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5 Essential iPhone Apps for Visitors to the 2014 Aus Open

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Whether you live in Melbourne, or you’re visiting in order to attend the Australian Open, these iPhone apps will enhance your experience.

You can find out more about them on the websites below, or download them straight from the App Store.

1. Australian Open Tennis Championships – free iPhone App

Read more about the iPhone, iPad and Android Apps on the Australian Open website.

Screen shot 2014-01-06 at 6.29.15 PM

2. Tram Tracker

If you’re like me and you don’t like waiting around for public transport without knowing how long you’ll be waiting, get the Tram Tracker app. It gives you tram arrival information and also shows you what tram stops are close by and where trams go to from those stops.

Visit http://tramtracker.yarratrams.com.au/

There is also a Metlink App for train, tram and bus timetables.

Flinders Street tram stop

3. Deck of Secrets

Some of the best bars and restaurants in Melbourne are the ones that are the hardest to find. If you’d rather persevere to find the fab local spots instead of settling in at the first place you see that looks OK, definitely check out the Deck of Secrets.

This originally started as pack of cards that show “52 of the finest bars in town” which are available to buy online, or you can pick up a copy at the Tourist Information place in Federation Square.

Or if you prefer an iPhone app, there is a free app that shows 6 bars and you can buy a version that covers 52 bars for $4.99.

There are also Decks of Secrets to help you find bars, restaurants, places to shop, weekend escapes and other cool stuff all around so be careful, you might get hooked!

4. Yelp

Yelp helps you search for everything local. Places are ranked based on people’s reviews.

We started using this App when we were in New York for the US Open in 2012. Although I don’t think it’s as widely used in Australia as in the US, it’s still a handy App. As someone on a gluten-free diet, I particularly liked it for finding nearby gluten free food options.

As well the App, find out more on the Yelp Melbourne website.

5. Melbourne Coffee Review

In Melbourne we take our coffee seriously and an incredible amount of business in done in local cafes. But again, if coffee is an important part of your day (as it is for me, very much so!), you don’t wan’t to risk bringing the day down with a bad cup of coffee.

The app shows you cafes that are nearby, or you can search by suburb and pick your preferred option based on their “3 bean rating system”.

Southgate is one of many areas in Melbourne full of restaurants and bars

Search for these essential iPhone apps using the names in the subheadings above. And if you of any other useful apps, please leave a comment and let us know.

Until next time

Grand Slam Gal

P.S. While you’re here you’re welcome to:

Comments

  1. The Aus Open app is normally very good. Last year there was free wifi but it seemed to be a bit intermittent. Great for checking the scores on other courts and the schedule for the next day.

    If you have an ipad and you love to have stats and facts at your fingertips I can recommend downloading the ATP tour media guide. It is a free download from the ATP site and is 259 pages of stats including much better profiles than the Aus Open Program.

    I had a look at the WTA site the other day and they only seemed to have the 2013 version. Hopefully they will put up the 2014 version by Monday.

  2. Melbourne Coffee Review looks like a great app. Being a non-coffee drinker, it isn’t something that I will benefit from but I’ll definitely recommend it to my friend who’s coming from Canada for the AO, and is very excited at the prospect of ALL THE COFFEE!!!