Assuming i'm well enough in late October (recently injured my back) I'll be going to Melbourne for PAX Australia. First time i'll be going there so for any of the other Aussie PW'ers or anyone really who has more knowledge about it then me, any information that isn't off a tourist website or something?

I’ll let you know when I get back from Super Show-Down next week.


I’ve been watching these videos for tips before I go, just a vlogging channel not a tourism ad thing.

Sept 27, 2018 11:22:22 GMT Call said:

Assuming i'm well enough in late October (recently injured my back) I'll be going to Melbourne for PAX Australia. First time i'll be going there so for any of the other Aussie PW'ers or anyone really who has more knowledge about it then me, any information that isn't off a tourist website or something?

@hr knows all the cool places where the barista looks at you with bored contempt

Just saw how big the MCG is while watching the AFL Grand Final.

I truly wonder how much of that stadium will be filled when Super Show-Down comes next weekend?

Sept 29, 2018 6:08:03 GMT CM Punk'd said:

Just saw how big the MCG is while watching the AFL Grand Final.

I truly wonder how much of that stadium will be filled when Super Show-Down comes next weekend?

Looking on their website there’s every section left ..and it’s a week from today.




Curious to how their going to hide it on TV considering I’ll be there in person. Probably similar to what they do with 205 Live.

Another theory I’ve heard is heaps of tickets will be given away in contests, I know they did that for December to Dismember.

The MCG is pretty awesome and you can do a tour of it.
The other traditional stuff that is good is the zoo and museum.
If you're not from Australia then you would probably enjoy the Healesville sanctuary and the Yarra Valley.
If you have the time hire a car and do the great Ocean road.

In Melbourne city, just wander and check out the cafes and laneways

Sept 28, 2018 8:12:57 GMT iNCY said:

Sept 27, 2018 11:22:22 GMT Call said:

Assuming i'm well enough in late October (recently injured my back) I'll be going to Melbourne for PAX Australia. First time i'll be going there so for any of the other Aussie PW'ers or anyone really who has more knowledge about it then me, any information that isn't off a tourist website or something?

@hr knows all the cool places where the barista looks at you with bored contempt

:lol:

I can give more coffee spots if Call lets me know where he's staying - but since he'll be at Jeff's Shed I definitely recommend he pops over the river and checks out 5 & Dime bagels.

That sounds like a good plan regarding the bagels. I'm trying to find some cheap transport ideally. A rough taxi estimate from the airport to the convention centre where they're holding PAX is 70 bucks each way.

Oct 2, 2018 0:12:11 GMT Call said:

That sounds like a good plan regarding the bagels. I'm trying to find some cheap transport ideally. A rough taxi estimate from the airport to the convention centre where they're holding PAX is 70 bucks each way.

A round trip to Southern Cross station (5-10 mins walk to MCEC) on Skybus is $36.

Oct 2, 2018 0:12:11 GMT Call said:

That sounds like a good plan regarding the bagels. I'm trying to find some cheap transport ideally. A rough taxi estimate from the airport to the convention centre where they're holding PAX is 70 bucks each way.

I don’t know exactly when you’re leaving but this seems to work.








Link:
tinyurl.com/Melbournebus

I’ll be in Melbourne this time tomorrow so can let you know more what transport is like

That's brilliant you guys, thanks. Adelaide isn't exactly known for great public transport or exciting events.

Plan is to catch an early flight, get into Melbourne just after 9am.

Perhaps you know... Someone who lives in Melbourne is the person to ask?

Best way to get from the Airport to Jeff's shed is the SkyBus: www.skybus.com.au/southbank-docklands-express/fares/
There is no good way to get to the airport in Melbourne but that's the best as it's a flat fee regardless of traffic.
I have spent the foreign debt of a small African nation in Melbourne airport parking.

Shall we make this the general travel thread?




This isn't all my travel, I sadly lost some of my records

Oct 2, 2018 0:26:42 GMT Call said:

That's brilliant you guys, thanks. Adelaide isn't exactly known for great public transport or exciting events.

Plan is to catch an early flight, get into Melbourne just after 9am.

I’m in Melbourne now, just bought a 7 day Myki card ($49 for the week) and caught normal buses not the Skybus as I didn’t want to pay for that as well.

