Melbourne - Practical Information

History

The area now known as Melbourne was home to the indigenous population (known 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 ensued that lasted nearly 40 years. The resulting wealth 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

Victorians come from more than 230 countries, speak over 200 languages and dialects and follow more than 120 religious faiths.

Melbourne	approx. 4 million
Victoria	approx. 5.4 million

Time Zone

Australian Eastern Standard Time is GMT plus 10 hours.

Daylight Saving Time - Sunday, 2 October 2011 to Sunday, 1 April 2012.

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. International tourists may be eligible for a GST refund on some goods purchased in Australia.

More information:
www.customs.gov.au
or 1300 363 263 (within Australia)
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 ten 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 the country. The Business Visitor 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 an advanced and streamlined travel authorisation system. If a visitor is carrying a passport from a country that also has ETA Business Access, it enables the visitor to obtain authority to enter Australia at the same time as they book their travel. ETA arrangements allow travellers to apply for an ETA online at www.eta.immi.gov.au.

More information:
www.immi.gov.au

Public Holidays

	2011	2012
New Years Day		Monday, 2 January
Australia Day		Thursday, 26 January
Labour Day		Monday, 12 March
Good Friday		Friday, 6 April
Easter Saturday		Saturday, 7 April
Easter Monday		Monday, 9 April
Anzac Day		Tuesday, 26 April
Queens Birthday		Monday, 11 June
Melbourne Cup Day (Metro Area Only)	Tuesday, 1 November	Tuesday, 6 November
Christmas Day	Tuesday, 27 December	Tuesday, 25 December
Boxing Day	Monday, 26 December	Wednesday, 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.

Open seven days from 9am-6pm. Closed Christmas Day.

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.

Open seven days from 9am-5pm. Closed Good Friday and Christmas Day.

City Ambassadors

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

Monday to Saturday, 10am-4pm and Sunday noon-3pm (excluding Good Friday and Christmas Day).

Melbourne Greeter Service

This free multilingual two to four hour walking orientation of the city operates in English every day departing from the Melbourne Visitor Centre at Federation Square. A number of other languages are available on request. Bookings are essential. Book online at: thatsmelbourne.com.au/greeter or phone +61 3 9658 9658.

Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle

The free Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle is an easy way to see many of Melbourne's attractions. Board the bus at any one of the 13 stops at key city destinations, including Melbourne Museum, Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne Aquarium, Docklands, Southbank and Chinatown. The Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle runs between 9.30am and 4.30pm daily (except Christmas Day and Good Friday). The round trip takes around an hour and a half and includes an informative on-board commentary.

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

Telephone Information

Local calls from public telephones in Australia cost 50 cents. 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	13 11 14
Poisons Information Service	13 11 26

Consulates (a selection)

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 9679 4510

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.
• Sunday - Closed.
• 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-5pm, Saturday 10.30am-1.30pm or call 1300 139 060. Services are 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-5pm, Thursday 10am-7pm, and Friday 10am-9pm. Hours of opening often vary between shops and areas.

Taxis

Taxis can be hailed in the street if their sign is illuminated. 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	13 17 55
North Suburban	13 11 19
Silver Top	13 10 08
Dandenong Taxis	(03) 9791 2111
Frankston Cabs	(03) 9786 3322
West Suburban	(03) 9689 1144

Travellers 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:

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

   Telephone:

   +61 3 9610 2030

   Sunday to Thursday 8am-8pm, Friday to Saturday 8am-10pm

2. Southern Cross Station,
   Main Concourse
   99 Spencer Street, Docklands

   Telephone:

   +61 3 9670 2072

   Monday to Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday to Sunday 11am-4pm.

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