KeeVin & Joseline

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Save The Date - 25/09/2011

Hello.

Welcome to our wedding blog :)

We're really excited to have you join us on our special day.
Here you can find more detailed information on our wedding that we couldn't include on the invitation. Especially for those of you that will be coming from interstate and overseas.

The blog below will list information like venue information and location, some suggestions of places to stay, some of our favourite places to eat and hang out in Melbourne, car rental companies, directions to and from the venue, etc.

Kee Vin and Joseline's Wedding details
Date: Sunday, 25 September 2011
Time: 10am to 4pm, the ceremony starts at 10am, then onto pre-lunch refreshments, then a lunch reception
Location: Stones of the Yarra, 14 St Huberts Rd, Coldstream VIC 3770
Web: http://www.stonesoftheyarravalley.com/

Special Dietary Requirements
Please let us know if you or anyone in your party needs a special dietary requirement as listed below:

Vegetarian
Gluten free
Lactose free

We will try our best and arrange with the venue to provide as required.

Dress Code

Dress Code for the occasion will be Lounge Suit / Day Cocktail Dress. We won't require anything more specific than that, we'd just like you to enjoy the day with us.

Gifts

We don't have a wedding registry as we will be following the Chinese Wedding 'Ang Bao' or 'Red Packet' custom. In Chinese tradition, the 'Ang Bao' is a cash gift given to symbolise the warm wishes you have for the wedding couple. Usually given in a red packet/envelop because red signifies good fortune in Chinese culture, thus the name (although we won't worry about the colour of the envelop at all, red packets might be a little hard to find!).

Please feel free to contact us on keevin.joseline@gmail.com if you need any extra information regarding the wedding reception and/or your stay here in Melbourne.

Kee Vin & Joseline

Getting from Melbourne Airport to Melbourne

Melbourne Airport is located approximately 25km north-west of the Melbourne's CBD on the Tullamarine Freeway - less than 25 minutes by car.

By Car
To access Melbourne via the Tullamarine Freeway by car, you may be required to obtain a CityLink pass. Please refer to the CityLink section of this blog for more information. You can also refer to the CityLink website for more information.You can also choose to travel toll-free to Melbourne Airport via the Western Ring Road. Most GPS will ask if you would like to avoid toll, if so, please choose a route to avoid toll if your vehicle is not equipped with a CityLink e-TAG (Electronic Toll Device).

By Taxi
Taxi services in Australia is expensive. An average taxi fare from Melbourne Airport to Melbourne city is $55.

By SkyBus
The SkyBus service, is a regular bus service between Melbourne Airport (Terminal 1 or 3) to Melbourne (Southern Cross Station Spencer Street, Melbourne).

The trip takes 20 to 30 minutes and cost $16 per person one way, or $26 for a return trip.

Tickets can be bought online, or at the SkyBus ticket booths in Melbourne Airport (Terminal 1 or 3) and Melbourne City (Southern Cross Station Spencer Street, Melbourne).
Refer to the SkyBus website for more information http://www.skybus.com.au/.

Getting from Melbourne Airport to Yarra Valley

Melbourne Airport is located approximately 85km west of the Yarra Valley on Maroonda Highway. Approximately 1 hour 20 mins by car.

If you are staying in the Yarra Valley, the best and most cost effective way to get there from the Melbourne Airport is by car. Cost for a taxi will be very expensive, with the taxi fare being approximately more then $200 one way.

Car rental and Driving in Melbourne

Melbourne, unfortunately, has a number of toll roads. All toll roads are unmanned, there for are charged electronically. Refer to the CityLink section of this blog for more information.

Because of these, the 2 most convenient car hire companies in Melbourne are Avis and Budget. This is because they equip their cars with the E-Tag device, and will add any toll charges to your final bill.

With other car hire companies, you will have to organize toll payments on your own. Refer to the CityLink section of this blog for more information.

The website www.vroomvroomvroom.com.au is a great why to compare prices of car rental across a few companies.

Otherwise, go to the www.avis.com.au and www.budget.com.au websites to view cost.

Small cars will cost between $50 to $80 a day. These cars types will be Hyundai Getz to Toyota Corollas.

Be sure to get cars with unlimited kilometers to avoid extra charges for driving more kilometers then allowed.

Melbourne, and Australia in general, is a big place with long distances between sites. So it’s advisable to hire a GPS unit with the car as well. They can be hired fFor around $12 to $15 a day with the hire of the car.

CityLink (Melbourne Toll Roads)

Some of Melbourne freeways are Toll roads. These toll roads are unmanned toll roads with toll fees charged electronically. These are done with camera’s which take a photo of the car registration at the toll points.

If you pass a toll point, be sure to buy a CityLink Toll pass by going to the CityLink website www.citylink.com.au or by calling 13 26 29 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).

A daily or weekend toll pass will cost $13.25 for unlimited travel on CityLink Toll freeways.

NOTE: It is not necessary to take toll roads to any destinations in Melbourne and Victoria. By avoiding toll roads, you won’t have to pay the toll charges, although your trip may take a few more minutes in total. If you have a GPS, please choose the option to avoid toll roads.

Where to stay in Melbourne

Some good website to find out good accommodation rates are:

www.wotif.com

www.agoda.com

www.bookings.com

The ratings Hotels/Motels in Australia are fairly true to international standards. Therefore a 5 star hotel will be very clean and comfortable. Even 3 and 4 star hotels in Australia are very clean and comfortable.

