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Your Fast Serve to the Australian Open

Melburnians love their sport—AFL Football, cricket, horse and car racing all contribute to Melbourne’s much-loved, sporting culture, but during the last two weeks of January each year, the sport of choice is tennis. Melbourne’s Grand-Slam tennis event is the Australian Open, which last year attracted a record 686,000 during the fortnight of play.

Getting into the swing of it

Whether you’re a ticket holder or a wannabe attendee, the We Know Melbourne team will give you the perfect serve of tennis news, insider tips, and knowledge so you can get your tennis fix, even if you don’t have a ticket to the event.

Australian Open 2015—the event

Who | Thirty-two seeded men’s players drawn from 21 countries and 32 seeded women from 18 countries, 49 Australian players. In total, 524 players—289 male and 235 female.

What | The Australian Open is one of four Grand-Slam tennis events worldwide. It is the first in each year’s calendar of events. The others are: the French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open.

Where | Melbourne Olympic Park—Rod Laver, Margaret Court, Hisense Arenas and grounds, Olympic Boulevard, Batman Avenue, Melbourne—gates open at 10am daily and close at completion of play.

When | Monday, 19 January to Sunday, 1 February 2015—gates open around 10am daily, but actual playing times change each day due to the weather and length of games.

Why | Each Grand Slam, including the Australian Open, offers players the highest-ranking points, prize money, media and public attention. Players participate in one of the five disciplines—men’s and women’s singles, men’s, women’s and mixed doubles.

Prize money | This is what all the fuss is about. The pool is $AUD36.3 Million up a cool $AUD3.3 Million from 2014.

Weather | A Melbourne necessity to discuss! The Australian Open’s three arenas enable the tennis to go on rain, hail, wind, or shine, except in the case of extreme heat. The Referee may suspend play in line with the policy and forecast.

Getting there—Melbourne Olympic Park by tram for free!

Two options | Special shuttle trams (Route 70a) or Route 70 Wattle Park Tram.

Shuttle trams | Run between the city (Flinders Street) and Melbourne Park. They will operate every three minutes in peak times and every five-10 minutes at other times from 8:30am. You can board along Flinders Street at Swanston Street, Elizabeth Street or Market Street stops (not Russell Street).

Route 70 Wattle Park tram | Are available from Flinders Street from 8:30am direct to Melbourne Park (gates open at 10am).

Free travel | You must be an Australian Open ticket holder, including ground pass tickets and be able to show it.

After play shuttle trams | Operate from Melbourne Park back into the City for one hour after the completion of play, no matter what time the action ends (including night sessions).

Wheelchair access | Low-floor accessible trams will run between the City and Melbourne Park from 9am to midnight, approximately every 15 minutes.

Venue entry | ticket holders can enter Melbourne Park directly off the tram platform stops at Rod Laver and Hisense Arenas.

Of note | Australian Open ticket holders do not need a Metcard or Myki to travel on these services. Passengers must have a valid ticket for travel on other Yarra Trams services or on trains and buses.

More info | For train, tram and bus information call 131 638 or visit www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au

Buying tickets

Tickets are still available to the Australian Open, but it depends on what you’re looking for. Most people would love to see Roger Federer or another tennis star hitting it out, but this is really the luck of the draw. You can’t book to see a player, you can only book to see a section of play on the tournament schedule or get access to the grounds or an arena.

Buy tickets online | www.ausopen.com through ticketek or through the fan marketplace online where tennis fans sell their unwanted tickets safely—https://fanmarketplace.ausopen.com

What’s available | Your best bet at this time is a ground pass ticket. Ground pass tickets entitle you to access to all outside courts, including Hisense Arena (subject to availability and scheduling). There’s also an ‘after 5pm’ ground pass and a ‘3-day or 5-day ground pass’. The cost of ground pass tickets begins at $39 for a day pass and $29 for an ‘after 5pm’ pass.

Terms and conditions | Check out the terms and conditions at: http://tickets.ausopen.com/general-information/tickets-information

Think lucky | Check out ebay, gumtree, and ask around.

2016 tickets | Yes, it’s not too early to think about next year now. Tennis Australia wants you to consider becoming an Australian Open member to get priority tickets for 2016—

http://tickets.ausopen.com/membership

See the tennis without a ticket?

