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Oz Magical Mystery Tour (Wed/Thurs prePAX adventures)

punziepunzie Cookie PimpRegistered User regular
edited October 2014 in PAX Australia
2014 Magical Mystery Tour of Melbourne!
Twitter: @PAX_MMT

Who: You! Your fearless(?) leaders @Squire_Pug‌ and @Jazzy‌. And other PAX peeps. AKA your future friends.
What: Visit interesting places in and around Melbourne.
Where: Schedule will be posted below.
When: The two days before PAX: Wed 29/10 and Thurs 30/10. Traditionally runs from 9am to 5pm but you don't have to do the whole thing. (Follow the twitter feed for live updates of where we are.)
Why: See something of Melbourne other than the convention center and your hotel. And do it with cool people!
How: Melbourne's public transit.

Schedule
Wednesday:
9:00 meetup- Flinders St Station, under the clocks
9:30 travel time
10:00 league of honest coffee
11:00 travel time
11:30 Melbourne zoo
1:00 lunch/travel
3:00 scienceworks

Thursday
9:00 meetup- Flinders StStation, under the clocks
9:30 travel
10:00 queen Victoria markets (including lunch)
1:00 travel
1:30 eureka tower
2:30 travel
3:00 ACMI

Interested Parties
Wednesday peeps:
Jazzy
Flashe
MagnusCarter

Thursday peeps:
Jazzy
Squire pug
Flashe
Jjjewels
MagnusCarter
Minty737
Psychopozzie‌
Rina

You don't need the rest of this info any more.
Voting
Is done. Thanks for your opinion.

Potential stops:
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SUGGEST NEW DESTINATIONS! It's too late for them to make the cut this year, but we can look into them for next year.

