TRAVEL TIPS
MELBOURNE
OVERVIEW TRANSPORTATION VISÃO GERAL TRANSPORTE ATTRACTIONS ATRAÇÕES
WHERE TO STAYONDE WHERE TO EAT SHOPPING COMPRAS FICAR ONDE COMER
OVERVIEW Melbourne is the second most populated city
We strongly recommend a five days stay, at
in Australia, home to more than 4 million
least, to visit the city’s main attractions. The
inhabitants. Capital of Victoria state, the city
first stop of your trip must be at the touristic
located in Port Phillip bay has been founded in
information point (Melbourne Visitors Center),
1835 by settlers form Tasmania area.
where you can get free maps, information about events, accommodation and transport tips, tour
Melbourne, a synonym for style and
reservations, and also enjoy the souvenir store.
sophistication with its luxury hotels, fine restaurants and attractions all year round, is
Melbourne breathes culture, art, sports and
considered the fourth most expensive city in
shopping. It is known as “Australia’s cultural
the world by The Economist. However, it is
capital”, home to Australian Impressionism
also considered by the same issue as one of
and to both television and cinema industry
the best cities to live in.
of the country. Besides enjoying an array of
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theaters, movies and festivals, the visitor may also attend to many worldwide-known sports events, such as the Formula 1 Grand Prix Australia and Australia Tennis Open. For the foodies, Melbourne is also a big deal for who wishes to appreciate wide range of flavors with dozens of restaurants from different parts of the world. Victoria’s capital is also a good destination for shopping, with great options of stores. Its is possible to explore every corner of the city without much expense and mostly effort free with an easy and good quality public transport. The many transport options (tram, train, bus and bikes) set the tourist free to
TRANSPORT
move about as he so prefers.
WEATHER
Melbourne’s transport is a reference in Australia for its convenience. As many visitors
Melbourne is known by its unstable weather.
stay in the central area, the attractions are
For this reason, the city is known for going
usually located at a short distance. In order to
through the ‘four seasons in a day’. Usually, the
get to them, the tourist is able to choose from
climate is mild, with warm to hot Summers, mild Springs and Falls and cold Winters. The average temperature ranges from 25°C during Summer and 14°C during Winter. The rains pour most frequently from May to October. A nice tip is to be prepared for any weather. Thus, we recommend that you make sure there is a space
three main options: train, tram and bus. Trains are advisable for longer routes, usually for the neighborhoods and cities farther from Downtown. In turn, the tram circulates around the central area and has many stops, one near the other.
for an umbrella and that you pack clothes that
It is advisable to purchase a Visitor myki Value
may be dressed in different weathers.
Pack, a card for tourists who wish to use the public transport in Melbourne. It is possible to obtain one of these cards at the Melbourne Visitors Center, in Federation Square, in Skybus terminals in Melbourne Airport, at Southern Cross Station, at the PVT Hubs and even straight at some hotels.
The myki card is valid for trips by train, tram
Taxis are also very commonly used in the
and bus, in zones 1 and 2, including bus routes
Australian city. They are a plenty and easy to
for Melbourne Airport. For visitors who intend
be seen, once they are yellow. The taxis are
to stay less than seven days in town, the
not really used by tourists, who can count on a
tip is to use the myki Money card option.
quality public transport.
However, if the stay exceeds a week, the card recommended is myki Pass. Children and elders pay half the price when purchasing the card. Besides, it offers a discount in 15 important touristic attractions. It is important to highlight that the user must always have a valid pass when using the public transport in Melbourne. Otherwise, a fine may be applied. There is also a electric tramway running around the touristic attractions in Melbourne downtown. Besides being free of charge, it tells the story of each place. For whoever intends to leave Melbourne to visit nearby cities the V/Line train is recommended. This other option is more expensive but offers more comfort in longer trips.
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It is possible to find many places around
Ferries are another interesting option to move
Melbourne to rent bikes. The rent must be
around and also used a lot to admire the city
paid by credit card. Two hours riding those
from another angle. To tour by the Yarra River
bikes cost about AU$ 20. Even though it is not
or by the Port Phillip Bay can be really fun for
a very cheap alternative, it is a healthy and
who wishes for a change of scenery and have
real fun way to move around the city. Besides,
fun in a stunning landscape.
the bikes can be rented and handed back in any other station.
