Goldenbackpacker.com

MELBOURNE - STAY FOR LESS "A$"

MELBOURNE (VIC) was founded in 1835 as a land speculation, not a penal colony, by John Bateman from Tasmania who persuaded the local Aborigines to sell prime land for trivial goods. J P Fawkner started to build & a year later the settlement on the Yarra River was named in honour of the British Prime minister, Lord Melbourne. Today it’s Australia’s second largest City & Capital of Victoria State. Its a refined & gentle City with fine Victorian architecture, wide leafy streets, fountains, parks & the location of the world soap opera Neighbours, a magnet for fans.

ACCOMMODATION

NO 1 - THE GREENHOUSE BACKPACKER at 228 Flinders Lane (one street behind the main Flinders St. & Rail Station) freecall 1800 249 207, www.friendlygroup.com.au - $24 in 4 bed dorms with sep. showers/wc’s. Ex. facilities on 6th floor reception, s/c kitchen, dining area, sitting corner, Internet m/cs. (free). Lounge/ mega TV room & games area. Super location in CBD, near to Yarra River, hostel has great atmosphere, free pancake & pasta days also a special weekly mini bus tour to the Neighbours locations.

Reserve – Flinders Station Hotel (VIP) at 35 Elizabeth Street (in heart of City just off Flinders Street) Tele (03) 9620 5100 Email - $18 pn in 3 or 4 bed dorms sep. shower/ wc’s. First floor communal kitchen, dining , Lounge/TV, games rooms. Also 2 bars, bottle shop & travel agency on ground. Good temporary hostel if No1 fully booked.

FOOD – is closest to No1 hostel at a Coles Express Mini market on Elizabeth St. with limited stock therefore more expensive. The larger, cheaper, Coles Supermarket is found 2 train stops from Flinders Station at the East Richmond station. There are many restaurants & cafes around town but if you want to go exotic visit authentic China Town it’s just off Swanston St.

TRAVELLING AROUND – for your first arrival in the City, try the free Circular Tram which runs from 1000 to 1800 each day, hop on, hop off, a good way to get your initial bearings. For longer & out of City ventures use the MET (trams, trains & busses) it works on a zone fare system - $2.70 zone 1(2hrs) day $5.20, tickets obtained from vending m/c’s, validate on entry to transport used.

“FREE” SIGHTS TO SEE

1. Federation Square – New landmark along the Yarra with exhibitions & Moving Image Centre
2. Yarra River – Said to “flow upside down”, muddy on top, with ornate bridges, walks along banks
3. Captain Cooks Cottage – Original 1750 English cottage where he lived is quaint & appealing o/s
4. Treasury Gardens – Avenue of giant gum trees, extensive lawns/ rock pools & possums at night
5. City Circle Tram – Burgundy & Gold trams trundle along a loop track clock /anti every 20 mins
6. Rialto Tower – Tallest office building in S/ hemisphere at 253 metres, awesome from street level
7. Queen Victoria Market – States biggest market from fresh produce to clothes to souvenirs
8. Neighbours “Ramsey Street” – Pin Oak Court in the suburbs is the famed street for this “Soap”
9. Royal Botanical Gardens 1000’s of native & exotic plants, black swans & cactus, Oz’s finest
10. St Kilda Pier/ Beach - Tram to the breakwater to see marina & vast expanse of Port Phillip Bay

CHARGE SIGHTS NOT TO MISS

1. Aussie Rules Football – Tours arranged at No1 hostel to see this unique fanatical local sport
2. Rialto Towers Observation Deck – Lookout on 55th floor offers spectacular views over City

* Harold (Ian) – Lou (Tom) – Carl (Alan) – Susan (Jackie) – Dee (Madeline) - Toady (Ryan)