General Melbourne Information | Travellers Guide |
Here is a travellers guide to useful information they will need while staying in Melbourne. See below for links to more useful information.General Information & AdviceMelbourne Time Zone Difference Melbourne is located in the Australian "Eastern Time" zone. -:- Standard Time difference to UTC/Greenwich Mean Time: +10 hours. -:- Daylight Saving Time difference to UTC/Greenwich Mean Time: +11 hours. For More Information: Standard Shopping Hours Monday to Saturday 9am to 6pm extending to 9pm on Friday nights. On Sundays in the CBD and some shopping centres, many shops open from 9am to 5pm. Cost of Living Comparatively cheap compared to the UK and USA, for eating out, although groceries and other shopping expenses tend to be similar. (Other than meat products which are quite a bit cheaper). Like all worldwide cities, Melbourne can be very expensive for eating out, accommodation and activities although transport tends to be fairy reasonable. Tipping Tipping is not a general custom in Australia, and is at your discretion. Although Tipping is not a custom in Australia, if you receive good service you may choose to tip 10% at cafes and restaurants. In taxis, no more than rounding off the fare to the next dollar is generally followed. ElectricityAustralian Power Points use 3-Pin Plugs - an earthing pin that points downward, and two flat pins above that form an upside down V-shape. (see picture) Australian Power Points output 240/250 Volts AC 50Hz. Multi-purpose Adaptors for international appliances can be easily purchased from Electrical Retailers throughout Melbourne. Australian Postal System Australia Post outlets are open: 8:30am - 5:00pm Monday to Friday. (Some outlets open Saturday) 45c for postage of a standard letter around Australia 7-10 days postage time to the UK and USA. Fair Trading If you would like help or advice about issues of fair trading and consumer rights then contact: The Traveller Consumer Helpline on Phone: 1300 552 001 Language Interpreters will be available to handle any complaints you may have - English and many minority language services offered. TransportPublic Transport Melbourne has a wide range of public transport services operating throughout Melbourne, the Suburbs and Regional Victoria. Transport services include Buses, Trains, and of course the Trams that Melbourne is famous for. There also Train and Coach services that travel from Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station to many regional and rural parts of Victoria and also interstate. Flights The vast size of Australia makes flying the most convenient method of intercity travel, with several Flight providers offering many services. The Major Domestic Airports within Victoria are: For Website of Melbourne Airport: Visit Here For Website of Avalon Airport: Visit Here Road In country Victoria, a full set of spare tyres should be carried, along with water, food, petrol and a First Aid Kit. Driver Documentation A national license, valid for 3 months, must be carried whilst driving. If driving around Victoria there are a few rules and regulations you should be aware of. These include: -::- Drive on the left-hand side of the road. -::- Always carry a valid driving license, and a translation if the license isn't in English. -::- Make sure everyone in the vehicle is wearing a seatbelt or child restraint. -::- Do not speed (the average speed limit in built up areas is 60km). -::- Do not drive whilst using a mobile phone. -::- Do not drink and drive. Lockers are available at Travellers’ Aid located corner Bourke and Swanston Streets, Melbourne. Tel 9654 2600. Travellers’ Aid offers assistance for stranded travellers is located at 169 Swanston Walk, Melbourne. Tel 9654 2600. Telephone CommunicationsIf you are making calls within Australia then remember that telephone numbers beginning with 1800 are free, and numbers beginning with 13 are charged at the local rate (which is generally 40c). Useful numbers Directory assistance national: 12455 Directory Enquiries (Australia): 1223 Directory Enquiries (International): 1225 Operated assisted calls: 1234 Reverse charges calls local or international: 12550 Call connect: 12456 Time: 1194 Weather: 1196 A good option while visiting Melbourne is to buy a mobile phone, which if you buy a Pre Paid phone is generally quite cheap, although calls are quite expensive. There are 3 main mobile phone networks in Australia, Telstra, Optus and Vodaphone. They all offer Pre Paid mobile phone packages, which can be a good idea if travelling around. Although most areas in Australia do have coverage, some places in the outback and between towns and cities aren't within the coverage – check with your telecommunications provider about available coverage. International Area CodesTo make outgoing calls from Australia to Other Countries you need to first dial the Australia International Direct Dial code which is 0011 followed by the appropriate country code and finally the overseas phone number you are calling. eg: 0011 + Country Code + Phone Number International Area Codes