If choosing to stay in Melbourne, we recommend staying in the Melbourne CBD. Melbourne is a very livable city, with lots of food, shopping and entertainment choices within the CBD or a short tram ride away from the CBD.

Where to stay in the Yarra Valley

The Yarra Valley is a wine region of Victoria, perhaps one of best know wine regions in Victoria. It is very scenic and is a large area with lots of wineries, parks, and small towns to visit. So a car is a definite must if staying in this region.

A nice selection of bed and breakfast accommodation can be booked via the Yarra Valley Visitor Information Center. They can be contacted on +61 5962 2600, or www.visityarravalley.com.au. Most will require a minimum 2 night stay.

Some suggestions of accommodation in the Yarra Valley is below.

Healesville Garden Accommodation
They have a number of houses available that can accommodate up to 12 guest.
Phone: +61 433 949 489
Contact: Michelle or Richard
www.healesvillegarden.com.au

Big House/Big View
4 Bedroom lovely home – not for parties.
www.stayz.com.au/81600

Kangaroo Ridge Retreat
2 secluded contemporary cabins with spectacular views.
Phone: +61 3 5962 1222
Contact: Olga
www.kangarooridge.com.au

Araluen Lodge and Villas
They also have 4 apartments in the main street of Yarra Glen.
Phone: +61 3 5965 2013
Contact: Greta
www.araluenlodge.com.au

Harvest Farm
2 self-contained cottages, both having 2 bedrooms.
Phone: +61 3 5962 4002
Bookings: Victoria Cunneen at the Healesville Hotel
www.healesvillehotel.com.au

Yering Gorge Cottages
12 cottages with panoramic views, including 4 two bedroom cottages.
Phone: +61 3 9739 0110
Contact: Ross Stevens
www.yeringcottages.com.au
They are 10 minutes away from Stones of the Yarra, have a 12 seater bus and will drive you to Stones for a minimal fee.

The Gatehouse at Villa Raedward
2 self-contained suites, not 5 minutes from Stones of the Yarra.
Phone: +61 425 730 624
Contact: John Annison
www.villaraedward.com.au

Gracedale Yarra Valley
Healesville
Phone: +61 413 799 394
Contact: Jenny
www.gracedaleyarravalley.com.au

For group bookings and guest requiring only a 1 night stay, some suggestions are:
The Sebel Heritage
Phone: +61 3 9760 3333
Contact: Jacquelyn Andrews
Email: reservations@tshyy.com.au
www.mirvachotels.com

Balgownie Estate Vineyard Resort & Spa
Phone: +61 3 9730 0700
www.balgownieestate.com.au
The Yarra Glen Grand Hotel
956 Melba Highway
Yarra Glen
Phone: +61 3 9730 1230
www.yarravalleygrand.com.au

RACV Healsville Country Club
Phone: +61 3 5962 4899
www.racv.com.au

Tuck Inn
Hosted accommodation for up to five couples with a lovely guest lounge and dining room,
Phone: +61 3 5962 3600
Contact: Regina
www.tuckinn.com.au

Healesville Apartments
Four fully self-contained apartments within walking distance to Healesville township.
Phone: +61 3 5962 5555
Contact: Jacky or Tony

Mt. Real Retreat
2 Suites plus 3 tree-tops apartments with restaurant.
Phone: +61 3 5962 1977
Contact: Annie Gia
www.mtrael.com.au

Serenity at Healsville
51A St. Leonards Road,
Healsville
Can accommodate up to 9 guests at a very resonalble price
Phone: +61 408 105 974
Contact: Donna
www.serenityhealesville.com.au

Yarra Valley Motel
Hey have 26 rooms
Phone: + 61 3 9735 3000
Contact: Fiona & Frank Vaughan

What to do in Melbourne / Victoria

Refer to the Google Map below for what to do whilst in Melbourne.

Melbourne to Yarra Valley

What to do in the Yarra Valley

Refer to the Google Map below for what to do whilst in the Yarra Valley.

Melbourne to Yarra Valley

Where to Eat in Melbourne

Refer to the Google Map below for where to eat whilst in Melbourne.

Melbourne to Yarra Valley

Where to Eat in the Yarra Valley

Refer to the Google Map below for where to eat whilst in the Yarra Valley.

Melbourne to Yarra Valley

How to get to the Wedding Venue (Stones of the Yarra)

Our wedding will be held at:

Stones of the Yarra
14 St Huberts Road, Coldstream, VIC
www.stonesoftheyarravalley.com

Stones is approximately 54Km from Melbourne City, and is about a 65 minute drive.

Returning to Melbourne Airport

Melbourne Airport is located approximately 25km north-west of the Melbourne's CBD on the Tullamarine Freeway - less than 25 minutes by car.

To find the airport using a GPS, type in: Centre Road, Melbourne Airport.

To access Melbourne Airport via the Tullamarine Freeway by car, you may be required to obtain a CityLink pass. Please refer to the CityLink section of this blog for more information. You can also refer to the CityLink website for more information.

You can also choose to travel toll-free to Melbourne Airport via the Western Ring Road. Most GPS will ask if you would like to avoid toll, if so, please choose a route to avoid toll if your vehicle is not equipped with a CityLink e-TAG (Electronic Toll Device).