ClubSNAPpers in Melbourne..

[Ansel]

Hi yy,

You need a thicker jacket for mid April, not winter yet, but weather can be wintery, especially during the evening, depending on which direction the wind is blowing from. Better be prepared for the worst rather than suffer the cold.

You are not allowed to shoot the penguin parade, but I think you were referring to shooting the 12 Apostles with 85? Coach stops are usually at the designated spots and from what we did the last time, it was the best vantage point too. I think your combination of lenses is fine, ranging from 17-85mm. Just hope for the best weather.

 

[yyD70S]

Greetings keinc & Ansel,

How are you?

Thank you very much for the pointers; especially with the clothing (weather). Thought I could go lighter by not bringing along thicker clothing but I will heed the advice here and be safe.

Now I will have to search the internet for recommendations on good value eateries along Melbourne's famous small laneways.

 

[tangerine]

Hi, I think you are not allowed to take pictures at the stands.... i.e. When watching the penguins come to shore. However, when you're walking along the broad walk towards the exit, you can take non-flash pictures. There will be penguins walking along the side of the broad walk going back to their burrows.... So you can snap close up pictures then. Remember, no flash else you'll get told off.

 

[deregisteraccount]

Agree with earlier comments. In Melbourne the rain is more like drizzle, but the wind is very strong near the coast. Wind-chill factor can be 5-7 degrees at times so be certain to pack something wind-proof.

If you have a couple of hours and cash to spare, my advise would be to head to the camping and outdoor stores along Little Bourke Street, between Elizabeth Street and Queen Street. You can easily get good wind-proof fleece and jackets, strongly suggest getting something with a hood for those occasional showers.

As for food, within the CBD the cheapest food would be Chinatown @ Russell Street. Generally dining out will cost between A$15-$20 a head, BUT do remember that these are 'Aussie' sized portions so you can probably get by splitting one meal between two persons. Also please avoid King Street at night, lots of pubs there and it can get pretty rowdy at times.

 

[sinned79]

yoz fellow clubsnapps in Melbourne!

I am heading to Melbourne again next mth with my friend. I got about 7 full days to spare. We will do self driving.

It's not my first time to Melbourne but the last time I came here, I went with the local tours and everything is so rush.

I am planning to revisit Great Ocean Road and Goldfields again. And probably Morning Peninsular and some other places ard Melbourne. Actually we have intention to drive up to Sydney but we find that it may be a bit too rush for 7 days.

Just curious, as I understand it will be approaching winter when we go (from April 25-May 4), is the above destinations still worth to go? I understand it will be cold so we will prepare the necessary clothings.

We also intend to do sky diving but not sure whether most sky dive centers are open for sky diving during this period.

 

[yyD70S]

Greetings tangerine and harnamsc,

How are you?

Thank you very much for filling me up.

OK. I will avoid snapping those lovely pengiuns; don't want to invite trouble. I understand the no flash policy (in many areas of wildlife photography it too exists) but no pictures... nevermind; I'll play by ear. Thanks, tangerine.

Thanks for the foodie tips, harnamsc. Appreciate. And also on 'what/where to avoid'; I missed this point. Especially so as I will be my family.

Ah, sinned79. Enjoy your trip; I am sure you will do. If only I have the luxury of 7 days!!!

 

[sinned79]

OK. I will avoid snapping those lovely pengiuns; don't want to invite trouble. I understand the no flash policy (in many areas of wildlife photography it too exists) but no pictures... nevermind; I'll play by ear. Thanks, tangerine.

u can try high ISO shoot... to shoot at those little fellas wandering off the track... but some of them are very nimble and fast!

 

[Jemapela]

Greetings to all ClubSNAPpers in Melbourne,

I will be taking my family to Melbourne in the middle of April. Unfortunately, due to circumstances, it has to the 'usual group tour'. As it's my first time down under, appreciate if you guys could fill me in with some tips.

(1)Mid April ... autumn ... would a simple windbreaker suffice (including Phillip Island)... those sporty thin type ... like Adidas, etc

(2)Also, for the Penguin Parade (from the viewing platform), do I need a telephoto to reach out to those lovely penguins? * I intend to travel with just my D700 + 17-35mm + 85mm

(3)For the Great Ocean Road, I would again unfortunately have only a few minutes photostops here and there... obviously, the two most important views for a first-timer being the 12 Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. From the road side (assuming the coach stops us along the highway/freeway, would my 85mm focal length be too little a reach and render the subject too small?

(4)Melbourne City ~ I will be staying in a budget hotel at Little Collins; think it is the Victorial Hotel. Are there any nice eateries around the vicinity on a budget; (Italian, Chinese) ie, around S$15-20 per person?

