International Student Guide to Melbourne

INSIDER GUIDES

Free!

Melbourne international student guide.

2

I am makIng

My Move

Be a part of RMIT University’s reputation for producing work-ready and globally focused graduates. It’s your move.

Education at all levels At RMIT you can choose from 470 internationally recognised programs across English language, foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Industry connections RMIT has strong industry links across the globe, so you benefit from work-relevant programs, practical projects and current industry knowledge.

Global networks With RMIT’s 196 educational partners and two campuses in Vietnam, you can undertake an exchange program to almost anywhere in the world.

Discover the opportunities available to you at RMIT! Visit: RMIT Info Corner 330 Swanston Street (corner La Trobe Street) Melbourne Tel. +61 3 9925 5156 Email: isu@rmit.edu.au CRICOS Provider Code: 00122A

11450

www.rmit.edu.au/international

For more information on budget accommodation, dining, touring and events, in Melbourne and Victoria, visit

backpackmelbourne.com

WELCOME We know moving to a new country to study is both exciting and frightening. We are here to help. This guide is designed to help international students discover what to love about Melbourne. To do this, we recruited many past and present local and international students and gave them one mission: Use your knowledge of the city and its surrounds to help other international students have a memorable, fantastic experience!

We were overwhelmed by responses from people wanting to help international students!

Recommendation after recommendation of how to make the most out of Melbourne came flowing back to The Insider Team. After months of compiling and testing these listings, the guide took shape. Throughout the next 100 pages, you will discover how the locals already enjoy Melbourne; now it’s your turn.

GETTING AROUND

8

16 SHOPPING EATING 30 OUT NIGHT 42 LIFE ADVENTURE 56 72 EVENTS USEFUL INFO

84 THE INSIDE WORD...

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TRAVELLING IN MELBOURNE

GETTING AROUND

INTRODUCTION When it comes to getting around Melbourne, there are many transport options, from walking to buying a car. We’re here to show you the options and let you know which places cater to each. There is a fantastic public transport system in Melbourne to get you everywhere you need to go. There are also many bike tracks and hire stations, if you’re looking for a healthier option.

ON FOOT Walking from place to place can be very beneficial. It keeps you fit and will help you gain a natural sense of direction within your city. You will come across new places and things that you never would have seen on public transport. Also, it’s cheaper than constantly paying for public transport and much cheaper than paying for parking which can be extremely expensive.

If you want a free map, go to the Melbourne Visitors Centre at Federation Square. If you are centrally located, there is a visitor booth in Bourke Street Mall. If you want a higher quality and more comprehensive map, try your local post office or petrol station.

TRAINS, TRAMS & BUSES Timetables Trains and trams are by far the most convenient way to travel within the central districts.

Before attempting to catch a train or tram, find yourself a timetable and station map, or see the online journey planner at the Metlink website: metlinkmelb ourne.com.au.

Timetables are available in hard copies too from the Metshop on Little Collins St and at most major train stations. If you are looking to get information via a phone, you can call the Metlink hotline on 131 638.

Got an iPhone?

Both MetLink and Yarra Trams have FREE iPhone apps with loads of features. Grab the Metlink app for train and bus timetables and a journey planner. Also, grab the excellent tramTRACKER app and take control of the trams!

Travelling Always remember to travel safely, and read the signs both at the station and on-board. If you are sitting and someone standing is elderly or disabled, it is polite to give them your seat. In priority seating sections, this is enforced by law. Also, it is not a strange practice in Australia to thank the bus driver.

Staying Safe (Travelling)

By Carmen Teoh, MUOSS

Always be aware of your surroundings, especially at night.

If possible, keep to well-lit areas and avoid secluded streets. If you’re remaining at university till late to study, try to make plans to walk back with a friend or in a group. The rule of safety in numbers still holds true. If you have to carry your valuables around, camouflage them or keep them from view when travelling to and from your destination.

If you’re travelling to an unfamiliar place, be prepared and do your research beforehand. Use Google maps or the Metlink journey planner to determine exactly how you’re going to get there. Even if you get lost, try not to look it. A person who appears unsure of their bearings is an easy target.

