Nothing like a cuddle from DD after a hard day's work!
Oct 2007
in my own world
3,267
Sorry havent read all replies but does the hossy offer accommodation if ur DS is required there most the time? I know the public hospital near me has accommodation but that was for kids in scn so not sure if it was for other situations.
How is ds with flying? Might it be worth the extra accommodation costs to make the appointments as minimally stressful as possible...? Definitely contact the hospital and see if there is subsidised accommodation due to the travel distance.
MELBOURNE PEEPS! I need to travel to the RCH, could use some local input.
He will be fine flying, the time it will take may be an issue. I don't mind taxi if it means we get there on time . We may qualify for the travel subsidy because what we need is not here in cairns so if that is the case qld's gov will book flights, I'm not sure yet how much say I will get. But if they pay for flights and part of accommodation then we will be a bit more flexible with costs
I live in the area so can vouch for walking distances. The hospital borders Parkville and North Melbourne so search both those suburbs when looking around as North Melbourne might have more options
The Park Squires hotel in Flemington road is definitely walkable. Flemington road is a major road, very noisy but you would walk along side a park for the whole way with only one road to cross so it's a good choice. The only issue I have with that one is that it is at a pretty busy intersection, where flemington rd intersects with citylink, I would imagine it is pretty noisy. Another hotel close by is Rydges Nth Melbourne. Across flemington road and a short walk but it is close to public transport and closer to the local shops etc for a bit of Melbourne cafe lifestyle. If cost is a real issue, the Arden (already mention) is pretty cheap, I think about $80 night last time my folks stayed. It is a bit more of a walk but absolutely do-able. The quality can be a bit hit and miss from accounts I have had from family and friends but it is super close to town, the market etc. There are also serviced apartments around we have had family use via wotif at a reasonable rate, try the British Apartments on Arden St.
Check out the public transport victoria website for public transport planning. It is fab as you can enter your start and end point, your arrival or departure time and it will give you the best public transport options (train, bus, tram, walking) with maps. The hospital is on tram route 55 and 59.
As for getting from the airport: a taxi tends to cost us about $40-50 from the airport to parkville/north melbourne. Skybus is in the vicinity of $17 each with hotel transfers available. You otherwise have to get a Myki (full fare 3.50 - 2hrs, 7.00 - all day) and make your way via tram/train to your accommodation. Considering the cost difference, it might be worth your peace of mind to just get a taxi to accomodation, get settled and take your time to get to the appointment.
MELBOURNE PEEPS! I need to travel to the RCH, could use some local input.
I did look into it a little bit but you can't book ahead, they can only tell you if you on the day if there is a room available for you so I think it would be too hard to work with that uncertainty.
I can nearly guarantee you wouldn't get into Ronald Mac unless your son is admitted. You have to take proof to admission when you took into RMHC.
They're usually pretty full anyway.
As Nai said, with a two-hour window get a cab from the airport to the hotel (or to the hospital if you're really pushed for time). Not worth the aggro of stuffing around with skybus and trams to save, I dunno, $20 once you've factored in skybus tickets and myki tickets. I know money is tight but I think for this one I'd definitely prioritise making it as stress-free as possible.
Also, it's worth weighing up the costs of an apartment with a kitchenette versus just a hotel room. I find I save heaps if I've at least got somewhere I can make a bowl of pasta and a simple sauce versus getting takeaway or eating out for dinner.
MELBOURNE PEEPS! I need to travel to the RCH, could use some local input.
That's who we are seeing divvi, we keep getting offered strattera for him but it seems to high risk of suicide and he has already displayed those concerns so I don't think we should risk it. I'm hoping Rch can offer us a better plan of attack then just try it and see. Thank you for the offer, If our travel and accommodation subsidy gets knocked back I may well be in contact!
BellyBelly Life Member - Love all your MCN friends
Jun 2004
The Festival State
3,008
FJ - you asked about what to do in Melb to entertain E for a day - you know i'm not a Melburnite, but i have heard there is a wonderful family friendly Aquarium type place to take kids. Hopefully a Melb BB-er will know the proper name of it and fill in the gaps for me.
The one place i do know about, have visited several times (but not for many years) in Melb is an organic gardening estate called CERES. Great place to wander around, lots of stuff on display.
MELBOURNE PEEPS! I need to travel to the RCH, could use some local input.
Yup Gigi, The Melbourne Aquarium is a rather magical place, especially the touch pools and the tropical fish atoll and the shark tunnel thingy. Love it!
MELBOURNE PEEPS! I need to travel to the RCH, could use some local input.
FJ - he would love the museum (and it's free) as well as science works. There's really not going to be much time for anything else. My almost 10yo DS who is the one on the wait list, would pick either of those options before anything else. Probably better on a weekday though, solely from the sensory perspective - many many more visitors on the weekends.
BellyBelly Member
MELBOURNE PEEPS! I need to travel to the RCH, could use some local input.
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