Melbourne, VIC
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City Info
City of Melbourne, VIC
Capital city of the state of Victoria (VIC), the third largest city in Australia. Founded by free settlers from the British Crown colony of Van Diemen's Land on 30 August 1835.It was named "Melbourne" by the Governor of New South Wales, Sir Richard Bourke, in honour of the British Prime Minister of the day, William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne
Location
The metropolis is located on the large natural bay of Port Phillip and expands into the hinterlands towards the Dandenong and Macedon mountain ranges, Mornington Peninsula and Yarra Valley.
Melbourne, VIC CBD
The CBD comprises of the two oldest areas of Melbourne; the Hoddle Grid and Queen Victoria Market, as well as sections of the redeveloped areas of Docklands and Southbank/Wharf.
Seasons
Winter
Jun to Aug
10°C - 22°CSpring
Sep to Nov
13°C - 25°CSummer
Dec to Feb
18°C - 30°CAutumn
Mar to May
15°C - 25°CTime
Australian Eastern Standart Time: GMT + 10 hours
Daylight Saving first Sunday starts in October and ends the first
Sunday in AprilNo Smoking
In Melbourne (Victoria) smoking is prohibited in all enclosed workplaces and certain public spaces where members of the public gather and smoking banned at all outdoor dining areas when food is available for consumption.
Post Office
Mon-Fri 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
* Some Open Saturday 9:00 am – 12 noonPopulation
4 million
Money
Notes or Bills
$5, $10, $20, $50, $100Coins
¢5, ¢10, ¢20, ¢50, $1, $2Education providers
CRICOS registered institutions for international students: 10 Public Universities, 1 Private University, 8 University English Centres, 150 Vocational Colleges
Electricity
240/250volts/50Hz
Weather
Seasonal climate
Shopping
Mon-Wed 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thu (suburbs) & Fri (CBD) 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday 10:00 am – 5:00 pmBanks
Mon-Thu 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
Fridays 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Some bank branches open Saturday morning 9:30 am – 12 noon -
Explore
EXPLORE MELBOURNE
Melbourne is the coastal capital of the south-eastern Australian state of Victoria. At the city’s centre is the modern Federation Square development, with plazas, bars, and restaurants by the Yarra River. In the Southbank area, the Melbourne Arts Precinct is the site of Arts Centre Melbourne – a performing arts complex – and the National Gallery of Victoria, with Australian and indigenous art.
Melbourne Museum and the Royal Exhibition Building explore city history and culture. The Immigration Museum and the Chinese Museum provide differing cultural perspectives on local settlement, while Old Melbourne Gaol offers insight into 19th-century prison life. A major shopping destination is Queen Victoria Market, a Victorian-era building with food stalls. The city’s 19th-century “laneways” and shopping arcades are lined with cafes, galleries and boutiques. The riverside Royal Botanic Gardens shelter 10,000-plus plant species, and Yarra Park is home to the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Main attractions include:
Great Ocean Road
Federation Square
Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
Yarra River
National Gallery of Victoria
Queen Victoria Market
Weekly markets selling quality fashion, art, handcrafts, fresh produce, etc.
(Courtesy of Wikipedia & Google)
EXPERIENCE THE LIFESTYLE IN MELBOURNE
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Transport
Tullamarine Airport
http://melbourneairport.com.au/
https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-around/airport-buses/
C 20 Kms approx. to CBD
40 minutes (allow more time for peak traffic hours)Avalon Airport
https://www.avalonairport.com.au/
https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-around/airport-buses/
C 55 Kms approx. to Melbourne CBD
1h by road only (allow more time for peak traffic hours)Getting around
It is important to learn about all the public transport modes around Melbourne including the bus, train and tram networks. The cheapest and more convenient way to go around is to get a Myki card which you can use on trains and buses see www.ptv.vic.gov.au/tickets/myki/how-to-use-myki/.You can also purchase a ticket when boarding the bus or a train ticket from railway station. The closer your destination, the cheaper the fare is. For University travel visit www.ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-around/university-travel/ for useful information.
Useful tips
- Students doing VET (Vocational programs) and Higher Education (undergraduate University courses) can obtain discount in public transport. See https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/tickets/fares/concession/students/international-students/iusepass-for-students/. If you are entitled to Student discount, carry your student ID card with you at all times.
- If you are travelling late at night on weekends, find out if there is a night route that goes near your destination as some routes are not scheduled on weekends.
- Disabled and elderly people as well as pregnant women have priority seating.
- Do not eat, drink or smoke in public transport or in taxis. Always make sure that you have your Myki Card topped up.
Forms of transport
For the bus, tram and train the fare you pay for the trip depends on how far you travel (zones) and also the time of the day. Metropolitan fares apply to all areas within Melbourne, and are defined within Zones 1 and 2. Always keep a bus/tram/train time table in your wallet see www.ptv.vic.gov.au/timetables. Or go to www.ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-around/mobile-apps/ to download the app. Remember that times for the above services change on weekends and designated holidays.
WALKING
is a healthy alternative for transport. When crossing a street, wait for the green pedestrian icon. Do not walk or run over a red pedestrian light.
RIDE A BIKE
To cycle you must wear a helmet at all times and follow the road rules.
BUSES
Make sure you hail the bus so the driver stops to pick you up! Always touch on at the beginning of the trip and then off at the end of trip before you leave the bus.
TRAINS
Each train line has a distinctive colour in the map and on the screens at the station to help you find your way easily.