ACMI
What: Australian Center for the Moving Image
Price: free entry, some exhibits cost $
Hours: 10-5
Website: http://www.acmi.net.au
Cupcake Central
What: cupcakes!
Price: free to enter, pay to nom
Hours: 10-7
Website: http://www.cupcakecentral.com.au
Eureka Tower
What: 360 views of Melbourne from the highest viewing platform in the southern hemisphere
Price: $19.50
Hours: 10-10
Website: http://www.eurekaskydeck.com.au
Additional Notes: the also have "The Edge" for anyone interested in being in a glass box 300 meters in the air. It costs another $12, cannot be purchased in advance, and likely has a long wait time.
Healesville Sanctuary
What: a zoo. Look at (and pet!) the animals! The have all the fun Australia-only critters here.
Price: $30.80
Hours: 9-5
Website: http://www.zoo.org.au/healesville
Additional Notes: this one might be difficult to get to. Is there a public transit option? Might only be feasible with a car pool.
High Ropes Park
What: rides and obstacle courses, of varying skill levels, in the trees
Price: $39
Hours: 11-5
Website: http://www.dandenongrangespoint.com.au/trees-adventure/
Additional Notes: must be booked in advance, training and equipment included
League of Honest Coffee
What: caffeine
Price: free to enter, pay to drink
Hours: 7-5
Website: http://www.padrecoffee.com.au
Melbourne Aquarium
What: like a zoo but for water-dwelling critters
Price: $38
Hours: 9:30-6
Website: http://www.melbourneaquarium.com.au/home
Melbourne Museum
What: a museum about things relevant to Victorians, including exhibits on environment, history, and culture.
Price: $12
Hours: 10-5
Website: http://museumvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum/
Additional Info: Exhibits include dinosaur walk, first peoples, the human body (with plastinated organs!), and the temporary exhibit the art of science.
Melbourne Zoo
What: a zoo. Look at the animals!
Price: $30.80
Hours: 9-5
Website: http://www.zoo.org.au/melbourne
National Gallery of Victoria
What: a museum w/art and history
Price: free, though some exhibits may cost $
Hours: 10-5
Website: http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/
Additional notes: there are 2 locations, pretty close to each other. The federation square site exhibits include indigenous art, Australian art, and Joseph Brown. The international site includes exhibits on samurai, the ancient world, and the art of the table.
Old Melbourne Gaol
What: get arrested in Melbourne's oldest prison (closed in the '90s)
Price: $25
Hours: 9:30-5
Website: http://www.oldmelbournegaol.com.au
Additional Notes: they have a couple night tours too if you want the "spookier" stuff
Parliament of Victoria
What: a tour of the ornate parliament building
Price: free (I think)
Hours: 9, 10, 11, 12, 2, 3 on days they aren't in sessions, fewer tours when they are
Website: http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/visit
Additional Notes: there are a couple different types of tours (with different focuses) and the tour must be booked in advance
Phillip Island
What: a nature preserve with special areas to see koalas, seals, and even a penguin parade
Price: depends on what you do
Hours: 10-5ish. Penguin parade at sunset
Website: http://www.penguins.org.au
Additional Notes: this would be a day trip and would require a car pool (no public transit if you stay for the penguin parade). It looks like there are plenty of free places to wander, but any of the special animal areas have fees.
Puffing Billy
What: ride an old steam train through the dandenong range
Price: varies
Hours: 10:30-5:30
Website: http://www.puffingbilly.com.au
Queen Victoria Market
What: a market full of a combination of fresh foods, interesting handmade things, and tourist trap stalls.
Price: free to enter
Hours: Thursday, 8-2
Website: http://www.qvm.com.au
Additional notes: The meat area near the front is kinda icky and some people may be upset by the stalls selling pelts, koala claw backscratchers, and similar things.
Robot Sushi
What: Japanese pop culture bar
Price: free to enter, pay to eat/drink
Hours: 5pm-late
Website: http://www.robotsushi.com
Royal Botanic Gardens
What: a fancy garden
Price: free
Hours: 7:30-sunset
Website: http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au
Scienceworks
What: a science museum. Science!
Price: $12
Hours: 10-4:30
Website: http://museumvictoria.com.au/scienceworks/
Additional Notes: Exhibits include think ahead: what will the future be like? and deep oceans. The planetarium and deep oceans exhibit cost extra ($6 each).
Shrine of Remembrance
What: a war memorial
Price: free, donations welcome
Hours: 10-5 with tours at 11 and 2
Website: http://www.shrine.org.au/Home
Additional Notes: renovations are affecting wheelchair access to some areas
Street Art Tour
What: a tour of street art around the city, guided by a local street artist
Price: $69
Hours: thurs, 1:30 and 4:30
Website: http://www.melbournestreettours.com
Werribee Zoo
What: a zoo. Look at the animals! (It looks like they specialize in African animals)
Price: $30.80
Hours: 9-5
Website: http://www.zoo.org.au/werribee

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punzie on
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Posts

  • punziepunzie Cookie Pimp Registered User regular
    edited September 2014
    How this will work:
    1. get a tour guide <- done!
    2. curate a list of potential places to visit <- in progress
    3. everybody votes on where they do and don't want to go (a google form will be made for this)
    4. a schedule is posted
    5. people show up at the designated place and time and fun is had!

    So does anyone want to volunteer for tour guide? It does require you to be there for the full tour, which is usually roughing 9am to 5pm both days, but it can be altered if you have another commitment. I've had a lot of fun leading these tours at the other PAXes and made some great friends and I'm sure you will too.

    punzie on
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  • CuZZaCuZZa Khoo's Epic Mount Perth, AustraliaRegistered User regular
    This is a super awesome idea. In the past I have taken part in the MMT for PAX08 and it was amazing. Made some really good friends and got to see mind blowing stuff. I SAW A PLANE BEING BUILT.

    Anyway, as far as suggestions go, I have the following with my limited Melbourne knowledge -

    - Minotaur (not sure how this would work with a crowd going in together and honestly it's only really a store and they may not be open to a bunch of people coming in to browse. Then again, they're probably used to it and may do something cool if contacted/warned)
    - Scienceworks (they apparently have a warehouse tour which is all their behind the scenes stuff, needs to be booked?)
    - Melbourne Museum?
    - Queen Victoria Markets? (Thu only)
    - RMIT has some gaming stuff they might be able to do with the group if planned?
    - ACMI may have an exhibition on
    - Federation Square
    - Not open during the day but may be a good end of day thing for Wed - ROBOT SUSHI! http://www.robotsushi.com/
    - Cupcake Central - these guys have AMAZING cupcakes. Call back to the Seattle MMT having a trip to Trophy cupcakes
    - The League Of Honest Coffee

    Hope this helps!

