The Docklands City Loop - Docklands Monorail System

Could we have a Docklands monorail?

The monorail loops around the Melbourne Docklands precincts stopping at strategic places along the way. The system has a number of modules and travels in both directions.

There is no start or finish, this is the Docklands City Loop. Remember the loop goes in both directions. Today we are going to start at Southern Cross Station and go clockwise round the Docklands City Loop.

All aboard and hold on to your hats. First stop is the World Trade Centre, before we head down to Yarra’s Edge – Docklands hidden secret! From here we slip silently over the Yarra to Victoria Harbour’s café land.

From here we cross over Victoria Harbour stopping at Central Pier , then on to Waterfront City. The Docklands City Loop continues round past the Piazza and heads on down to Harbour Town – land of retail shopping, The Ice House for skaters, The Southern Star Wheel and Costco.

Next we head off along Harbour Esplanade passing the northern tip of NewQuay. The trip continues past Digital Harbour and Etihad Stadium and turns up Bourke St through Batmans Hill to Southern Cross Station. In total a possible 10 stops along the way.

This is a great way to link all of Docklands and represents a major tourist attraction for the area. People who live, work and play in Docklands will be able to get around Docklands effortlessly.

So, Dare to Dream and let us take action – people action.
The people of Docklands demand an effective transport link around Docklands. This is one answer. It would fit nicely as part of the existing Bus, Tram and Train network.

If I had a magic wand that made things happen – this is one.

Circus Oz - 22nd June to 17th July 2011

Boys and girls, time to get steampowered! Circus Oz is back in Melbourne in June and July to entertain adults and kids alike.

Circus Oz comprises of talented performers who have taken their shows to 26 countries. It will be performing all around Australia until October 2011.

Circus Oz banner

This is how Circus Oz describes their show:

• is suitable for people of all ages
• runs for about 2 hours and currently has an interval of 20 minutes
• features a live band
• may feature fire, smoke machines and strobe lighting
• features animals that are 100% human
• starts promptly and late comers may have to wait for a suitable break in the show to enter
• is full of people doing amazing stunts, live on stage therefore we ask that you turn off all electronic distractions including phones, cameras, video and sound recorders, and watch alarms

Melbourne Student Rush Tickets

Students in Melbourne will be able to buy tickets for Circus Oz at a discounted price of $21. To access this ticket you will need:

• A valid Student Card (this includes secondary school, TAFE and university students) OR YHA Card
• To take your card to the Circus Oz Box Office at the Big Top ONE HOUR before the show starts
• Buy your $21 ticket and enjoy the show

How good is that? So all you students out there, get your tickets! More information on the Circus Oz website.

Location 

Under the Big Top 

Between Federation Square and Batman Avenue 

Birrarung Marr 

Melbourne, VIC

More information:
Visit the Circus Oz website www.circusoz.com
Also check out the Circus Oz 2011 Steampowered microsite
Tickets can be bought online from www.ticketmaster.com.au.

Ash Cloud Update

This article is taken from IBT Traveller, and gives a reasonable summary of how the Mount Puyehue volcano has been affecting Australian airlines.

The Volcanic Ash Cloud Menace: To Fly or not to fly?

Mount Puyehue, Chile

I. FLIGHTS RESUME.  A week after ash clouds cancelled flights in Australia and New Zealand, flights are returning normal as the ash clouds have moved away.  Australia's Qantas resumed domestic flights resumed June 16.  Jetstar, Virgin Australia, and Air New Zealand have also restarted flights.  The ash clouds reached South Africa on Saturday, and South African Airways promptly suspended flights.

II. 7,000 MILES AWAY.  The ash clouds were spewed by Mount Puyehue volcano at the Cordon Caulle in the Andes mountains in Southern Chile, which is 7,000 miles or 11,300 kilometres from Australia.  After 51 years of inactivity, the volcano erupted June 4, sending an ash cloud towering up to 20 miles (30 km).  Chilean authorities evacuated 3,500 people but some have already returned to their homes.  Chilean geologists predict the volcano will be less active in the next two weeks. 

Ash plume spreading from the volcano

III. TO FLY OR NOT TO FLY.  Australian aviation authorities acknowledged that the ash clouds are a significant threat to aircraft, particularly jet engines, but said it was safe to fly around or under the plum.  Authorities left the decision making  -- whether to fly or not fly -- to the airlines or their operators.Qantas acknowledged there was insufficient equipment in Australia to measure volcanic ash density and hence, when in doubt, it opted to cancel flights. 

IV. FLAME OUT.  Australia's Bureau of Meteorology said ash melting in the hot section of the engine, and then fusing into a glass-like coating on components further back in the engine can cause loss of thrust and possible "flame out" or engine failure.  Other risks include windscreens becoming opaque, contamination of cabin air and hydraulic systems and erosion of aircraft parts, according to Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce.  About 30 years ago, a British Airways 747 suffered severe damage and had all four engines flame out upon encountering ash from Mt. Galunggung in Indonesia though it was able to make an emergency landing in Jakarta.

