AskMetaFilterMelbourne

2012-02-06

• 02:03 UTC Begone Peach Tiles
  Recommend a bathroom renovation company or builder in Melbourne, Australia? I've asked for recommendations from friends, but there is not one who was happy with the outcome with their builder. Each spent between 3-6 months arguing over problems and defects once the job was done.
  
  Looking for someone to project manage, I don't have the time to manage myself. Happy to pay a little more for a good job. Bathroom is in an apartment.

2012-01-29

• 05:15 UTC How to find the Melbourne (Australia) hardcore punk scene again? – How to find the Melbourne (Australia) hardcore punk scene again? Soooo in about 1998 I discovered hardcore punk music and would go to these little gigs at Midian studios (and a few other places but that's the main one I can remember) and then I discovered metal which took over my life for about 10 years til I discovered that there's aggressive hip hop too! But recently I've been digging through my old music and getting all nostalgic and I want to start going to some little shows again and burning off some energy - but I am way out of touch and have no idea where all of this happens, what zines are around now and what local bands to check out etc. So where do I start?

2011-11-27

• 13:54 UTC Sydney or Melbourne as a "Walking City"? – Sydney vs Melbourne as a pedestrian paradise: I am a sociologist doing a study which involves observing pedestrians/window shoppers/etc. I am based in New York City, which is fantastic for my field of work. In Feb/March, I plan to go to Australia for two months, to either Sydney or Melbourne. I have never been to Australia before. QUESTION: Which city has more of a "pedestrian culture"? That is, which is more of a "walking city?" (If you know New York City, my favorite place to observe is Union Square -- I am looking for a comparable location.) Would prefer a place filled with locals, not tourists. Thanks!

2011-11-03

• 15:51 UTC Howard Florey, what's it like? – Seeking anecdata about the Howard Florey Institute in Melbourne! I might have a lead on an interesting project there, but nobody in my network has any experience of the place - does anyone on Mefi? Or could anyone introduce me to someone there who wouldn't mind answering a few questions via email? Thanks enormously!
• 00:55 UTC Melbourne quirks
  What to do in Melbourne this weekend? I will be in Melbourne from 2pm Friday until 9ish pm Tuesday visiting my beau who regretably has work to do some of the time. What can I fill my hours with cheaply, and easily (public transport a must), day or night.
  
  While we're talking about public transport, can someone tell me how to catch a tram?
  
  Oh, I will be sleeping in Brighton (near North Brighton train station).
  
  Things I like: Art (but I think I have that covered), food, literature, graffiti, music, plants, architecture, people watching, and stuff I haven't thought of that might interesting and fun for one or two (just in case he changes his mind and joins me).

2011-10-18

• 00:03 UTC Custom suit - for a woman
  I'm thinking about having a suit custom-made. I have read the AskMe archives (and the English Cut website) on custom-made clothes, but most of them refer to men's suits. What should I look for (and ask for) in a woman's suit? I have found a tailor I really like, and his alteration work has been top-notch so far. He is quoting me $700 for a two-piece suit (either skirt or pants) in a 130 weight Italian wool. Does that sound accurate for Melbourne, Australia?
  
  What are some details I should insist on? Where can I find inspiration for jackets that will look good on me? I mostly wear skirts, but I'm wondering if I should also have a pair of pants made in the same fabric.
  
  I'd love to hear about your experience in getting a woman's suit made, or even shopping for one!

2011-09-17

• 21:52 UTC Moving from Perth to Melbourne – tips?
  In a few weeks, I will be relocating from Perth to Melbourne. I am looking for tips or information that will help make the transition as smooth as possible. I have read through previous similar questions asked here on the green, which has been helpful to a certain extent, but I would love some more current information.
  
  I am a 30-year old single woman and have lived in Perth for the vast majority of my life, although I have travelled fairly extensively (both interstate and overseas). I recently decided I was ready for a change of scenery, and due to my extreme fondness for the city, concluded that I should relocate to Melbourne. I was lucky enough to find a job in Melbourne quickly and am all set to move across – at least mentally.
  
  I am especially interested in advice regarding areas to live. My workplace is located in the CBD (close to the Queen Victoria Market), and I am contemplating finding a 1-bedroom apartment close by. I am willing to pay up to $450 per week rent for a place, which would ideally include a car space. I understand I would be able to find a larger (and cheaper) place outside of the city, however, I am sick of commuting to work (either via car or public transport). I would love to be able to walk to work (or take a short tram ride). What is living in the CBD really like? Are there any areas just outside of the CBD (such as Carlton) that I should be considering? Safety is a priority, so I am looking for secure buildings in relatively 'nice' locations.
  
  More generally, I would love any advice on moving to and living in Melbourne. What are your top tips for making the transition and settling in to life in Melbourne?

2011-07-14

• 21:30 UTC Help me plan a leisurely, kid-friendly trip from Adelaide to Sydney
  Help me plan a leisurely, kid-friendly trip from Adelaide to Sydney I have fond memories of a road trip I took some years ago from Adelaide to Sydney, the long way around via the Great Ocean Road and Melbourne.
  
  I'm planning a similar trip for September this year. But last time I was a single guy and this time around I'll have a wife and a five-year-old boy.
  
