Hit'The Neighbours Tour & Neighbours Night'\

Meet the Soaps Stars in Melbourne, Australia

Sep 19, 2009

Melbourne has many tourist attractions but for many fans of daytime soap opera Neighbours, its biggest draw is meeting stars at The Neighbours Tour & The Neighbours Night

Most people don't even know their own neighbours but chances are most know and love those from fictional Aussie suburb Erinsborough. Now preparing to celebrate its 25th year on air, Neighbours streams into over 60 countries, attracts some 150 million viewers worldwide and draws thousands of soap-loving tourists to Melbourne where it's filmed. With that in mind, Melbourne company Backpacker King set up two very neighbourly extravaganza's: The Neighbours Tour & The Neighbours Night.

Especially for fans of the famous Australian soap, the 'Official Neighbours Tour' is the best way to see Ramsay Street and its surrounds. The only tour company approved by the Neighbours' production company, Grundy Television, Backpacker King run two types of Neighbours tours.

Tour A, the basic tour, runs twice daily, Monday - Friday and costs $40. Visiting Pin Oak Court a.k.a. Ramsay Street, and passing by Erinsborough High School, the tour also sees fans meet and greet a surprise member of cast every time. If you're lucky, you may even catch them filming so camera's at the ready.

The more comprehensive Tour B runs every weekend, over the festive season and on the New Year. At $65, it's slightly more expensive but, as expected, better. Basically Tour A with extra's, Tour B also gives fans access to the outdoor studio sets, including the Lassiter's Complex, Lou's Mechanics, Grease Monkeys and even Harold Bishop's old allotment. While the indoor sets of the show are off-limits, the outdoor sets are located within the Grundy TV studio grounds, sacred ground in itself.

Phenomenally popular, the Neighbours Tour has become a must for tourists in Melbourne. Book tickets online or at the Neighbours Shop, 570 Flinders Street.

But for fans eager and waiting for more Ramsay Street madness, 'The Neighbours Night' can't be missed. Hugely popular, the 'Meet your Neighbours Trivia Night' takes place every Monday night at British pub, The Elephant & Wheelbarrow' in bayside suburb, St Kilda.

On the night, fans get the chance to rub shoulders with a selection of the shows stars, both past and present. Fans get a chance to pur their questions to the actors who, in the midst of the general knowledge quiz hoopla, take the time to meet and greet every paying fan in the room, giving everyone a fantastic photo opportunity and chance to grab an autograph or two.

While the stars appearing tend to vary each night, Alan Fletcher – better known as philandering Dr Karl Kennedy - is a regular, appearing every Monday night as leading man of both the evening itself and of his band 'Waiting Room' which entertains the fans well into the wee hours.

With up to 300 fervent fans turning up each night, tickets ($40) go fast. Book tickets online or at the Neighbours Shop.

Visit Pin Oak Court, Libby & Dan's Wedding Venue & The Neighbours Shop

But for the really serious fans out there, there are many locations used in the show which are free to visit. Although Pin Oak Court (a.k.a. Ramsay Street) is blocked off during filming, fans are welcome to watch from a distance and the lucky ones may even get the chance to have a neighbourly chat with the cast. Everyday, numerous fans make the pilgrimage solo to Pin Oak in Vermont South, Melbourne. To get there, catch Tram 75 from Flinders St, get off at Stop 73 at the corner of Springvale Road and Burwood Highway. Walk south to Weeden Drive and Australia's most famous street is third on the left.

For fans of Erinsborough's golden couple, Libby and Dan, a trip to Montsalvat is a must. The location of the couples ill-fated wedding earlier this year, Montsalvat is a charming historic artists colony in rural Eltham, 30 minutes from the city. Beautiful and rustic, it's a popular venue for real-life weddings too. Admission is $12, providing the chance to walk around the gardens, admire the elegant dining hall and most importantly, see the courtyard where Libby dramatically collapsed in her new husband's arms.

To get there, take the Hurstbridge train from Flinders Station, alight at Eltham station, walk right from the station and follow the signs.

Last but not least, there's the Neighbours Shop. Located at 570 Flinders St, the store sells Neighbours merchandise of all forms and is simply a must for any fan of the show.

The copyright of the article Hit'The Neighbours Tour & Neighbours Night'\ in Australian/NZ TV is owned by Eva Hogan. Permission to republish Hit'The Neighbours Tour & Neighbours Night'\ in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.