My place is in a terrific location right downtown - it's across the street from The Melbourne Visitors Centre, Flinders Street Station & Federation Square. It's within the Free Tram Zone & overlooks the fabulous Degraves Street. It's within walking distance of the MCG, Rod Laver Arena, Yarra River, Botanical Gardens, National Gallery, Southern Cross Station & Etihad Stadium. A supermarket is next door. My place is good for couples, solo adventurers, business travelers, and families (with kids).
Space:
The space is a really well proportioned 35 meter square self contained apartment in an absolutely terrific location, close to everything in the heart of Melbourne.
It sleeps up to 4 people. There is a double bed as well as an comfortable sofa bed.
Guests will have access to their own fully furnished apartment in a downtown location with heating, air conditioning and WiFi in a very secure building with bike storage, staffed reception Monday - Friday until 5pm.
Clothes washing & drying facilities are on site - fees apply. Ironing facilities are available too.
Cable TV Foxtel (cable TV) is located in the common area.
Security:
The security in the building is just fantastic and a real feature - there are 3 doors that require a fob to gain access into the building and lift area. The room swipe card a couple of times once you get up into the floors and into the apartment. Make sure you have your key at all times to not get locked out.
This access is only available for approved residents of the building which gives it that fabulous added security and piece of mind.
WiFi:
The login details are written down and available in the room next to the TV.
Kitchen:
- In the kitchen, there's a sink, mini refrigerator, double stove top and microwave.
- Tea towels, paper towels, utensils for cooking, scissors and cutlery are in the drawers.
- Plates, cups and bowls are in the upper cupboard.
- Pots, pans and salad bowls and serving plates are in the lower cupboard.
- There is a dish drying rack in the cupboard under the kitchen sink.
- A toaster, kettle and sandwich press are located in the kitchen for your use.
- I've stocked some basic essentials in the kitchen for you upon arrival to have a quick snack or easy brekkie i.e.: peanut butter, honey, strawberry jam, Weetbix, Vegemite, tea, coffee, sugar, bread, cheese, fruit, milk and orange juice.
- There is some ice in the ice tray in the freezer.
- There is window cleaner, all purpose cleaner and dish washing soap under the sink in the kitchen next to the scourer and sponge.
Bathroom:
- The bathroom is located in the apartment.
- It has a sink, mirror, toilet and a shower in the half-bath.
- There is a clothes rack hooked onto the shower screen for you to dry your wet clothes on.
- Soap, shampoo, conditioner and body gel is available for guest use in the dispensers in the shower and above the sink in the bathroom.
- Bin liners for both of the rubbish/trash bins are in the cupboard under the sink in the bathroom.
- There is a hair dryer in the bathroom.
Utility:
In the apartment there is a utility closet.
- There's a vacuum, broom, mop and step stool for you to use if you need to reach the higher shelves.
Laundry facilities: on site
- Washing machines, dryers (fees apply) and ironing boards are located at the basement level of the building.
- These can be accessed only by one lift (the right hand as you look at them front on) or accessed via the stairs next to the lift.
- You'll need your swipe card and fob to access this area too.
Bike storage:
- The bike storage area is at basement level. The door can be opened with the room key swipe card.
Access to bike storage:
- Take the stairs or the lift to this level for access.
Cable TV
- FOXTEL cable TV is in the common area just next to the laundromat area in the basement. You'll need your fob to access this area. This area can be accessed via the stairs in the lobby or the lift on the right hand side.
Rubbish disposal:
- the rubbish needs to be tied up with the handles of the bag and disposed of in the rubbish disposal shoot located in the hallway that leads to the apartment.
- There is a garbage room located on the ground floor near the main entrance to the facility.
- This is the place to dispose of larger items and cardboard.
- You'll need your room swipe card to access this area. Ask at reception for directions if you can't locate it.
If you arrive in the CBD before the check in time of 2.00pm or need to leave the CBD well after the check out time of 10.00am - you can store your bags at Flinders Street Station directly across the street from the apartment at the "Travellers Aid" area for a fee so you can go explore the city or continue to enjoy it.
To find it, enter the station at the main entrance under the Flinders Street Station clocks. Speak to a staff member at the turnstiles and they'll let you in and direct you where to go. You won't need at ticket to enter the station.
There is a Flinders Street Station "Travellers Aid" website that you can check out on line which outlines the scope of what they offer at this convenient service.
I'll be available via telephone and/or email throughout your stay.
The neighbourhood is cool, urban & central to everything . Transportation in and out of Melbourne is close with Flinders Street Station, Southern Cross Railway Station and the Skybus from the airport close by.
If you want to enjoy and open and fresh air The Botanical Gardens & the Yarra River are a five minute walk away.
All the major events that come to Melbourne are easy to get to due to the epicenter location of the apartment.
The top 12 things to do whilst visiting the central business district are:
- The Star Observation Wheel
- Queen Victoria Market
- Old Melbourne Goal
- Melbourne Zoo
- Melbourne Museum
- Federation Square
- Melbourne Cricket Ground
- Royal Botanical Gardens
- National Gallery of Victoria
- Eureka Skydeck
- Melbourne Aquarium
- Crown Casino
All of these activities are close and within either walking distance, or a quick tram ride from the apartment. Most of these activities can be accessed via using the "City Circle Tram" which is a free service that loops around the city - I've put a map of this and a image of the tram & route in with my photos.
I think a trip via car to the Dandenong Ranges would be worth a visit with the kids and a ride on "Puffing Billy" and a visit to Healsville Sanctuary is great too. Koala's, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, platypuses and other Australian native animals can be found there.
The fairy penguins at Philip Island and the drive down the surf coast to Lorne is worth the drive. These drives are definitely day trips.
There are fairy penguins in St Kilda as well - this is an easy tram ride or drive from the city.
Luna Park and the Sunday market on the Esplanade are in St Kilda too.
A walk along the St Kilda pier on a nice day is fun as well as a visit to Brighton Beach to see the vibrantly painted bathing boxes.
There a boat cruises that will take you down the Yarra River and into Port Phillip Bay to Williamstown. Tickets for these boat rides can be purchased just under Princes Bridge at Southbank before getting on to the boat. There are a few different boat operators that provide different cruising options.
It's possible to hire bicycles to enjoy a bike ride down the river too.
There are horse drawn carriages that can take you around the city, up St Kilda Road to the Shrine of Remembrance.
Information for all of these activities can be found at the "Melbourne Visitors Centre" located at Federation Square directly opposite from the apartment.
