Melbourne

Melbourne => is the second-largest city in Australia and the capital of the state of Victoria. Located on the southern coast of Australia’s eastern seaboard, it is perhaps Australia’s most cultured city. The city’s features include Victorian-era architecture, many cultural institutions such as museums, galleries and theaters, and large parks and gardens. Its 3.9 million population is multicultural (large Greek, Italian, Jewish, Vietnamese and other immigrant groups) and sports-mad.

Melbourne is set to host the XVIII Commonwealth Games => from 15 - 26 March 2006.

Districts


Understand

History

The settlement of Melbourne commenced in 1835 when settlers from Tasmania purchased land on Port Phillip Bay and the Yarra River from the Aborigines. In 1837 the streets of central Melbourne were carefully laid out, with some streets 30 meters wide. The first governor, Charles La Trobe, arrived in 1839 – his cottage still stands and can be visited in Kings Domain. The year 1851 was a landmark for Melbourne - the colony of Victoria became independent from New South Wales and very soon after gold was discovered in Victoria, sparking a huge goldrush. Aspects of goldrush history can be seen at the Gold Treasury Museum, housed in the Treasury Building built in 1858. Gold was the catalyst for several decades of prosperity lasting through to the late 1880s and examples of the ornate Victorian-era structures built during this time still stand. In 1888 the property boom collapsed and Victoria suffered the depression of the 1890s. Throughout the gold and building booms Melbourne managed to retain its many and spacious parks and gardens and these remain to this day.

In 1901 the British colonies of Australia became an independent federation and Melbourne the temporary capital of Australia. The Federal Parliament met in the Parliament House of Victoria from 1901 until 1927 when Canberra was founded. After World War II Melbourne grew rapidly, its till-then mainly Anglo-Celtic population boosted by immigration from Europe, particularly Greece and Italy. Today Melbourne has the biggest Greek city population (over 800,000) outside Greece and the biggest Italian city population (over 230,000) outside Italy. The significant pre-war Jewish population was also boosted after the war. From the mid-70s many immigrants came from South-east Asia, particularly Vietnam and Cambodia. Melbourne has had a Chinese population since the goldrush of the 1850s and Chinatown has existed from that time but the population of Chinese and other East Asians has also been boosted by immigration in recent years.

New high-rise buildings replaced many of Melbourne’s interesting old structures in the building boom of the 1970s and 80s. Melburnians belatedly recognised the loss of their architectural heritage and steps were taken to protect what was left. Construction of the huge Crown Casino (briefly the largest casino in the world) in the 1990s upset many Melburnians with its introduction of a crass gambling culture and the sucking of money from the rest of the city. Melbourne’s development continues in the 2000s with the opening of the Melbourne Museum, Federation Square and the Docklands precinct.

Culture

Melbourne considers itself the cultural capital of Australia (many Sydneysiders would dispute this claim strongly....), a boast supported by its large number of art galleries and a strong coffee culture=>. In addition to the Melbourne Museum, there are special museums dedicated to subjects such as science, immigration, Chinese history, Jewish history, sport, racing, film and moving image, railways, police, fire brigades and banking. Melburnians are sports enthusiasts and particularly passionate about Australian Rules football =>, a sport invented in Melbourne. Horseracing is another passion and the majority of the state has a public holiday on the first Tuesday of November for the racing of the Melbourne Cup =>, one of the world’s famous horse races. Cricket is the big summer sport and the Melbourne Cricket Ground (the 'MCG') => is one of the cricket world’s leading grounds. Each January Melbourne hosts tennis’s Australian Open =>, one of the world’s four Grand Slam championships. In March, Melbourne hosts the first race of the Formula One season =>. The race is held in Albert Park in South Melbourne.

Get in

By plane

Melbourne International Airport ] (MEL), located 22 km north-west of the city centre at Tullamarine], provides regular access from all major Australian cities, as well as many international destinations across Europe, America, Asia and the South Pacific region. Note that due to Australia's distance from most parts of the world, many international flights may go via an Asian hub (for example [[Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Tokyo) or a Pacific Hub like Auckland, and/or transfer in Sydney.

Taxi between the airport and the city centre cost around $35-$40 and take about 25 minutes when traffic is no problem.