If you ever find yourself in a dangerous situation, keep calm and dial ‘000’. You will be asked which service you require: police, fire or ambulance, as well as where and what your emergency is. Once you have informed them of the place and nature of the emergency, the required service will be immediately dispatched.

This will occur while the calltaker continues to ask you questions.

9

TICKETS USING AND BUYING

BY EMILY FRENCH The public transport system in Melbourne is completely unique and more than a little daunting if you are unfamiliar with what kind of ticket to buy. Just to make it more confusing, the city is currently in transition between two methods of paying for public transport. Both are still available to commuters, so you can choose which suits you best.

Melbourne has three modes of public transport: the bus, train and tram. A Metcard or a Myki serves as an all-in-one ticket for the different transport systems.

The newly-introduced Myki cards bear a strong resemblance to London’s Oyster card or Hong Kong’s Octopus card. Myki cards are available to purchase at major train stations such as Flinders Street or Southern Cross and will cost you $10 up-front. If you register your Myki card on their website, you can top it up online and track your usage. Otherwise, you can just top it up at train stations or some busier tram stops.

If you fancy kicking it old-school, there are three advisable choices for Metcards: 10 x 2-hourly, 5 x daily, or a monthly Metcard. Although you can buy one-trip Metcards on the tram, this is an expensive option; you can buy them in bulk more cheaply at any retail outlets that display the blue Metcard sign. The ticket machines on trams only accept coins so if you find yourself without adequate change, purchasing at a store is your only option.

Unfortunately, international students are not subsidised on public transport in the state of Victoria. Some students try to evade the system by purchasing concession Metcards or not purchasing/validating a ticket at all. I strongly advise against this as ticket inspectors are renowned for surprise checks and the penalties are severe – currently, the fine stands at approximately $180. If you want to save money by more legal means, try taking the City Circle tourist tram that runs completely free of charge. Or, if you’re heading out for an evening, don’t jump on public transport until after 6pm and you will only pay a 2-hourly rate for the rest of the night!

Useful Web Links Public Transport in Melbourne and Victoria: www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au Myki Ticketing System: www.myki.com.au V/Line Victorian Public Transport: www.vline.com.au

Please note: Metcards will not be in use for long after Easter 2011.

See the Metlink website for details (www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au)

10

Getting Around

www.insiderguides.com.au

BUS TOURS If you’re looking for a way to see some of the tourist spots around Melbourne, why not get on a bus? The Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle is a free service that goes to all the most popular landmarks in the city. It also has a commentary. Details can be found through the Metlink website or That’s Melbourne website, www.thatsmelbourne.com.au.

Tour bus companies also run services to many of the most popular tourist spots. They may even run specialised tours, allowing you to see native animals or get an inside look at the city’s history.

Hiring a mini bus can be a great option for a night out or a group tour. If you are going out with a group, there’s an option to suit from one of the many companies available in Melbourne. It also means you can relax and enjoy the ride with all of your friends!

All Day 20 Royena Road, Moorabbin

All Day tours are accredited by the Australian tourism board.

They run various tours and will take a minimum of three people for some services, including sightseeing tours. Their sightseeing tours can even be taken overnight to various places throughout the city and state.

Set tours include wineries and golf courses, but they are also available for your partying pleasure to take you to the

hottest spots in Melbourne for a night out.

9555 5221 www.allday.com.au

Melbourne Luxury Transfers and Tours 104 Charles Street, Abbotsford

When these guys say luxury, they mean it. Their luxury tours cater from four to twenty people and range from a few hours to whole day services.

They may be pricier than some other tour companies, but they provide a multilingual service upon request. They also have limousines, vans or buses to choose from. A full list of tours and prices can be found on their website.

9417 3994 www.melbourneluxurytours.com.au

Go West 10/167 Beavers Road, Northcote

Equipped with iPod translations, this award-winning company runs tours to the places you need to see around Victoria. See the stunning landscape of the Twelve Apostles or get up close with cute little penguins on Phillip Island.