It’s on the telly | For the first six days of the tournament, Channel 7 and 7TWO will be televising the Australian Open. Then, Channel 7 will be broadcasting it. Check your TV Guide.

Live, on the big screen | Campari House Rooftop from 12noon to late every day – 23-25 Hardware Lane, Melbourne

Live at Riverwalk mini stadium | Along the Yarra, on the ground level of Crown Casino, 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank

It’s being streamed | For the first time, Channel 7 is streaming all the tennis action. Check out the 7Sport app or the web at www.7sport.com.au

Courtside at the hotels

You as a tennis star? | Oh yes you are!
Use our Australian Open Moment photo stand-ins to put yourself in the picture. Find your inner tennis star and share them with your family and friends. The Australian Open Moment photo stand-ins are set-up in the lobby of the Swanston Hotel.

Who’s playing | Want to know the next day’s playing draw, ask Reception staff. They will have it on hand as soon as it’s available.

Dine like a champ in the hotels | Cocoon Bar’s tennis special is fresh strawberries and vanilla ice cream with a homemade, strawberry meringue served on chocolate soil. Available pre or post match with a free glass of sparkling for only $12. | Refuelling in the Louden Restaurant with the Blue Swimmer Crab & Prawn Risotto or our Heirloom Beetroot and Feta Salad will give you energy to burn.

Win with our Australian Open Moment Competition | Take a photo of yourself as a tennis star using our Australian Open photo stand-ins and upload it to facebook, instagram or twitter—check in @swanstonhotel #ausopenatswanston You’ll win a voucher for 10% off any food and beverage from the Soul Cafe, Cocoon Bar, or Louden Kitchen and Grill. Just ask our Reception or Concierge team for your voucher.

Australian Open fast facts 2014

Here’s some weird and wonderful things about tennis and last year’s tournament. What will happen this year?

Surface of the court? | Plexicushion (from 2008—present); rebound ace (1988—2007); grass (1905—1987).
Men’s singles tournamentstats 2014 | 1208 aces served, 4477 games played
Women’s singles tournament stats 2014 | 708 aces served, 2695 games played
Percentage of highest successful challenges | 71.43%—men; 100%—women
Longest rallies | 32 shots—women; 33 shots—men
Fastest speed of serves | 202 km/h—women; 234 km/h —men

Melbourne’s Original Escape Room

Published by We Know Melbourne

This week I finally got to experience Melbourne’s original Escape Room and let me say it was definitely worth the 3 month wait to secure a booking!

Escape rooms apparently originated in Japan, but it was in Budapest that Melbourne’s escape room founder, Owen Spears fell in love with the concept. Legend has it that Owen and his partner (both psychiatrists) were so enamoured with the escape room experience that they visited 6 different rooms in the Hungarian capital in a single day. They then decided to bring the concept back to Melbourne.

It was certainly humble beginnings for their plan, with Melbourne’s first escape room being set up in a bungalow at the back of Owen’s mum’s house in suburban Flemington. However their idea caught on with adventurous Melbournians and this original escape room is now booked out for three months in advance and Owen is about to open his third location. In addition many imitators have latched on to Owen’s original idea so that you can now visit escape rooms all over Melbourne, all with different themes.

My son and I have visited some of the other escape rooms in Melbourne but we always wanted to try the original one and this week we finally did. You initially enter a dark room with torches and then solve clues to firstly turn the lights on and then figure out what happened to the previous inhabitant of the room. The clues are everywhere and force you to often think ‘outside of the box’. You have 70 minutes to ‘escape’ and you can get hints along the way (if necessary) as your progress is monitored via web cams.

This original room was definitely the best we’ve tried, especially with the incorporation of some ‘retro technology’ but we won’t give away any of the secrets!

If guests would like to try one of Melbourne’s Escape Rooms, please come and see the Concierge Desk to organise bookings. As we said the original room is booked out 3 months in advance but they have kindly provided the We Know Melbourne team with a ‘secret number’ to call and check for cancellations which guests could take advantage of!

Melbourne Ecsape Room; Cost team of 2 – $76. Team of 3 – $105. Team of 4 – $128. Team of 5 – $160, Team of 6 – $192. Location Flemington (exact address supplied upon booking).

