herrchook

We've got our Melbourne map out and have already drawn a line on it which shows which areas are within our preferred commuting times by train. What we'd like to do now is draw a new line on it showing which areas lie within our reach should we choose to commute by car.

We're looking at SE areas and around a 30-45 minute commute during peak times by car. Does anyone have any ideas which areas our line should cross. Of course, it's not science, but it helps give an idea of which areas we can look at further, and which would incur long commutes.

Also, what is the parking like in the CBD? Do many of the buildings have parking underneath and do you need to be THE boss to get one? Are the car parks are nightmare?

cheers

Gill

yamahaha

Mate, If its anything like Sydney (I hear the freeways in Melbourne are just as mad as they are here during rush hour) then for 30-45 mins get a 5c piece, a pen and a detailed map of melbourne city centre and theres your line!! Oh and dont forget your big fat cheque book for parking /road toll costs too! Think M8 double it and throw in a toll charge on the Kingston bridge! Petrols cheap though!!

thebears

Parking is basically $10 per day provided you enter before 9.30 or 10am. They are also usually conditional on you parking above level 5 (so short term parkers ie a few hours have space below).

We live about 8km out and it can take between 12 mins to 30 mins depending on level of traffic and time of day (and if some idiot has had an accident). That is up the Dandelong road and then up the Kingsway.
Not sure how the traffic flows along the Nepean ie from Brighton

Most advise to avoid the Monash at all costs - don't use the toll road as there is no time saving for us but it could be worth considering if you do choose to risk the Monash.

Guess you could call Glen Waverley/Mount Waverley 40 mins from CBD

Pomster

Commuting in rush hour can be a nightmare.

I cross the Westgate Bridge, and if there is a problem in the tunnel on citylink, you cannot get out of second gear.
The Monash is locally known as the South Eastern carpark!
It is nowhere near as bad as M25, but why move to Oz and put up with the same commuting problems?

I have also -on a couple of occasions- parked after the 'Early Bird' parking cutoff, and had to take out a mortgage! $25 for 3-7 hours. The city council are trying to cut traffic into the city and long term parking taxes went up on 1st Jan, so parking is more expensive now.

Personally I would opt for public transport into the city....usually quick and easy.