Melbourne in December

[nonot]

I'm off to Melbourne, Vic. for December, was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for things to do and see, perhaps some day or two-day trips that could be taken using Melb as my base. I'm visiting my partner over there but she doesn't have the whole month off so I'll be doing a lot of solo adventuring.

Good food, good shops, good areas to shoot, interesting things a bit off the general 'tourist' path would be nice but I'm also game to see the 'must sees' that Melbourne has.

Thanks in advance!

Ben

 

[peterm1]

I recall that there was a thread here a while back on the same topic by someone planning a trip to Melbourne. Use Google to search this site (the on site search engine is useless) and see if you can find it.

Bear in mind that December is in the midst of southern hemisphere summer so it could be hot and dry - that may shape your itinerary. But there is a lot to see and do in Melbourne which is a quite gracious city - more European feel than others in Oz, I think. (You can tell that I think its a very pleasant and civilized city - thats quite an admission as I live in Adelaide and the two cities are supposed to be rivals of sorts. But I would emphasize "pleasant" rather than say spectacular in the sense that perhaps Sydney harbour is spectacular.)

Anyway, check out my Flickr set on Melbourne, it may give you some ideas.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/life_in_shadows/sets/72157624630391659/

A few ideas - the National Gallery, Southbank, the laneway cafes in the city, city streetscapes and architecture, Melbourne beachside suburbs like St Kilda, Lygon street (cafes and restaurants) day trips to Yarra Valley (wineries and gourmet food), or to the alps (scenery), Portsea, Sorrento and the Mornington Peninsula, or on the other side of the bay Lorne (all coastal and beachside and all within a day trip).

 

[newsgrunt]

Well you're going to have to visit a couple of camera stores downtown, one of which is full of disgustingly amazing Leica porn 😉 Can't recall the names but they're close by each other. It's touristy but I always hit Queen Vic Market when I'm down visiting the in-laws.

If you have a ride, Cape Schank is pretty spectacular and some nice wineries around there as well (Montalto has a really nice restaurant on site).

basically what Peter said and bring good pair of shoes. Hope you like humidity 😉

 

[Jubb Jubb]

Hot and dry in Melbourne? haha. yeah right!

Maybe make a break for the Great Ocean Road?

 

[nonot]

Thanks for the ideas, Newsgrunt I'll be able to get my hands on a car while I'm there so I'll take Cape Schanck in if I can, the better half loves wine too so it sounds like something to lean towards.

Thanks again.

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

Pop over to Tassie while she is tied up, and say hello!
They have some great galleries in Melbourne. The Zoo is a good one. Go to Healesville Sanctuary to see fauna. It could be very, very, hot (40 c plus, or high 30s). Or not...
Regards,
Brett

 

[nonot]

Brett,

Maybe I will, looks incredible and not all that far off.

All I hear from her is that it's either going to be oppressively hot and humid or not. I like the potential range I could be dealing with and it's proving interesting to pack for, but I'm banking on warm weather, relative to Toronto right now at least.

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

Only around a one hour flight from Melbourne to Hobart, less to Launceston. Within some limits I'm happy to play local guide and put out the welcome mat for travelling RF members...more and more recently, I am growing to appreciate how special the site is from an on line POV, so it is always good to be able to put something back in to the community when possible.

I think it may be Michael's in Melbourne who have a section dedicated to collectible cameras (if you want to call it that). I haver seen some photos although have not visited. I believe they have a lunar spec Hasselblad EL Data Camera or similar in the collection I would quite like to see one day.
Regards,
Brett

 

[nonot]

Brett, that's a gracious offer. I'll try and pin down a time to come down there if possible. I've been advised of a couple camera stores to stay clear of (for financial health only) but the better half is a professional photographer so I'm sure I'll get to them one way or another. She's told me about Michael's museum, it's on my list of things to check out as well.

Thanks again, I'll send you a pm when I have my free time confirmed.

 

[newsgrunt]

Tasmania is GORGEOUS and would be kinda like their version of Newfoundland 😉 if you have the time (ha ha) you should try and hit SA and when there go to Kangaroo Island. That place is unbelievable and I could easily spend months there. Honest.