If you’re up for something more daring, they also run a crime tour of Melbourne. Not only do you get to see historical places, you also get free or discounted entry into some of them, including the Melbourne Gaol.

1300 736 551 www.gowest.com.au

TAXIS Finding a Taxi Taxis (cabs) can be found in their designated ranks. These spots are usually clearly signposted near major hotels, busy streets and shopping centres.

Flinders Street Station has one of the biggest ranks in central Melbourne. There are a number of taxi totems (poles) around Melbourne. Standing at these will help taxis to notice you. If the light on the top of a taxi is on, this means that the taxi can be hailed by raising your arms and waving to it. If it is not on, it has a passenger inside already and will not stop for you. Most taxis are yellow in Melbourne.

Taxi Companies Put these numbers in your phone now:

EMBASSY TAXIS 131 755 SILVER TOP TAXIS 131 008 13 CABS 132 227 ARROW 132 211 Fares Taxis are not always cheap.

Make sure you follow the meter in the front that counts the cost. Some late night taxi trips will be asked to be paid for in advance. There may also be additional charges for late night services, phone bookings or for using freeways.

11

You can find more information regarding how to get a taxi in Melbourne and where to catch them on the Transport Victoria website: www.transport.vic.gov.au

HIRING CARS

So you found the perfect car for the trip

By Denny Purnama

Before you leave the rental company, ensure that you participate in the inspection of the vehicle and point out all the existing damages - scratches, dents, hail damages that you see BEFORE you drive off.

Anything claimed AFTER will be your responsibility.

Tips and tricks in hiring a vehicle Research a wide range of car rental companies and get a quote from each of them.

Look for specials like weekend rental deals or a promotional code if you have one.

Check to see if they are partnered with your Airline Frequent Flyer Program so that you do not miss out on the frequent flyer miles.

REMEMBER

Lights on it’s vacant, Lights off it’s not

12

Book early to avoid disappointment, especially with people movers (7 seaters), as they tend to get leased out pretty quickly during the holiday season.

Things to watch out for Ensure that you are aware of some hidden charges that might apply, for example, insurance per day, mileage limitations, insurance excess, and late fees.

Insurance is strongly recommended for drivers with less experience, as it can reduce your excess when you are at fault.

In Australia, any driver who is under 25 will get an extra surcharge - the inexperienced driver surcharge.

Make sure you stick to the allowed mileage limitation should you have one. Exceeding the mileage limitation might hurt your pocket as they are usually charged per km.

Before you return the vehicle, remember to refuel to its original level (usually a full tank).

Forgetting to refuel can be a costly lesson, as rental companies can sometimes charge double the price of the fuel on the day. It is advisable that you return the vehicle on the date or time specified on the agreement. Late fees may apply, depending on the agreement between you and the company.

OWNING A CAR

BY THE EDITOR

Buying a car is something that takes time. Consider how you will be using the car and what is necessary for you: do you need a big car when a small one will do? Do some research before any purchase. This is the best way to know what cars are worth. Look at tradingpost.com.au and carsguide.com.au to get an idea of value. Once you decide on a car, have it checked over by a Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) approved mechanic and check the history of the car (i.e. whether it’s stolen or has money owing) on the Vic Roads website (www.vicroads.vic.gov.au) before you agree to buy it.

Once you’ve bought a car, you need to register your car with Vic Roads. This registration will include a basic insurance which covers anyone else (not yourself) that you might injure while driving. It is illegal to drive an unregistered car! Joining the RACV is also good because they provide 24 hour roadside assistance, in case your car breaks down.

Be aware of the road rules in Australia. You can find a copy of the road rules on the Vic Roads website. These rules only apply within Victoria. If you want to drive in another state, you’ll need to check their road rules too. Do not drink excessive amounts of alcohol and then drive. Besides the fact that it’s dangerous to yourself and others, there is a very large fine for this in Australia and you could lose your license. Even if you don’t think you are drunk, you might be over the legal limit for driving. The other two large fines that drivers generally get are for exceeding the speed limit and going through red lights. Be responsible when driving.