Italy: +39 Austria: +43 Belgium: +32 China: +86 United Kingdom: +44 New Zealand: +64 Germany: +49 France: +33 Singapore: +65 Netherlands: +31 Vietnam: +84 Note: Fax calls require the 0015 IDD code. Customs & Duty Free ConcessionThe following duty-free concessions are available to travellers provided that they do not exceed the specified amounts. Group 1 - general A$900 worth of goods (A$450 for people under 18 and both air and sea crew members ) including gifts (given to you or intended for others), souvenirs, cameras, electronic equipment, leather goods, perfume concentrates, jewellery, watches and sporting equipment. Alcohol and tobacco products cannot be included in this concession. These goods can be: -::- obtained overseas -::- purchased in Australia duty or tax free before departure -::- goods for which a tax refund has been approved through the Tourist Refund Scheme -::- purchased from an inwards duty free shop on arrival. Group 2 - alcohol 2.25 litres of alcoholic beverages for each passenger aged 18 years or over. Group 3 - tobacco 250 cigarettes, or 250 grams of cigars or tobacco products for each passenger aged 18 years or over. One opened packet containing 25 cigarettes or less is also allowed. NOTE: However, if you exceed any of the concession limits set out above, Customs will charge you duty and tax on the entire importation or purchase within that group of items. You can pool your duty free concessions if you are a family travelling together. Family means husband and wife and, if any, a child who is, or children who are, under the age of 18 years.
-::- Business Travellers -::- Domestic Passengers on Cruise Ships -::- Unaccompanied Goods Visit: www.customs.gov.au Prohibited & Restricted Items Amounts of $A10000 or more, or equivalent in foreign currency (meaning notes and coins of legal tender), must be reported on arrival or departure. Travellers arriving to or departing from Australia must also, if required to do so by Customs, declare Bearer Negotiable Instruments (cash equivalents such as cheques, travellers cheques and money orders). On arriving in Australia it is prohibited to carry the usual items such as weapons, firearms and all medicinal drugs. You will need to declare any animal or plant objects as well as fresh food or face heavy fines and in some cases imprisonment. The main purpose of this is to stop unwanted disease entering the country. If you are taking medications, you should contact the consulates or embassies of countries to be visited well before departure to confirm that the medicines and the quantities to be carried are permitted. It might also help in your dealings with Australian and overseas authorities if you have a prescription and a doctor's letter explaining your medical condition and the medications, prescription and otherwise, that you are taking for it. Taking prescription medicine subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) overseas that are not for your personal use or for the use of someone travelling with you, is illegal. A $5000 fine and/or a two-year jail sentence is the penalty for dealing with PBS medicine in a way other than which it was meant. Goods and Services Tax (GST) Australia has a Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10 per cent on most goods and services such as accommodation, day tours, guides, translators, food, transport (including coach, rail and cruise) and other tourism services within Australia. International airfares do not attract GST. For international visitors, all prices quoted for a Victorian holiday will include the 10 per cent GST, payable at the time of ticketing. Tourism Refund Scheme (TRS) Departing travellers may be able to claim a refund for GST and WET (Wine Equalisation Tax) paid on goods purchased in Australia. The refund is applicable to goods, totalling at least $A300 (GST inclusive) that are being taken out of Australia and that have been purchased no earlier than 30 days before leaving Australia. TRS facilities are located at international airports and cruise-liner terminals. To claim, make sure you have your passport, international boarding pass, retailer’s tax invoice and the goods. Other conditions may apply To Learn More about the Tourist Refund Scheme: Visit Here VaccinationsNo specific vaccinations are required for entry into Australia. However, a yellow fever vaccination certificate will be required if travelling from an infected area. If you are planning any stopovers on route it is advisable to check with your General Practitioner well in advance. SafetyAustralia is one of the safest destinations in the world, but you should observe the same precautions with your personal safety and possessions as you would in any other country or at home. Talk to other travellers about their experiences for advice, and invest in comprehensive travel insurance before departing. Tourists should always take care and be especially cautious when using ATMs. Triple Zero (000) is Australia's primary Emergency Call Service number and should be used to access emergency assistance from all telephones (landline, mobile phones and payphones) in the first instance. 