Practical Information

History

Melbourne was home to the Indigenous population (known locally as Koories) for as long as 50,000 years prior to being settled by Europeans in 1835. A major gold rush attracted worldwide attention in 1848 and a boom that lasted nearly 40 years ensued. It gave the city its magnificent public architecture, parks and opulent mansions. Established as the commercial headquarters and seat of government, Melbourne was the birthplace of Australian federation.

Population

Melbourne	approx. 4 million
Victoria	approx. 5.4 million

Time Zone

Australian Eastern Standard Time is GMT plus 10 hours.

Daylight Saving Time - Sunday 3 October 2010 to Sunday 3 April 2011.

Daylight Hours

Winter	9 hours, 32 minutes (June 21)
Summer	14 hours, 47 minutes (December 22)

Climate

Melbourne's climate is temperate and variable with one of the lowest rainfall levels in Australia.

More information:
www.bom.gov.au

Taxes

A 10 per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST) is incorporated into the price of all goods and services sold in Australia, except some basic items. Some tourists may be eligible for a GST refund on goods bought in Australia.

More information:
www.customs.gov.au
or +61 2 6275 6666.

Tipping and Gratuities

Tipping is not required or expected in Australia - this includes taxis. If service in a restaurant is exceptional, you might consider tipping 10 per cent.

Translating and Interpreting Services

For the benefit of presenters and delegates, Melbourne has many venues fully equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for simultaneous interpreting. Experienced, internationally accredited interpreters in more than 100 languages provide services to many international conferences.

Visas

All travellers to Australia, other than Australian and New Zealand citizens, are required to obtain a Visa to travel to Australia. The Business Visa allows people attending conferences and meetings in Australia to make a short visit of up to three months. Australia's Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is the world's most advanced and streamlined travel authorisation system. If the country a visitor's passport represents has ETA Business Access, it enables the visitor to obtain authority to enter Australia at the same time as they book their travel. In addition, a recent innovative enhancement to ETA arrangements allows travellers to apply for an ETA over the internet.

More information:
www.immi.gov.au

Public Holidays

	2010	2011
New Years Day	Fri 1 January	Mon 3 January
Australia Day	Tue 26 January	Wed 26 January
Labour Day	Mon 8 March	Mon 14 March
Good Friday	Fri 2 April	Fri 22 April
Easter Saturday	Sat 3 April	Sat 23 April
Easter Monday	Mon 5 April	Mon 25 April
Anzac Day	Mon 26 April	Mon 26 April
Queens Birthday	Mon 14 June	Mon 13 June
Melbourne Cup Day (Metro Area Only)	Tue 2 November	Tue 1 November
Christmas Day	Mon 27 December	Tue 27 December
Boxing Day	Tue 28 December	Mon 26 December

www.information.vic.gov.au

Melbourne Visitor Centre at Federation Square

Located at Federation Square, the centre offers a one stop shop for all your visitor information needs, including souvenirs, internet access and an accommodation and tour booking service.

7 days from 9am to 6pm.

Melbourne Visitor Booth in the Bourke Street Mall

Located in the heart of the Bourke Street Mall, friendly volunteers will provide you with maps and information on shopping, attractions and events.

Mon to Sat 9am to 5pm and Sun 10am to 5pm.

City Ambassadors

For assistance with directions, public transport and general enquiries, keep an eye out for Melbourne's roving City Ambassadors in their distinctive red uniforms.

Mon to Sat 10am to 4pm and Sun 11am to 3pm.

Melbourne Greeter Service

This volunteer service is a free two to four hour walking orientation of the city in English and a number of other languages. Bookings are essential and can be made online at thatsmelbourne.com.au/greeter.

For more information on visitor assistance in Melbourne, visit thatsmelbourne.com.au/touristinformation, email tourism@melbourne.vic.gov.au or phone +61 3 9658 9658.

Telephone Information

Calls from public telephones in Australia cost 50c. Most public telephones in Australia now use pre-paid phone cards. These can be purchased in post offices, newsagents, gift shops and many other outlets in denominations from AUD$5 to AUD$50. The cards can be used for local, interstate and international calls.

24 Hour Emergency Numbers

Fire, Police and Ambulance	000
Lifeline Counselling Service	131 114
Poisons Information Service	131&126

Consulates (a selection only)

American	+61 3 9526 5900
British	+61 3 9652 1600
Chinese	+61 3 9822 0604
French	+61 3 9602 5024
German	+61 3 9864 6888
Greek	+61 3 9866 4524
Indonesian	+61 3 9525 2755
Italian	+61 3 9867 5744
Japanese	+61 3 9639 3244

Calling Overseas

International Direct Dial (IDD) telephone calls can be made from most public telephones. To make an international call, dial the International Access Code (0011), then the Country Code, the Area Code and the Telephone Number.

Frequently Called Country Codes

Canada	1
China	86
Germany	49
Greece	30
Hong Kong	852
Indonesia	62
Ireland	353
Italy	39
Japan	81
New Zealand	64
Spain	34
Taiwan	886
United Kingdom	44
USA	1

Banking Hours

Monday to Thursday 9.30am - 4.00pm
Friday 9.30am - 5.00pm
Saturday - Limited morning services by some banks and building societies.
Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) - 24 hours in the city and suburbs.

City Postal Services

Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.00pm

Express Post envelopes guarantee next day delivery within Australia.

Credit Cards

Major credit cards are widely accepted. They may also be used in ATMs with the use of a Personal Identification Number (PIN).

Currency Exchange

American Express Foreign Exchange is located at Level 1/233-239 Collins Street, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 1pm, or call 1300 130 060. Services also available at banks and currency exchange desks at the airport and other locations throughout the City.

Shopping Hours

As a general rule, trading hours for city shops are Saturday to Wednesday 10am to 5pm, Thursday 10am to 7pm, and Friday 10am to 9pm. Hours of opening often vary between shops and between areas.

Taxis

Taxis can be hailed in the street if their sign is illuminated. Orange lights indicate that the taxi is not for hire. Wheelchair Accessible taxis and 'maxi-taxis', suitable for larger groups, can also be pre-booked.

Arrow	13 22 11
CABS	13 22 27
Black Cabs	13 22 27
Embassy	131 755
North Suburban	131 119
Silver Top	131 008
Dandenong Taxis	(03) 9791 2111
Frankston Cabs	(03) 9786 3322
West Suburban	(03) 9689 1144

Traveller's Aid Access Service

Travellers Aid Access Service is a Melbourne-based service offering friendly and professional support workers to assist people with special requirements, and to those in emergency situations. Services are provided free of charge without appointment, referral, or assessment at two locations:

Flinders Street Station
Main Concourse
Corner Flinders and Swanston streets, Melbourne

Telephone:

+61 3 9610 2030
Southern Cross Station
Main Concourse
99 Spencer Street, Docklands

Telephone:

+61 3 9670 2072

Voltage

Australia's electricity voltage for domestic use is AC 240 volts, 50 cycle. Most hotels have provision for AC 110 volts in the rooms and/or can provide adaptors.

Weights and Measures

Australia operates on the metric system of measurement.

Conversions
Celsius to Fahrenheit	Multiply by 1.8 and add 32
Litres to Imperial Gallons	Multiply by 0.22
Litres to US Gallons	Multiply by 0.26
Kilometres to Miles	Multiply by 0.62
Kilograms to Pounds	Multiply by 2.2

Contents