  • Freeman_78Freeman_78 Melbourne Registered User regular
    edited August 2014
    There were a few events like this last year, of the top off my head I can remember, street art and coffee tour, rope course in the dandenongs and hot springs in mornington. New ones I have thought of is Sky High in the dandenongs for a great look over melbourne and Werribee Zoo for those who haven't seen much of the native animals.

    Freeman_78 on
  • ZanialZanial Registered User new member
    I won't be getting in until the night before PAX (thursday evening) but it's awesome to know things like this get put together. If I was able to I'd totally be down for it.

  • Squire_PugSquire_Pug Melbourne, AustraliaRegistered User regular
    Hey, I am so down for helping host/run/assist with this. I managed to get Punzie up close to a koala last year, as well as nearly killing her by making her walk ALL over melbourne.

    We did eureka tower, most of the cool alley ways in melbourne and healesville sanctuary. So with more planning and less spontaneous wandering this should be awesome.

  • jjjewelsjjjewels TorontoRegistered User regular
    We are flying in on Monday! I can't wait for this!!!

  • punziepunzie Cookie Pimp Registered User regular
    Thanks for stepping up to lead @Squire_Pug‌! And thanks for showing me around last year! It was super cool to see the city with a local :D
    I know this is coming up fast, so I'm going to sit down this week and make the big fancy list of potential stops.
    I usually make a button (badge?) for the MMT folks. Is that something you guys want? Is there a building or structure that's pretty unique/identifiable as "Melbourne" to use on the button? For example, the space needle is always on the Seattle MMT button, and the Zakim bridge on Boston's.

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  • FitzchivalryFitzchivalry PAXAUS Cookie Brigade Coordinator Orrstrahleeeeah mate!Registered User regular
    Erm. Short list.

    The Shrine of Remembrance
    Melbourne Arts Centre spire
    Crown Casino Flame Towers (flame on every hour)
    Federation Square / ACMI
    Melbourne Zoo
    Melbourne Aquarium

    Just a few off the top of my head :)

  • KevralynKevralyn Registered User regular
    Speaking as a foreigner, the Melbourne skyline itself is pretty distinctive (that's what hit the Aus event shirt too). Quite liked the flame tower though!

    (That said though, never heard of the Zakim bridge despite several Boston's... >.>)

    Dominic
    sig.gif
  • JazzyJazzy Melbourne, AustraliaRegistered User regular
    Happy to help take people around on those one or both days... I love Melbourne and enjoy sharing it.

    List of events that are on (and will be updated) -
    http://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/Whatson/Pages/SearchResults.aspx?scope=Whatson&TMFromDate=2014-10-28&TMToDate=2014-10-29

    Could do Degraves etc lanes for coffee / lunches. Graffiti at night (there is an official street art tour but it's $69). The historic laneways tour is great. There is a boardgame night in the CBD that we could take people to meet other PAX folk at?

    Anyway happy to help out as long as we wander past decent coffee like seven seeds or such :P

    Moon Wizard.
  • punziepunzie Cookie Pimp Registered User regular
    I've started researching the sites you guys have suggested. I didn't get very far yet, but I'll keep at it :)
    Thanks for volunteering @Jazzy‌! I'll be messaging you and @Squire_Pug‌ soon to coordinate, make the final schedule, etc.

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  • JazzyJazzy Melbourne, AustraliaRegistered User regular
    edited September 2014
    No problems! I think maybe it's best I do one day only? Two days of this before 3 days PAX and I'd be pooooooooooooooped. Also need to be tiptop for Omegathon ;)

    Jazzy on
    Moon Wizard.
  • punziepunzie Cookie Pimp Registered User regular
    Added some more things to the potential stops in the OP. Still plenty more to add.

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  • punziepunzie Cookie Pimp Registered User regular
    Unless anyone has something new to add, I've finished adding things to the potential stops. Have a look at the list in the OP and share your thoughts. Personally, if I were going, I'd be pulling for Phillip Island. You'd have to find a few people willing to drive, but it looks awesome.