Thank you very much fellows.

[1] As the others have said, a windbreaker will not suffice. Victoria state faces the southern ocean where the cold arctic winds don't ever stop blowing to freeze your bits. Some people watch the penguins while wrapped up in towels and blankets (imagine human size spring rolls) while some increase their blubber before going to this attraction.

[2] You would be lucky to take any photos there because those creatures come up to shore at dusk up to nightfall. Illumination is so low that your DSLR would only be useful if you have ISO 256,000 for images without camera shake blur and subject movement blur. Videos would be slightly better but you would hear lots of Chinese tourists chattering away drowning out the penguins' chirping. Anyhow, the park rangers will patrol the crowd and are the elite at stopping you from any camera-play.

[3] Coach buses will stop to let tourists walk on a boardwalk where the view is good but not award-winning great. The lenses you have are good enough.

[4] Your hotel is in the CBD, and you are close to Chinatown which is also in the CBD. There are lots of Chinese/Asian food along Little Bourke Street (Chinatown) and its fringes (Russell Street and Swanston Street). It is impossible to not see any Chinese/Asian eatery anywhere in Melbourne and even in the countryside. Italian food can be found aplenty along Lygon Street in Carlton, a short tram ride north out of the CBD.

 

[enchantedream]

Finally I am in melbourne =) anw yyD70S its better to bring more than less (clothes wise) due to the ever increasing exchange rate.. I dont think you would wanna spend extra here on clothes.. and its best to layer rather than to wear just one single thick wintery jacket.. Melbourne's weather is pretty temperamental.. Last week's highest was in the lower 20s but this week its like shooting up to the high 20s and even hitting the big 30.. hope you'll enjoy your time here =)

 

[yyD70S]

Greetings Jemapela & enchantedream,

How are you?

Thank you very much for the addional notes.

Yes, enchantedream. I think putting on layers is a good idea. I will do just that. Actually, I am already looking forward to the cooler climate down under in one month's time. Not that it is hot here at this moment but it's kind of wet, wet, and wet... I hope it doesn't rain when I'm there.

I will take note of Phillip Island. So far, everyone is suggesting that I forget about photo-taking so I will just sit back and soak it all in. By the way, the tour I am taking for this trip (from either APT or Gray Line) offers a so-called special 'viewing platform' that supposedly gives a better view.

The Penguin Parade Tour With Viewing Platform - Gray Line - Gray Line Australia

... bottom right of pic ... em... seems to be that this "special viewing platform" is further away from the beach as compared to the "normal seats (top of pic). I am a little confused :think:

And Jemapela. Thanks for the "places to eat" streets. I will find my way to Lygon Street, Carlton and hopefully I could locate those traditionally margarita pizzas that are good yet affordable!

I have almost two full days in the city; so I will do some walking and explore the arcards, victorian buildings, laneways and the it's many graffiti!

 

[sinned79]

The Penguin Parade Tour With Viewing Platform - Gray Line - Gray Line Australia

i had this exact tour when i last went Melbourne.

here's a snap from my iphone.

this platform area is still a few meters away from the sea and beach... when the penguins is about to come onshore... the presenter will announce, then u will see a black patch in the seawater and these penguins will slowly come onshore to the beach and wobble slowly away.

 

[Jemapela]

As mentioned by some members, the weather in Melbourne/Victoria can drastically change. It can change from sunny to rainy, but really it can also happen in Singapore but perhaps to a stronger effect in Melbourne since the change in temperature can be significant. Bikini in the morning and rain coat in the afternoon.

Anyway, if the weather turns cloudy and dull when shooting landscapes, I suggest doing HDR photography. Bring a tripod. (It's easier doing HDR with your Nikon D700 than with most Canon cameras.) You could also do long exposures of the ocean. Again, bring a tripod. Or spin around with your camera. Again, you know your useful 3-legged friend.

 

[keinc]

Hi, I think you are not allowed to take pictures at the stands.... i.e. When watching the penguins come to shore. However, when you're walking along the broad walk towards the exit, you can take non-flash pictures. There will be penguins walking along the side of the broad walk going back to their burrows.... So you can snap close up pictures then. Remember, no flash else you'll get told off.

this is actually not allowed either. I told told off on this one as well.

 

[keinc]

I will find my way to Lygon Street, Carlton and hopefully I could locate those traditionally margarita pizzas that are good yet affordable!

Papa Ginos and Mercadante are good

 

[deregisteraccount]

Greetings tangerine and harnamsc,

How are you?

Thank you very much for filling me up.