  So, help me plan a more careful, predictable journey which won't have us pulling into random motels at 9 PM and hoping they have rooms.
  
  Say we were to take up to seven days to do it,

  • where are good places to plan overnight stays, and
  • where are the good places we should be stopping and spending time, bearing in mind one of us is only five?

  
  
  Bonus question: one of the interesting things about the trip was some kind of salt-flat/desert area, not far outside Adelaide on the first day. What/where was that?

2011-05-31

• 23:50 UTC Melbourne Haircuts – People who live in Melbourne, Victoria (are you out there?). I need a recommendation for a women's hairdresser in the Fairfield/Alphington/Clifton Hill/North Fitzroy area. I hope somebody knows a goodie. Thanks.

2011-05-30

• 22:21 UTC 23 days in Australia, from Melbourne to Brisbane - help me decide how to spend them!
  Hey everyone. I'm going to Australia for 23 days in July, and would dearly love some advice as to how to spend them. I fly in to Melbourne on June 11th, and fly out of Brisbane on July 7th. I'll start with a few nights in Melbourne (4?) and end with a few in Brisbane (no idea). I will visit Sydney and would ideally be there on June 21st as I have an open-mic spot there that night. I also have the offer of a night's stay in Ulladulla near Sydney, but I know nothing about it.
  
  I want to go to the Great Barrier Reef (or similar?), and if I could, I'd like to see something of the Outback. I have also heard that Fraser Island is amazing. I don't really care about beaches, but I'd love to try snorkelling and surfing for the first time. I like interesting and 'cultural' cities.
  
  That's basically the entirety of my thinking on Australia so far. I want to have a great time and see the best of the East Coast - I don't know when, if ever, I'll be back - but I also know my time is limited and I don't want to ruin it by rushing.
  
  What am I missing? What have I mentioned that I should miss? How long in each place? How should I get around?
  
  Any and all advice would be most welcome. Thank you!
  
  P.S. I am 26, vegetarian, from Scotland, travelling solo but with friends in Melbourne and Sydney. I do stand-up comedy, so anywhere with good comedy scenes that I haven't mentioned I'd be interested to hear about too.

2011-03-07

• 14:39 UTC What to do in Melbourne?
  What should I do with one day in Melbourne? I'm going to the Golden Plains Festival next weekend, but I'm arriving a day early so I have a whole Friday in Melbourne with nothing to do. I've already been to the ACMI and The Espy, and I've got plans for the night. I like old books, videogames, pinball, and neat bars.

2011-02-22

• 18:03 UTC Figuring out transportation in Melbourne
  Help me figure out transport in Melbourne for a conference. I'm going to be in Melbourne for a conference this coming Saturday-Tuesday. The first two days of the conference (Sun-Mon), it's at Etihad Stadium, and my hotel is right across the street, so that's cool. The third day, Tuesday, is in Avalon, at the Air Show. On Tuesday I have to show up in Avalon by 8 AM and then run back to catch a 5:15 flight out of Tullamarine. Can a local give me advice on the best way to manage the various legs of the trip? Are there public transport or bus options that are worth it or should I spring for a rental car on Tuesday to get to and from Avalon? For cost reference, there are two of us.
  
  Itinerary:
  Saturday: Tullamarine Airport - Melbourne CBD (Docklands, technically), leaving the airport around 3:30
  Tuesday: Docklands - Avalon (arrive by 8 AM), Avalon - Tullamarine airport (arrive by 4:15 PM)
  
  (Incidentally, evening things-to-do recs for Melbourne welcome. I'll be with an Aussie who lives in Wollongong, and I'm from the US. I've been to Australia before but this is my first time in Melbourne. Already going to an AFL game Saturday night, yay!)

2011-02-16

• 03:18 UTC Help me find a good river near Melbourne... – Does anyone know any sections of rivers or creeks not too far out of Melbourne (Australia) that are very wide yet quite shallow? You know the type, like something you see in a documentary about Alaskan bears with pebbles on the bottom and crystal clear water. After swimming in an amazing river in West Virginia may years ago I've dreamed about finding a similar one over here.

2011-02-14

• 14:44 UTC Anyone know the best way to go about finding a private rental (not through a estate agent) in Melbourne? – Asking on behalf of my brother, who has just moved to Melbourne with his girlfriend. They are looking for a house to rent, and have been going through the usual real estate agents, etc. They were talking to a couple of friends of theirs, who were also looking for a place to rent, and who just found a private rental property (ie. through the landlord, not through a real estate agent) on Gumtree. My brother was wondering if there is some sort of website or centralised place to find private rental properties in Melbourne? (In case it matters, both my brother and his girlfriend have lots of prior rental references, she is working, while he is a student but also works part time, they are in their mid-20s, so they shouldn't have too many problems renting through estate agents, but I think it's a little cheaper going directly through a landlord).

2011-02-13

• 03:43 UTC Who might want my compost?
  I'm moving interstate and don't want to take my compost + worms with me, but I don't want to just throw it away. Any suggestions for how to find people who might want it? It is not a whole lot of compost, probably 50-100L max, but I have grown quite emotionally attached to the worms and want them and the fruits of their labor to go to a good home!
  
  The place I am renting right now doesn't have a garden for me to mix the compost into, just rocks and my small potted plants.