Skybus =>, tel 9670 7992, runs a 24x7 shuttle to and from the Spencer St coach terminal at the west end of the Central Business District, just north of Lonsdale St. The trip takes 20 minutes and is the fastest way between the airport and city by road (it uses an enhanced freeway route with bus lanes). It costs $15 adult one-way, $24 adult return, $5 child one-way (between 4 and 14 years of age). There are also several family ticket options available. There are two airport pickup locations. One is outside the South (Virgin Blue) terminal, 50m from the international terminal. The ticket desk is just inside the South terminal. The other ticket desk and shuttle stop are outside the Qantas domestic terminal. Frequency ranges from hourly during the wee hours to quarter hourly from about 6:30am-7:30pm (always on the quarter hour). They also run a connection service between the terminal and central hotels during the day (M-F 6am-8pm, Sa-Su 8am-6pm). Book hotel pick-up 3 hours ahead. Bookings are not needed for travel from the airport to hotels.

If you're flying with budget carrier Jetstar, Avalon Airport may be your port of call as it services flights from Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide (other JetStar arrivals fly into Tullamarine). Avalon Airport is located 55 km to the south-west of Melbourne. Sun Bus Australia operates a shuttle service to Melbourne's CBD at $19 per adult one way. The Avalon Airport Shuttle provides a service to other areas of Victoria from $12 per adult one way.

By train

All intercity rail services from interstate and intrastate destinations operate to and from Southern Cross Station (known as Spencer Street Station until December 2005), located on the western edge of Melbourne's central business district. The station is currently undergoing renovation.

Train rides from major cities take about 10 hours. CountryLink operates a twice daily service from Sydney (10½ hours away), though this may soon be cut to daily. Great Southern Railway run four services a week from Adelaide (10-11 hours away).

Services from cities within Victoria are operated by V/Line. These services operate from regional centers such as Geelong, Ballarat, Albury, Bendigo, and Sale (in Gippsland). Note that V/Line also operates bus services which connect with these trains.

VicLink is a handy website to manage your state-wide travel on trains and buses across Victoria. Regional Victoria's public transport is controlled by VicLink.

By car

From Sydney, the quickest route is the Hume Highway, which takes about 8-9 hours (non-stop). A more popular, longer route is along the coast on the Princes Highway. This adds several hours to the journey as it is longer in distance and there are fewer bypasses.

Adelaide is slightly closer, and can be reached in 7 hours. Once again, it is possible to go inland or along the coast - the coast is very scenic, but will add a couple of hours to the journey.

Although not often travelled, a direct journey from Brisbane takes around 24 hours (non-stop) and takes you further inland through areas not commonly visited (along the Newell Highway). This makes an interesting alternative to the more common Brisbane-Sydney-Melbourne coastal route.

By bus

Bus services to Melbourne from out of state are provided by Firefly Express and Greyhound (incorporating McCaffertys).

Bus services within Victoria are operated by V/Line, and operate from most major and many minor Victorian towns. VicLink is a handy website to manage your state-wide travel on trains and buses across Victoria.

By boat

Melbourne can be reached from Devonport, Tasmania by car/passenger ferries run by Spirit of Tasmania. The journey takes 10 hours and runs every night (in both directions), departing at 9pm and arriving at 7am. During the peak of Summer, there are also day sailings (departing 9am, arriving 7pm) on many days - check in advance.

Ticket prices depend on time of year and your sleeping accommodation. A seat (no bed) is the cheapest, starting (in off-peak season) from $108 for adults and $82 for children. Bear in mind, the seat is most uncomfortable, equivalent to a cinema seat. Cabins with bunk beds start from $187 adults, $97 children. Peak season costs are about 25% higher. Cars cost $59 all year round.

Get around

By public transport

Melbourne’s public transport system "Metlink" is comprised of trams, trains and buses: trams service the central city and inner suburbs, trains service the suburbs, and buses where there are no tram or train tracks. A single ticket (called a "Metcard") allows travel on all three modes of transport.

The "Met Shop" in the Melbourne Town Hall, on the corner of Swanston St and Little Collins St provides timetables and brochures, and sells tickets, maps and travel merchandise (open 8:30am-5:00pm Monday to Friday, 9am-1pm Saturday). The Met Information Centre, ph 131638 (131MET), every day 7am-9pm, provides information and the Metlink website also provides information including maps, fares and zones and all timetables. Metcards are also available from:

Metcards are divided into "Zones", with Zone 1 covering the central city and inner suburbs (and consequently almost the entire tram network), Zone 2 covering the middle suburbs and some outer suburbs, and Zone 3 the remaining outer suburbs and the Mornington Peninsula. Almost all tickets are time-based; that is, they can be used for the given period of time from the first time you use it. The following are the most useful tickets (and some idicative costs) for travellers:

Concession Metcards are available for all children aged under fifteen years, but concessions for older students are only available to Victorian residents who have paid for a student concession card. A concession Metcard costs roughly half the price of an adult Metcard.