Call ,

Just got back from Melbourne, I didn’t like it nor did my gf so not the best person to ask for tips but I’ll list places I enjoyed anyway.

SPOILER: Click to show

Bartronica
Arcade/Cocktail Bar

Really Cool idea in concept, until you realise how many controllers are either really sticky or broken due to people spilling drinks on them. They have multiple N64 & SNES setups you don’t need to pay for either. They aren’t a restaurant only have Nachos/Hot Dogs, as a lot of places claim otherwise. Bring some wet wipes and you’ll have a great time as they have some really cool and rare arcade games. 


Melbourne Zoo

It has animals in it 👍🏻



Melbourne Gaol

Not far from Melbourne Central Station, has some really cool stuff.
The library not far from it has Ned Kelly’s armour in it also.


Parliament House

They do free 40 minute tours.


Hosier Lane

Has street art/Graffiti if you’re into that.


SkyDeck/Edge experience

You just basically pay to look at Melbourne high up through a building, and can pay extra to go inside a 360 glass bottom elevator that protudes outside the building.

We went in it, way less thrilling than it sounds but still cool. 



Observation Wheel

Basically a closed in Ferris wheel that gives you recorded info about Melbourne. Not really worth the price IMO but you might like it.


Shops  



Melbourne Central Station

You go up and suddenly the station morphs into a huge shopping centre. Has a Sneaker store that sells very rare sneakers/merch if you’re into that (and have a fortune to spend)


Minotaur

They sell heaps of Comics and Pop Culture stuff.



Highway to Hell

Sells metal band merch etc.

EB Games (near Flinders St)

Multi story EB with Nintendo display and Switches to demo up the top.

Also plenty of great book stores around.

Food


Food was easily the biggest disappointment in Melbourne,
considering how much people rave on about it. Seems like mid-range restaurants aren’t common in Melbourne, so many places get incorrectly listed as restaurants when they are just bars with 1 or 2 small items like toasties on the menu.

Also Beef Kebabs are non-existent in Melbourne, WTF? seriously not a single kebab shop had them.

If you love Asian Food you’re in luck, as it’s either that or chain places that are everywhere else in Australia from my experience.

Betty’s Burgers, 8Bit and the 24hr Pizza place right near Flinders streee station where the only places I really enjoyed.


Places to avoid


George’s Bar

It has a George from Seinfeld theme with pictures of George, Seinfeld scripts etc. Would be cool if it wasn’t super dim lights and glaringly loud music. I feel like they don’t want to be a Seinfeld themed bar anymore either, judging from social media. Only has 1 or 2 things on menu despite having booths that make it seem like they have a full menu.

Pixel Alley

You know those crap arcade games they have at the Cinemas? It’s just filled with them.

MCG also do tours/have a museum you can look at when there isn’t a big event on, so I didn’t get to go because of WWE.

Honestly seemed like there isn’t much to do if you aren’t into dive bars or coffee, so if you like those two things you’ll have a much better time than me.

Whaaat?
You can't walk 5 mins in Melbourne without falling over a good restaurant.

I would heartily recommend Movida on Little Burke for the best Spanish food I have had outside Spain.
Pellegrini's Espresso Bar for a simple but excellent Pasta lunch
8 Bit or Huxtburger for Burgers
Chin Chin is also good, Longrain too
Down Casino way I like Rockpool and the Meat and Wine Co for Steak.
Vlado's is also great for steak but a little out of the City

Definitely should have asked us for advice before hand System! I would have told you to steer clear of the observation places - could have saved a chunk there and gone to one of Incy's recommendations for a top feed.

You do have a bit of a point about there not being too many "mid-range restaurants" here - at that ≈$20 price you should have been looking at a brunch cafe or a pub if Asian food isn't your thing. I imagine you would have loved a place like Bowery to Williamsburg though.

Thanks for the recommendations System

I found out recently that Crown Casino is right next to where i'm going so after i'm done at PAX, i'll probably kill a few hours there playing 5/5 NL Holdem before my flight out in the evening, try and recoup the cost of the flights.

I get in pretty early so I might check out those burger joints.