112 is the GSM standard Emergency Call Service number for use with GSM mobile phones, and offers special access features (see below). 112 can also be dialled from other mobile phones, but will only offer the same features that dialling Triple Zero (000) provides. Check with your mobile phone service provider if you are not sure of the type of handset you have. Your provider can explain how to access the Emergency Call Services using your handset. It is important to understand that while 112 can be reached on both GSM and 3G mobile phones, 112 will only provide additional features when dialled from GSM mobile phones. If you are using a 3G mobile phone, you should dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency situation. 106 is the text-based Emergency Call Service for people who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment. This service operates using a TTY (teletypewriter) and does not accept voice calls or SMS messages. Both 112 and 106 are secondary emergency call services numbers because they are for use only in relation to particular technologies. HealthcareVisitors from: The Republic of Ireland and New Zealand The Australian Government has signed Reciprocal Health Care Agreements with the governments of the Republic of Ireland and New Zealand which entitles you to limited subsidised health services for medically necessary treatment while visiting Australia. As a resident of the Republic of Ireland or New Zealand you are covered for the duration of your approved visit to Australia. As a resident of the Republic of Ireland or New Zealand you are entitled to free treatment as a public in-patient or outpatient at a public hospital and access to subsidised medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme during your visit to Australia. This covers any ill health or injury needing medical treatment while in Australia. To access these benefits you should show your passport at hospitals or pharmacies. You are not entitled to Medicare benefits for non-hospital medical care and you will not be issued with a Medicare card. Visitors from: United Kingdom, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Netherlands, Malta and Italy The Australian Government has signed Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCA) with the governments of the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland, Norway, Malta and Italy which entitles you to limited subsidised health services for medically necessary treatment while visiting Australia. If you applied for or received Subclass Visa 410 (Retiree Visa) prior to 1 December 1998 you may apply to participate in the Medicare program under the RHCA of your home country. If you applied for Subclass Visa 410 on or after 1 December 1998 you are not eligible for enrolment in the Medicare program and are not eligible under the RHCA. If you are a resident of the United Kingdom, Sweden, Finland, Norway or the Netherlands you are covered for the duration of your approved visit to Australia. As a resident of Malta or Italy you are covered for a period of six months from the date you arrive in Australia. As a resident of one of these countries you are entitled to the following for any ill-health or injury requiring treatment while in Australia: -::- free treatment as a public in-patient or outpatient in a public hospital -::- subsidised medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme -::- Medicare benefits for out-of-hospital medical treatment provided by doctors through private surgeries and community health centres. For More Information on Medicare: Visit Here Australian CurrencyAustralia has a decimal system with 100 cents to the dollar (AUD$). Coins have values of 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, and AUD$1 and AUD$2; notes have values of AUD$5, AUD$10, AUD$20, AUD$50 and AUD$100. You can exchange money at most of the major banks, and also withdraw money from any ATM. The major banks include ANZ, Commonwealth, National, St George and Westpac. However, there are not as many banks and ATM's in smaller Victorian country towns so take cash. You’ll also find ATM’s at most major Convenience Stores such as 7-11, or at service stations. If you want to open an Australian account it is best to do so within 6 weeks of arriving. Banks and foreign exchange Melbourne’s banking hours are generally Monday to Thursday 9am–4pm and Friday 9am–5pm. All the major banks, such as Westpac, ANZ, Commonwealth and National Australia Bank, have offices in Melbourne, as well as in cities and many of the larger towns in regional Victoria. In smaller centres, you may have to rely on the local post office or newsagent. In Melbourne, all main banks are equipped to exchange foreign currency. You can also exchange foreign currency any day or night at the airport, or during normal business hours at foreign exchange bureaus in Melbourne's central business district. All major credit cards and traveller's cheques, in any international currency, are widely accepted at most major bank branches.