 

[Haigh]

Try "The European" on, I think, Spring Street. Nice place to eat, drink, and enjoy the atmosphere. There is always something interesting happening in Federation Square.

Camera Lane in the city has some interesting gear. Enjoy your stay.

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

I'm based a half hour from Hobart CBD. Flights to Hobart would therefore be the go in order to hook up. There is a great deal to see and do within an hour of Hobart, and much of it is free. I have friends who run a local fauna park, well worth seeing, with some echidnas, quolls, bettongs and other unique Tasmanian fauna (including some sarcophilis harrisii!). And of course, plenty of kangaroos.

A drive to Mt Wellington summit; Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery; Salamanca Place Market on a Saturday; a stroll through St David's Park; a photo shoot inside historic St David's Cathedral; an afternoon in the town of Richmond with its famous convict built bridge (check my Flickr stream for images of it); and Hobart's marvellous Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens (again, see my Flickr); are all wonderful activities that are free of charge.

You could also take a boat tour of Bruny island or Tasman Peninsula, or spend a day in Port Arthur, Australia's best-preserved, and most important, example of its convict heritage. A day trip to Mount Field National Park can be worthwhile too, and it is only a little over half an hour from my home.

Work out when, and how long, you can get down here for, and we'll see what we can plan. If you can be here on a Saturday for the Salamanca Place street market, that would certainly be a bonus for you, both for the experience and some photo opps.
Regards,
Brett

 

[peterm1]

If you are up for spending some money visit this place.

http://www.cameraexchange.com.au/

It used to be in the CBD one street over from Camera Lane mentioned in another post, but moved to its present location a year or so ago. When in the city it was brilliant but I have not visited its new premises so do not know if they have had to cull stock or such like. (Seems to happen a lot these days - camera stores move and revisit their business model.) But if its like its old self it was a great place for a camera nut to visit.

 

[lynnb]

Be especially careful driving within speed limits throughout Victoria as fines are very steep and radar and laser speed traps are common.
The Great Ocean Road is a beautiful scenic drive, right around to Port Campbell National Park. My favourite places to stay along that drive are Apollo Bay (pretty) and Port Fairy (pretty and historic). Good landscape shooting at the 12 Apostles/Loch Ard Gorge/Port Campbell National Park, particularly around sunset. Make sure you see the very small, historic cemetery while you're there. Take care on the cliffs, the southern ocean is dangerous and waves can sweep over the rock platforms.
In the other direction along the coast, Wilsons Promontory National Park is a wild and beautiful combination of beaches, mountains (well, only just) and forest. Book accommodation in advance at Tidal River through the national parks service (it may be booked out due to Christmas holiday season).
I like the picturesque historic gold fields villages and towns in central and northern Victoria; and often you can often find a winery nearby. Victoria had a gold rush similar to the California gold rush, and the legacy is a scattering of pretty, historic towns like Daylesford, Maldon and Beechworth, as well as larger wealthy centres like Ballarat and Bendigo where gold money built fine civic buildings.
I personally like the Victorian high country, starting at Beechworth or Bright, a side trip up to the Mount Buffalo plateau (great views of the main range from The Horn), then drive over the main range through Mt Hotham and Dinner Plain to Omeo, and then back down to Melbourne via Sale and the coast road, with a side trip to Wilsons Prom.
If you like wine, the vineyards of Rutherglen and Milawa are nice places to visit, but locals might point you to more accessible wine growing areas near Melbourne like the Yarra Valley, which I haven't visited.
The good thing about Victoria, is that distances aren't that great by Australian standards, and there is so much to see.
Just remember my caution about speed limits, and take care on the roads.

 

[zvos1]

Make sure you that you visit the camera museum at Michael's on Elizabeth Street in the CDB.

 

[zvos1]

Hot and dry in Melbourne? haha. yeah right!

Maybe make a break for the Great Ocean Road?

It is more like wet and cold lately, ha,ha.