Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - First time to Oz: MEL - Hobart advice ?

Hi all,

I am travelling to Oz for the firat time in Mar 06 and would appreciate your input on the following:-

I will arrive on BA17 in FIRST @ 0525 in MEL on a Sunday, and want to connect onwards to Hobart. I have 2 options (discounted Qantas due to return schedule issues):-
Virgin Blue from T3 @ 0825 @ $134 return
Jetstar from T1 @ 0645 @ $78 return

Would I be cutting it too fine to try to make the connection T2-T1 for the 0645, including immigration ? It would be my preferred option ... Your thoughts are most welcome ...

Then, on my return to MEL on the Wed, I will have from (arrival)1200-1735(departure) until my return flight with BA home to Europe - can/should I do much in Melbourne in those few hours ?

Kind Regards,

John P

MEL airport is great for connections as the "terminals" are really parts of one big building (presumably they were separate in the past but grew together) and it is possible to walk from one end to the other within 10 minutes (5 if you walk fast). Making 80 minutes more than enough connecting time. BA service has been abysmal lately, so there may be some delay in arriving, while QF has been running much more on time (plus QF has been getting the F bags off within 5 minutes this year, a great improvement over the past). On QF I would have no hesitancy on booking a 60 minute int-domestic connection at MEL; with BA I have considerably less confidence, but if BA arrives on time and you have no checked bags it would be easily done.

Thanks number_6,

I will have hand luggage only - as a FIRST customer, I should be FIRST :p to immigration, and hopefully should be thru in a short time.

Then the walk to T1 for check-in and back through. Sounds like 1 hr 20 mins arrival until departure should be enough, BAs timekeeping excepted ...

Further inputs welcome ...

By the way, as BA Gold, should I be able to use the Qantas Club in T1 Domestic Departures, when departing on Jetstar ?

Thanks,

Just remember though that DeathStar does not allow for interlining, so you will need to check-in for the JQ flight upon arrival in MEL - you will not be able to through check.

And DeathStar have acquired a reputation for being absolutely RUTHLESS when it comes to those arriving late for check-in, regardless of the reason. I wouldn't be risking it myself.

To answer your next question, yes, you can use the QP as a OWEmerald when flying DeathStar.

Enjoy your stay.

Dave

One other thing - you mention that you discounted Qantas due to return schedule issues - are you aware that Qantas domestic fares are all one-way fares, rather than return fares? If there is an issue with the HBA-MEL-LHR using QF, on the HBA-MEL sector, QF may still be an option on the MEL-HBA sector, at very little pricing difference, and this may offer some degree of protection for you.

Cheers,

Dave

^ Ahhh,

Thanks Dave,

Let me look at Qantas MEL-HBA ....... Could be a better option.

Appreciate the alternative view ! ;)

John P

Early morning QF flights DOWN from MEL are easy. Its getting out again thats hard. Virgin Spew has quite a few flights out, and has web check in which saved an inordinate amount of time. Also V easy to get from their baggage claim to BA check in in Mel - up in the lift, turn left as you come out and walk till you hit check in!

^ Thanks TIMP - I might just check VB out for the return.

Booked Qantas o/w for the outbound on Sun am ...

Thanx

Thanks number_6,

I will have hand luggage only - as a FIRST customer, I should be FIRST :p to immigration, and hopefully should be thru in a short time.

Then the walk to T1 for check-in and back through. Sounds like 1 hr 20 mins arrival until departure should be enough, BAs timekeeping excepted ...

Further inputs welcome ...

By the way, as BA Gold, should I be able to use the Qantas Club in T1 Domestic Departures, when departing on Jetstar ?

Thanks,

John

my wife and I do this every year and we have never had a problem. The check in at Jet* is very good and although we take our luggage on the BA flight in F we normally have to check it in for the Jet* flight.

And yes you can use the QF lounge - we are doing exactly the same trip on February 1st - can't wait :cool:

Thanks BAGoldBoy,

I have actually booked the Qantas flight that little bit later, for comfort ;)

However, if you have any other hints / tips for MEL / HBA, I'd be happy to accept them ... It will be my first time there, and I'll be staying at the Henry Jones for 3 days.

Kind Regards,

John P

Thanks BAGoldBoy,

I have actually booked the Qantas flight that little bit later, for comfort ;)

However, if you have any other hints / tips for MEL / HBA, I'd be happy to accept them ... It will be my first time there, and I'll be staying at the Henry Jones for 3 days.

Kind Regards,

John P

John

if you like send me a PM with the kind of things you're interested in and I'll go back through my notes - if you want an idea of what Hobart is like think 1950's shop fronts with brown plastic to prevent the goods fading in the window but there are also some less trendy bits :D

Actually it's a really nice compact city although it can still be cold this time of year - something to do with why they have Antarctic cruises leaving from the harbour - there isnt a smiley for a frozen face !

Actually it's a really nice compact city although it can still be cold this time of year - something to do with why they have Antarctic cruises leaving from the harbour - there isnt a smiley for a frozen face !

Sorry but couldn't resist replying to this one. I'm off to the Antarctic at the end of this month and my expedition returns to Hobart!!! Hobart will be warm by comparison.

Any tips on where to eat out around Salamanca area in the evening would be great.

Good steak at the Ball and Chain. Methuzas in Woobys lane near Sal Square is fairly good Greek. Good Breakfasts can be found at Machine Laundry cafe in Salamanca square. The Japanese near Ball and Chain (upstairs) is good, but there is a much better one in Dickensons Arcade in Moonah. Any of teh cafes in Henry Jones are good (albeit a bit expensive). If you dont mind a walk Gondwana in Battery Point on Hampden Road is expensive but does really really really good food.