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  • JazzyJazzy Melbourne, AustraliaRegistered User regular
    Great list, good work Punzie. How do we know who is coming?

    Moon Wizard.
  • Squire_PugSquire_Pug Melbourne, AustraliaRegistered User regular
    Checking back in...badges arrived, mild hysteria rising, let me know a crew and I'll get them anywhere required.

  • punziepunzie Cookie Pimp Registered User regular
    edited October 2014
    I made a thing! It's a form for you to vote and where you do (and don't) want to go: http://goo.gl/forms/GAR2iO8GTC
    I'll leave this up for about a week and then we can work on that schedule thing.

    punzie on
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  • Cookienommer51Cookienommer51 Registered User regular
    Can we bring friends who aren't going to pax?

  • JazzyJazzy Melbourne, AustraliaRegistered User regular
    Yep no problems at all with that. I don't think the group will get too big at this stage.

    Moon Wizard.
  • flasheflashe Craft Beer Aficionado US - East CoastRegistered User regular
    Wow this sounds like an awesome idea/event. I'll be in the area on both those day and have time to kill, while waiting for PAX. Would love a chance to meet up with a few of the AUS Paxers. Count me in!

  • punziepunzie Cookie Pimp Registered User regular
    So far only 2 people have voted. I'm pulling it in a couple days we can make the schedule. If you want a say in where the group goes, go get your vote on: http://goo.gl/forms/GAR2iO8GTC

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  • JazzyJazzy Melbourne, AustraliaRegistered User regular
    Ha, might vote myself.

    I won't be available from around 7pm Thursday night at this stage due to Omeganaut meet up thing I have to be at.

    Moon Wizard.
  • SmuffySmuffy Registered User regular

    And then, on Wednesday night, after 5pm, you could come to a great charity trivia night! :)

    https://www.facebook.com/CPTAus

    http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=90846

    I'll also put in a vote for a street art tour on the Thursday. I'm an out-of-towner, and will be sorting out the aforementioned trivia night on the Wednesday, but the street art in Melbourne is excellent. :biggrin:

  • minty737minty737 Sunshine CoastRegistered User regular
    I've voted, if it's still running. I really would love to do some nature things like they offer on phillip island, but I'm not keen on the idea of paying $30 (if it is that much) to look at some penguins for 10 minutes. It's a shame the phillip island bird tour is a full day otherwise I would be so into that! Just not enough time!

  • flasheflashe Craft Beer Aficionado US - East CoastRegistered User regular
    I'm still down for whatever the group votes for, can't go wrong IMHO with any of the choices.

  • JazzyJazzy Melbourne, AustraliaRegistered User regular
    Agreed! Hanging out with fellow paxites is a surefire good time right? :) Really looking forward to those couple of days.

    Moon Wizard.
  • punziepunzie Cookie Pimp Registered User regular
    I'm working on the rough draft of the schedule now and then I'll send it off to your leaders for approval (to double check times and other feasibility issues) hopefully it will be posted this weekend. I didn't mean to make it so last minute!

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  • punziepunzie Cookie Pimp Registered User regular
    Schedule time!
    Wednesday:
    9:00 meetup- Flinders St Station, under the clocks
    9:30 travel time
    10:00 league of honest coffee
    11:00 travel time
    11:30 Melbourne zoo
    1:00 lunch/travel
    3:00 scienceworks

    Thursday
    9:00 meetup- Flinders St Station, under the clocks
    9:30 travel
    10:00 queen Victoria markets (including lunch)
    1:00 travel
    1:30 eureka tower
    2:30 travel
    3:00 ACMI

    Apparently Wednesday's lunch is going to be decided on Wednesday. Surprises!

    Your Lovely Leaders (tm) would like to get an approximate head count for each day. So sound off if/when you plan to be there and I'll make a list in the OP.

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  • minty737minty737 Sunshine CoastRegistered User regular
    We only arrive at 11:30ish on Thursday, so we (my partner, Mike, and I) will try and join you at the Eureka tower, and come along for ACMI.

    Do we have a special way to recognise each other?