ATTRACTIONS Museums, parks, zoos, sports. In Melbourne there is no lack of attractions to make your stay even more pleasant. Be it for adults or children, the city has many incredible options that are the joy of the tourists who visit this Australian corner that is so beautiful and cozy. For art lovers, Melbourne Museum has eight galleries with permanent collections, one of
found, such as Ian Potter Centre and Heidelberg
them intended to please the kids. Located at
School, which have an important set of
Carlton Gardens downtown, the place also
galleries dedicated to aborigine art.
offers documentary exhibits that tell the story of aborigine folks from Victoria state. The place
Talking about Melbourne is also talking about
also has a movie theater with the third biggest
sports. The city, home to big sport events,
screen in the world.
receives tourists from every corner of the world who want to experience the feeling to
For literature fans, a visit to State Library of
be in big competitions. The city has the largest
Victoria built in 1854, is mandatory. The place
cricket stadium of the world, the 12th one if all
has more than two million books, including
sports are taken into consideration. It is called
personal diaries from two of the Melbourne’s
Melbourne Cricket Ground, able to receive 100
founders. National Gallery of Victoria,in turn,
thousand sports fans and is also a great place
is the oldest museum of the country. Founded
to visit for whoever want to know a little more
in 1861, it was visited by almost two million
about this sport.
visitors in 2013. Still in Melbourne cultural circuit, the Royal Exhibition Building is also a great place to visit. Elected UNESCO Heritage of Humanity Monuments, the place is an important Australian exhibition center. Home to important cultural attractions, Federation Square receives several events of different magnitudes since its opening in 2002. Currently, it is one of the main touristic attractions of the city, gathering a huge variety of restaurants, bars and specialized stores. There some important attractions can be
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The Albert Park Circuit is the race track of the
species from all over the world. There, visitors
city usually home for Formula 1 opening season.
are able to stroll around Asian and African
With five thousand kilometers of tracks that
rainforests and also, obviously, be in contact
circle the namesake artificial lake around, it is
with the luxuriant Australian native jungle.
considered one of the most beautiful tracks
Tigers, orangutans, crocodiles and the funny
of the main auto racing category. Another
lemurs will certainly entertain the entire family.
important attraction of the world’s sports schedule is Australia Tennis Open, always taking
Home to thousands of aquatic animals,
place in January and that gathers the most
including one of the largest Australian
important tennis players of the planet.
salt water crocodiles, SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium takes visitors in an adventure
What about getting to know Melbourne from
through the depths of the ocean. Children and
above? To do so, nothing better than visiting
adults will learn a lot and have fun with the
Eureka Skydeck Tower, the tallest observation
world’s most famous marine species through
platform of the southern hemisphere. At the top
many interactive activities.
of its 297 meters there is a breathtaking view. For the bravest ones, a glass cube (called “The
As impossible to forget as the previously-
Edge”) offers an unforgettable experience to
referred attractions, the Royal Botanic Gardens
have the whole city at your feet, literally.
Victoria is a precious part of Melbourne’s cultural life. With dazzling landscape, lakes, plants and
It is obvious that one of the main cities in
gardens, the place is a refuge for who wants
Australia would not leave the kids aside in
some peace and quiet a few minutes far from
its attraction list. One of the most successful
the city. We would like to highlight the spot
attractions is Melbourne Zoo. Located just five
intended to shelter native fauna such as the
minutes away from Downtown, is home to 250
black swans, cockatoos and other animals.
WHERE TO STAY
The visitor may also count on the electric tram free of charge if he so prefers, once it covers a good part of the area.
From the most luxurious suites to the simplest accommodations, there are options for all
For travelers on a budget, the alternatives can
tastes and pockets in Melbourne. To whom
be pensions, backpacker hostels and B&Bs
intends to know the city as a whole, we
(bed and breakfast). Melbourne Central YHA
recommend to stay at the city’s central area.
is an option that offers a good location in the
Moving around gets way easier, once the
city. It is a hostel located in the capital’s central
biggest part of the touristic attractions are
area and offers quality for a way cheaper price
nearby and a lot of tours can be done on foot.
than big hotels.
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On the other side, if sophistication is your intention, Crown Towers Melbourne poses a great alternative. Located right downtown, it is one of the most luxurious hotels in the city. A daily rate costs about R$: 1,3 thousand, depending on the accommodation. The windows of the most expensive rooms offer an amazing view of the city center. However, there are options near downtown that are not so expensive, such as Novotel Melbourne On Collins, with a daily rate three times smaller than Crown Towers Melbourne charges, but also offers very comfortable rooms and a great locations in town. One of the positive aspects of the city is that it offers the tourist the possibility to stay in very distinct places: beach, downtown or country side. In other words, Melbourne is a crowd pleasing destination.