V. WRATH OF NATURE COSTLY.  Qantas cancelled about 350 flights and disrupting 40,000 passengers as a result of the week-long ash cloud problem.  It said the vast majority of the backlog had already been cleared.  It's even worse in Chile's neighbor Argentina -- not only flights were affected, some regions declared an economic emergency as falling ash is endangering sheep and other livestock and keeping tourists away at a time when winter season is starting.

VI. ASH CLOUDS DO A MAGELLAN.  Airservices Australia says it is not unprecedented for a volcanic ash cloud to circumnavigate the globe.  For example, in 1991 the volcano Cerro Hudson in Chile erupted and ash was transported twice around the world in two weeks, and was observed over south-east Australia a few days after the eruption.  In April last year, the eruption of another Icelandic volcano, Eyjafjallajokull, led to 100,000 canceled flights, affecting 10 million people at a cost of $1.7 billion.

VII. HOME SWEET HOME.  While the cloud disrupted flights in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, Chile has largely been spared and domestic flights were only cancelled June 17, the first time since the volcano erupting June 4.  Chile Civil Aviation Office chief Pablo Ortega said the tip of the cloud that has "traveled around the world" for thirteen days is now in front of Coyhaique, which is 800 kilometers (500 miles) south of the volcano.

VIII. COULD BE MONTHS.  Experts say fine ash particles from the Mount Puyehue volcano could potentially continue to affect air travel for months.  For instance, Qantas said that while it has resumed flights to and from Melbourne volcanic ash cloud could close airspace again on Tuesday afternoon (June 21).  Australia may see the ash cloud back on its second circuit of the globe.

IX. CALM BEFORE STORM.  The National Service of Geology and Mining in Chile said that in the coming days either (i) lava will flow out, indicating the eruption is nearing its end, or (ii) there will be a new explosion due to a build-up of magma below the surface.  The agency's director, after flying over the volcano, said it looked very similar to the 1960 eruption, which lasted for two months.

X. THOUSANDS OF OTHERS IN CHILE.  Chile's has 2,000 volcanoes, world's second-largest after Indonesia's.  About 50 to 60 are on record as having erupted, and 500 are potentially active.  Chile's Chaiten volcano erupted in 2008 and spewed molten rock and a vast cloud of ash that reached the stratosphere.  Chilean volcanoes are said to spew more ash than European volcanoes like Iceland's.  Not only that, the Calbuco volcano lies on the same fault as the Puyehue, and both are known to erupt within a few years of each other or together, according to Volcano Live.

Volcanoes in Chile - image from suehandel.wordpress.com

View the original article here.

Why you need a Docklander Deals card

To all those who live, work and play in Docklands I have a message: if you don't have a Docklander Deals card you are missing out!

Destination Docklands has now launched the Docklander Deals website: www.docklanderdeals.com where for all the promotions and specials that you can access by using your Docklander Deals card.

There are hundreds of businesses in the Docklands, many of which are restaurants and shops. Several of these have come on board to give Docklanders access to great discounts. We have scoured the Docklander Deals website and come up with the 5 great deals.

Buy 1 meal, Get 1 free at Watermark

Don't you love those buy 1 get 1 free deals? I do, in fact I even tried this one and let me tell you it was great! The food at Watermark is delicious and the restaurant looks fabulous. Learn how to take advantage of this deal here.  

10% off all drinks, all day, any day at Gloria Jeans

Coffee lovers, get your coffees and drinks at tiny prices with your Docklander Deals card. Trust me, coffee tastes much better when it's that cheap. More details here.

Buy 1 tour, get 1 free with Etihad Stadium

Etihad Stadium is a much loved landmark in the Docklands which has received many of our favourite AFL teams. Discover Etihad Stadium like you've never seen it before withthis special deal. Details here.

Save 50% at Bob's Steak and Chop House at Bob's Steak and Chop House

 

Who doesn't like a good, juicy steak? With your Docklander Deals card you can get a 50% discount at Bob's Steak and Chop House. More here.

25% of all cosmetics and fragrances at Southern Cross Pharmacy 

Looks like the ladies will be spoiled rotten withthose amazing discounts on makeup and perfume. More information here.

58% off Deep Dermalogica Galvanic Facial, hair wash and blow wave!

Aqua Hair and Beauty Design is offering this generous discount to the lucky Docklander Deals card holders. This award winning salon is one that you must visit and thanks to Docklander Deals you can get an expensive hairdo at a bargain.

Want a Docklander Deals Card?

Join online today: https://www.docklanderdeals.com/sign-up-its-free/

A membership card will be sent to your address once your application has been processed. Once that part is complete, check the Docklander Deals site for awesome discounts and start shopping!

Fireworks every Friday in July

Happy Friday dear readers!

And trust me, Fridays will get better next month if you're in the Docklands area. Firework displays will be held every Friday during the month of July so why wait for New Year's Eve to come down?

