MELBOURNE
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CLIMATE
Melbourne has a temperate oceanic climate, known for its fickle weather - the city has been described as having four seasons in one day - but it can still be enjoyed all year round.
Melbourne enjoys warm summers, glorious springs, mild autumns and crisp winters.
Summer runs from December to February and temperatures range from 14–26˚C. Autumn goes from March to May and temperatures range from 10–21˚C. Winter is from June to August and temperatures range from 6–14˚C and Spring is from September to November with temperatures from 9–20˚C.
Melbourne's top temperatures are usually in January and February. Those months are often dry, with hot spells and cooling afternoon breezes off Port Phillip Bay. June and July are the coldest months, and October is the wettest.
Annual average rainfall for Melbourne is around 650mm − less wet than Sydney.
Visit the Australian Government's official Bureau of Meteorology website for monthly temperature and rainfall averages across Victoria.
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SERVICES
Post offices are open from 9am–5pm Monday to Friday, with some open on Saturday mornings. Travellers can collect mail at post offices throughout Australia.
During a life-threatening or time-critical emergency contact police, ambulance and/or fire brigade by calling Triple Zero (000). The Triple Zero service is an operator-assisted service that connects callers to the most relevant emergency service organisation (police, fire brigade, or ambulance). Calls to Triple Zero are free and can be made from all telephones (landline, mobile devices, and payphones). When you dial Triple Zero services, the most important thing to remember is to stay focused, stay relevant, and stay on the line. Additionally, mobile users can dial 112 while the 106 emergency number connects to a text-based relay service for people who have a hearing or speech impairment.
Australia has a high-standard healthcare system offering a mix of public and private services. Several public hospitals with accident, emergency, and outpatient services are located close to inner-city Melbourne, while private medical practitioners can be easily located through the Yellow Pages website. Some international travellers will find their country has reciprocal healthcare agreements with Australia. As a general guide, these agreements provide for any ill-health episode requiring prompt medical attention. Comprehensive travel insurance is always recommended.
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LOCAL LAWS
Smoking is banned in all outdoor dining areas. Smoking is also prohibited on all areas of train stations and raised platform tram stops.
The legal drinking age is 18 and identification is required to enter licensed premises or to purchase alcohol. It is an offence to drink alcohol or possess an opened alcoholic drink in a public place.
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PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Public holidays differ from state to state in Australia, please click here view the public holidays for Victoria.
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GETTING AROUND MELBOURNE
Airports
There are two airports that service Melbourne, Avalon airport and Melbourne airport, Tullamarine.
Melbourne Airport
On site services include shops and tax free shopping for international travellers, lockers, ATMs, currency exchange, restaurants, bars, information and car rental desks and, for departing travellers, a refund booth to reclaim Goods and Services Tax (GST) on some goods. There is also parking, for a fee. Three hotels are within a five minute walk of airport terminals. Choose from the Parkroyal, Holiday Inn and Ibis budget.
Terminals
T1 – Qantas domestic
T2 – International
T3 – Virgin Australia domestic
T4 – Jetstar, Tigerair and Regional Express Airlines (REX) domestic
Checking in
The check in time for International departures is approximately 2.5 hours before the flight's scheduled departure. Check in time for domestic departures is 1 hour before the flight's scheduled departure. For more information please check with your airline.
To and from Tullamarine
Melbourne Airport is approximately 20 kilometres or 25 minutes northwest of the city and can be easily reached by car, taxi or bus.
Avalon Airport
Avalon Airport has a cafe, bar, gift shop, family area, information desk, and ample parking (free for 40 minutes).
Checking in
Flight check in desks open two hours prior to departure and close 30 minutes before the flight is scheduled to leave.
To and from Avalon
Avalon Airport is 55 km from central Melbourne (a 45 minute drive), and 19 km from central Geelong (a 15 minute drive).
Getting around Melbourne
Most visitors base themselves in the city centre, the buzzing commercial heart of Melbourne that's also home to museums, theatres, restaurants, bars and shops. Melbourne's grid layout makes it an easy city to navigate, with most attractions within walking distance. Transport options include train, tram, bus or bike. The Night Network also operates on weekends with after-hours transport to many locations.
myki is Melbourne's ticket to travel on the city's trains, trams and buses. It's a plastic smartcard with stored value which can be topped up and re-used again. Purchase your myki online at the PTV website, premium train stations, retail outlets displaying the myki sign (including 7-Elevens), or by calling 1800 800 007 (free from a land line) in Australia.
For flexible travel, buy a myki explorer pack from Melbourne Visitor Centre, Federation Square, the PTV Hub at Southern Cross Station (corner Swanston and Little Collins streets), SkyBus terminals and some hotels. Packs include a pre-loaded myki card with enough value for one day of travel in Zone 1 and 2, instructions on how to use myki, a Melbourne tram map and discount entry to Melbourne attractions.