9:30am – 4:00pm Monday to Thursday 9:30am – 5:00pm Fridays. Travellers cheques and plastic Brands like American Express and Travelex are widely accepted in Victoria, and can be cashed at banks, foreign exchange brokers, larger hotels and restaurants, and for car rental. Passport ID is required when you cash travellers cheques. Fees for changing travellers cheques vary from bank to bank. Major credit cards – Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Bankcard, Diners Club and their affiliates – are widely accepted throughout Victoria. Some retailers in larger centres will also accept JCB cards. Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) with around-the-clock access are available in convenient locations like banks, along main shopping streets and in malls. Financial Services
Western Union: 1800 649 565
Diners Club: (61) (3) 8054444 Mastercard: 1800 120 113 Visa: 1800 125 161
Thomas Cook: 1800 127 495 Visa: 1800 127 477 Victorian Visitor Information & Tourism CentresAlbury Wodonga Gateway Visitor Information Centre Lincoln Causeway, Wodonga, Victoria 3690 Ph: 1300 796 222 Alexandra Information Centre Ph: (03) 5772 1100 Apollo Bay Visitor Information Centre PO Box 22, Apollo Bay, Victoria 3233 Ph: (03) 5237 6529 Ararat & Grampians Visitor Information Centre 91 High Street, Ararat, Victoria 3377 Ph: (03) 5355 0281 Bairnsdale Visitor Information Centre 240 Main Street, Bairnsdale, Victoria 3875 Ph: (03) 5152 3444 Ballarat Gateway Tourist Information Service Western Highway, Ballarat, Victoria 3350 Ph: (03) 5334 7943 Ballarat Visitor Information Centre 39 Sturt Street, Ballarat, Victoria 3352 Ph: (03) 5320 5741 Beaufort Information Centre 69 Neill Street, Beaufort, Victoria 3373 Ph: (03) 5349 3122 Beechworth Tourist Information Centre 36 Camp Street, Beechworth, Victoria 3747 Ph: (03) 5728 1374 / Ph: (03) 5728 3233 Benalla Visitor Information Centre 14 Mair Street, Benalla, Victoria 3672 Ph: (03) 5762 1749 Bendigo Visitor Information Centre 51- 67 Pall Mall, Bendigo, Victoria 3550 Ph: (03) 5444 4445 Blackwood Visitors Information Centre 7 Martin Street, Blackwood, Victoria 3458 Ph: 1800 659 667 / Ph: (03) 5368 6525 Bright Visitors Centre Ph: (03) 5755 2275 Bundoora Park Visitors Centre Ph: (03) 9462 4079 Camperdown Visitor Information Centre 179 Manifold Street, Camperdown, Victoria 3260 Ph: (03) 5593 3390 Casterton Visitor Information Centre Ph: (03) 5581 2070 Castlemaine Tourist Information Centre The Market Building, Mostyn Street, Castlemaine, Victoria 3450 Ph: (03) 5470 6200 Central Gippsland Visitor Information Centre 8 Foster Street, Sale, Victoria 3850 Ph: (03) 5144 1108 Central Goldfields Visitor Information Centre The Railway Station, Maryborough, Victoria 3465 Ph: (03) 5460 4511 Cobram Barooga Visitor Information Centre 2 Station Street, Cobram, Victoria 3644 Ph: 1800 659 258 / Ph: (03) 5872 2132 Colac Visitor Information Centre Cnr Murray & Queen Streets, Colac, Victoria 3250 Ph: (03) 5231 3730 Coleraine Tourism Office Pilleau Street, Coleraine, Victoria 3315 Ph: (03) 5575 2733 Corryong Visitor Information Centre 50 Hansen Street, Corryong, Victoria 3707 Ph: (02) 6076 2277 Cowes Tourist Information Centre 71 Thompson Avenue, Cowes, Victoria 3922 Ph: (03) 5952 2650 