Oct 9, 2018 22:43:09 GMT @admin said:

Definitely should have asked us for advice before hand System! I would have told you to steer clear of the observation places - could have saved a chunk there and gone to one of Incy's recommendations for a top feed.

You do have a bit of a point about there not being too many "mid-range restaurants" here - at that ≈$20 price you should have been looking at a brunch cafe or a pub if Asian food isn't your thing. I imagine you would have loved a place like Bowery to Williamsburg though.

Yeah I don’t know how else to word it. Not a glorified takeaway place liked Grill’d but not a pricey table d'hôte place either 😂.

One of the observation wheel it said “Melbourne rewards people who know where to look” which seems be true, we just walked around hoping to find things with varied results. Oh well, always next time.

(Though I did live in Vic when I was 2-4 so I obviously don’t remember much)

Melbourne is great, what are you talking about?

And I'm not joking. I've just got back from Europe, and the UK in April. And have spent a tone of money traveling to primarily Europe and the UK over the last 5 years. The EU is great for it's history and architecture, the usual tourism hot spots, etc. But in comparison, Melbourne is clean, cool, has a world-class mix of food, music, sport, entertainment.

Oct 10, 2018 6:39:50 GMT NATH45 said:

Melbourne is great, what are you talking about?

And I'm not joking. I've just got back from Europe, and the UK in April. And have spent a tone of money traveling to primarily Europe and the UK over the last 5 years. The EU is great for it's history and architecture, the usual tourism hot spots, etc. But in comparison, Melbourne is clean, cool, has a world-class mix of food, music, sport, entertainment.

I’ve only been to NYC overseas which I loved, but I’ve been to every state/territory except Tasmania and it just felt like Sydney with less sketchy people.

It’s famous for bars and cafes, and I’m not into either..which Is a bit like going to the Gold Coast if you’re not into Theme Parks and Beaches so not Melbourne’s fault 🤷🏻‍♀️.

Oct 9, 2018 22:43:09 GMT @admin said:

Definitely should have asked us for advice before hand System ! I would have told you to steer clear of the observation places - could have saved a chunk there and gone to one of Incy's recommendations for a top feed.

You do have a bit of a point about there not being too many "mid-range restaurants" here - at that ≈$20 price you should have been looking at a brunch cafe or a pub if Asian food isn't your thing. I imagine you would have loved a place like Bowery to Williamsburg though.

Yeah, I think Melbourne is good, but most of the touristy things are out of the city. 
If you based yourself in the city and did day trips with a car you could do awesome stuff. 

I don't really think there is such a thing as mid range food anymore, it comes down to the cuisine. I mean a cheap steak is crap and if you go to La Porchetta you're not going to be amazed at your meal. 
Instead you can spend less by eating Asian or Tapas or burgers... Far easier to get more for less with that style of food. But $20 for a meal is not mid-range, that's chain food or take away. 
For really cheap I'd go Swanson St. 8 bit, China Bar, as well as a pretty good little Thai place and Vietnamese and a few others... But I would tend to go takeaway and then splash on a few nice meals... Though I don't go out much and most of my fancy dinners are business ones I am obligated to do. 

Oct 10, 2018 11:35:00 GMT iNCY said:

But $20 for a meal is not mid-range, that's chain food or take away. 

We're not all jetsetting high rollers like you mate!

Oct 10, 2018 23:13:53 GMT @admin said:

Oct 10, 2018 11:35:00 GMT iNCY said:

But $20 for a meal is not mid-range, that's chain food or take away. 

We're not all jetsetting high rollers like you mate!

U WOT M8?  :@

Where are you going to get a decent meal for $20, not a dish a meal?

Had an absolute blast at PAX, spent some time in Crown casino as well seeing that it was literally right across the street. Melbournes a neat city and easier to get around then I had anticipated. Airport is pretty massive though, at least compared to Adelaide.

Oct 30, 2018 10:33:04 GMT Call said:

Airport is pretty massive though, at least compared to Adelaide.

We have arrivals as well as departures! 😉

Nov 1, 2018 0:44:47 GMT @admin said:

Oct 30, 2018 10:33:04 GMT Call said:

Airport is pretty massive though, at least compared to Adelaide.

We have arrivals as well as departures! 😉

I probably shouldn't have laughed at that as hard as I did :lol: