Princes Park Accommodation

The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show is on at the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton from Wednesday the 30th of March until Sunday the 3rd of April.

This is the 16th year for the show which is ranked one of the top 5 flower shows worldwide and also the largest horticulture event in the Southern Hemisphere.

There is something for the whole family. Kids can visit the Disney Faries Children Garden and participate in the many different activities that are available. Some activities are face painting, animal petting, educational gardening tips and The Alanah and Madeline Foundation Butterfly experience.

There is lots of live entertainment, competitions, landscape gardens, art for sale and the Garnier World.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $17 concession and $45 for families. There is excellent public transport to the Exhibition Building. For parking information and information on the shuttle bus service go to http://www.melbflowershow.com.au/Parking_Free_Shuttle_Bus

For more detailed information on dates, times and other general information go to http://www.melbflowershow.com.au/Home

For general information an rates on Melbourne accommodation go to http://www.princespark.com.au/booking.asp

Princes Park is a major sports ground that stretches 2km north to south. In around 1845 Governor La Trobe set aside 1000 hectares in the area we know as Parkville, to become a park but now most of it is housing. Today Princes Park covers only 188 hectares.

In 1880, the outbreak of Typhoid prompted Health Authorities to authorise Princes Park as the most suitable place to temporarily accommodate typhoid fever patients.

Princes Park was first used as a football venue in 1897 and has been the home to the Carlton Football Club since then. The Princes Park Football Stadium is the third largest football stadium in Melbourne and can hold up to 35,000 people.

In 1994 the Princes Park Football Stadium became known as Optus Oval when the telecommunications company Optus struck a deal with Princes Park for the naming rights of the grounds. In 2005 it was decided that AFL games would no longer be played there so Optus decided not to renew their naming rights deal. In 2006 another deal was struck and Optus Oval became known as MC Labour Park.

In 2005, the grounds hosted several International and Multicultural Football games and finals.

In 2006 it was announced that Visy Park would receive $15.7 million for redevelopment. Most of the stands were demolished and club administration and training facilities were built. Also built were lecture theaters and meeting halls, change rooms, Football Administration Offices, Medical Offices, Treatment Areas, a gymnasium and a 4 lane indoor heated pool.

Over the years, Princes Park has been home to the Carlton Football Club and also at various times Hawthorn and Western Bulldogs. It was also the temporary administrative home to the Melbourne Storm Rugby League Club. Other sports including rugby, soccer, cricket and boxing have also been held here. The grounds have also hosted Aida the Opera. The grounds also have lawn bowls facilities, bike tracks, running tracks, children’s playground, BBQ and picnic facilities.

In 2009 Carlton CEO announced that it was Carlton’s intention to play home games at Visy Park.

Serviced Apartments by Princes Park Melbourne

Melbourne’s Princes Park Motor Inn is located at the North end of the park. For the beautiful view of Princes Park and the city, reserve our Studio Apartments. They each have a balcony overlooking Princes Park and are the perfect spot to sit and take in the view of Melbourne and people watch. Go to http://www.princespark.com.au/booking.asp and check for availibility for Studio Apartments.

Melbourne’s Moomba Festival runs from the 11th of March until the 14th of March. Moomba is held along the Yarra River at various locations. There is a lot on at Moomba in 2011. There is a Children’s garden with a wide variety of children’s activities for kids of all ages. There are lots of thrill seeking action with the best of Australia’s BMX riders and skateboarders. This year’s Moomba Masters water skiers have a lot to live up to. Every year the Masters showcase the world’s best water skiers. Listen to great Australian music, African music, Japanese drumming, and Arabian dancing all throughout the festival.

This is one of the longest running festivals in Australia. Moomba is a festival that has always involved the community as much as possible.

The best way to get to Moomba is to catch public transport. There are trams, trains and busses that go directly to, or very close to, Moomba.

Accommodation In Melbourne – Moomba

The best place to stay if you are coming in to Melbourne for Moomba is Melbourne’s Princes Park Motor Inn. For the best deals on accommodation in Melbourne go to http://www.princespark.com.au/booking.asp

For more detailed information on Moomba go to http://thatsmelbourne.com.au/Whatson/Festivals/MoombaFestival/Pages/Moomba.aspx

Car racing enthusiasts will all know the Qantas Australian Grand Prix for 2011 is nearly here! From Thursday the 24th of March until Sunday the 27th of March, Melbourne will be filled with Formula 1 fans.