Melbourne's metro trains run between the outer suburbs and Flinders Street Station in the city. The city loop is Melbourne's underground system, with five stations in the central business district: Southern Cross Station, Flagstaff, Melbourne Central, Parliament and Flinders Street. Southern Cross Station is Melbourne's hub for regional and interstate trains. Plan your trip with Public Transport Victoria's journey planner.
Passengers can board trams at signposted stops displaying maps, route numbers and a timetable. Route numbers are also displayed on the front of the tram. Travel within the central area of Melbourne by tram is free, though you will need a myki card if you plan to start or finish your journey outside of this central area. For more information on the area covered by the Free Tram Zone and a downloadable map, go to the Public Transport Victoria website.
Melbourne buses run frequently to major hubs, including shopping centres, schools, hospitals, leisure and sports venues, and some of Melbourne's biggest attractions. For people travelling further afield, Victoria's V/Line service gives access to regional towns and scenic attractions across the state.
Fare types: Outside of the Free Tram Zone, Melbourne has two transit zones (1 and 2), with a single price to travel across both. It is cheaper to travel in Zone 2 only. Train travel completed before 7.00am on a weekday is free. For more information on ticketing and timetables, visit the Public Transport Victoria website.
Regional Victoria: V/Line is Victoria's regional train and bus provider, operating services across the state. Visit V/Line for timetables, maps and other information, if you plan to explore Victoria by train.
Maps: View the Inner Melbourne Map for an overview of tram, train and bus routes, parks, landmarks and attractions, bike paths and walking trails. Street and transport maps are also displayed on the wall at many train stations, at tram and bus shelters and are available from visitor information centres. On your mobile device use our m.visitvictoria.com 'Nearby' mode for a mapped list of attractions, shops, food and wine options close to your current location while you're out and about.
Taxi and rideshare: Melbourne taxis are easy to spot, as they display a lamp on the cab roof and most are painted yellow, silver or white. You can book taxi cab pick up for a set location, or take one from a cab rank at signposted spots. You may also hail a taxi in the street. If the rooftop lamp is lit, the taxi is usually unoccupied and available for hire. Rideshare trips with the Uber app are also increasingly popular in Melbourne. The app shows a fare estimate, the driver's picture, vehicle details, and tracks the trip on a map.
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THINGS TO DO IN MELBOURNE
Melbourne is a city that knows how to live. The winner of the 2017 Global Liveability Ranking list for the World’s most liveable cities, Melbourne has ranked first for a record seventh consecutive year. Get a taste of why Melbourne is the world’s most liveable city, choose from high-end cuisine to basement rock gigs, plays, festivals and blockbuster sporting events – all happening across a city full of parks, gardens and historic architecture.
Laneways and byways
Explore historic arcades and laneways lined with fine dining restaurants, chic cafes, hidden bars and fashion boutiques or head to one of the many lush gardens throughout the city.
Cheer on your heroes
Discover Melbourne's obsession with football, cricket, soccer and just about anything else that involves working up a sweat. Head to the sports precinct to visit the hallowed ground of the MCG.
Festival fever
In Melbourne everything has its own festival. From food, film, art and music festivals to celebrations of writing, anime, design and projections – get involved and experience the city through the arts.
Click here for more information on Major events or to see the top attractions in Melbourne, click here.
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TIME ZONE
Melbourne operates on Australian Eastern Standard Time: GMT +10 hours. Daylight savings times (DST) apply in Victoria, from the first Sunday in October until the first Sunday of April. During this period Melbourne operates on GMT +11 hours (accounting for DST in use +1 hour.)
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VISITOR INFORMATION SERVICES
Stop by for advice about local events, or find out about tours and local attractions. Take an orientation tour with the Melbourne Greeter Service or explore on your own and ask the roving red-jacketed City Ambassadors your city questions as you go.
Melbourne Visitor Centre
Swanston Street and Flinders Street,, Federation Square, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004
03 9658 9658
Daily: 9:00am - 6:00pm (Good Friday 10am to 5pm, Closed Christmas Day)
E: visitor@melbourne.vic.gov.au
Melbourne Visitor Booth
Daily: 9:00am - 5:00pm (Closed on Good Friday and Christmas Day)
03 9658 9658
E: visitor@melbourne.vic.gov.au
For a full list of Visitor Information Centres click here .
Melbourne Airport Ambassadors & Visitor Information
The Travellers’ Information Service (TIS) is located on the ground floor of the international arrivals hall in T2.
TIS can help you with accommodation, tour bookings, rental car reservations, transportation services, special needs, airport information and more.
The service desk is open 7am – midnight, seven days a week.
See here for more information about TIS.
Contact
General Airport Information Phone: +61 3 9297 1805
Email: traveller.information@melair.com.au
Travel Information & Booking Service Phone: +61 3 8326 3347
Email: melbairport@ausvc.com.au
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For more information on where to eat, drink, shop, play, and stay in Melbourne, go to http://www.visitmelbourne.com/Regions/Melbourne.