Dandenong Ranges & Knox Visitor Information Centre 1211 Burwood Highway, Ferntree Gully, Victoria 3156 Ph: (03) 9758 7522 Daylesford Visitor Information Centre Ph: (03) 5348 1339 Dunkeld Visitor Information Centre Glenelg Highway, Dunkeld, Victoria 3294 Ph: (03) 5577 2558 Dunolly Visitor Information Centre Cnr Market & Bull Streets, Dunolly, Victoria 3472 Ph: (03) 5468 1205 Echuca - Moama Visitor Information 2 Heygarth Street, Echuca, Victoria 3564 Ph: (03) 5480 7555 Edenhope Information Centre 96 Elizabeth Street, Edenhope, Victoria 3318 Ph: (03) 5585 1509 Eureka Stockade Visitor Centre Eureka Street, Ballarat, Victoria 3350 Ph: (03) 5333 1854 Euroa BP and Visitor Information Centre Ph: (03) 5795 3677 Falls Creek & Bogong High Plains Tourist Centre & Gallery Snowland Centre, 9 Slalom Street, Falls Creek, Victoria 3699 Ph: (03) 5758 3318 French Island Tourist Services Lot 4, Bayview Road, Tankerton, Victoria 3921 Ph: (03) 5980 1241 Gateway Visitor Information Centre Ph: (03) 6041 3875 Geelong & Great Ocean Road Visitor Information Centre Ph: (03) 5275 5797 Glenrowan Tourist Centre Hume Highway, Glenrowan, Victoria 3675 Ph: (03) 5766 2367 Grampians Tourist Information Centre Grampians Road, Halls Gap, Victoria 3381 Ph: (03) 5356 4247 Great Ocean Road Visitor Information Centre Foreshore, Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay, Victoria 3233 Ph: (03) 5237 6529 Greater Shepparton Visitor Information Centre Ph: (03) 5831 4400 Halls Gap Visitor Information Centre Ph: (03) 5358 2314 Hamilton Visitor Information Centre Lonsdale Street, Hamilton, Victoria 3300 Ph: 1800 807 056 / Ph: (03) 5572 3746 Heathcote Visitor Information Centre Ph: (03) 5433 3121 Horsham Visitor Information Centre 20 O'Callaghan Parade, Horsham, Victoria 3400 Ph: (03) 5382 1832 / Ph: 1800 63 3218 Kilmore Visitor Information Centre Ph: (03) 5781 1319 Kyneton Visitor Information Centre High Street, Kyneton, Victoria 3444 Ph: (03) 5422 6110 Lake Shepparton Visitors Information Centre Victoria Park, Lake Shepparton, Victoria 3630 Ph: (03) 5831 4400 Latrobe Visitor Information Centre 'The Old Church' Southside Central, Princes Highway, Traralgon, 3844 Ph: 1800 621 409 Lakes Entrance Visitor Information Centre Ph: (03) 5155 1966 Lorne Visitor Information Centre 144 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne, Victoria 3232 Ph: (03) 5289 1152 Maffra Visitors & Information Centre 'Courthouse' Johnson Street, Maffra, Victoria 3860 Ph: (03) 5141 1811 Maldon Visitor Information Centre High Street, Maldon, Victoria 3463 Ph: (03) 5475 2569 Mansfield Visitor Information Centre Railway Street, Maroondah Highway, Mansfield, Victoria 3722 Ph: (03) 5775 1464 Maryborogh Tourist Information Centre Tuaggra Street, Maryborough, Victoria 3465 Ph: (03) 5461 2643 Marysville Visitor Information Centre Ph: (03) 5963 4567 Melbourne's Valley of the Arts Tourism Association Inc. P O Box 129, Warrandyte, Victoria 3113 Ph: (03) 9844 0380 Mildura Visitors Information Ph: (03) 5021 4424 Mildura Murray Outback Tourism 29 Deakin Avenue, Mildura, Victoria 3500 Ph: (03) 5021 0599 Mornington Peninsula Vistor Information Centre Point Nepean Road, Dromana, Victoria 3936 Ph: (03) 5987 3078 Nagambie Lakes Visitor Information Centre 145 High