RIDING A MOTORCYCLE
Always wear a helmet. Check with VicRoads at https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/motorcyclist-safety.
DRIVING
We drive on the left side of the road. To drive in Australia, you need an English translation of your driver’s license. Check this link for road rules in Victoria https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/road-rules . If you are going to drink alcohol, do not drive.
TAXIS
A safe mode of transportation in particular if you have been drinking after a party. You can pay the taxi fare with your credit card if you do not carry cash. Always ask for a receipt.
Public transport
Service name: Metlink: Bus, Train
Timetable: http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/timetables
Fares: http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/fares-tickets
Location: 575 Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Opening hours: Callcentre: 6am - midnight daily
Service phone: 61 3 131 638
Website: http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au
Private transport
Service name: KST: Bus
Location: 30 King St. Airport West Melbourne VIC
Service phone: 61 3 682 9115
Website: http://www.kst.com.au/Melbourne
Interstate transport
Service name: Transport Country Link: Train
Timetable: http://www.countrylink.info/timetables
Fares: http://www.countrylink.info/book_your_trip
Opening hours: Callcentre: 6.30 am - 10.00 pm
Service phone: 61 3 13 22 32
Website: http://www.countrylink.info
Cycling
Name: Bicycle Network Victoria
Location: 4/246 Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3001
Service phone: 61 3 8376 8888
Website: http://www.bv.com.au
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Hospitals
IMPORTANT NOTE:
International Students must go to Public Hospitals as their Overseas Students Health Cover (OSHC) does not cover expenses in private hospitals.
Seeking Medical Assistance
- Carry your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) card with you at all times.
- When visting the doctor, you will need to pay for their services (some doctors may bulk bill at no cost to you).
- Keep all receipts so you can obtain reimbursement later.
- All medical emergencies are covered by your Overseas Student Health Care (OSHC).
- If you are unable to attend classes due to being sick, you should obtain a medical certificate from your doctor.
Royal Melbourne Hospital (Parkville)
(03)9342 7000
300 Grattan Street,Parkville, VIC 3050
Royal Melbourne Hospital (Royal Park Campus)
(03) 8387 2000
34-54 Poplar Road,Parkville, VIC 3052
Royal Women's Hospital (Carlton)
(03) 9344 2000
20 Flemington Road,Parkville, VIC 3052
St Vincent's Hospital (Fitzroy)
(03) 9288 2211
41 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, VIC 3065
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Government Offices
State Library
Address
328 Swanston St,
Melbourne Victoria 3000Opening Hours
Mon-Thu 9:00 am – 10:00 pm
Fri-Sun 10:00am – 6:00 pmWebsite
https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/City Library
Address
253 Flinders Lane
Melbourne Victoria 3000Opening Hours
Mon-Thu 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Fri 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sat 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sun 12 noon – 5:00 pmWebsite
https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/MelbourneLibraryService/Australian Taxation Office
Address
Collins Square,
747 Collins Street, DocklandsOpening Hours
Mon-Fri 8:30 am to 4:45 pmWebsite
https://www.ato.gov.auResidential Tenancy Authority
Website
https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing-and-accommodationDept. of Immigration & Citizenship
Address
1010 Latrobe Street
Docklands, MelbourneOpening Hours
Mon-Fri 9:00 am to 4:00 pmFair Work Ombudsman
Address
Level 6, 414
La Trobe Street, Melbourne -
Emergency & Assistance
How to make an International call:
0011 + Country Code + City Code + Number
If you don't know your country code, call 1225National Phone Codes
(02) Sydney (NSW) & Canberra (ACT)
(07) Brisbane & Gold Coast (QLD)
(08) Perth (WA), Adelaide (SA) & Darwin (NT)
(04) Mobile (Australia wide)
(03) Melbourne (VIC) & Hobart (TAS)
(13 or 1300) Local calls
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Assistance, Health and Welfare
- Australian Red Cross Victoria www.redcross.org.au 83 27 77 00
- Directory Assistance (within Australia) 1800 810 211
- Directory Assistance (International) 1225
- Domestic and Family Violence 1800 811 811
- Gambling Help Line 1800 858 858
- Lifeline (Counselling Services) www.lifeline.org.au
- Salvation Army www.salvationarmy.org.au
- Sexual Assault Help www.dhs.vic.gov.au 1800 806 292
- Sexual Help Service www.mshc.org.au 93 41 62 00
- Victoria Health www.health.vic.gov.au 1300 650 172
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Employment and Work Experience
- Fair Work Ombudsman www.fairwork.gov.au
- Australian Internships www.internships.com.au
- Indeed www.indeed.com
- GCA Graduate Careers www.graduatecareers.com.au
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Diplomatic Missions in Australia
List of Diplomatic Missions http://dfat.gov.au
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Lost Credit Cards
- Mastercard www.mastercard.com.au 1800 120 113
- VISA www.visa.com.au 1800-125-451
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Translating and Interpreting
Translating and Interpreting Service www.naati.com.au
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Worship
- Anglican Church www.melbourneanglican.org.au
- Buddhist Church bsv.net.au
- Catholic Church www.cam.org.au
- Mosques www.muslimdirectory.com.au/directory/mosques
- Seventh Day Adventists vic.adventist.org.au/church-addresses
- Salvation Army www.salvationarmy.org.au
- Sikh Temple singh.com.au/gurdwaras-in-melbourne-victoria-vic/
- Synagogue www.melbournesynagogue.org.au
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Assistance, Health and Welfare
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Student Services Directory
There are no Education providers yet in melbourne