need to travel to Melbourne CBD from Ballarat, ( I know, a bad idea:( )
What is the sensible way to go please.
I know nothing of the toll roads.
Any suggestions much appreciated.
Thanks, Joe.
Aussie1 said
10:44 PM Oct 25, 2022
Farmhat wrote:
Howdy,
need to travel to Melbourne CBD from Ballarat, ( I know, a bad idea:( )
What is the sensible way to go please.
I know nothing of the toll roads.
Any suggestions much appreciated.
Thanks, Joe.
Do yourself a favour and bypass Melbourne and head to WA. Great weather and above all, No Toll roads
Farmhat said
10:50 PM Oct 25, 2022
Well I did ask for sensible advice lol, so thanks Aussie1. :)
Cheers, Joe
Dougwe said
05:10 AM Oct 26, 2022
G'day Joe,
Just go M8 (Western Freeway) and follow signs to Melbourne. If you're not sure where exactly your destination is, sat nav it or ask my good friend Google Maps. As for Tolls, if you don't have a etag or equivalent, just ring and organise a day pass for the sections you need. The etag system works in all states that have tolls as do theirs. Don't worry about the wild west mate, they are behind the times
If you need to and probably will, pay extra attention to signs around Westgate Bridge as heaps of work going on in that and approaching areas.
Before you go get in close on Google maps and take a peak as to roads etc leading to your destination.
I had to go to the Airport a couple of Fridays ago from N E Vic and due to flooded roads etc got diverted many times and Google missed a turn, that's my excuse anyway. Roads etc had changed so much since my last time in that area I felt lost. Got back to base camp by the end of the day though. Thanks Google, buddy.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Mike Harding said
07:48 AM Oct 26, 2022
Take the Western Highway (no other sensible choice) all the way and follow the signs for "City".
Keep your speed down as you approach the airport and ring road turns as the laning and signage can be confusing - just follow those "City" signs and lanes.
Craig1 said
09:07 AM Oct 26, 2022
Maybe take the train, parking is truly awful in cbd, since mad capp got hold of it.
Collo said
09:39 AM Oct 26, 2022
As Mike said, just follow the signs that say city. This will take you over the Westgate Bridge. Keep following the freeway until you see Power street exit....take this exit, that will take you right into the CBD. I usually park in the Australian Ballet Center carpark, it is easy to get to and easy to get you back onto the freeway to get you back to Ballarat.
There are no tolls on this route. Check google maps to familiarise yourself.
Collo.
Granty said
01:52 PM Oct 26, 2022
If you can I would take the train. It is a pretty good service from Ballarat. Driving into the city area is very confusing. Always changing and constant road works.
thomas01 said
07:20 PM Oct 26, 2022
Unless you MUST take your vehicle to the city, I would take the train. Less time, less hassle and no parking issues. The train takes about 1.5 hours, depending on time of day and any delays encountered.
If you must drive, just take the Western Highway M8 over the West Gate Bridge and follow the signs as previously stated. Depending on time of day, the drive can take anywhere from 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours.
Good Luck.
Regards Robert (Long suffering Ballarat resident. I hate the cold.)
Farmhat said
05:27 PM Oct 29, 2022
Thanks fellas.
Made it in and out in one piece, (just).
Long drive both ways, with roadworks and accidents.
The skyline looks a lot different since I was last there 15 years ago.
It even stopped raining for a couple hours while walking around the city.
Reckon that should do me for another 15 years :)
Cheers, Joe.
86GTS said
07:14 PM Oct 29, 2022
Its certainly a different place to the city that I began working in back in 1968.
I only go in there about once a year if I have to.
I even avoid regional towns like Ballarat when I'm away, they're not much fun either.
Dougwe said
09:27 PM Oct 29, 2022
86GTS wrote:
Its certainly a different place to the city that I began working in back in 1968. I only go in there about once a year if I have to. I even avoid regional towns like Ballarat when I'm away, they're not much fun either.
I had to read that twice 86. I thought you said we're not fun either. After I cleaned my glasses and read again you said "they're" not much fun.
dogbox said
09:29 AM Oct 30, 2022
Farmhat wrote:
Thanks fellas.
Made it in and out in one piece, (just).
Long drive both ways, with roadworks and accidents.
The skyline looks a lot different since I was last there 15 years ago.
It even stopped raining for a couple hours while walking around the city.
Reckon that should do me for another 15 years :)
Cheers, Joe.
now that you have done it would you do it again by driving or would you do it by train ?
Farmhat said
03:34 PM Oct 30, 2022
dogbox wrote:
now that you have done it would you do it again by driving or would you do it by train ?
G'day dogbox.
Hmm, I reckon train would be the go, but I would probably be my not too sensible self and drive so as to have the car to make exploring easier.
Now if you could only put the car on the train, lol. :)
Howdy,
need to travel to Melbourne CBD from Ballarat, ( I know, a bad idea:( )
What is the sensible way to go please.
I know nothing of the toll roads.
Any suggestions much appreciated.
Thanks, Joe.
Do yourself a favour and bypass Melbourne and head to WA. Great weather and above all, No Toll roads
Well I did ask for sensible advice lol, so thanks Aussie1. :)
Cheers, Joe
G'day Joe,
Just go M8 (Western Freeway) and follow signs to Melbourne. If you're not sure where exactly your destination is, sat nav it or ask my good friend Google Maps. As for Tolls, if you don't have a etag or equivalent, just ring and organise a day pass for the sections you need. The etag system works in all states that have tolls as do theirs. Don't worry about the wild west mate, they are behind the times
If you need to and probably will, pay extra attention to signs around Westgate Bridge as heaps of work going on in that and approaching areas.
Before you go get in close on Google maps and take a peak as to roads etc leading to your destination.
I had to go to the Airport a couple of Fridays ago from N E Vic and due to flooded roads etc got diverted many times and Google missed a turn, that's my excuse anyway. Roads etc had changed so much since my last time in that area I felt lost. Got back to base camp by the end of the day though. Thanks Google, buddy.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Take the Western Highway (no other sensible choice) all the way and follow the signs for "City".
Keep your speed down as you approach the airport and ring road turns as the laning and signage can be confusing - just follow those "City" signs and lanes.
As Mike said, just follow the signs that say city. This will take you over the Westgate Bridge. Keep following the freeway until you see Power street exit....take this exit, that will take you right into the CBD. I usually park in the Australian Ballet Center carpark, it is easy to get to and easy to get you back onto the freeway to get you back to Ballarat.
There are no tolls on this route. Check google maps to familiarise yourself.
Collo.
If you must drive, just take the Western Highway M8 over the West Gate Bridge and follow the signs as previously stated. Depending on time of day, the drive can take anywhere from 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours.
Good Luck.
Regards Robert (Long suffering Ballarat resident. I hate the cold.)
Made it in and out in one piece, (just).
Long drive both ways, with roadworks and accidents.
The skyline looks a lot different since I was last there 15 years ago.
It even stopped raining for a couple hours while walking around the city.
Reckon that should do me for another 15 years :)
Cheers, Joe.
I only go in there about once a year if I have to.
I even avoid regional towns like Ballarat when I'm away, they're not much fun either.
I had to read that twice 86. I thought you said we're not fun either. After I cleaned my glasses and read again you said "they're" not much fun.
now that you have done it would you do it again by driving or would you do it by train ?
G'day dogbox.
Hmm, I reckon train would be the go, but I would probably be my not too sensible self and drive so as to have the car to make exploring easier.
Now if you could only put the car on the train, lol. :)
Cheers, Joe.