Transportation within Melbourne (Australia)

on the Myki web site it mentions:

There are over 800 myki retail outlets located across metropolitan and regional Victoria, including all 7-Eleven stores.
All myki retail outlets sell Full Fare, Concession, Child and Seniors myki cards.
When you buy a myki card from a myki retail outlet, you must also top up with myki money (minimum $1) or myki pass (minimum 7 days) to activate it. You cannot travel on the public transport network without an activated myki card.
Most outlets also offer top up services. Where top up is available, top up with myki money (minimum $1) or myki pass (minimum 7 days).

as you might know Melbourne has a very good system of trams, so getting around is not difficult. if you are looking around for something to show the kids. we found the tour through the Melbourne cricket ground (MCG) very interesting. there is also a sports museum within the MCG. also nearby is the Tennis center ( where they hold the Australian open) which also has tours.

if you happen to drive in the CBD make yourself aware of the road rules, because of the trams. there are very specific roads rules, for making turns etc.

hope this helps.

glennlorrainer:

Thanks for your response.

Re: myki, my question was about the family ticket/pass (I did read about the visitor pak and the other related information). The website said that two kids 15 and younger could travel for free with one parent, but it did not mention how or what was needed to be done to get this family ticket/pass. Also, is the seven day pass the only day pass available, i.e., is there anything for a day or two?

I am in complete agreement about not wanting to drive in the CBD. However, I need to have the car so we can visit the Great Ocean Road and the penguins. What other alternative would you suggest?

I have seen a lot of references to the trams in Melbourne. Are the trains not at all good when compared to the trams or is it just that the trams are ubiquitous?

I really appreciate any information.

Thanks!!

First of all, I would highly recommend that you not attempt to drive within the Melbourne CBD. The traffic rules of the road are confusing even for Aussies who don't live in the city (the "hook turn" maneuver has to be seen to be believed) and parking as you've noted is very dear. Having a car is just more of a hassle than it's worth.
My two cents for an itinerary that will cover your highlights:
1. Suggest heading towards Port Campbell after your arrival, maybe stopping in or near Geelong for the night. Whatever progress you make that day will mean the less you'll have to drive on day 2.
2. Take the inland route (the A1 I think) to Port Campbell, then meander back along the GOR at your leisure. The Twelve Apostles is an obvious stop for photos, but might also suggest a stop at Bell's Beach...a world famous surfing spot. While passing thru the Cape Ordway section be alert for cars parked along the side of the road - it means there are Koalas in the trees nearby. Depending on your progress you can then catch the ferry from Queenscliff over to Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula and spend the night.
3. Spend day 3 exploring Mornington with your stop at the Penguin Colony that evening, then find a place on the way back into Melbourne (St. Kilda for example) to drop the car rather than driving all the way thru the city just to drop it at the airport, which is another 15 miles or so in the other direction. It's a short taxi or tram ride from there to Southbank.
4. Having shed the car you'll have all of day 4 to explore the city. The trams are efficient and cheap, and there's a free one that will take you up to the Queen Victoria Market on it's circuit thru the CBD. The center is pretty compact and easily walkable to attractions like the MCG.
I don't recall an electronic toll system on the peninsula on the way to the colony, although you would encounter them if you drove in the city...another reason to not do that if you have any choice in the matter.

seems like robert has given you some great suggestions. Melbourne is the city of trams, as mentioned,(and a good way to get around) just be careful crossing the roads if you are not use to them. Finders St train station is the central train station in the CBD ,if you do need to catch a train.
Melbourne CBD also has a number of interesting alley ways with lots of cafes, or there is Lygon St.
https://www.timeout.com/melbourne/things-to-do

Robert:

That is an excellent suggestion. I will probably follow through on that plan - hopefully, it is not too late to find a place!

Thanks!

Porcupyn,
Depending on your interests and available time I'd also recommend the Tower Hill Reserve - located near the little town of Koroit and about an hour from Port Campbell. It's an animal preserve located within an ancient caldera - a natural enclosure for all of the local animals in the area. Guaranteed that you'll see scores of emus, grey kangaroos, wallabies and, if you venture very far onto one of the pleasant hiking trails, koalas. It's one of our favorite places in Australia.
Safe travels.

Robert:

I had been told of this place just northwest of Tullamarine to see kanaroos, but it just does not fit our schedule.:-(

Tower Hill Reserve sounds promising, but is that one hour north or west of Port Campbell? I thought we were stretching just to get to Port Campbell. Let me review the map ... maybe instead of Geelong, we should be more adventurous and plan on stopping further west that first night?

Also, I was wondering why Phillip Island is such an attraction? Conceivably, penguins have nests elsewhere along the Great Ocean Road, or is this the only place where they can be seen? Based on reviews online, it appears that the penguins cannot really be seen very well from the general viewing area - is it worth it to spend the day in the peninsula for the penguins or should we rather spend more time either in the CBD or the Great Ocean Road area or ...?

Thanks!
Porcupyn

Tower Hill is hour up the coast from Port Campbell, so it would be a couple of hours out of your way just to get there. Nearby Port Fairy is a pretty little place and also worth a stop, but whether the whole side trip is worth it depends upon your particular interests. We thought Tower Hill was one of the most enchanting places we visited in Australia, but we're avid hikers, and my wife loves the animals, so the chance to see scores of them concentrated in one place had special appeal for us. We were also on our way to Adelaide (beautiful city) so it was on our way from Ballarat and the Gold Fields.
We were frankly underwhelmed by Phillip Island and the penguin colony, but we had done something similar in New Zealand where the hides were right next to the trail to the ocean which made for a true "close encounter". We didn't think the setup of the general viewing area was as good as what we had seen before and so were therefore a little disappointed. To answer your question, I wouldn't schedule a day around a visit there. Depending on your specific interests that extra day might be better spent exploring central Melbourne, or lingering along the GOR...or the side trip to Tower Hill.
Just curious, but are you boarding the Ghan upon departure from Melbourne or heading for Sydney?

Avoid driving in Melbourne if you can. Do your GOR and out of city sight seeing, return car and spend last day in Melbourne on foot or by tram. .
If you are taking a train from Melbourne, you will be going to either Sydney or Adelaide. A previous poster mentioned the Ghan. That only leaves from Adelaide.