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Flights and travel guide to Melbourne

Melbourne is the second-largest city in Australia and the capital of the south-eastern state of Victoria, located at the head of Port Phillip Bay. Melbourne is generally regarded as Australia’s cultural capital. The city’s features include Victorian-era architecture, extensive shopping, many cultural institutions such as museums, galleries and theatres, and large parks and gardens. Melbourne’s 3.8 million population is both multicultural (with large Greek, Italian, Jewish, Vietnamese and other immigrant communities) and sports-mad. Reasons for tourists to visit Melbourne are to attend major sporting events, to use it as a base for exploring surrounding regions such as Grampians National Park, The Great Ocean Road, and to visit Phillip Island to view the penguin parade. Many UK visitors come to Melbourne for tours of filming locations of soap opera Neighbours .

Climate

It is often said that Melbourne has “four seasons in one day”. This is particularly common in late Autumn and early Spring, when the weather is quite changeable, although major extremes are rarely felt in one day. Statistically, Melbourne receives only about half of the average rainfall of Sydney, and generally receives about 600mm (24 inches) of rainfall annually, which is scattered throughout the year - October is usually considered to be statistically the wettest month. You can expect an average summer’s day (December, January & February) in Melbourne to be sunny with temperatures hovering around 26-30C (79-86F) with the warmest temperatures tending to be in the inland suburban locations and the coast tempered by a refreshing southerly seabreeze. Heatwaves are common during the summer and daytime temperatures can often exceed 40°C (104F) with hot northerly winds. The highest maximum temperature recorded in Melbourne was 46.4C (116F) in 2009. Despite the warm days Melbourne experiences in summer, humidity is rarely a problem and temperatures at night remain mildly comfortable with an average summer low usually about 16C (61F). Thunderstorms are more common in summer than winter but usually bring refreshing relief from the occasional stifling daytime temperatures. Winter (June, July & August) is usually cool - with a mix of clear, sunny weather and cold & damp conditions. Temperatures in winter can range from chilly overnight lows as low 2C (36F) to daytime highs as high as 19C (66F) at times. The coldest temperature recorded in Melbourne was -2.8C (27F) all the way back in 1869. Light snow has been recorded in and around Melbourne during the winter months only a couple of times over the last century, the hills east of the city however usually see a snow shower or two every winter. It is best advised to visit Melbourne in the autumn and spring - temperatures during these periods are usually very pleasant, without being unbearably warm and daytime highs are usually in the 20s Celsius (70s Fahrenheit).

Culture

Melbourne is often called the cultural capital of Australia, with its many art galleries, film festivals, orchestras, choral and opera productions, vibrant live music scene, and a strong food, wine and coffee culture. People in Melbourne tend to dress up more than in Sydney, partly due to the colder climate. Many bars and clubs have strict dress regulations, such as requiring collars and dress shoes for men.

Particular events to note include the Melbourne International Film Festival in August, the International Art Festival in October, and the Melbourne Comedy Festival in April, as well as individual concerts and exhibitions throughout the year. In addition to the Melbourne Museum, there are special museums dedicated to subjects such as science, immigration, Chinese history, Jewish history, sport, racing, film and moving image, railways, police, fire brigades and banking.

Melbourne nightlife is world famous and justifiably so. It’s 24 hours, loud, colourful and anything goes. Door policies are strict but once inside high quality entertainment is guaranteed. DJ’s, live music, artists, beautiful people and so much more can be found. There truly is something for everyone and every taste. Gay, lesbian and transgendered party goers are welcome everywhere as Melbournians are on the whole very tolerant and welcoming people. Perhaps the one bad thing is that nothing really starts happening until 12AM!

As a guide: The city centre has a number of pubs, the most famous being the Young and Jackson. Melbourne is also famous for it’s many trendy bars in the CBD. Most of these, however, are down narrow alleys and streets, and are therefore hard to find unless you know where you are going. The inner northern suburbs, such as Collingwood and Fitzroy cater for the young, laid-back, and bohemian crowd. Here you will find lots of live music, cheaper prices, and a relaxed atmosphere. Chapel Street/ Toorak Road in South Yarra and Prahran has the most glamourous bars and clubs. Here, expect high prices, strict dress codes, and beautiful people who want to be seen partying with the best. St. Kilda has a little bit of everything. With it’s proximity to the beach, it is often regarded as the Melbourne suburb that feels most like Sydney.

Get in

By plane

There are plenty of airlines offering flights to Melbourne from major UK airports including London Heathrow, Birmingham, Manchester, Aberdeen, Belfast, Glasgow, Cardiff, New Castle, London Gatwick.Melbourne is served by two airports, Melbourne Airport (International and Domestic) 22km north of the city centre, and Avalon Airport (Domestic), about 60km southwest of Melbourne towards Geelong.