Captains of Industry

Published by We Know Melbourne

If Melbourne is known for its laneways, hidden cafes and secret shopping, then Captains of Industryis the epitome of this. Walk down a cobbled lane-way off Little Bourke St, climb up a rickety wooden staircase, enter a large, sunny warehouse and there you are – yet another cool café to chill out in, and if in the mood, do a little shopping. But this is no ordinary café; you can get your hair-cut, have leather shoes custom made or a vintage suit tailored to your exact measurements. Sadly for the ladies, the ‘captains’ only cater for the gentlemen, but thankfully the café welcomes all.

The café is a simple affair, with 1930s style décor. If you were to have a cup of tea and a biscuit with your grandpa, then this would be the place. They even serve their water in those metal camping cups – it makes you want to tell a story. They are open 9am to 5pm all week, and the menu changes daily. On one of my first visits, when I asked for the lunch menu, I was told that it would just be a minute – they had to type it up. And sure enough, out came the old school type-writer, complete with blue copy tissue. I even ordered something not on the menu, and this was no problem. To add to that vintage era feeling, the menu is listed with the old pre-decimal pound symbol, which almost made me wonder if I had to convert the prices. Their selection of reasonably priced food includes bircher muesli, sandwiches, soup and toasties. To my sweet tooth delight, they serve mars bar crackles and rocky road. Their coffee is great too. There is plenty of seating, but I would recommend getting in early for lunch.

Captains of Industry is a little quirky, a little different, and a lot like my grandma’s kitchen. A great place to soak in that essential Melbourne experience.

The Grand Hotel: Old World Exterior, Contemporary Styled Interior

Published by We Know Melbourne

Written by guest blogger, Little Miss Melbourne.

Standing proud on the cusp of Melbourne CBD and the Docklands, consuming an entire block from Flinders Street up to Collins, the Grand Hotel Melbourne is, well, grand. This splendid heritage-listed building originally built in the 1880’s today offers four and a half star accommodation with studio and loft-style one and two bedroom hotel apartments. It’s an exciting time for the Grand Hotel Melbourne, too, with a recent refurbishment to their generous, classic rooms. While the hotel continues to ooze old world charm and sophistication, the hotel has done an excellent job with bringing the historic building forward, yet again, into the current day.

Location

Just a three minute walk to Southern Cross Station, the hotel is literally on the door step to Melbourne’s many offerings including Crown Casino, Etihad Stadium, Docklands, Melbourne Aquarium, DFO South Wharf and Southbank. Stroll into town or use the free City Circle tram just outside the hotel to explore the city and all which it is famous for from shopping to coffee, food and the theatre. The Grand Hotel Melbourne is your home away from home and your gateway to the cultural experiences of Melbourne.

Rooms

The grandeur of the hotel’s exterior contrasts divinely with the new, modern interior of the refurbished rooms. Studio apartments are ideal for shorter stays and accommodate a maximum of two people. The one and two loft-style bedroom apartments are considerably spacious and accommodating, ideal for short or longer term, comfortable stays. Each refurbished room comes with a new, fully self-contained kitchen conveniently equipped with European appliances (including a Nespresso coffee machine) allowing guests the option of whipping up something basic should they wish. With Woolworths right across the road, this is a highly viable option. Of course, room service is also available daily for breakfast (from 7 – 11am) and dinner (5 – 9:30pm) if staying in is firmly on the agenda. Other features include an iPod docking station, sublime designer furniture, luxury bathroom with a beautiful rain-shower, and luxurious (huge) feather topped beds.

Hotel facilities

Not all the rooms come with a bath, so if you’re partial to a bit of a soak in your room, request this upon booking. Although, with a spa and sauna also within the hotel, you’re sure to be able to relax and unwind during your stay. The indoor, glass-covered pool area is very nice and inclusive of a BBQ area should you feel that way inclined. For the morning after our stay, we had breakfast at the hotel’s bar and restaurant, RAB. Being presented with an a la carte menu was a refreshing change to the often stock-standard buffet. Breakfast was tasty and fulfilling, washed down with freshly squeezed juice and good coffee. It was just what we needed to get the day going.

Having stayed at The Grand Hotel Melbourne prior to the refurbishment, we can safely say that the new look is sophisticated, elegant and modern chic. While the rooms with the former decorating still offer the classic traditional feel resonant of the hotel’s history, the refurbished rooms offer guests new, contemporary accommodation for their inner city Melbourne stay.

