This page is specially for those who are just beginning
their first weeks here at Monash, Clayton campus. Melbourne is very much like
Singapore except for the transport system which can be quite challenging for
some. Take some time to read this and explore Monash and Melbourne…..
And for the umpteenth time, if you have any suggestions
email us at s.a.m.@singapore.com
and maybe we can organise an outing to that place!
BY BUS & TRAIN
You can hop onto a bus at the bus loop in Uni which will bring you to the nearest train station, either Clayton station (Bus No. 733/703) or Huntingdale station (Bus No. 630). The transport system is divided into 3 zones. There are 2hr tickets and full day-passes. Depending on which zone you are going to and for how long the prices will differ. There are no limits as to the number of rides you may take on the trains or bus with a ticket. Check with the bus driver or station master for detailed prices. Also take note of the last bus. Most buses do not have night services.
BY TAXI
SAM advises you to only take a taxi when absolutely necessary as it can be rather expensive (it’s a rip-off!!). Flag-down rates begin at $2.60 and according to experience it jumps $0.10 every 5 secs or so. Unless you are drunk or have missed the last train/bus, the taxi is the last option. There is a $1 surcharge for calling a cab. Silvertop Cabs (Ph. 131008) and Black Cabs (Ph. 132227).
BY CAR
Driving? You are able to drive with an International Licence in Melbourne. If you do not possess a Victorian driving license, licences must be in English if you do not want to get into trouble with the law. For more info, get in touch with VicRoads before hitting the roads.
CLAYTON
A rather dodgy suburb 10mins bus-ride (No.733/703, zone
2) away (but hey, can’t complain lah!). It is also the place to get Asian
groceries (aptly called Hong Kong Grocer) at a reasonable price. Miss curry
chicken? Here’s the place to get curry powder. Supermarkets like Coles and
Bi-Lo are right smack in the centre of the shopping area. There’s also trusted
McDonalds (Maccas for short in Oz) to pile on the high fat high sugar diet many
of us have grown up eating. There’s also fruit shops, banks (ANZ, CBA, NAB),
butchers, discount stores (Fossey’s) etc, almost every shop that you’d need
to survive. It would be worth knowing this place well if you’re staying around
Clayton.
CHADSTONE
This swank mega shopping centre is 15-20mins bus-ride
on No. 802/804/862 (Zone 1). It is almost impossible to walk the whole place in
a day (hmm but then again I am a guy hence a biased view). All the major
department stores are under one roof, namely David jones, Myer, Target, Toys R
Us and Kmart. Some of the more pricey shops includes Armani Exchange, DKNY, Max
& Co. etc. It’s almost the whole city being compressed into one huge
shopping centre with foodcourts, cineplexes, a bowling alley, hairdressers,
travel agents, pet shop, phone shops, gift shops etc etc etc. It’s almost
impossible to name them (seriously I can’t be bothered to) so it’s worth
taking a walk there on Thursdays or Fridays since it’s late night shopping
till 9pm. Shops close at 5pm on other days.
GLEN WAVERLY
Hop onto bus no. 737 (zone 2) and it would take you to
another shopping centre called The Glen. Like Chadstone, it has numerous shops
with it’s anchor tenant David Jones. A stone’s throw away from The Glen is
Village Cinemas and a fantastic variety of Asian restaurants for those who miss
the food from home. Rock Kung, the cantonese/chinese restaurant serves the best
Roast Duck rice in and around Melbourne. Glen Thai, a Thai (duh!) restaurant
serves excellent TomYum soup though the food here can be a tad expensive. The
Air Stream Café in the Cinema is a really cool place to sip a latte while
watching good looking people stroll in and out of the café. It gets really busy
on Friday and Saturday nights and it’s a great place to get a feel of the café
culture so pervasive in Melbourne.