maybe again next month.  I was very excited (although the business will be some long hours I'm sure), but I do have the weekends!

I'll be working in Melbourne and taking a cab to most places, I presume. Maybe next trip I'll rent a car and venture further (or for  the day on the weekend).

SO........ I was wondering if some locals could give me any good advice / suggestions for making the most of my trip.

Cheers Mate!   

[MPTech]

sorry, wrong forum, I meant to post this in Everything Else.

[philby85]

Hey MPtech,

I live in Melbourne, I'd be happy to help you out.

Let me know if you need my help.

cheers

Philby

[danny_galaga]

I'll be working in Melbourne and taking a cab to most places, I presume.

not what i was thinking i bet 

[loadman]

I'll be working in Melbourne and taking a cab to most places, I presume.

not what i was thinking i bet 

Could be a Tram being Melbourne

[MPTech]

ok, I admit I'm either confused or dense.

Is tram the mode of transportation?

Can you recommend a couple things to do on the weekend or evenings if I get out at a decent time?

[philby85]

Hi MPtech,

Yes a tram is a form of public transportation. Melbourne is blessed with a great transport system. Trains,trams and buses will get you anywhere. I suggest going to www.thatsmelbourne.com.au This will give you a bit of an insight to Melbourne. It is renowned for it's parks and gardens, restaurants and nightlife. It is a beautiful city set on the banks of a river. Enjoy your time in Australia!!

cheers

philby

[Anubis_au]

And try to make your way up to Sydney, the best city in the world, bar none

Though Melbourne is a great place as well... and yes, there are some of Sydneysiders who like Melbourne.

MPTech, tram = light rail. Melborne's system is damn good, as philby said.

Philby, nice to meet other Aussies on these forums.

[loadman]

And try to make your way up to Sydney, the best city in the world, bar none

Though Melbourne is a great place as well... and yes, there are some of Sydneysiders who like Melbourne.

MPTech, tram = light rail. Melborne's system is damn good, as philby said.

Philby, nice to meet other Aussies on these forums.

Good on you    I am from Sydney too

I resisted the Sydney V Melbourne debate 

[Anubis_au]

I know, it's hard to resist... but we don't want to scare off our American friends...

Loadman, just checked out your site, found it interesting that ou managed to sub your BIOS load scrren/pic... you mind sharing that pearl of wisdom, cos I'd love to do that... Perhaps starting a new thread in the software section...

[loadman]

I know, it's hard to resist... but we don't want to scare off our American friends...

Loadman, just checked out your site, found it interesting that ou managed to sub your BIOS load scrren/pic... you mind sharing that pearl of wisdom, cos I'd love to do that... Perhaps starting a new thread in the software section...

It's no secret.

Some motherboards allow you to substitute the BIOS screen for a PIC   Check your manual

To make the Boot-up look better I disabled Windows Log-in and matched the Bios Log-in pic with my wallpaper

[philby85]

Thanks for the welcome Anubis_au.

There's no rivarly between Melbourne and sydney at all. All you guys have is a big harbour, a big bridge and an opera house!

We got the yarra river! The only river in the world that is upside down!

MPtech your heading our way just as the weather is turning colder. However if you head north to Queensland the weather will still be warm.

cheers

Philby

[MPTech]

I was wondering about the weather.  We're exiting our cold weather here, in fact I just mowed the lawn and fertilized it for the first time this year, heading into our warmer weather (funny, I don't know what else to call Spring!). 
So colder like a light jacket or something else?  I'll be wearing a suit to the office (so I'm told), please tell me a don't need my overcoat to boot!  I'll be heading down next week, for a couple, then a couple more at the end of next month (if I'm lucky!)
I had a Salt Water aquarium for 10+ years, so the Aquarium is a must and I thought about a snorkeling outing, but I'm thinking I'm too late (and I have to look at my geography a bit, how far is the ocean??)

Yep, I already started looking at the http://www.visitvictoria.com/ site.

I'm sure I'll figure out the Trams for getting around, but after a 20+ hour flight, a cab to the hotel is a no-brainer.

Can you recommend any good (reasonably priced) resteraunts?  I'd like to try some local specialties (I can get steaks and such at home).  I enjoy Seafood, can you recommend anything in that order?

