A short trip to Melbourne

RyanJ

Great Supremacy Member
Joined
Jun 18, 2015
Messages
68,852
Reaction score
67,121
Daily rate about how much? How how petrol per L?

Depends on the model you are getting.

I wanted the GLC300 but was bumped off to diesel Audi Q5, was about 200+ SGD a day rental.

Diesel was slightly less than AUD 2 per litre, fuel tank was probably 50+ 60 litres? I est probably do about 700+ 800 km a tank on average though the fuel indicator usually claims >900km per full tank.

Habis.... go straight from rural to airport.... no more chiobu photos... :sad:

Actually Jpn and TW is really much better for .. eye candies
 

Laguna123

Greater Supremacy Member
Joined
Oct 30, 2005
Messages
87,086
Reaction score
23,966
Depends on the model you are getting.

I wanted the GLC300 but was bumped off to diesel Audi Q5, was about 200+ SGD a day rental.

Diesel was slightly less than AUD 2 per litre.



Actually Jpn and TW is really much better for .. eye candies
Ic thanks
Audi sure very nice ride, I got Q3 at Jeju already feel shiok.
 

harbinger255

Honorary Member
Joined
Sep 15, 2006
Messages
105,686
Reaction score
45,993
Depends on the model you are getting.

I wanted the GLC300 but was bumped off to diesel Audi Q5, was about 200+ SGD a day rental.

Diesel was slightly less than AUD 2 per litre, fuel tank was probably 50+ 60 litres? I est probably do about 700+ 800 km a tank on average though the fuel indicator usually claims >900km per full tank.



Actually Jpn and TW is really much better for .. eye candies
Different.... Your photos are either candid expression or that.... Speculative/contemplative look when they spot you taking photos... :s34:

Whereas when I beo them in person.... They just give me the disdain/disgusted look as is befitting for a btss like moi... :sad:
 

zoossh

Greater Supremacy Member
Joined
Oct 28, 2000
Messages
81,225
Reaction score
16,175
Actually Jpn and TW is really much better for .. eye candies
Waiting for you to help Edmwers to brave the front for Korea. not sure how Koreans react to street photography. It take lot of courage and skill

In the face of wokism and privacy, such art is often seen with tainted glass, but its history dates back so long ago …

Even got an artist compile a book for a collection of chiobu to celebrate this. Garry winogrand’s women are beautiful. And I feel some of your photos are on par with the master.

Garry-Winogrand-Women-are-beautiful-.jpg
 

zoossh

Greater Supremacy Member
Joined
Oct 28, 2000
Messages
81,225
Reaction score
16,175
Different.... Your photos are either candid expression or that.... Speculative/contemplative look when they spot you taking photos... :s34:

Whereas when I beo them in person.... They just give me the disdain/disgusted look as is befitting for a btss like moi... :sad:
Hmm

認命吧
 

zoossh

Greater Supremacy Member
Joined
Oct 28, 2000
Messages
81,225
Reaction score
16,175
So his chiobu photos are a.good escape from reality... Therapeutic even.... :s34:
mybfd

if a guy take photo of
- old people, they not happy
- children, they think u chao pedo
- same gender, think u homo
- dogs, the dog owner not happy

so better stick to the above or just admire the art of other brave souls
 
Last edited:

Autumn.

High Supremacy Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2021
Messages
29,385
Reaction score
17,134
why did not tour to gambier? there is mushroom with light.....
there is deep blue "motel" for hotspring dip. , warnambool
zoo i think there is an annual membership. allows u to travel whole country zoo for free.
yes melb CBD is easier. But of recent i was read in that the mata would book u for "holding" for a parking space.
using phone for GPS may be an issue for some state.

i miss hall gap 😭 it is the driving i dun fink i can last

@RyanJ thanks for the nice photos of the city. i have not been able to get back... haizzzz

edit: there is apollobay coffee roastery , they have the better version of whisky coffee beans . i have not been able to get back the order for a while
 

asdfghjklffs

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 2, 2016
Messages
1,029
Reaction score
423
Swee. Always looking forward to your chiobu photos :s19:
Hows europcar? Thinking of renting from them in tasmania in November.
 

RyanJ

Great Supremacy Member
Joined
Jun 18, 2015
Messages
68,852
Reaction score
67,121
Different.... Your photos are either candid expression or that.... Speculative/contemplative look when they spot you taking photos... :s34:

Whereas when I beo them in person.... They just give me the disdain/disgusted look as is befitting for a btss like moi... :sad:

The "chiobu" pics are like an edmw service / fan service of sorts else less interesting :ROFLMAO:

mybfd

if a guy take photo of
- old people, they not happy
- children, they think u chao pedo
- dogs, the dog owner not happy

so better stick to the above or just admire the art of other brave souls

Hard to please everyone, there are street pics that after taking I dun even post because of the potential to kenna flak, though edmw is largely more tolerant than reddit.
 