OK. I will avoid snapping those lovely pengiuns; don't want to invite trouble. I understand the no flash policy (in many areas of wildlife photography it too exists) but no pictures... nevermind; I'll play by ear. Thanks, tangerine.

Thanks for the foodie tips, harnamsc. Appreciate. And also on 'what/where to avoid'; I missed this point. Especially so as I will be my family.

Ah, sinned79. Enjoy your trip; I am sure you will do. If only I have the luxury of 7 days!!!

No worries, you can buy us a beer or a coffee when you're in town. Speaking of which do try the cafes in Melbourne, the coffee here is WAY better than the crap you get from Starbucks. I kid you not. Melbourne has a huge cafe culture and there's lots of good and average cafes. Check Urbanspoon for the best cafes nearest to you as you go along and you can't go wrong!

P.S: Best coffee for me, is currently Seven Seeds @ Berkeley Street. There's also another cafe at the junction of Berkeley Street and Pelham Street that you might find interesting! =D

 

[yyD70S]

Greetings sinned79,

Thanks for posting the pic. A picture speaks volume. And I could make out from a few how there are dressed too.

i had this exact tour when i last went Melbourne.

here's a snap from my iphone.

this platform area is still a few meters away from the sea and beach... when the penguins is about to come onshore... the presenter will announce, then u will see a black patch in the seawater and these penguins will slowly come onshore to the beach and wobble slowly away.

 

[yyD70S]

Greetings Jemapela,

I would probably bring my small Gitzo but it'll probably be deployed only during my two days in the City. For my 3 days tour outskirts (Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island & Yarra Valley), I would probably not have enough time to use one. Nevertheless, I always carry alone a table-pod for the odd use just in case.

For the city, I plan to use the tripod proper for some night scenes of the city skyline. I was browsing through Google Images (Melbourne Skyline) and some of the city skyline are very impressive for someone who has not been there.

I read somewhere that the best viewpoint (perhaps very common to locals) will be to cross over to Southbank (?) and snap a photograph of the famous bridge (forgot the bridge name?) with the bridge to the left or right and with Flinders Station & St. Paul's Cathedral as the backdrop.

As mentioned by some members, the weather in Melbourne/Victoria can drastically change. It can change from sunny to rainy, but really it can also happen in Singapore but perhaps to a stronger effect in Melbourne since the change in temperature can be significant. Bikini in the morning and rain coat in the afternoon.

Anyway, if the weather turns cloudy and dull when shooting landscapes, I suggest doing HDR photography. Bring a tripod. (It's easier doing HDR with your Nikon D700 than with most Canon cameras.) You could also do long exposures of the ocean. Again, bring a tripod. Or spin around with your camera. Again, you know your useful 3-legged friend.

 

[yyD70S]

Greetings keinc,

I will check them out. Have been downloading lots of apps these few days from iTunes on Melbourne "eats, cafe, drinks, pub, etc" but nothing beats checking out with you guys out here.

Papa Ginos and Mercadante are good

 

[yyD70S]

Greetings harnamsc,

I will check out your recommendation on those coffee joints. Hope to find some affordable eateries over at Southbank too as I plan to spend some half-one-hour photographing the skyline (with Flinders Station and St. Paul's Cathedral making the backdrop across the river) before or after dinner; I have to find out the approximate time the sun sets during mid-April.

No worries, you can buy us a beer or a coffee when you're in town. Speaking of which do try the cafes in Melbourne, the coffee here is WAY better than the crap you get from Starbucks. I kid you not. Melbourne has a huge cafe culture and there's lots of good and average cafes. Check Urbanspoon for the best cafes nearest to you as you go along and you can't go wrong!

P.S: Best coffee for me, is currently Seven Seeds @ Berkeley Street. There's also another cafe at the junction of Berkeley Street and Pelham Street that you might find interesting! =D

 

[Zichar]

Was there mid Dec 2011 at Philip Island and froze my @$$ off. It was a cold rainy day in the afternoon which probably exacerbated the condition
Terribly uncomfortable not being prepared for it Don't make the same mistake, you'll be there for many an hour
Kept my gear in my bag, didn't bother pulling any out after repeated warnings to other tourists

I paid extra for the Penguin Plus, another platform built away from the main one (sinned79's photos)
Not particularly sure if it's worth it ... can mingle between areas not long after they start coming in

I stayed in some B&B on the island itself - Philip Island Whitehouse - didn't think the drive back would be enjoyable so late
I remember being extremely hungry during (cold) and after the show; on a lark decided to drive to Cowes and was surprised to find a pizzeria open at that hour (10.30pm iirc)
Run by a very friendly Indian family, it was oddly one of the best frutti di mare pizzas I've ever had from the base to the toppings