After dark: 12 August 2006 2006
The Postcards team show you Victoria after dark. Bridget enjoys the sound and light spectacular 'Blood on the Sothern Cross' at Sovereign Hill, Lawrence visits the Lunar Drive-In and rides the Blues Train, Carolyne spoils herself with Martinis & Manicures and Glen dines on Melbourne's very own Tramcar Restaurant.
Blood on the Southern Cross
Blood on the Southern Cross is an explosive multi-million dollar sound-and-light show like nothing you've ever seen before.
Become part of the Eureka Rebellion as the dramatic battle between gold miners and government forces at Ballarat on 3 December 1854, is retold nightly at Sovereign Hill's acclaimed sound-and-light spectacular.
Set under the night skies at Sovereign Hill, Blood on the Southern Cross involves no actors – just voices, dazzling sound and light effects and a stunning open-air set. Visitors travel across the site on a comfortable transporters and view much of the action from the recreated Free Trade Hotel on the Eureka Diggings.
Experience the miners' disgust at unfair gold taxes and witness the dramatic burning of the Eureka Hotel. Then, listen to Governor Hotham's reasoning for a dawn attack on a band of men who were the first to swear an oath of loyalty on Australian soil to a flag that was not British – the flag of the Southern Cross.
Ph 03 5337 1100
www.sovereignhill.com.au
The Lunar Drive-In
Lawrence travels to the Lunar Drive-In Theatre in Dandenong to discover the nostalgia of the 1950s. With three massive screens, it is largest drive-in theatre in the Southern Hemisphere and it shows all the latest Hollywood blockbusters.
The Lunar Drive-In opened on 4 May 1956 as the Dandenong Panoramic Drive-in Theatre with a single wooden screen and spaces for 650 cars. It was Melbourne's Olympic year and television was still six months away. It was one of the first 10 drive-in theatres built in Australia and the excitement generated by these early pre-television drive-in theatres was enormous. Cars lined up for miles in an attempt to get into one of two sessions per evening.
115 South Gippsland Highway, Dandenong
Ph 03 9706 9988
www.lunardrive-in.com.au
Blues Train
The Blues Train concept began a decade ago in Queenscliff. Lawrence finds that the idea involves taking a group of about 200 unsuspecting party-goers on a two hour steam train trip and mixing in some very potent blues music.
The Blues Train is three old fashioned train carriage dining cars bulging with people and resonating to some swinging music. Each half hour there is a stop so people can top up their beverage supply and swap carriages to enjoy a new band or musician. Lawrence has an absolute ball and enjoys dancing with everyone along the journey. The Blues Train departs from Queenscliff and is also available for private functions.
Queenscliff Railway Station, 20 Symonds Street, Queenscliff
Ph 03 5258 4343
www.thebluestrain.com.au
Colonial Tramcar Restaurant
Glen dines at one of Melbourne's all time favourite restaurants, the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant.
Diners enjoy fine cuisine, the very best of Australian wines and a fully stocked bar, as they cruise the scenic streets of Melbourne. The atmosphere is cosy, the service friendly and the decor as inviting as the colonial period these trams reflect.
The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant officially commenced operation in August 1983 and has since become a star attraction and tourist symbol for the city of Melbourne. Dining aboard the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant is not only a culinary delight, but also a trip into a little piece of Victoria's history.
Ph 03 9696 4000
www.tramrestaurant.com.au
Martinis & Manicures
Carolyne indulges in a night out at Martinis & Manicures, held at Barcode in Melbourne Central on every second Wednesday of the month.
Get the girls together and sip fab cocktails as you're pampered by beauticians who specialise in manicures, hair styling, make-up and massages. Let the Tarot card reader give you a heads-up on the latest in your life and enjoy free interactive video and table games all night while topless male models entertain. Enjoy prizes, giveaways and much more.
Barcode Melbourne Central
6.30–9.30pm
Ladies only
Ph 03 9694 1230
www.3on3.com.au
