Fishing in Victoria

One of the things you'll probably love to do in Melbourne/Victoria is to go fishing - there are many lakes and places where you can go.

I hope over time I'll provide some posts about the places where I've been and also my feedback on them.

Fishing licence

First of all, in order to go fishing, you'll need to get a fishing licence.
It is not expensive - for example for one year you'll have to pay less than 30$.

You can make the online request for a recreational fishing licence here : Victorian Recreational Fishing Licence Online. You need to have a printer because you'll have to print it and keep it with you. If you don't have a printer, you can get it from some stores. Check on the site provided above for details about this.

Please check also the Recreational Licence guide in order to understand the restrictions and rules that apply for it.

Fishing equipment

There are many places where you can buy fishing equipment.
One store I like is Anaconda.
I'll come with updates on this as soon as I'll find other interesting stores.

Where to go fishing ?

I hope this is the first post from a series of posts on this subject.
One place you can go and enjoy a nice view of the Melbourne's CBD is Albert Lake . There is a special place where you can fish - near the Power House (the eastern part of the lake).


If the weather is fine, it might be crowded as many are going there to run.
The parking is not very expensive on the weekends - 2$ all day.

I've tried this place recently with no luck.

New to Victoria - Overseas Driver - Licence (B)

Today I passed the third part of the Driving Licence exam - the Drive test.
:D

Some historical information about this process

A few weeks ago I've made the appointments (over the phone) for the tests - in December the Knowledge and Hazard Perception tests, and in January (the first available) the Drive test.

You can find an older post about the first two - Knowledge and Hazard Perception tests, so this post will complete the process ....

Before the test

These posts are about Overseas Drivers who only need to change that licence to a Victoria Driving Licence - so it means you can / are driving a car. More are saying that before the test you might want to consider some hours with an instructor - that will show you what you need to do correct during the test.
I've passed the test without paying an instructor, so it is possible. It depends on how confident you are on your driving skills. But you'll need to inform yourself with the specific of the Vic Driving - for example the head checks (for example: you need to turn your head to check when you change the line) and you need to know the restrictions.
You might need to get in contact with a Driving school if you don't have a car and you need one for the test.

Car at the test

In Victoria you can get to the driving test with your own car ... The VicRoads doesn't ask about what car are you going to drive, but keep in mind there is a list of cars that cannot be used (check with VicRoads if the car you want to use is ok).
Some basic checks will be done before starting the test: left/right/hazard lights etc.

Stages of the Test

The drive tests consists in 3 stages :
- eye test (there was one before the knowledge test also) : you'll have to read a line with letters that the VicRoads Controller will show you. If you don't have problems with your eyes this should be ok.
- basic maneuvers : you will go on some small streets near the VicRoads office and you'll have to follow the instruction of the VicRoads controller.
- drive in high traffic : once the VicRoads controller tests what is on the "list" will inform you that the first part of the test is finalized and you'll move to the second part. In this you'll drive on some roads will higher speed (70/80km) or in others with schools or low speed indicators.

Important note : you'll not be asked to do maneuvers you are not allowed to do. For example in Romania you can be asked things like - go left, go right when you are not allowed to do that and you should say that and not do the maneuver. As far as I understood in Victoria is not like this.

Final part

If everything goes well, you'll get back to the VicRoads office to take the picture for the Driving Licence :).
You'll have to pay the fee for the driving licence (for 3 or 10 years - check VicRoads website for details) and you'll receive the Licence at home after 2 weeks.

Advice

The VIC driving licence is an important document here is Victoria so my advice is to take the exam as soon as possible.

Australia - Immigration Nation

Very interesting documentary on SBS ... Australia - Immigration Nation.

"When the Commonwealth of Australia was founded in 1901, the very last thing the nation wanted to be was multicultural. The measures taken to ensure this would be the case not only caused great human suffering, but in a supreme historical irony, actually helped create the very threat Australia feared the most – invasion from the Asian north." / SBS - Immigration Nation.