Author: Philip Mallis
The tank that Australia built
The story of Australia’s first locally-designed and manufactured tank is a fascinating one. I think that it’s an overlooked part of our history that deserves more recognition than it currently has. (Post title reference) During the Second World War, tanks and other armoured vehicles became increasingly important. Mechanised warfare played out on a much larger…
Where are the busiest bus stops in Melbourne?
Update 3:25pm 24/07/2020: It’s been brought to my attention that some of the figures below are incorrect due to an error with amalgamating patronage data from multiple stops. I’m working to fix it ASAP and will update here again once it’s complete. Update 7:45pm 24/07/2020: I’ve tried several programs and techniques but nothing seems to…
Six least understood Victorian road rules
There are several hundred rules and regulations governing what is permitted and prohibited on Victoria’s streets, roads and paths. The large majority of these are covered by the Road Safety Road Rules 2017 and Road Management Act 2004. Despite driving tests, public education campaigns and the fact that being out on our streets and roads…
Melbourne’s strange tram stop names
I once came across this curious Google Maps error which placed a tram stop from Pascoe Vale outside the North Balwyn Coles for over two years. Ever since then, I’ve been paying more attention to the names given to tram stops. There are stops named for things that no longer exist or have been rebranded:…
The hidden way to access platforms at Melbourne Central Station
Everyone knows about the lifts and escalators to access the underground Melbourne Central Station. But it seems that far fewer people know about the ‘manual’ way to access your train. In the north-west corner of the concourse for the Elizabeth Street entrance to the station, you will find a small entrance to a set of…
Which is the oldest roundabout in Melbourne?
Finding out which roundabout was the first to be built in Melbourne may be one of the most vexxed and complicated local history topics possible. There are so many contradictory sources that it takes a long time to unwravel exactly what has happened in the past. We’ll start by listing the roundabouts that have claimed…
Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on cycling in Melbourne – a first glance
Anyone who has been out on Melbourne’s street network or shared paths will have witnessed the explosion in the number of people walking and cycling. Until now, this increase has been purely anecdotal. The other day I had a brief look at the bicycle volume and speed data from the Victorian Government data portal, just…
Which is the largest suburb in Melbourne?
In a recent conversation I was talking about the smallest and largest suburbs in Melbourne. It seems that while quite a few people have worked out the smallest ones, nobody has yet identified the largest (if you have and Google didn’t show it up please let me know). Methodology Generally I define a ‘suburb’ that…
Offer of help: journey planning for your bicycle route
Since the COVID-19 situation has changed rapidly over the past 1-2 weeks and people are now seriously avoiding public transport, there seem to be many more people people riding bikes around Melbourne. Many of them seem to be people who have had bikes kicking around in their garage but have ridden very little in the…
Hike & ride to the You Yangs
Just after New Years Eve and before the smoke had started to set in, I went out to visit the You Yangs – a small cluster of hills about 55 kilometres south-west of Melbourne. Because I don’t drive I usually plan my hiking trips around access to public transport. But the You Yangs have none…