Things we loved:

– The incredible spaciousness of the one bedroom apartment

– Standard 11am checkout

– A la carte breakfast menu at RAB instead of a buffet

– Woolworths conveniently at Spencer Street Station

– The new designer furniture – very chic

– Large desks great for getting some work done

– Tall, beautiful windows

– Cable TV (guilty as charged)

City girl and fabulous freelancer, Sarah Harrison is the sassy online lifestyle profile, Little Miss Melbourne. She writes about travel, food, life and love and is a firm believer in life by design and having it all. When Sarah’s not travelling for business, she’s in Melbourne soaking up its rich culture and sharing it online through her blog, Twitter and Instagram.

Find her at www.littlemissmelbourne.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/littlemissmelbn
Instagram: www.instagram.com/littlemissmelbourne

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

Published by We Know Melbourne

Written by guest blogger, Gastrology.

Since opening to the public back in 2000, SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium (then known as Melbourne Aquarium) has become one of the top attractions in Melbourne. We were taken on an awe-inspiring journey through 12 amazing zones of discovery at the newly revamped SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium which is conveniently located in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD.

Home to thousands of aquatic animals, including one of the world’s largest Saltwater Crocodiles and the world’s largest collection of seahorses and seadragons, visitors are given the opportunity to discover an interactive adventure from the depths of the ocean to the icy waters of Antarctica.

At the Croc Lair, we met Pinjarra, one of the biggest Saltwater Crocodiles in the world!

Home to the world’s only display of Elephant Sharks, we encountered some of these graceful marine creatures that ordinarily reside well out of eye-sight, 200 metres below sea level. The crawl-through heads up display provides the perfect opportunity for kids to peek into the fascinating underwater world of Port Phillip Bay.

We got our hands wet and discovered the world that lies below the waves at the interactive Rockpools, where visitors get the opportunity to touch beautiful sea stars, different types of sea urchins, and shark eggs.

The Shipwreck Explorer is a journey below the decks of an abandoned sunken shipwreck. There we saw some of the ocean’s most venomous animals and caught a glimpse of the shy Moray eels hiding amongst the wreckage.

The MermaidGarden is an underwater paradise. We paused to soak up the breathtaking panoramic view of the 2.2 million litre Oceanarium as huge stingrays, massive sharks and thousands of multi-coloured marine animals swum by.

We were transported to the lush, humid and balmy temperatures of the tropical north where we wondered at some of the truly unique animals not found anywhere else in the world including bizarre bugs, Lungfish, freshwater turtles and frogs.

We experienced a rainbow of stunning colours and weird and wonderful creatures in Seahorse Pier’s mystically-themed underwater wonderland. The exhibit is also home to SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium’s internationally-recognised Weedy Seadragon breeding program and dedicated seahorse breeding facility.

At the Penguin Playground, we marvelled as the majestic King and cheeky Gentoo penguins slipped and slid across the snow-covered ice.

With interactive animal encounters, iconic state-of-the-art displays, animal feeds and regular diver presentations, SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium is an excellent, educational and engaging experience to be had.

Gastrology is a Melbourne-based blog about food and other deliciously related things. They travel around Melbourne and sometimes beyond, enjoying food and wine along the way and reporting back to their readers.

Website: gastro-logy.blogspot.com.au

Twitter: @Gastrologer

Urbanspoon: @Gastrology

Shopping, Entertainment & More on a Budget

Published by We Know Melbourne

Melbourne is well known as the shopping and entertainment capital of Australia, but what’s not so well known is the incredibly diversity of places to shop and be entertained for far less than you would expect to spend. Here are just a few ideas that will not put too much of a dent in your holiday budget:

Half Tix – choose from the daily changing list of live shows playing in town, but don’t pay full price for your seat. Half Tix sells heavily discounted tickets on the day of the performance. Melbourne Town Hall, Swanston St, Melbourne City.

Mag Nation – got some time to spare, enjoy a lazy afternoon browsing the shelves at Mag Nation, with over 4,000 magazine titles in stock there is surely one or two that will take your interest, and the best thing about it is that you don’t have to buy! 88 Elizabeth St, Melbourne City. Read More