JenniGee

This is a shout out to anyone around the Melbourne area who might be able to point me in the right direction. I guess there's loads of threads like this, but I've had a search through & am still no wiser

We need a beach life - wide open spaces on the doorstep, but in an area with plenty of other families around & a good secondary school (yr 7 onwards) A few nice shops, cafes, usual stuff really.

Most important is accessibility into Melbourne CBD & this is where we're coming unstuck - If I could sort out commuter ferry routes, even the far end of the Mornington Peninsular becomes possible, but I'm having trouble finding these. The other thing is I find maps that mention stations to Melbourne, but hen find that they're coaches, not trains - it's pretty confusing!

Anyway, any chance of a pointer folks?

Many thanks

Margaret3

good luck


you need to prioritise what is the most important for example (a) the beach or (a) good schools, also the school thing is it state or private.

I think if you narrow things down a bit you will get more advice on here, no offence , but its a tall order your asking.

There is also this thread going on at the moment which may help you out.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=501806

JenniGee

Lol! No offence taken I know how tough it is to recommend an area to a stranger

I think the main thing I need to get a feel of is how the transport, particularly the ferries, work, because that is the key I think, to where we can look.

Thanks for the link

NickyC

Don't think there are many ferries in Melbourne (if you were talking about Sydney, it would be a different story ) - unless you want to commute to Tasmania, that is..

There's a ferry from Williamstown to the city I think - but that's it.

Rail map here:

http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/m...politan_trains

paul30

ferry at far end of penninsula is sorrento to Queenscliff goes nowhere near Melbourne and the last train station anywhere near mornington penninsula to get to Melbourne is Frankston (somewhere I'm looking at as it's a large town right on the sea with good links to melbourne.) train takes about an hour to melbourne and there's one every 15 mins or so

Smartinis

We live in Mornington and its beautiful down here, you can definetely get the beach life style here. Lots of British in the area and some great schools both private and state. Ours go to The Peninsula school in Mt.Eliza, great school, but very pricey. There are others that are cheaper though. Hubby commutes to CBD every day from Frankston by train, takes just over an hour and not anywhere near as expensive as commuting in UK. Hope this helps a little. Good Luck!

paul30

Can't argue with you there Mornington is absolutely gorgeous with some wonderful beaches. God I wish I was there now