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Australian Grand Prix 2013 - Advice for the traveller down under


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#1 Cadence

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Posted 22 February 2013 - 15:39

Hi Paddock Clubbers, :wave:

Seems my work will take me to Melbourne this year in time for the Grand Prix and I was hoping some of you who have been to the Austalian GP before or live in Melbourne can offer advice on events, nightlife, restaurants, pubs, GP seating (grandstand vs. General Admission), Paddock Club access... and anything else that will help me experience the city and Grand Prix. I'll be on a pretty tight work schedule so, although I will be in Melbourne for two weeks I'll really only have a few evenings and the GP weekend to poke around.

Appreciate any advice you can offer.

Thx,

Adam

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#2 Alfisti

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Posted 22 February 2013 - 15:47

My first advice is to pack a lot of money, Australia is hideously expensive for even basic day to day items not to mention with a GP in town.

I went to the GP in 98 and 99 and have been to Spa, Monza and montreal as well and IMHO Melbourne shits all over them from a fan perspective. Tram tickets were built into the F1 ticket cost and there were so many entry gates that queues were non existent. I do not recommend general admission on race day, buy a seat, any seat.

Melbourne itself is one you can walk around or tram around in, take the "tourist tram" that circles the city it's an easy way to pop in and out. Melbourne does not have Sydney's "you gotta see this, that and this", it's more a urban cafe culture than sydney so i will let local melbournians tell you where to go within the city limits.

Needless to say, if you can drive some or all of the Great Ocean Road ... then do it, just do it.

Remember no tipping unless you're at a real snobby place, don't so much as even consider driving 1KM an hr over the posted speed id you are driving and if there is an AFL game on at the MCG I strongly suggest you get yourself there.

#3 Alfisti

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Posted 22 February 2013 - 15:52

Carlton play Richmond at the MCG on the 28th March, you still in town then?

#4 Cadence

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Posted 22 February 2013 - 16:45

No, I'm there from the 4th until the 18th.

#5 repcobrabham

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Posted 24 February 2013 - 01:12

i'm also a sydneysider but i've been there a few times. one tip i would give is, if you get out of the office at 5pm to find warm and sunny weather, convince your colleagues to get the tram to st kilda and grab a table at the bar / restaurant right down on the beachfront for sunset and beyond. i can't remember the name but the wife and i drank and ate one such day away and remember it fondly - it's one of the most relaxing and decadent things we've ever done. there's also a famously cool rock 'n' roll pub there (the esplanade, known to all as the espy) and main street is chock-full of cafes / restaurants / bars that give it a holiday feel. maybe it's my sydney perspective, but i think melburnians underestimate their bayside treasure.

sure, melbourne might be a bit pricey by NA standards but it's not monaco or dubai either and certainly not as bad as m'tightarsed countryman suggests. it's true we don't have a US-style tipping culture and i rankle at any suggestion of tipping in pubs, but there's no harm in leaving a couple of bucks after settling your tab at a restaurant / cafe / bar if the food and service were good - especially if you might go back later, as it will likely be remembered and discreetly rewarded. tipping is not assumed or expected but it's appreciated by those who are good enough to be worthy. hospitality is generally excellent in melbourne BTW, they take pride in it.

Edited by repcobrabham, 24 February 2013 - 03:05.