Before each journey, and sometimes to gain access to the station platforms, a metcard must be "validated" by inserting it into a validation machine. On trams, the metcard must be validated after boarding the tram; however, tickets purchased on the tram (from the machine) are already validated. Note that a two-hour metcard that is validated for the first time after 6:00pm (18:00) is valid for the rest of the night, so if you’re heading out after 6pm for an evening’s entertainment, don't buy or validate a day ticket.

Services generally operate between 6:00am and midnight. After midnight on Saturday and Sunday mornings only there are NightRider buses which run defined routes to the suburbs. Tickets are $6 except for Mornington ($8) and Melton ($8.20) and Metcards are not valid.

The free City Circle trams run around the CBD perimeter, covering Flinders St, Spring St, Nicholson St, Victoria St, La Trobe St and Harbour Esplanade. They run in both directions every 12 minutes every day except Good Friday and Christmas Day from 10am-6pm, and until 9pm Thursday-Saturday during daylight savings. Several of the trams on this service are equipped with recorded commentary about attractions passed. They are geared to visitors and are a great introduction to central Melbourne.

By bike

Melbourne has an excellent network of bike paths, making pedal-power a great way to take in the city. Most paths are dedicated to cyclists and skaters, although some trails contain on-road sections (in marked bike lanes). It is illegal to ride on footpaths unless otherwise marked, helmets are required by law, and take care of slippery tram tracks.

The main paths of interest to travellers are:

Detailed maps of the bike path network can be found here.

Bikes can be hired from Hire a Bike on the Yarra River Bank just over the river from Federation Square, ph 0417 339 203.

By car

The cheapest car rentals are from places like Rentabomb but use may be restricted to the Melbourne metropolitan area.

Mid-range rental companies give good value. Try:

The more pricey major chains are well-represented. These include Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Thrifty.

Be aware of rental car insurance conditions in Australia. You will pay an excess on damage even if it is not your fault.

Driving in the city shouldn't be attempted without at least a basic map! Melbourne has a great city road map Melways which has won many international prizes for its excellent presentation. Most Melburnians will give you their Melways reference along with their address on written invitations.

Drivers should watch out for hook turns in the inner city areas, where one must make a right turn from the left lane. (See ).

See

Central Melbourne

Central Melbourne (the Central Business District (CBD) and nearby) attractions are arranged here more-or-less on a route starting in the south-west, proceeding east along Collins St, covering Swanston St from the Yarra River to Victoria St in the north, then going through Chinatown to Spring St and finishing at the south-east corner of the CBD.

Southbank & South Melbourne

Attractions listed from west to east are:

Carlton and Fitzroy

St Kilda & Elsternwick

Tullamarine

Organ Pipes National Park

A small national park located just to the north north-west of Melbourne on the way to Bendigo. Contains walking trails and rock formations including the “organ pipes”, hexagonal columns of basalt, the Rosette Rock (a radial array of basalt columns like the spokes of a wheel) and the Tessellated Pavement, the tops of basalt columns. http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=167

Werribee

Werribee is about 30 minutes drive west south-west from Melbourne, off Princes Freeway which runs to Geelong. Werribee Park Shuttle runs from Melbourne to the attractions for $15 per person.

You Yangs

You Yangs Regional Park is 55 km south-west of Melbourne and 22 km north of Geelong. Access from Princes Freeway is via Little River if coming from Melbourne and Lara if coming from Geelong. Open 8am-4:30pm year round and from 8am-6pm on weekends and public holidays during daylight saving. Four main walks traverse the park. The 3.2 km walk to Flinders Peak (348m) takes 90 minutes and gives good views. The longest track is the 3 hour Branding Yard Track. http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?Park=208

Do

Learn

Work

Most people take on hospitality jobs around the St. Kilda area.

Buy

Melbourne is the Fashion Capital of Australia without a doubt. Bridge Road is a strip where warehouse direct outlets rule and no one pays recommended retail price. Chapel Street in South Yarra is a favourite among the locals, with its spread of exclusive boutiques, cafes and well established chain stores. In the CBD itself, Little Collins Street is home to some of the world's top designers and fashion houses; Collins St also boasts a Louis Vuitton outlet. Brunswick Street features an eclectic mix of vintage, retro and alternative gear for the more adventurous. There are also several huge shopping complexes in the suburbs, such as Chadstone (dubbed "the Fashion Capital") in the South-East and Knox City in the outer East. and With its numerous Shopping Malls and boutique lined streets, Melbourne has more than enough to keep the most avid shoppers happy!