Melbourne Airport (MEL)

Melbourne Airport (MEL, located 22 km north-west of the city centre adjacent to the suburb of Tullamarine, provides regular access from all major Australian cities, as well as many international destinations across Europe, America, Asia and the South Pacific region. Due to Australia’s isolation, many international flights go via an Asian hub (for example Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Hong Kong), a Pacific Hub like Auckland, and/or transfer in Sydney. The airport is divided into four terminals, T1, T2, T3 and T4. All bar T4 are in the same building.

T1 (the “North Terminal”) is used by Qantas and Jetstar domestic services.
T2 (the “International Terminal”) is used by all international airlines. It is the middle terminal of the airport.
T3 (the “South Terminal”) is used by Virgin Blue and REX Regional Express domestic services.
T4 is Australia’s first ever low cost carrier terminal, used by Tiger Airways Australia domestic services.

All arrivals are on the lower level of the terminals, with departures from the upper level. Unlike many airports around the world, all the terminals at Melbourne Airport are connected and within easy walking distance of each other. However, each terminal has separate security screening, and access between terminals is not available once in the sterile area.

Taxis between the airport and the city centre cost around $40-$45 and take about 25 minutes in clear traffic.

Skybus, runs a 24/7 shuttle to and from the Southern Cross Station Coach Terminal on Spencer Street at the west end of the Central Business District, just north of Lonsdale Street. The trip takes 20 minutes and is the fastest way between the airport and city by road (it uses an enhanced freeway route with bus lanes). It costs $16 adult one-way, $24 adult return, $5 child one-way (between 4 and 14 years of age). There are also several family ticket options available. There are two airport pickup locations. One is outside the Virgin Blue/REX terminal (T3), 50m from the international terminal (T2). The other is outside the Qantas/Jetstar domestic terminal (T1). There are ticket desks at both T1 and T3, and if unattended, tickets can be purchased electronically or from the driver.

Frequency ranges from hourly during the wee hours to quarter hourly from about 6:30AM-7:30PM (always on the quarter hour). They also run a connection service between the terminal and central hotels/hostels during the day (M-F 6AM-8PM, Sa-Su 8AM-6PM). Book hotel pick-up 3 hours ahead. Bookings are not needed for travel from the airport to hotels. It is worth noting that the Skybus will drop you at Southern Cross bus terminal, which is connected to Southern Cross train station, where you can board all suburban trains and country/interstate trains.

Avalon Airport (AVV)

Avalon Airport (AVV), is situated in the Geelong outer suburb of Lara. The airport is located 55 km to the south-west of Melbourne, and is considerably further from Melbourne CBD than the Melbourne airport at Tullamarine. It is a very basic terminal facility, but it has an ATM and a food outlet, as well as hire car facilities. Avalon Airport is serviced by Qantas subsidiary low-cost airline Jetstar from Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide. All Jetstar flights from Sydney arrive at Avalon.

Things to Do

See interesting films at the Art Deco-styled Astor Theatre in Windsor. There are several moonlight cinema programmes in summer. The Melbourne International Film Festival is on in August.
Visit a comedy club. The Comic’s Lounge has shows for $10-25 including a show filmed for Channel 31 on Mondays, or dinner and show for $45. The Comedy Club has dinner and show for $32 and shows only beginning at $7 (discount ticket price).
Watch the mesmorising process of personalised hard candy being hand-made at Suga. Around lunch time is a good time to see (and sample!). There is a store at Queen Victoria Market, but if you visit the Royal Arcade location, you can also watch chocolate making next door at Koko Black.
Watch a game of AFL football at the MCG or Telstra Dome during the winter, or a Cricket Match during the summer. AFL Fixtures and Cricket Fixtures, bookings at both the MCG and Telstra can be made through Ticketmaster, however for most games you can just turn up and pay the rates at the gate: this is the most authentic way to experience the game.
Kick back at one of Melbourne’s fantastic cafes in the CBD (Degraves St, The Causeway, and other laneways are fantastic for this), South Yarra (Chapel Street) or Fitzroy (Brunswick Street, Smith Street).
Melbourne has an exceptionally vibrant live music scene. Many bars and pubs will have copies of the free magazines “Beat” and “Inpress” which provide local gig guides. Fitzroy, Collingwood and St. Kilda are generally your best bets for seeing some of the great local talent Melbourne has to offer. Venues where you generally can’t go wrong include: “The Tote”, “The Evelyn” and “The Espy”.

Contact

Post

After a fire gutted the original building in 2001, most of Melbourne’s grand General Post Office (250 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne; Phone: 13 13 18; Fax: 9203 3078; Mon-Fri 8:30AM to 5:30PM, Sat 9AM to 4PM, Sun 10AM to 4PM) has now been turned into an upmarket retail precinct, but it still has a range of postal services including a post restante.

Phone

Telstra payphones are easily found through the city, but many are being phased out due to growing mobile phone ownership. These phones are coin-operated or use prepaid Telstra Phonecards, which are available from most convenience stores or newsagents. International calling cards are also available at these outlets.