I'd also like to visit a couple watering-holes (I have to have at least one Fosters while I'm there!!!)

Thanks guys!

[loadman]

I have to have at least one Fosters while I'm there!!!

TIP: Australian's don't drink Fosters .....   Its Dog  !!!

Seriously. It's exported because we hate it!!! 

 Try V.B.  (Victorian Bitter)

But we do have Kangaroos jumping up and down every street 

[Anubis_au]

MPTech

We don't get snow in our cities like USA / Europe, so when we say its getting cold, we mean an Aussie winter, which if you come from cold climes, should be alot milder for you. In the height of winter, a wool jumper and an overcoat suffices. In a month time, a light jumper should be ok. In a suit you'll be fine.

Melbourne is right on the ocean, just as Sydney (and most major cities in Australia). So the water will be close to you if you want to go snorkelling.

Have a Fosters, but remember, it's the most famous brand of Aussie beer overseas (esp. USA) but not our best, not by far.

And lastly, forget any Paul Hogan ads from the 80s you may have seen. Don't say to an Aussie "throw another shrimp on the barbie"... we hate that. And don't try to say "G'day" cos you guys just can't get it right, no offense Other than that, welcome, enjoy your stay, and have fun.

And come to Sydney. Best city in the world.

[MPTech]

OK, just took a gander at the Australia Map, doesn't look like I'll be doing that snorkeling!
Looks like the Great Barrier Reef is pretty much Northern Aus, while I'll be at about the most Southern point of Aus. more than 1000 miles  away (I better brush up on my Kilos!)   (please tell me my bearings North & South are correct).

[Anubis_au]

But we do have Kangaroos jumping up and down every street 

And drop bears. Don't forget drop bears

Go visit a zoo if you have time... check out some of our local wildlife...

[Anubis_au]

Oh, you wanted to go snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef... yeah, thats a few thousand kms north of Melbourne

[loadman]

Oh, you wanted to go snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef... yeah, thats a few thousand kms north of Melbourne

But Seriously, (Unlike Sydney  ) Melbourne Weather can be unpredictable most of the time so prepare for all seasons

[MPTech]

Nobody that I can think of drinks Foster here. I tried it just because it was from half-way round the globe. Glad to hear it's not your best!  

I won't insult you with my bad Paul Hogan immatation. (and glad I didn't ask you to "throw a shrimp........ you know the rest!)

I thought about visiting Sydney, but looks like about 500 KM.  That's a long way where I come from!

Kangaroos in the streets!?!?!? Doesn't that mess up your traffic??    

What's a drop bear?

[Anubis_au]

Nah, mate... Melb to Syd is more than 500km... more like 1000km (can't remember how long exactly). Even Canberra is more than 500km from Melbourne.

[loadman]

What's a drop bear?

Bit of a 'in' joke.  From an Australian 'Bundaberg Rum' TV Commercial.

Basically it's revoles around a group of Men taking advantage of the Ignorance of some Tourist's

[cdbrown]

Generally hot looking female tourists.  Seriously though - be careful of them, the drop bears - not the hot looking femail tourists.

[danny_galaga]

ok, I admit I'm either confused or dense.

Is tram the mode of transportation?

Can you recommend a couple things to do on the weekend or evenings if I get out at a decent time?

you said you were hopefully taking a cab everywhere you go



geez, this is an arcade forum after all 

[MPTech]

Dohhhhhh 

danny_galaga , good one.

Well, I'm just about packed and leaving in less than 2 days.  I think I got everything and talked to a woman at work that just moved to the states this year from beautiful Aus. so she gave me some recommendations for the CBD (Central Business District) and suggested the Great Ocean Road tour.  If I get the time it sounds great!

I hope your weather holds out, ours went bad here!  It was 70+ degrees (F) last week and dropped to the 20's this week!!!!!   

So, can anyone recommend a good reteraunt in BSD?  I'll be staying at the Saville on Russell.

Thanks again guys!!

[loadman]

So, can anyone recommend a good reteraunt in BSD?  I'll be staying at the Saville on Russell.

Yeah it could be cold in Mel right now...

Take a scenic walk/tram down to 'Southbank' (over the bridge Near the Casino) there is some good Restaurants there near the River

[MPTech]

Thanks Loadman, I was told to check-out the casino on the Southbank, didn't realize there was good resteraunts too.