This is your chance to take the kids to the Docklands and watch the fireworks. After that, you could explore the precinct and go for a nice dinner nearby.

Or you could take it a step further: book accommodation with a view over the marina for the family and watch the firework display in comfort.

There are plenty of activities to explore during a weekend stay so start planning your getaway now!

Fox Classic Car Collection

The Fox Classic Car Collection is an impressive collection of prestige cars located in the Queen’s Warehouse building located in Melbourne Docklands.

This collection is valued at $15million and consists of up to 50 vehicles exhibited at any one time. We are told it features the largest collection of Mercedes Benz in the southern hemisphere, the Sir Henry Royce Foundation Gallery (one of three in the world) and classic vehicles the like of which were owned by Elvis Presley, Pablo Picasso and James Dean.

The Cars

We thought we should whet your apetite and show some of the cars that are exhibited at the Fox Classic Car collection. All images are from the Fox Classic Car Collection website.

Rolls Royce

Porshe

Ferrari

Location and contact details
Fox Classic Car Collection
749 – 755 Collins Street
(cnr Batman’s Hill Drive & Collins Street)
Docklands Vic 3008
Ph: 9620 4086

Opening hours
Every Tuesday, 10am – 2pm, February to November
Commencing Tuesday 1 February 2011
Not open on public holidays.
$10 or $8 concession entry fee.

No appointments necessary.
Allow at least 1 hour to view the vehicles.    

More information
Fox Classic Car Collection website : http://www.foxcollection.org.au
Other sources: City of Melbourne website

Our new video: Manuka Lodge, Phillip Island

Discover Manuka Lodge, a beautiful holiday home located close to the beach on Phillip Island.

Manuka Lodge is close to all of Phillip Island's attractions such as nature parks, penguin parade and Churchill Island.

For more informatiion about Manuka Lodge and for bookings, please visit www.manukalodge.com.au.

To read our other posts about activities on Phillip Island click here.

Book a holiday in the Docklands: sunsets and waterviews included

Sunset from Apartment 509

Imagine this:

You are staying in a spacious 2 bedroom apartment in the Docklands, Melbourne. 

The apartment is on the fifth floor so you are enjoying great views over the New Quay marina. Restaurants and shops are across the road, the CBD is only a few minutes away. Your plan tonight is to watch a majestic sunset from the apartment as you savour the moment with a glass of bubbly..... 

Sounds like a perfect dream? Maybe not! 

Your perfect dream can come true at only $200 per night if you stay between June 6th and June 10th 2011. This is a limited offer so call us today.

To read more about Apartment 509 please go to www.509.com.au and send us your enquiry.

Good news from the Docklands

This article appeared today in Docklands News and is written by the one and only Good News Bill. We love it and know you will too!

Spreading the word about the ‘Docklander Deals’ loyalty program brings me into contact with many retailers throughout Docklands and I get to see and hear plenty.

It is no secret that the many Docklands retailers are relying on foot traffic to come through their doors. In many cases, they are looking to the sky for the great wheel to bring them that traffic.

But wait, there may be other ways. Some retailers in Docklands tell me their customers actively look for them. Customers come from far away places to visit Docklands because these businesses are here. Brand loyalty in action.

Libby Moore at the the LEGO Education Centre runs school holiday programs, birthday parties and excursions for school students. These are proving very popular.  Customers come from all over to find them. This has to be great news for Docklands.

Gwendoline, the owner of Just Lashes, says her customers look for her salons that are nearest to them. They make appointments and come. If the nearest outlet is fully booked they will go to the next nearest available salon. Just Lashes reports good business in its Harbour Esplanade location through this customer brand loyalty. Another example of good news for Docklands.

I am hearing more exciting news. Right now the owners at Wonderland Fun Park are putting up a proposal for a Docklands

Town People Mover to the City of Melbourne to consider.  They own a trackless train and carriage and they want to operate a tourist train, much like one in Sydney’s Darling Harbour.

This idea is reported elsewhere in this edition of Docklands News and is great news for Docklands as it has the potential to transport people between Victoria Harbour, Batman Hill, Central Pier, NewQuay, Waterfront City and Harbour Town. Speak to Colin or Melissa at the Fun Park if you want to add your support to this great idea.

If you are in the vicinity of ANZ Wharf near Victoria Harbour or Yarra’s Edge on a Thursday or Friday between 12.30pm and 3pm, you could jump on a river taxi now being operated by the businesses in the area.
The taxi will ferry you between ANZ Wharf and the World Trade Centre Wharf. This is an experiment at the moment and if it proves to be a popular mode of transport, this could increase the scale of the operation. Give it a go!

NewQuay Promenade has some great restaurants offering some great lunch-time deals. Watch out for Bobby Valentine performing live at the Lounge – go down to NewQuay Promenade and see what is happening. Get to know Docklands!

Watch out for more great news in the Docklands News – the good news stories are here.

Bill Reid

More info:

Docklands News

LEGO Education Centre

Just Lashes 
 
Wonderland Fun Park