Street, Nagambie, Victoria 3608 Ph: (03) 5794 2647 Nhill Tourist Information Centre Goldsworthy Park, Nhill, Victoria 3418 Ph: (03) 5391 3086 Numurkah & District Tourism Office Wunghnu Reserve, Wunghnu, Victoria 3635 Ph: (03) 5862 3458 Orbost Visitors Information Centre 13 Lochiel Street, Orbost, Victoria 3888 Ph: (03) 5154 2424 Peninsula Visitor Information Centre Ph: (03) 5987 3078 Phillip Island Information Centre Ph: (03) 5956 7447 Portland Visitor Information Centre Portland, Victoria 3305 Ph: 1800 035 567 Ph: (03) 5523 2671 Port Campbell Visitor Information Centre 26 Morris Street, Port Campbell, Victoria 3269 Ph: (03) 5598 6053 Port Fairy Visitor Information Centre Ph: (03) 5568 2682 Prom Country Tourist Information Centre South Gippsland Highway, Korumburra, Victoria 3950 Ph: 1800 630 704 Ph: (03) 5655 2233 Queenscliff Visitor Information Centre 55 Hesse Street, Queenscliff, Victoria 3225 Ph: (03) 5258 4843 Robinvale Visitor Information Centre Bromley Road, Robinvale, Victoria 3549 Ph: (03) 5026 1388 Rochester Tourist Information Centre Moore Street, Rochester, Victoria 3561 Ph: (03) 5484 1860 Rutherglen Visitors Information Centre 13-27 Drummond Street, Rutherglen, Victoria 3685 Ph: 1800 622 871 / Ph: (02) 6032 9166 Seymour Regional Visitor Information Centre Ph: (03) 5799 0233 Shipwreck Coast Tourism 174a Timor Street, Warrnambool, Victoria 3280 Ph: (03) 5561 7894 Snowy River Orbost Visitors Centre Ph: (03) 5154 2424 St. Arnaud Tourism Ph: (03) 5495 1268 Stawell & Grampians Visitor Information Centre Ph: (03) 5358 2314 Sunbury Visitor Information Centre 43 Macedon Street, Sunbury, Victoria 3429 Ph: (03) 9744 2291 Swan Hill Visitor Information Centre 306 Campbell Street, Swan Hill, Victoria 3585 Ph: (03) 5032 3033 Torquay Visitor Information Centre Beach Road, Torquay, Victoria 3228 Ph: (03) 5261 4219 Victoria Visitor Information Centre Melbourne Town Hall, Swanston Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000 Ph: (03) 9658 9955 / Ph: 13 2842 Wangaratta & Region Visitor Information Centre Cnr Handley & Tone Streets, Wangaratta, Victoria 3677 Ph: (03) 5721 5711 Warracknabeal Tourist Information Centre 119 Scott Street, Warracknabeal, Victoria 3393 Ph: (03) 5398 1632 Warrnambool Visitor Information Centre 600 Raglan Parade, Warrnambool, Victoria 3280 Ph: (03) 5564 7837 Westernport Tourist Information Centre Westhaven Boat Harbour, Hastings, Victoria 3915 Ph: (03) 5979 0404 Whittlesea Visitor Information Centre Cnr Beech & Church Streets, Whittlesea, Victoria 3757 Ph: (03) 9716 1866 Williamstown Visitor Information Centre Ph: (03) 9397 3791 Wonthaggi Visitor Information Centre Ph: (03) 5671 2444 Woodend Visitor Information Centre High Street, Woodend, Victoria 3442 Ph: (03) 5427 2033 Warburton Water Wheel & Visitors Centre Ph: (03) 5966 5996 Yackandandah Visitor Information Centre High Street, Yackandandah, Victoria 3749 Ph: (02) 6027 1988 Fax: (02) 6027 1990 Yarra Valley Visitor Information Centre Ph: (03) 5962 2600 Yarram Visitor Information Centre 9 Rodgers Street, Yarram, Victoria 3971 Ph: (03) 5182 6553 Yarrawonga Mulwala Visitor Information Centre Irvine Parade, Yarrawonga, Victoria 3730 Ph: 1800 062 260 / Ph: (03) 5744 1989 |
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