Day 1 is a day of practice laps and qualifying rounds. Day 2 is a day of demonstrations, the Porsche Canberra Cup Championship Race and the V8 Supercars Race 1 as well as a Blackhawk helicopter Aerial Display. Day 3 has the Lexus Celebrity Challenge, various other displays and races and the V8 Supercars Race 2. Day 4 is the final day and has various parades, demonstrations, races and the main event, The 2011 Qantas Australian Grand Prix!

For details on how to get to Albert Park for the races and other information, go to http://www.grandprix.com.au/home/

For bookings for accommodation in Melbourne call us on 1800 33 77 70.

Melbourne Aquarium’s Brand-New Access All Areas Aquatic Experience
Don’t miss the NEW Access All Areas Tour for your exclusive chance to see how it all works behind the scenes at Melbourne Aquarium.
The 40 minute in-depth tour of the aquarium’s main back of house area focuses on what it takes to successfully manage the 2.2 million litre Oceanairum, and looks at how aquarists and divers work to keep the animals under their care happy and healthy.
While touring the back of house area, visitors will see the aquarium’s food preparation area, vet office and research laboratory, dive zone, quarantine area and lots more.
Also available is Access All Areas Tour GOLD which, together with the locations above, also includes an opportunity to feed the animals as well as the exciting Glass Bottom Boat experience, where you can glide over the top of the 2.2 million litre Oceanairum and get up close to stingrays, sharks, turtles and hundreds of amazing aquatic animals.
The Access All Areas Tour is part of Melbourne Aquarium’s Amazing Aquatic Experiences offering.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE EXPERIENCE?
Access All Areas Tour
• Food Preparation Area
• Vet Office and Research Laboratory
• Dive Zone
• Quarantine Area
• Viewing the 2.2 million litre Oceanarium from the top of the tank
• And much more!
Access All Areas Tour GOLD Experience
• Glass Bottom Boat Tour
• Fish Feeding
TIMES & TICKETS
Access All Areas Tour (Bookings Essential)*
• Adult: $15, Child: $10 (5+ years only)
• Friday to Monday at 12pm & 2pm
Access All Areas Tour GOLD (Bookings Essential)*
• Adult: $20, Child: $15 (5+ years only)
• Friday to Monday at 1:15pm
BOOKINGS
• Call 03 9923 5925 to book, or visit the Information Desk at Melbourne Aquarium
*Tour times and days are subject to change. Please visit www.melbourneaquarium.com.au for the most up-todate information, or call (03) 9923 5925.

For information on where to stay overnight in Melbourne go to http://www.princespark.com.au/booking.asp

January is one of the busiest and best times to visit Melbourne. There is plenty to see and do during this time.

The Globe to Globe Music Festival is held on the 22nd and 23rd of January Namatjira Park in Springs Road, Clayton South. As well as performances by many world music artists there are market stalls, kids rides, exotic cuisines from manufacturers, restaurants and community groups, dance workshops, a salsa extravaganza and fireworks on Saturday night.

The Australian Shakespeare Company returns to the Royal Botanical Gardens to perform Wind in the Willows and Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors. For ticket prices, dates and show times go to http://www.bcl.com.au/melbourne/wotson-january.htm If you are looking for discount accommodation Melbourne go to http://www.princespark.com.au/booking.asp and check out our Hot Deals.

The 46th Victorian Hot Rod Show takes place at the Royal Exhibition Building from Friday the 21st of January until Sunday the 23rd of January. The Hot Rod Show will have converted and classical automobiles on show with all the latest information. There will be a wide variety of different hot rods, vans, street machines, classic vehicles. There are kids activities also happening on the day as well as food stalls, photo opportunities and show specials. http://www.hotrod.com.au/ for more information.

The Ramsey Health Care Triathlon Pink is held on Sunday the 23rd of January from 7am. This is a triathlon for women only to help raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. The triathlon starts at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Center in Albert Park. For more detailed information on go to http://www.triathlonpink.com.au/

The Australian Open is the first Grand Slam of the year. It is held from Monday the 17th until Sunday the 30th of January at Melbourne Park. http://www.australianopen.com will have updated information as the tennis is going on. Information includes scores, schedules, draws and news and photos. For regularly updated rates on accommodation in Melbourne go to http://www.princespark.com.au/booking.asp

The Great Australia Day Swim is held on Wednesday the 26th of January (Australia Day!) at Middle Brighton Pier. This is a 1.2km swim from Middle Brighton Pier around the Royal Brighton Yacht Club and ending at the Middle Brighton Baths. There are several different events for all different age groups to participate in. For more information go to http://greataustraliadayswim.com.au/

The Night Market it held at the Queen Victoria Market from the 17th of November until the 2nd of March 2011 (excluding the 29th December). The Market opens at 5.30pm until 10pm every Wednesday and has free entry. Car parking is a flat rate of $6.