Mobile phone coverage within the CBD and surrounds is usually good-to-excellent. Melbourne’s area code is 03 (internationally dial +613).

Internet

Internet cafes are dotted throughout the city, especially near the backpacker enclaves of St Kilda and Flinders Street. Speeds are usually excellent and rates range from $2.50 - $12 per hour, the cheapest usually found in combination market/internet cafes in the Asian parts of town. Some of the best include:

The store “mag nation” on 88 Elizabeth St has a free wireless network.
e:FiftyFive (55 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne) is like a huge basement lounge room that feels more like a bar than an internet cafe. Great DJs, comfortable couches and dirt-cheap $2/hour internet access when you buy a drink attract plenty of travellers and will make writing that email home an enjoyable experience.
VA (Bourke Street, Melbourne) is one of the countless but arguably the best internet/LAN gaming cafes in Melbourne, which is packed full of “hardcore gamers” on Sunday afternoons (sponsored competition day). Non-member rates start at $3.50/hour while membership costs a mere $15 (includes $12 credit) and benefits include play offers such as $4/2 hours, $5/3 hours and $6/4 hours, as well as day and night packages.
Cydus (Victoria Street, North Melbourne) large range of internet usage services every day and at any time (including most public holidays). Non-member rates start at $3/hour while membership costs $10 (includes 2 hours free play) and membership rates are $2/hour while member offers include “Endurance Pass” (5 hours play + $2.80 snack voucher) and “Survival Pass” (10 hours play).
The City Library, (253 Flinders Lane, Melbourne). Offers free internet access to members - temporary membership is available. The service will soon have charges.
The State Library. Offers free internet at many workstations and does not require membership. You can get a free membership for access to free wireless web access, however, the wireless access is limited and you may not be able to access some sites and services.
Melbourne Central shopping centre (corner of Swanston and La Trobe St) has free wireless internet access.
Australia on Collins shopping centre (on Collins St) has free wireless internet access.
You’ll also find, as of March 2009, that virtually every Mc Donald’s in the city has a free Wifi Hotspot. These hotspots have an idle time limit of 10mins and a down/upload limit of 50mb. There are also some browsing limitations, as Maccas is trying to keep this a ‘family friendly’ service. You can access MSN and most web-based e-mail services from these hotspots, but all peer2peer services are disallowed by the terms of service (which you have to agree to before you can get online).

Stay safe

While Melbourne is a very safe city for its size, the usual precautions still apply as for any large city, including keeping valuables hidden, and travelling with a friend or companion on the street or a train late at night, if possible. Certain areas which are fine during the day can be unsafe at night if you are alone, including the Collingwood and Footscray areas. However these areas are also heavily patrolled by the Victorian Police Force, so provided you stick to main streets (eg: for Collingwood - Smith Street), you should be fine.

Melbourne’s red-light districts include King Street in the CBD and Grey Street, St Kilda, but you’re more likely to face drunken revellers and unwelcome approaches from street walkers than any major threat. Melbourne City Council has also recently established all-night “Safe City” taxi ranks with security guards on King Street, outside Flinders Street Station and on Bourke Street.

If travelling by train at night, travel in the front carriage close to the driver’s area and note emergency buttons. If a problem occurs, push emergency buttons on the train or railway station to attract attention. Stay in Safety Zones while on stations at night. These are marked with yellow lines and are usually well lit and have emergency buttons as well as about 4 cameras pointed at the area. Robbery does happen on the train system, especially at night, though, this kind of occurance is rare. Railway police patrol most services. Due to recent spate of racist attacks on Indian students, people of Indian heritage should take extra precaution.

If you are driving your own car or rented automobile, car theft or break-in is possible. Avoid temptation by hiding valuables out of sight, and always lock the car and leave the windows up before you leave. If you are waiting in your car, it is only sensible to lock the car as well. A police officer will always show ID before asking you to open your door or window. Pickpocketing is rare in Melbourne, but be aware of your belongings out the front of Flinders Street Station and the first block of Swanston Street (between Flinders and Collins Streets). Beggars frequent the southern ends of Elizabeth and Swanston Streets, Bourke Street Mall, and the intersection of Bourke and Russell Streets. Very rarely are they threatening or aggressive however.

Although scams are rare in Melbourne, be wary of real estate agents (especially if you have newly arrived and plan to stay only for the short term). There have been many cases of real estate agents preying upon overseas students in particular. Common scams include charging tenants for costs that don’t exist (eg. charges for ‘advertising’ when tenants move out) and deducting costs for non-existent reparations and cleaning from the bond. Be sure to consult the Tenants Union of Victoria and know your rights when you are charged for anything and move in and out.

The infamous Melbourne gangland war which claimed many lives is now over and anything you see on the media to do with it is very rare to see now and it is dramatized and over the top anyway, as long you aren’t involved with Melbourne’s underworld you will not have anything to worry about. As with any large metropolis, be vigilant but not paranoid, as Melbourne is generally a very safe city.

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