Eat

For the culinary traveller, Melbourne is one of the best destinations in the world. There is an abundance of affordable, high quality restaurants representing almost every cuisine — though authentic Mexican is a notable weak point. While prices have increased in recent years, eating out remains noticeably cheaper than in Western Europe or the United States.

Excellent eateries can be found sprinkled throughout all of the inner (and some outer) suburbs, while certain neighbourhoods have become magnets for residents and restaurants of particular countries.

Some random ideas:

If you're in Melbourne for more than a couple of weeks, and wish to sample the cuisine in a studious fashion, get a copy of "Cheap Eats in Melbourne" from a book shop. Serious epicureans can move up to "The Age Good Food Guide". The online restaurant guide FoodGod is also available, and has reviews of a number of eateries in Melbourne by local residents.

Drink

Coffee

Caffeine lovers rejoice, for Melbourne is a city of cafes. Fuelled by the passion of Italian migrants arriving in the aftermath of World War II, Melbourne's lauded cafe culture makes it one of the few cities in the world where an espresso is never more than a few metres away. Thousands of cafes, ranging from the bohemian and cool of Fitzroy to the Euro-chic glamour of Collins Street or the traditional coffee houses of Carlton, are waiting to dispense half-froth decaf-a-chinos, soy lattes, or just a high-fuel espresso. All caffeine addicts have to fear in Melbourne is a case of the jitters.

While it would be impossible to list all the cafes in Melbourne, below is a tiny selection of the cafes well-regarded for brewing an (almost) perfect cup:

Bars

The past decade has seen revival of Melbourne's inner-city bar scene, with dozens of weird and wonderful watering holes opening up within forgotten alleyways and anonymous lanes of the CBD. Melbourne also has its fair share of stylish places to drink, although the better ones can be hard to find. The theory seems to be: the harder your bar is to find, the more people will talk about it.

A comprehensive listing of Melbourne's bars and pubs can be found at the useful Melbourne pubs website. Highlights include:

Sleep

Budget

Around Grand Prix time (early March) hostel accommodation is booked out and some hostels raise prices. Be sure to book ahead for that period.

Central Melbourne

North Melbourne

Fitzroy

South Melbourne

Windsor

St Kilda

Mid-range

Splurge

Contact

Post

After a fire gutted the original building in 2001, most of Melbourne's grand General Post Office (250 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne; Phone: 13 13 18; Fax: 9203 3078; Mon-Fri 8.30am to 5.30pm, Sat 9am to 4pm, Sun 10am to 4pm; australiapost.com.au) has now been turned into an upmarket retail precinct, but it still has a range of postal services including post restante.

Phone

Telstra payphones are easily found through the city, but many are being phased out due to growing mobile phone ownership. These phones are coin-operated or use prepaid Telstra Phonecards, which are available from most convenience stores or newsagents. International calling cards are also available at these outlets.

Mobile phone coverage within the CBD and surrounds is usually good-to-excellent. Melbourne's area code is 03.

Internet

Internet cafes are dotted throughout the city, especially near the backpacker enclaves of St Kilda and Flinders Street. Speeds are usually excellent and rates range from $5 - $12 per hour. Some of the best include:

Stay safe

Like most Australian cities, Melbourne is relatively safe and in fact boasts the country's lowest per-capita rate of violent crime. Usual big-city precautions like avoiding dark alleys after sunset should apply, but otherwise your visit should be hassle free.

Melbourne's red-light districts include King Street in the CBD and Grey Street, St Kilda, but you're more likely to face drunken revellers and unwelcome approaches from street walkers than any major threat. Melbourne City Council has also recently established all-night "Safe City" taxi ranks with security guards on King Street, outside Flinders Street Station and on Bourke Street.

Get out

Melbourne is more-or-less centrally located on the coast of Victoria, and there are many natural and manmade attractions close enough to easily visit in a day's return drive. These include:

Melbourne Area

(less than an hour's drive each way)

Northern Victoria

Eastern Victoria

Western Victoria

This text of this article is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 1.0. It has been slightly modified to fit the general design of this website. The authors of this document are Andrew Holcombe, Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel, Daniel Kavan, Evan Prodromou, Guy Martin, Kai Hendry, Rob Payne, Rory, Tim Graham, Wikitravel user Ros, Yann Forget and the following WikiTravel users: Abstraktn, Allyak, Caffeine, Dhum_Dhum, Hypatia, Ilkirk, InterLangBot, Jonboy, Nikita_Borisov, Nils, Nurg, Nzpcmad, Pjamescowie, Somebody_in_the_WWW. The original version of this article can be seen at http://wikitravel.org/en/Melbourne.