IT'S A FREE WORLD:READER KEVIN Byrne from Celbridge, Co Kildare e-mailed to tell us that, while Australia can be an expensive country to visit, one city which has tried to ease the financial burden on tourists is Melbourne.
The city provides two free transport options for visitors. “The first involves the charming City Circle tram,” says Byrne, “which, as the name suggests, is an iconic, historical tram rattling around the outer limits of the central business district. From Sunday to Wednesday it operates from 10am to 6pm, while from Thursday to Saturday it runs until 9pm. It is a very convenient way of exploring the city, as complimentary maps and an audio commentary are provided and the trams run every 12 minutes throughout the day.”
The second freebie is the Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle bus which stops at key tourist attractions and destinations. “It’s a comfortable bus with a running commentary and passengers are free to hop on or off at any one of the 13 stops,” says Byrne. This service runs daily every 30 minutes, starting at 9.30am and finishing at 4.30pm.
Catch: the transport is great but a family ticket into Melbourne zoo, for example, costs from €42.39.
Take note: visitmelbourne. com.
TEMPLE HOUSEMusic and Arts Festival near Ballymote in Sligo is on June 10th to 12th and will have a walled garden with a planted magical plot especially for young visitors (under 12s) and their families.
The Temple House festival is very family-friendly – adults can take up to two children under 12 free when they purchase either a day ticket for €50 or a weekend ticket for €120. Tickets are available from ticketmaster.ie.
Kids and adults will be able to catch a show in the Glitter Bug Theatre, dance, juggle or make some music in the Bee Hive, get creative in the potting shed or relax in the lazy beds.
A programme of activity in Big Mama’s garden starts at 10am on Saturday and Sunday, and will continue until the bedtime parade at 8pm. This is a magical garden were imagination grows.
Catch: if you bring kids you might spend more time in the magic garden than anticipated.
Take note: the festival features over 100 Irish and international acts. There's also an arts trail featuring work by local and national artists from giant pink flamingos to punk birds. See templehousefestival.com.
VISIT SCOTLANDis trying to lure tourists with free offers and ideas of fun things to do in Scotland that cost under £20 (€23) this summer. Some of the free activities include climbing the extinct volcano, Arthur's Seat, in Edinburgh which has views across the Firth of Forth.
You get a child free with every adult ticket for the Museum of Scottish Lighthouse and admission is free to the Edinburgh Old Town Weaving House where tartans are made. There are also over 50 nature reserves across Scotland.
Catch: Some under £20 (€23) ideas – like the royal yacht Britannia where an adult ticket is £11.50 (€13.30) and a child ticket is £7 (€8.10) – are only under £20 (€23) if you are travelling on your own or with one child.
Take note: visitscotland.com.
Found a freebie on holiday? Tell me about it. E-mail emorgan@irishtimes.com