  • Squire_PugSquire_Pug Melbourne, AustraliaRegistered User regular
    I will be running around in last years PAX T-Shirt, but will try and find something novelty and PAX-ish to wear to make it easier. If you feel comfortable you can message me, and I can and you my mobile number to help in tracking us down.

  • Squire_PugSquire_Pug Melbourne, AustraliaRegistered User regular
    On that note, if ANYONE is going to need assist meeting up, message me, and we'll make sure we find you, or help you find us. The whole point is to make you feel welcome, so if you need any assist to get anywhere we would LOVE to be able to help. I'm dedicating the day to this, and can arrange transport if need be as well.

  • JazzyJazzy Melbourne, AustraliaRegistered User regular
    edited October 2014
    Hey all, just like @Squire_Pug I'm really looking forward to showing you beautiful Melbourne. Message me for my number or email also if you like. I'll probably post it on twitter on the day as well. I may be running Wednesday solo and I'll know with an hour to go with some group consultation where we'll end up for lunch on that day. It will probably be either the CBD, lovely quaint Yarraville or Spotswood near Scienceworks.

    I'll probably wear my Green and Gold PAX AUS 2013 scarf at least in the morning until it gets too warm. I could wear some ostentatious Australian top as well which might help. The place we meet (Flinders St Station under the clocks) is the big gaping entrance in this photo - https://irs2.4sqi.net/img/general/600x600/116172_P9JKAKmQqeNBLCy0BGXG6cNHK7NGf5yWvk58gFENEmg.jpg
    - I'll be probably on the left of this picture on the stairs chatting with the street preachers, buskers and tourists.

    Weather for Wed / Thursday are looking like particularly lovely Spring days, partly cloudy with a bit of a breeze in the low to mid 20s. That's in Australian Degrees. I'd suggest wearing layers. Melbourne it's all about the layers and adjusting to four seasons, sometimes in the same hour.

    @minty737 grab a Myki card (public transport) at the airport on your way through if you can.

    Jazzy on
    Moon Wizard.
  • RinaRina Registered User new member
    Dammit! I was hoping the zoo would be on Thursday. I would still love to come along for the markets though. I don't have twitter so expect a random stalker under the clocks!

  • Squire_PugSquire_Pug Melbourne, AustraliaRegistered User regular
    @Rina will you have either:
    1. Mobile phone
    2. Email
    3. Random IM app of your choice?

    If so send me a forum message and I'll arrange to make sure we have close to immediate comms with you,

  • flasheflashe Craft Beer Aficionado US - East CoastRegistered User regular
    Sweet this looks like it'll be fun! I'm in Melbourne already and look forward to meeting up with everyone! I'll be wearing a gaming t shirt of some type (probably Glax-Z) on Wed. Since I'm from aboard I only have access to email/forum and only when there is wifi around

    Anyone know how much for each of the events, and travel?

    Big THANKS ahead of time to punzie, squire pug and jazzy for leading this!

  • JazzyJazzy Melbourne, AustraliaRegistered User regular
    Zoo is $30
    Scienceworks is $12
    Eureka Tower is $20 + $12 if you want to do the glass box thing.
    Rest of the events you spend what you want. Lunches will be $15-30 I would think.

    Moon Wizard.
  • PsychopozziePsychopozzie Registered User new member
    im interested in this, i think i'll be able to make it thursday, wednesday morning is when i arrive in melbourne so yeah... most likely wearing a white hoodie and matching bag, since this would be the first PAX i'd go to

  • Squire_PugSquire_Pug Melbourne, AustraliaRegistered User regular
    If you are even slightly interested in this, but are (terminally shy/chronically allergic to human contact/hopelessly disorganised/afraid you will get eaten by the local wildlife), but in spite of this really, really want to come, then I am assuming you are already there, have made you my best friend, and will be bitterly disappointed by your absence!

  • PsychopozziePsychopozzie Registered User new member
    haha i'll most likely try to come, i will be shy at first, but as time goes by i should end up being fine. think you can message me a number that i can keep contact with? (so i know where and not get confused and lost) i actually made this account so i can post here i might bring a friend with me too or more.

  • JazzyJazzy Melbourne, AustraliaRegistered User regular
    Phone number messaged!

    Moon Wizard.
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