Forum Fest 2015 Melbourne

[trudy]

Well done all the wonderful people who take the time to organise the F/F.  It will be great to catch up with all of you!

[judydawn]

We've been working as consultants Chookie but you've taken on the major negotiating role and doing a great job.  We're lucky to have you  onboard.

[mcmich]

A big thankyou to all those organising our get together and time away. Much appreciated.

[Katiej]

Thank you from me too, you're doing a great job. We couldn't have a forum fest without the organisers, so you're time and efforts are greatly appreciated!

[Jamberie]

Thanks from me too
We really appreciate your time and effort xox

KMW, how old is your DD? We are bringing our 4 year old and 4 month old. Not sure how much of the festivities we will all partake in as we will have 2 kiddies in tow.

[CreamPuff63]

there are so many alleys and arcades in Melbourne, and one of the most memorable things I have done is a walking tour of these. They are really informative about the history of, interesting facts and relatively cheap to do. We can all go in a group and there is also a chance to do a bit of shopping now and then (quick browse and shop and then regroup before walking on). Great opportunity to get to know the shopping precinct and note where you want to sneak back to and have a more leisurely look around.

DD has also mentioned a cheese tasting somewhere, but she wasn't too sure about specific details. There is also a coffee tour. I've done an Italian Safari which was 10/10. A tramcar restaurant for $80pp. Melbourne river cruise $23 pp. We could do a market tour one day, and then a picnic another and bring a plate. We can do a Ramsey Street (Neighbours) tour. We can also see a 'show' and get half price tix (limited seating and tix purchased on the day).

Anyone coming should perhaps look up some touristy things they would like to do, and then list 3 things here. It would be great to be able to just choose from the majority so we can have a basic itinerary plan and how many people want to do it.

[Cuilidh]

I have lived in Melbourne for around 20 years and have never done a tour of the alleys, but have always wanted to do one as they are really fascinating places, so that would be of interest to me.

A Prahran market / Essential Ingredient visit would be very interesting - anyone doing this should have a good sized shopping bag with them.

The Tramcar restaurant is good, but tables can only sit four (from memory - it is a long time since we did this).  It is a nice way to see parts of the city whilst enjoying a bite to eat and a drink - early booking for a group would be vital for this option and numbers may be limited.

Any of the market tours would be good, especially (Queen) Victoria Market; although I go there every week for my fruit and veg there is so much I don't know about what is there.

I haven't heard of the cheese or coffee tours, but it doesn't surprise me that they exist and if we discovered more about them I am sure we would find that they would be very professionally run and informative.  We have a specialist tea shop down the road from us and I am sure Hannah there would be happy to have a group visit - she is very knowledgeable about her range and those who are looking for a more in-depth 'experience' would enjoy it.  There are also chocolate tours ... in fact, I am sure we could dig out tours on just about anything and everything!

[judydawn]

Are these tours available on the weekend CP? Trouble is we will only have such a short time in Melbourne.

The alley/arcade tour sounds interesting, the river cruise is cheap so why not find time for that one too. The Italian safari, not sure what that is but if it involves Italian food I'd be all for that. I've seen that tramcar restaurant pass many times whilst I've been in Melbourne and always wondered what it would be like to be on it - it would certainly be something different. Cheese tastings sound good but I wouldn't be interested in a coffee tour.  A show would be great but I imagine with Melbourne being so busy at that time of the year, it would be hard to get enough tickets for everyone.


I know the locals don't seem to enjoy shopping spree bus tours but I loved the one I went on many years ago with DD, we ended up having lunch in Lygon Street halfway through the trip and were taken to places we would never have found ourselves. We certainly 'shopped til we dropped'.  A show would be great but I imagine with Melbourne being so busy at that time of the year, it would be hard to get enough tickets for everyone. Some great ideas there CP, thanks for your suggestions.

Marina, I met Chookie & Ral at the Prahran market/Essential Ingredient spot when I was visiting the kids once.  I love the EI shop, it's nice to have a good browse in that one.

Queen Vic Market is definitely on my list of things to do at some stage whilst in Melbourne. I wonder if they have longer operating hours during those busy touristy times as when we will be there this year.

High Tea has been suggested but these are very pricey.  Chookie has found out some prices for them and I'm sure she will let us know what and where they are in due course.  Our first priority is to get those hotel prices, our enquiry is in and we are just waiting to hear back from Chookie's contact.   

[cookie1]

A walking tour of the arcades etc would be lovely. Every time we go to Melbourne we seem to discover a new one.
The Vic Market tour would be great too. In face I'm ok for most things. I'm not a theatre person, bit of a cretin really. 

I'm sitting writing this while having a coffee in the CBD. I didn't need one but my feet, back and hip did I. I'm enjoying people watching.

[Cuilidh]

I have actually had some free time today so had a bit of a look around at tours / attractions mentioned and have noted below some links so you can have a look at them or, indeed, add more ideas.

I had a quick look for cheese, wine and chocolate tours but they all seem to be out of town.  That would mean a full day, which is, perhaps, not appropriate for the FF weekend.

Vic market tours  http://www.qvm.com.au/tours/

Essential Ingredient   http://www.essentialingredient.com.au/

Tram restaurant     http://www.tramrestaurant.com.au/

I had a look for laneways tours and there seem to be quite a few available.  This is the Google list followed by one I picked at random.  I am going in to the city this afternoon so if I have time I will try to get to a tourist office and see what I can find.

Google search:  https://www.google.com.au/search?q=melbourne+city+laneways+tour&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&gws_rd=cr&ei=Qmz6VMWYHZSD8gXWwIDQAg

Random example:  http://www.city-discovery.com/melbourne/search/Laneways?gclid=CPfVybiilcQCFcFvvAodpQEA2w

I have done one of the river tours but fell asleep I think it must have been rivetting, though!!

[Bedlam]

Cookie that's my favourite pastime, people watching, enjoy your holiday.
I'm happy to join the crowd with regard to activities for the FFes.  The arcade tour sounds like a great combo, a bit of history, exercise and shopping.

[trudy]

Mostly I would be happy to go with the flow.  We are doing the tramcar restaurant in a couple of weeks as enjoyed it when we were in Melbourne last.  We are doing the early one as the late one is too late to eat for us.
The arcade tours sound interesting.  Each time we go to Melbourne we meet friends in a different one.
I have also done the river cruise but wouldn't be fussed to do it again.
Prahan market/essential ingredient are also good to do. 

[Katiej]

We were going to do the tram car restaurant when we went to Melbourne last year at Easter, can't remember why, but we weren't able to and we were disappointed. Both DH and I would love to to it.

The arcade tours sound like fun. I'm not too fussed on high tea, I think high tea is over rated.

Will be happy to go with the flow and do whatever is organised.

[judydawn]

I'l put my hand up for an early tram car dinner, the later one of 5 courses would be too much for me and like Trudy, I don't like eating too late at night either.  Also the arcade tour.

[trudy]

Judy, we have done the early dinner before and it's great to be able to look at the window and see the homes ect as you go by.  Don't think if you took the later one you would be able to see much.