OK, on a more serious note, what's you Juke look like? (that's my next project when I get back).

[loadman]

OK, on a more serious note, what's you Juke look like? (that's my next project when I get back).

It's a WIP. 
It's just a PC with 400Gig of space on it.
I have had Uncle T's Jukebox software and GameEX on it at various points
I bring it out for parties as it has HEAPS of Mp3's on it (I copied of a communal MP3 server at work) and some videos

One day I will put it in a cab as I lots of lefts over buttons/Led-Wiz/LCD/ Wireless remote/TV Tuner card and a I-pac...

One day  :-)

[MPTech]

so, can I ask? is your Avitar a Wombat?

is it true they walk wild on the streets of Melbourne?    (sorry, bad American humor)

[danny_galaga]

so, can I ask? is your Avitar a Wombat?

is it true they walk wild on the streets of Melbourne?    (sorry, bad American humor)

now thats just being silly! everyone here has to keep their wombats on leashes...

[loadman]

so, can I ask? is your Avitar a Wombat?

is it true they walk wild on the streets of Melbourne?    (sorry, bad American humor)

It's the un-official mascot of the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
The fat arse Wombat   

[Anubis_au]

so, can I ask? is your Avitar a Wombat?

is it true they walk wild on the streets of Melbourne?    (sorry, bad American humor)

It's the un-official mascot of the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
The fat arse Wombat   

Roy n HG

MPTech, sorry for not mentioning the great ocean road drive... it is pretty amazing, and it gets you out of Melbourne (not slagging Melb, I just mean getting out and about).

Also, if you are there over a weekend, and since you ARE in Melbourne, go check out a AFL game (aussie rules football), or even a game of NRL (rugby league) if there is one on. Just don't go supporting Collingwood...

[MPTech]

Thanks for reminding me, my friend at work suggested te AFL as weel.  I'll try to catch a game!

Anything to avoid?

[philby85]

Hey MPtech,

I work in the CBD. If you need some help or want me to show you some places just ask.


cheers

Philby

[Anubis_au]

Thanks for reminding me, my friend at work suggested te AFL as weel.  I'll try to catch a game!

Anything to avoid?

I'd say avoid Melbourne, but what's the use?

It's all good mate. We're a friendly bunch mainly...

[MPTech]

Hey Mates!
 I finished my first 2 weeks in Melbourne and The Big Guy (my boss on this project) asked if I could extend it another week. So looks like another week in BEAUTIFUL Melbourne!  The weather has been GREAT, I'd like to thank you guys for that too!  (I know you guys are needing some rain badly though!)
I've eaten at the SouthBank a couple times, good food there.
I went on The Great Ocean Road tour last weekend.  WOW, simply Awesome!!!!!   JUST AMAZING!!
Found a great little resteraunt across the street,  Stalactites.  The BEST Giros I ever had.
Tried a couple VBs for dinner and have a 6 pack in the fridge!
Going to Victoria Market again tomorrow (picked up some nicies for the wife and kiddies there last week).
I've walked all over CBD. Every street from Kings to Exhibition, and Flinders to La Trobe, and a couple times to the Italian Area for some more good food.
Planning on doing a Wine Tour in the Yarra Valley on Sunday.
And might take in a parade on your holiday Wednesday.

All this and some very friendly folks here to boot!  But everyone says I have a funny accent (cracks me up!) 

And my company is paying me for this great adventure!!!  (oh, but I have been putting in 12 hour days during the week).

Cheers! 

[loadman]

Glad your stay has been great....

I went down South from Sydney to lake Conjola (about as south as Canberra but on the coast) and it was still warm enough for the kids to swim at the Beach. The kids had a ball

You got lucky dude...  It's usually pretty cold this time of year...  I blame Global Warming 

[bleugh]

I'm a melbournite myself, come over from the UK back in November
if you're around still, giz a shout!, i'm living in St Kilda!

[danny_galaga]

great to hear your enjoying yourself. so youll be in town for the anzac day holiday? that ties in with the great ocean road trip since that was built by WWI veterans.

[Scumgriever]

ANZAC day is about  2up. not parades     Go have a toss at the pub for a bit more aussie culture.