The Best Melbourne Tours

Most tourists visiting Melbourne never get out of the centre of town. The CBD is a huge rectangle - 1/2 a mile wide and 1 mile long. It was laid out by Governor Latrobe in the 1840's, and the magnificent old buildings which populate the city were built on the proceeds of the Gold Rush which started after gold was discovered in Ballarat around 1850. Before that, Melbourne was a small settlement that serviced the farming community. But, after gold was discovered - everything changed!

Melbourne has so much to offer. But the hardest thing for a visitor is discovering how to get there - that is to the best places I mean.

Melbourne by Foot

Downtown city Melbourne is a network of lane ways. Finders Lane, Little Collins St and Little Bourke St have other smaller lane ways which join the major thoroughfares like Collins Street and the Bourke Street Mall. My recommendation would be to make contact with Fiona at Hidden Secrets Tours if you really want to discover the soul of Melbourne. Fiona takes you on foot around the inner heart of the city - where being on foot is best.

Flinders St and Flinders St Station

Laneway Cafe

Federation Square

But there is only so much time that you can spend wandering around the centre of town. There are many ways to get out of the city, like on the Trams, trains or by bus. But, if you really want to go where most of these forms of transport don't go - in the shortest and most efficient manner - then that is where a Harley Ride comes in. But, before you dismiss this idea because that's not you - stop and consider what a Harley Ride's purpose really is. Its not just for motorcycle nuts or adrenaline junkies. Its for those who want the best mode of transport which will give the best return when it comes to how much more they will see - in a very short period of time - compared to the other ways of doing it.

Williamstown - Melbourne's Hidden Gem

Williamstown, which is located a short distance from the heart of Melbourne, over on the other side of the Yarra River, is one of my favourite destinations. But, if you don't have a lot of time, then its not somewhere that is easy to get to other than on a Harley Ride. Its one of the places that we show people during a 1 hour ride, and they often then choose to go back for a longer visit later. Nelson Place, pictured above, is the main restaurant precinct that most would see, but on a Harley Ride you get to see much more of this historic place as we take you around by Williamstown beach and down the magnificent streets in this precinct.

But wait - there's more. The F1 Grand Prix Circuit round Albert Park lake, St Kilda. If you have a few hours then take a 3 hr ride to the Dandenong Ranges or a 5 hour Ride to the Wineries in the Yarra Valley. Or if you have a day to spare - then come down the Great Ocean Road - its an experience you will never forget.

Are we always busy? Now we are not. Why, you ask? Because people just don't understand the Harley Ride Experinece and how it relates to their concept of the right thing to do. Most who come out with us, go away understanding why they needed to do it. It comes as a shock to many as they it begins to dawn on them that it just isn't what they expected it to be - it terms of comfort - its far better than they expected, safety - its far safer and they realise that they won't fall off - and finally weather isn't important - because we don't let them get cold.

But sadly many people reading this will still think to themselves, "This just isn't for me." For those people we feel immense sorrow, that we will never be able to share this experience with you : (

Take a Youtube Virtual Tour on a Harley Davidson

Here is a Youtube video clip that explains the Harley Ride Experience:

A Harley Ride is an experience, which once taken is never forgotten. In this You tube video we explain what its all about and why this experience is suitable for anyone who has never been near a motorcycle in their life. Its for people who have never thought of a motorcycle as being something that's for them.

This is the perfect activity for any tourist visiting Melbourne. In fact we strongly reccomend that it be the first thing they do as soon as they arrive. Why? Because its the perfect way to see a lot in a very short period of time. It is an intimate experience, where we can show you where to go next and advise on things to do. Sure, its different - but it won't be anything like you expect it to be like.....

Team Building Melbourne Harley Tour

When you are leding a team of people in the workplace, there comes a time when you want to reward them in the form of a Team Building activity. A Harley Ride is an excellent Team Building activity - one which we are called upon to provide.

Yesterday, we took one such goup on a Dandenong Ranges Tour in two sidecars on a 3 hour ride up into the mountains just outside Melbourne.

Felicity, the team leader, had organized for us to meet them all in the city at 1.30pm and we cruised down the Monash Freeway and out through Ferntree Gully to out first stop at the Observatory on the top of Mt Dandenong. The funniest thing was seeing all the irls wave at everyone we rode past.

The day ended as we got back to the city at 4.40pm. Here is photo of the group taken at the Observatory on top of Mt Dandenong:














Here is a note I received from Felicity today:

Hi John,
I just wanted to say again how fabulous the afternoon was yesterday. Everyone absolutely loved it and they were able to really relax and enjoy themselves. I will definitely be recommending you to our other divisions.
Regards,
Felicity Stanley
Executive Manager
Select Appointments - Notting Hill

Get Noticed?

One of my other passions, when not taking people for a Harley Ride is in the area of Motorcycle Safety and related issues. This video came to my attention yesterday and I encourage everyone to have a look at it. You can view it at:

www.pleaselooktwice.com

Its always a pleasure to share ones's love of motorcycles with others - especially when they are in the planning stages decidinh how to get started and which bike they should get. I had just that experience yesterday. A woman booked a 3 hour Dandenong Ranges Tour for her husbands birthday and it just so happens that, after a 20 year break, he is planning to go out and purchase a H-D as soon as he can.

Its surprising just how much you can talk to each other during a Harley Ride. I was able to give him lots of hints and tips. The important thing is to get them focussed. That is why their freinds book a Harley Ride . Got a wife who won't ket you get one? Give them just one hour with me and they will come back "demanding that you get one." Trust me, I have seen it happen all too often.

The other factor that I always stress is motorcycle safety. Its not the motorcycle which is dangerous - its what's between the ears of the person riding the motorcycle which is really dangerous. Fortunately, there is a lot of good information about for "learners" and "return to riding motorcyclists".

The best source of information can be found at www.spokes.com.au . I was involved in some of the content of this site. Have a look at the Riders Hints and Tips - I have two articles published.