Last edited:

RyanJ

Great Supremacy Member
Joined
Jun 18, 2015
Messages
68,852
Reaction score
67,121
Swee. Always looking forward to your chiobu photos :s19:
Hows europcar? Thinking of renting from them in tasmania in November.

Europcar is fine, have been using them whenever I visit Aussie mainly also because Accor gives a 15% discount. Just abit miffed their so called model guarantee ended up no guarantee.

Also the Audi had an engine oil indicator popping up when I was at Grampians, called them and they asked if I can bring the vehicle to the nearest CBD branch.. wa lao that is a few hours drive . In the end .. self troubleshoot....

54574356344_5ad216e5b8_h.jpg
 

RyanJ

Great Supremacy Member
Joined
Jun 18, 2015
Messages
68,852
Reaction score
67,121
why did not tour to gambier? there is mushroom with light.....
there is deep blue "motel" for hotspring dip. , warnambool
zoo i think there is an annual membership. allows u to travel whole country zoo for free.
yes melb CBD is easier. But of recent i was read in that the mata would book u for "holding" for a parking space.
using phone for GPS may be an issue for some state.

i miss hall gap 😭 it is the driving i dun fink i can last

@RyanJ thanks for the nice photos of the city. i have not been able to get back... haizzzz

edit: there is apollobay coffee roastery , they have the better version of whisky coffee beans . i have not been able to get back the order for a while

Too many places too little time.

They told me about the annual pass and can visit a few zoos but unfortunately I am just an occasional visitor.

Next time if I ever revisit will sure ask u for pointers.
 

zoossh

Greater Supremacy Member
Joined
Oct 28, 2000
Messages
81,225
Reaction score
16,175
The "chiobu" pics are like an edmw service / fan service of sorts else less interesting :ROFLMAO:



Hard to please everyone, there are street pics that after taking I dun even post because kenna flak, though edmw is largely more tolerant than reddit.
You post in Reddit?

I wonder where else is best for photograph sharing. I dun like how instagram crop the thumbnails

even among the photography community it seems that some photographers can have strong opinions that their way is the only way. Some insist every face shown needs a small talk and a consent to publish - every. Some think that street photography should just die off …

I even come across animal activists who say using camera on animals is harmful as the lens resembles a big eye who put stress on the animal… I dunno if there is some truth

… so it is just land mines everywhere. human beings are beautiful. I like street and candid portraits the most. It’s a pity we dun see more of it.

In fact u r the only one here so far. Or maybe I dunno where else to look
 

Autumn.

High Supremacy Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2021
Messages
29,385
Reaction score
17,134
Too many places too little time.

They told me about the annual pass and can visit a few zoos but unfortunately I am just an occasional visitor.

Next time if I ever revisit will sure ask u for pointers.
yeah bc, gambier it is jus 40 min drive from apollobay haha. also possible to get gaps hall from gambier. gambier only need afternoon and night during winter
 

Linguist

Arch-Supremacy Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2017
Messages
12,829
Reaction score
6,393
Visited Melbourne CBD twice and always in winter, the last being 6 yrs back, and usually spanned no more than a week. This time in June I’ve decided to spend more time as well at Yarra Valley, Great Ocean Road ( GOR ) , and Grampian area ( technically state of Victoria rather than Melbourne ) to have more mix of countryside over CBD. June is the winter season, sunrise is about 7+am, sunset around 5pm.

Just gotten back yesterday.


Itinerary :

Download ETA App on phone to apply for an ETA, AUD$20 service fee per pax, near instantaneous approval at least for SG citizens.
Landed in Melbourne CBD, spent 2 nights.

Took taxi from Melbourne airport ( Tullamarine ) to CBD, bill came up to almost AUD 80. There is also Uber which we did not install, the system is abit different from our Grab, long queue and some PIN is involved, not sure how it is done, but likely cheaper than calling a cab.

Explored Queen Victoria Market ( QVM ), Melbourne Central, Chinatown, Old Melbourne Gaol, State Library Victoria.
On the last day of the hotel, picked up a rental car from a nearby Europcar branch a street across and headed towards GOR.

Great Ocean Road & Grampians
Sunrise at Baroka Lookout, Halls Gap
54588769944_9f458269d2_h.jpg


Sunrise , Gog and Magog and rainbow , GOR
54589850663_3d8054f865_h.jpg


1 Night at Apollo Bay
1 Night at Port Campbell
1 Night at Warrnambool
GOR would be mainly for the shoreline rocky formations. Motels are in general cheaper but with less material comforts.