DINING OUT In Melbourne you are able to satiate your appetites with a traditional pub’s food or with a gourmet feast in a sophisticated restaurant, among many options. There are more than 3,000 restaurants, cafes and bars from more than 70 different nationalities. In a single block you are going to be able to try almost everything: from Chinese food to the authentic European flavor, from Mexican and Indian to the modern Australian appetizers. For the one seeking sophistication, it is worthwhile to visit the acclaimed Attica, ran by Ben Shewry. Considered to be one of the best restaurants in Australia, it has been
classified as the 32nd in the list of the 50 Best
Melbourne pubs, do not miss the opportunity
Restaurants in the World. It offers creative
to taste an authentic Australian artisan wine
tasting menu and selected wines. The city also
or beer.
offers other options of fine dining and worth the wait for a table, such as the very well-
But for the ones searching for an alternative
attended Flower Drum and Vue de Monde.
to the restaurants and prefer to prepare their own food, Coles supermarkets are the
If you do not intend to spend much, there is
solution. Very common and with many units
no reason to worry. There are Vietnamese,
around the city, the establishment usually
Lebanese and Chinese restaurant options in
offers low prices and promotions.
every corner of the city, such as Richmond Thy Thy, Flemington’s Laksa King or CBD’s Camy Shanghai Dumpling. Food Trucks are also very popular in Melbourne and may save the tourist
SHOPPING
who seeks a quick and quality meal in the middle of the city. For sunny days, the hint is to have lunch in one of Laneway restaurants. Their style is somewhat casual, but very pleasant. However, if you choose to explore the local culinary
Although it is a city marked by the strong cultural presence, Melbourne can also delight the tourist who wishes to have a good shopping session. Malls, shopping centers, stores and tours are some of the options available.
scene, the alternative is to indulge in fresh
Queen Victoria Market is way more than the
seafood from Great Ocean Road, local cheeses
shopping Mecca in Melbourne. It is a historical
from High Country or wines and cold weather
landmark, a touristic attraction and a very
from Yarra Valley.
important institution of the city. There are
For the ones who just love Italian cuisine, the hint is to visit Lygon St., in Carlton, home to Italian colonization in the 50’s. The street is crowded day in day out with its sidewalks full with tables from restaurants, bars and coffee shops. Wines and beers are very popular and traditional in the state of Victoria. From the renowned wineries located, in its majority in Mornington Peninsula and Yarra Valley to
more than 600 stores that occupy two blocks and offer a bit of everything: coffee, fresh fruit, vegetables, gourmet food, purses, decoration items, souvenirs and much, much more. The market is closed only on Mondays and Wednesdays. Sundays are the busiest days. Sundays, by the way, are the best days to go shopping in markets and street fairs in Melbourne. In Docklands, for example, it is possible to buy food, arts and crafts, clothes, jewelry and gifts in one of the dozens of
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stands mounted in the main pier of the city. Also on Sundays, craftspeople fill the Arts Centre Melbourne lawn to sell their handmade products. The parking lot of Federation Square opens stage to designers to release and sell their new products. It is the perfect opportunity to buy creative clothes, furniture and accessories made by young and talented professionals. For whoever is looking for original arts and crafts, the place to go is called Esplanade, in St. Kilda. The small market also works every Sunday and it is a great hint for a cultural venue. The Community Grocer is a farmers’ market that offers excellent products at reasonable prices. The best about it: every single produce is fresh and grown by the local community. The fair takes place in Carlton, every Friday. Bourke Street is another great spot for shopping (and tourism), where it is possible to find a great variety of stores. For those who are looking for some fashion, Collins Street is the place, famous for its stores of prestigious designers. The Block Arcade, also in this street, is a big 19th Century square that has been renovated and gathers many small stores nowadays. The Chadstone Shopping Centre is a shopping alternative with more comfort and luxury. The mall has three floors and more than 500 stores. Many tourists need more than one day to know everything it offers.
CURRENCY The currency in Australia is the Australian dollar. There are five bills: AUD$ 5, AUD$ 10, AUD$ 20, AUD$ 50 and AUD$ 100, and also coins of 5, 10, 20, 50 cents and one and two dollars. The marks of the bills are Australian personalities and the colors are eye-catching. Banks, hotels and international airports are the best places to exchange currency. In Australia, ATMs are also common for banking operations. The credit and debit card system is also very common in Australian stores. The banking hours are usually from 9:30 to 4:00 PM Mondays through Thursdays. On Fridays, banks close doors at 5:00 PM. The Post Office agencies also offer banking services such as withdrawals, deposits and bank statement requests.
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IMPORTANT NUMBERS
+61 +3 000
CODE OF THE COUNTRY CODE OF THE CITY EMERGENCIES (POLICE, FIRE FIGHTERS AND MEDICAL SERVICE)
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT MELBOURNE AIRPORT, MEL
+61 3 92971600 TOURIST INFORMATION
+61 03 96589658