Forum Fest 2015 Melbourne

[Mama Fergie]

Judy I booked  a standard Queen room at the Swanston with breakfast.

Just took the bull by the horns and booked my flights.
Departing Perth 9.35am Thursday arriving Melbourne 4.05pm.
Departing Melbourne 3.00pm Monday arriving Perth 4.05pm.
I am determined to come 

[judydawn]

Thanks Norma, I hope you can pull it off. It will be lovely to see those from WA again.  I think it's great that you are prepared to fly from one side of the country to the other for our catch ups and look forward to the day when we return to WA for another forumfest over there.

I have now updated the first post of this thread to make it easier for us all to see all the details as they come to hand.  We're on a roll now it seems. 

CP, how are you going with the tramcar restaurant and arcade tour enquiries?

[Aussie Brenda]

Just booked, Mercury Welcome, Friday and Saturday night with Breakfast. 

[Cuilidh]

I have just lifted this quote by the hotel from the first post on this thread (I tend to think that they have overstated both the cost of a taxi and the time, but they are probably looking at it from the view of traffic hold ups, etc.):

We are approximately 30 minutes by Taxi from Melbourne Tullmarine Airport and it will cost approximately AUD $65.00 including 10% tax to the Hotel per taxi per way. Alternatively, the Skybus Airport Shuttle is only AUD $18.00 including 10% Tax per person each way and takes approximately 1 hour.  The Skybus will drop you off at Southern Cross Station and from there you can take their complimentary hotel shuttle right to our door (within certain time periods). Advance bookings are not required - simply proceed to the Skybus desk at the airport terminal. For the return trip, our Concierge Desk will be happy to help you book the hotel shuttle back to Southern Cross Station; you will need to book at least 24 hours in advance for this service. For more information on the Skybus please click on the below link.
 
http://www.skybus.com.au/

If you get to the Skybus desk at Southern Cross Railway Station and there is not an appropriate hotel shuttle to catch, then you can easily walk out of the depot onto Bourke Street, which is pretty well right across the road (the tram stop is on the left hand side going away from Southern Cross), and catch the Bundoora RMIT or East Brunswick tram to the corner of Bourke and Swanston Streets (the stop is outside Target – immediately after the Bourke Street Mall) – this trip is within the free travel zone so you will not have to pay for the tram and, depending on the time of day, will take approx. 10 minutes max.  I would imagine it would be quicker than that.

Get off the tram outside Target and walk back approx. 10 m to Swanston Street, turn right and the hotel is less than a one minute walk (diagonally across the road).

[judydawn]

Thanks Marina, local knowledge is very handy.  I've printed that info off for myself.

[cookie1]

Very useful Marina. Thanks. However I don't think I will be lugging my case onto a tram.  sky us isn't bad but again you have to lift your case on and place it in the luggage rack things.
I agree with you re the taxi cost. Perhaps some of us may be able to co ordinate our arrivals and share a taxi.

[Cuilidh]

I agree with you re the taxi cost. Perhaps some of us may be able to co ordinate our arrivals and share a taxi.

Once we get nearer the time I may be able to make a run to the airport to pick some people up as well.  I can’t make any commitments about this yet, but there is plenty of time to finalise such arrangements.

[cookie1]

Sure is.

I have booked my accommodation. I just need confirmation of it.

[judydawn]

The one and only time I've been on the Sky bus was my last trip to Melbourne when I stayed with the kids for a couple of days before going onto the Hobart FF.  My SIL was telling me when to get off at the airport when the chap behind told him that he would look after me.  He did just that and lifted my case on and off the bus plus we chatted during the whole trip. It was a very pleasant experience, I really enjoyed the bus trip. 

[CreamPuff63]

CP, how are you going with the tramcar restaurant and arcade tour enquiries?

Skybus to Southern Cross is about $30 return for 1 person.

I've booked in for Thur to Mon, and DH is coming along for the ride. He probably will do other things but will join us in the evening. I've told him that I will be hanging out with the TM crowd as he finds food & cooking related things boring unless its to do with sitting down eating or drinking, and he finds shopping boring too, so he'll just have to make his own fun.

I've got some brochures and I'll do some phone calls next week as I have been busy with work this week catching up.  

Does anyone know how far in advance airlines usually do specials? Just wondering if its worthwhile booking now or waiting to see if a special comes out in the future...

[judydawn]

Thanks CP and it will be nice to meet your DH - has he met any of the girls before?

I wondered about specials too but thought perhaps with Melbourne's busy horse racing programme at that time, maybe it will be better to get in now.

Which hotel have you booked CP, are you doing breakfast as well?

[CreamPuff63]

Yes we had a bbq last year and had a few of the Perth chapter and their hubbies, so I guess he's met a few people that will be there.

You're probably right about getting in, however being the horsey season you'd think they'd probably put on a few more flights (although no necessarily discounted perhaps)

[Mama Fergie]

I booked mine this morning CP and one way cheapest today  with Qantas was $275 but I only went in early as I wanted to use FF points.
I was lucky as only a few FF seats available with decent times. I didn't want to do the midnight horror.
Jetstar may be a bit cheaper. I agree with Judy the earlier the better. Keep checking over the next month and see if any specials come up

Just looked and Jetstar for our dates one way $221

[cookie1]

I'm hoping they may have a special offer round soon. If not I will just book.

[Katiej]

I've booked the Swanston with breakfast for Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  We will arrive sometime Thursday afternoon and fly home late Sunday.  I'm not sure when we will book our flights.

CP my DH is coming along too - he had a wonderful time in Tassie last year and all the DH's seem to get on well.  Richard will probably do his own thing whilst we are at the cooking class, but he'll join in with most other events.

Last time we came to Melbourne we used the Skybus and it was easy and convenient (easy, because DH organized everything and I just followed along).