2 Nights at Halls Gap ( Grampians Getaway - I highly recommend )
  • Halls Gap Zoo, Boroka Lookout, Reed Lookout, MacKenzie Falls, Splitters Falls ( unfortunately tiny trickle in winter )


Yarra Valley
Yering rain and rainbow
54588720564_045d157a30_h.jpg

3 Nights at Balgownie Estate Yarra Valley
Visited Healesville Sanctuary ( recommended ) , Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery, Redwood Forest, Yering Station ( 2nd time here ) , TarraWarra Estate, Mount Donna Buang, Warburton La La falls, Maroondah Dam Wall Lookout. Did Puffing Billy before so I skipped it this time but do remember to book their tickets months in advance online. Oakridge and Chandon are nice wineries which I have previously visited, if you like sparkling, Chandon has nice selection.

Melbourne CBD
Docklands sunset
54588450863_8f9e8e5aaf_h.jpg


Drove back to Melbourne CBD and stayed 4 nights.
Melbourne Zoo, Legoland, Docklands, Sea Life.

( Sea Life and Legoland tickets can be bought online TOGETHER for a deep discount, also buying tickets a day in advance has a slight discount than purchasing on the very day of the visit.)

-Legoland Melbourne is an indoor theme park with free parking, way less packed than the one in Osaka, good if you have young kid(s).

-Melbourne Airport Viewpoint is beautiful , there is a grassless clearing for parking vehicles but it is porthole ridden, go slow, the entrance is very near the exit of a roundabout.


-Arthur’s Seat at the Eagle Summit station area is really really bad for sunrise/sunset photos as the surrounding trees mostly encroach the vast city scape, I believe the immediate two lower lookouts before the summit to have a slightly better view. I am not sure if you can hike for better view but it was sunset and getting dark. Such a pity, so much potential for sunrise and sunset, and it was quite a ride out of CBD. Gondola rides only operate in good light and closes by 4pm, and that might be the only reason to visit if at all.

* I have done St Kilda pier and Philips Island precovid for penguin watching, tiagong St Kilda pier is now ? fenced , and Phillips Island no longer allows use of cameras for phototaking, these are measures erected to protect the penguins, hence you need to set your expectations straight if you plan to make a visit *

Retrospectively I would love more time at Grampian but waifu is a more citified person so overall it is a give and take. If you love nature, Grampian has plenty of wildlife and especially birds, spotted more Superb Fairywrens there than Yarra / GOR.

Cameras :

Xiaomi 15 Ultra and Sony mirrorless, the photos with watermark frame are from Xiaomi, GPS tagging of photos is particularly useful for reference.

Telco:

No issues with Simba roaming.
Some mountainous areas especially those look outs may transiently not have signals, but getting in and out is usually quite straight forward with minimal forks at least for the ones we visited, but just be mindful there might be data/GPS signals at certain stretches.


Driving:

- * If only hanging around Melbourne you probably do not need a car.
- Got my vehicle from Europcar, some bits of discount from my Accor membership, "guaranteed model” was abit of BS since I got a different make/model instead.
- Driving is fairly straight forward, similar to Sg, do not accidentally drive into tram paths since some have a divider and can only switch lane after a junction.
- Some windy roads such as the bits coming down from Melbourne to Apollo Bay, the areas at Healesville, some of the lookout points at Grampians, but still more manageable than mountain passes in Japan and Scandinavia.
-Navigation with either Google Map or Waze is fine.
-Personally I feel Melbourne CBD to be easier to navigate than Sydney.
-Traffic at peak hours can be fashionably bad.
-Parking especially in those MSCPs are expensive, easily run AUD20 an hour or more, but outside of CBD most places we encountered at GOR Grampians Yarra area are be foc ( do check signages to see how many hours you can park for free )
- Road hoggers on 1st/right lane on expressways are annoying, even heavy / long vehicles join in the fray, sg suddenly doesn't seem so bad.
- Hook turns are not common but something to take note of in CBD area if you do encounter one.
- The last pump station that is the nearest to car rental return at Melbourne Airport is the BP Melbourne City Airport station, you will need to return vehicle with a full tank at the airport carpark.


Dining:

-Tap water is foc in most places, and in some eateries even sparkling is free, which is a great policy that Sg should implement all across.
-There is GST, generally no service charge.
- Food portions are generally larger than Sg.
- However there is a 15% surcharge on PH, 10% surcharge on weekends
- Card may incur additional charges.
-Hotpots spicy soup broth are generally spicier than Sg.
-Surprisingly I had more misses with steak than hits. Medium rare seems to be an issue. Maybe bad luck.
- Because larger portions cum stronger SG dollar, cafeteria and restaurant dining is comparatively less painful in Melbourne/Victoria than Sg.
U went alone?
 
Important Forum Advisory Note
This forum is moderated by volunteer moderators who will react only to members' feedback on posts. Moderators are not employees or representatives of HWZ. Forum members and moderators are responsible for their own posts.

Please refer to our Community Guidelines and Standards, Terms of Service and Member T&Cs for more information.
Top