Contents
- History
- Population
- Time Zone
- Daylight Hours
- Climate
- Taxes
- Tipping and Gratuities
- Translating and Interpreting Services
- Visas
- Public Holidays
- Melbourne Visitor Centre at Federation Square
- Melbourne Visitor Booth in the Bourke Street Mall
- City Ambassadors
- Melbourne Greeter Service
- Telephone Information
- 24 Hour Emergency Numbers
- Consulates (a selection only)
- Calling Overseas
- Frequently Called Country Codes
- Banking Hours
- City Postal Services
- Credit Cards
- Currency Exchange
- Shopping Hours
- Taxis
- Traveller's Aid Access Service
- Voltage
- Weights and Measures
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 |
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.
| 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 |