The night market has an amazing carnival atmosphere. There are many food stalls with a wide variety of delightful cuisines to choose from including Vietnamese, Indian, Ethiopian and Middle Eastern. There are all kinds of tasty fresh fruits, dried fruits, olive oils, fudge, mustards and chutneys on sale at the various food stalls. There are also licensed bars where you can sample some of Victoria’s wines which can also be purchased to take home. There are 2 stages with live entertainment during the night. The market has over 150 stalls offering all kinds of shopping. There are handmade jewellery, clothing, artwork, plants, tarot readers, reflexologists and massage therapists to name a few. There is also a kid’s corner to keep the kids busy.

For more information go to http://www.qvm.com.au/snm/snm_home.aspx
For information on accommodation in Melbourne go to http://www.princespark.com.au/

There are many things happening in December in Melbourne.

The Myer Christmas Windows have been a family favourite for young and old for 55 years. Each year the windows have a different theme. Some past themes have included How the Grinch stole Christmas, Peter Pan, Sleeping Beauty, A Christmas Carol, Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs, Aladdin, Cinderella and The 12 Days of Christmas. The Christmas windows can be viewed from the Bourke Street Store windows until the 6th of January 2011.
Go to http://www.myer.com.au/whats-on_christmas-at-myer_christmas-windows.aspx for more information.

The 64th Australian Dancesport  Championship is being held on the 10th, 11th and 12th of December 2010 at Hisense Arena. This is a great chance to witness some of the best dancing in Australia with many different styles of dancing on display.
For more information go to http://www.theaustralianchampionship.com.au/

The Vodafone Boxing Day Test is held at the MCG from the 26th to the 30th of December inclusive. This year Australia is playing England in the most anticipated cricket match of the year. Australia will try their best to reclaim The Ashes from England in what promises to be an exciting match. There will also be other activities around the MCG in Yarra Park for the whole family to enjoy.
Go to http://www.cricketvictoria.com.au/ for more information and for your Melbourne hotel deals go to http://www.princespark.com.au/booking.asp

New Years Eve in Melbourne is always a great night out. There are activities for the whole family if you have young kids. There are also events all around the city catered for the over 18’s. There are fireworks early in the evening for those with families not wanting a late night out and also the midnight fireworks to welcome in the New Year! All family areas are alcohol free zones. If you are drinking on New Years Eve then don’t drive, you will need accommodation in Melbourne so go to http://www.princespark.com.au/booking.asp to view our rates.

The Victorian Spring Racing Carnival incorporates 90 races throughout Victoria in a space of 50 days. 

There are races throughout various Victorian country towns including Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Moe, Sale and Seymour to name a few.

The Melbourne races include The BMW Caulfield Cup at Caulfield, the Tatts Cox Plate at Mooney Valley and the Emirates Melbourne Cup which is the highlight of the Carnival at the Flemington Racecourse.

The Spring Racing Carnival is also about fashion! There will be awards for the best fashions for both men and women in several different categories at Flemington, Caulfield and Moonee Valley sponsored by David Jones and Myer. Fresh flowers are the accessory to be seen with during the Carnival. The 10 race days of Melbourne will each have its own signature flower.

For more information on all races, racing events, racing history, ticketing, betting, fashion and fashion events go to http://www.springracingcarnival.com.au/Springracingcarnival/default.aspx

For accommodation bookings in Melbourne go to http://www.princespark.com.au/booking.asp

With school holidays approaching why not take the kids to the Melbourne Aquarium. The Aquarium is located on the corner of King and Flinders Streets in Melbourne and is easily accessible by tram.

There are lots to see and do at the Aquarium in September. Disney’s Club Penguin is at the Aquarium for September. There are lots of kid friendly activities happening including treasure hunts, games, prizes and workshops.

The Aquarium is broken up into 4 main areas that are Antarctica, Weird and Wonderful, River to Reef and Sharks Alive. Each is an amazing learning experience of the living creatures under the sea and in Antarctica. There are also Shark Dives and Walking with the Shark Tours available for an additional charge.

The Aquarium also has cafes and themed function rooms available for special occasions.

For more information go to http://www.melbourneaquarium.com.au/