Hi,

I'm planning a short weekend trip to Australia in November this year and it would be my first time in Australia. I have decided to come to Melbourne and not Sydney. I have nothing against Sydney though. Frankly speaking, I don't know much about the city but when I browsed the net recently it gave some rough ideas what to do in Melbourne.

But, I would love to get to know some locals, gay and straight alike. I'm not really into gay scene whatsoever but I did my research on that. However, I ended up with gay escort services (I don't think I could afford them).

I'm open to any suggestion.

Cheers.

Melbourne Cup Horse Racing is the big November event and there is a real manic party atmosphere in the city at that time.

The races can be fun to go to as well - a real institution!

Most of the active Gay Venues are in the inner north, but unfortunately few are directly on train or tram lines, but many are not too far from them if you know where youre going.

The places also tend to be rather far from one-another, not much of a section of street with several options to check out unfortunately

I'll keep that in my mind then. I don't mind if I don't get a chance to experience the gay scene in Melbourne. And I don't expect much from the first trip.

Cheers

Who plans a 'short weekend trip' from Malaysia to Australia?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wonderland

Who plans a 'short weekend trip' from Malaysia to Australia?

Me.....why?

What you need is a good feed and an old fashioned bar hop. There's a million places to have a nice lunch then work your way around a drink or two. It should be warm enough for Riverland, Section 8, pop by Cookie, whiz upstairs to the roof top bar, run across the road to The Order of Melbourne, work off lunch making your way down to the Woolshed and then a short tram ride down for a long dinner at Republica to watch the sun set.

Well that's what I'd do anyway :/

Dan makes a good point

Having a wander and an explore without a particular destination in mind is probably the best way to get a feel for Melbourne.

Maybe choose a different area of the city for a each day you're here. Maybe CBD/laneways on one day; Inner-north [Lygon-Brunswick-Smith Streets] on another; half a day each for St Kilda and Chapel Street surrounds; then maybe save an evening for a particular event - AFL or Arts Centre performance perhaps - and have dinner on South Bank and an explore of the Casino precinct.

Melbourne's Gay venues are scattered throughout the city, so theres not one particular place where you will find a concentration of them together, but - on the other hand - any neighbourhood you visit is likely to have a place or two.

We're well into winter, and especially since you're coming from the tropics, you might be really feeling the cold, wind, damp, and dark which settles in over our fair city. So be sure you bring jumpers and jackets.

Quote:

Originally Posted by longhornie

We're well into winter, and especially since you're coming from the tropics, you might be really feeling the cold, wind, damp, and dark which settles in over our fair city. So be sure you bring jumpers and jackets.

He's safe - His trip is planned for November!

Oops - shoulda re-read the details before writing that line.

Quote:

Originally Posted by danw

He's safe - His trip is planned for November!

Thank you for the advice. I have just bought insight guide book - Melbourne today. A good guide indeed for someone like me.

That is why I chose November and in fact I have just bought the tickets today. It is a short trip but I might return for the second trip and so forth. For the time being, I need to apply for the visa and for that I have to go the Australian Consulate in my city.

I guess it will be springtime when I'm there.

Cheers mates.

Hello albab2k7,

I am from Carlton North, Vic. Melbourne, You should concentrate on AUS, get your rental car or accommodation in Melbourne like Princesspark Motor Inn and explore after a city stay!

You will definitely love the destination and the people! Australians are great folks - pleasant, easy going - hang loose....

Don't make it a rushy thing. Dedicate time to each destination and absorb the landscape people and nature!

You really don't need any TA! You can do it yourself!

Enjoy the anticipation!

Current location is Melbourne but leaving soon.

I wish I could stay longer but it was my fault too to make it short.

I spent my alone wondering the CBD and I like it. It is just that it is very cold for me...lol

Definitely, I would come back very soon.

Hope you enjoyed your trip, and come back soon. Also consider taking some trips outside Melbourne, if you have the time. There are some nice day trips. Some can be done by train, others (such as the Phillip Island penguins) are available as bus tours from the city.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Proton69

Hope you enjoyed your trip, and come back soon. Also consider taking some trips outside Melbourne, if you have the time. There are some nice day trips. Some can be done by train, others (such as the Phillip Island penguins) are available as bus tours from the city.

I would definitely return. There are many things I want to do on the next trip. But I'm also planning a stopover at Sydney.

I know about Phillip Island. I planned to go there but I didn't bring thicker clothes. I also did not manage to meet my friend due to time constraint but I did go to St. Kilda. And I'll be shopping next time. lol

Cheers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by albab2k7

I would definitely return. There are many things I want to do on the next trip. But I'm also planning a stopover at Sydney.

I know about Phillip Island. I planned to go there but I didn't bring thicker clothes.

Cheers.

If your main purpose of going to the Phillip Island is to see penguins, then i wouldn't bother going.
You can see them at St. Kilda beach every day after 7 pm when they come back from the ocean
You would have seen the pier and restaurant. Well, you can find them hiding amongst the rocks behind the restaurant.

Cheers

Quote:

Originally Posted by observer

If your main purpose of going to the Phillip Island is to see penguins, then i wouldn't bother going.
You can see them at St. Kilda beach every day after 7 pm when they come back from the ocean
You would have seen the pier and restaurant. Well, you can find them hiding amongst the rocks behind the restaurant.

Cheers

I did go to the pier and they did put some sort of info sign about the penguins...if I go there on the weekend it would only cost me $3.30 tram fare..with myki. in comparison of $99 full day trip to Phillip Island.

Quote:

Originally Posted by albab2k7

I did go to the pier and they did put some sort of info sign about the penguins...if I go there on the weekend it would only cost me $3.30 tram fare..with myki. in comparison of $99 full day trip to Phillip Island.

Like i said it depends on what you want to see.

PS.
Shopping in Australia ? You must be kidding me.
I stopped shopping here years ago. Everything is so much more expensive over here than if you buy stuff overseas . I buy things on the internet in US, Europe etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by observer

Like i said it depends on what you want to see.

PS.
Shopping in Australia ? You must be kidding me.
I stopped shopping here years ago. Everything is so much more expensive over here than if you buy stuff overseas . I buy things on the internet in US, Europe etc.

shopping doesn't mean i have to shop for expensive stuffs. some items sold are reasonable. i have to look for something that i would not find back home. do you think that i would go for gucci...or something. if i really care about the prices, why don't i just fly to China for cheaper stuffs. After all, when I went to Dick Smith and Officeworks, I found out that the cheapest are usually from China. It is not that I'm going to shop till you drop.

Quote:

Originally Posted by albab2k7

shopping doesn't mean i have to shop for expensive stuffs. some items sold are reasonable. i have to look for something that i would not find back home. do you think that i would go for gucci...or something. if i really care about the prices, why don't i just fly to China for cheaper stuffs. After all, when I went to Dick Smith and Officeworks, I found out that the cheapest are usually from China. It is not that I'm going to shop till you drop.

Nothing to be about. It was just a general comment about cost of everything in OZ compared to other countries.