You’ll need to maintain your car by getting regular services on it by a mechanic. Your mechanic should also provide a written report for you on what was done and be able to explain it all to you. For women, there’s the option of looking for a Female Friendly approved mechanic (www.femalefriendly.com.au). However, the best way to get your car working smoothly all the time is to get some mechanical knowledge yourself.

Photo by: Jacob Zickler

13

CAR INSURANCE

By Denny Purnama

When buying a car, it is recommended to have at least Third Party Insurance. Should you be involved in an accident, third party insurance will only cover the person you incurred the damages to. It does not cover your own damages. For that extra peace of mind, you might want to consider comprehensive insurance, where you will be covered for repairs on your own car, as well as the third party.

It is always a good idea to read your product disclosure statement and know what the terms and conditions of your insurance policy mean. It is also important to note your cooling off period with your insurer, usually 14 business days. The cooling off period allows you to cancel your insurance policy without penalties. Be sure to check an insurance policy’s fine details on valuing your car prior to selecting which policy you will have. There are many factors that come into play.

LEARNING TO DRIVE

By Josh Trezise

Many international students coming to Australia already have an international drivers license, however you may find it a different experience driving over here than it is back home.

Australia has its own set of road rules, as well as the add-

14

Getting Around

ed confusion of driving on the left hand side of the road. You might find it more comfortable to take a few driving lessons with a qualified driving instructor before getting behind the wheel, or alternatively you can find out more information about driving in Victoria at this website:

www.thebikeshed.org.au

www.vicroads.vic.gov.au

9419 6400 Mon-Thu: 8:30am-6:30pm; Fri: 8:30am-7:30pm; Sat: 9am-4:30pm; Sun: 10:30am-4pm

BIKES

By Fiona Loughnane & Shahiman Said www.wemakestuffgood.com

It’s cheap, it keeps you fit, it’s fun – a bike is one of the best ways to get around Melbourne.

There are some great bike paths. You can check out most of them at the Bicycle Victoria website, which is also a great place for all your bike questions and queries: www.bv.com.au/bikes-&-riding/122/

Bike Shed at CERES Corner of Roberts and Stewart Streets

If you want a reliable but inexpensive bike, or to build your own masterpiece, you can’t go past the CERES Bike Shed. The Bike Shed is a volunteer on-site group at CERES (www.ceres. org.au). Their aim is to promote cycling in the local community by teaching people how to fix their own bikes. Membership is $5 per year for students.

Cecil Walker Cycles 395-397 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne

This is one of the most eclectic bike stores in Melbourne. It also has the biggest online bike store in Australia available at the details listed below.

www.cecilwalker.com.au

Rent-a-Bike Federation Square

Rent-a-Bike is located at Federation Square and has a huge variety of bikes, maps and advice for all types of riders. Bikes are priced at $35 a day.

0417 339 203 www.rentabike.net.au

The Humble Vintage Bike Hire Co. This shop in the city has a good selection of classic and vintage racers for hire. Rates are $30 per day / $80 per week. This is a flexible business, which will allow you to pick up and return anywhere in the city. Perfect for summer days in summer dresses. Email hire@thehumblevintage.com to make a booking.

0432 032 450 www.thehumblevintage.com

Bike Shed members can use the tools on site and get free training from volunteer mechanics.

www.insiderguides.com.au

BIKE SHARE SERVICE

BY SONIA MACLEAN

English teacher AMES Flagstaff

Like many people, I’ve had my eye on the blue bikes popping up around the streets of Melbourne. The bikes look interesting, but what is this system all about? Bike Share is Melbourne’s newest way to travel.

The idea is that you can pick up the bike from one station, and ride it to another - unlike a normal hire bike you don’t have to return to your starting point.

So far so good, but I want to check it out for myself.

I’m starting from Melbourne Uni. There are three bike stations on campus, but some energy for my journey is needed, and for me that means a coffee in Lygon Street. From there, I head around the corner to the bike station on Faraday St (I’m interested to see it is solar powered). The machine takes my visa debit card and gives me a code. I choose the one-day option, and happily discover it only costs $2.50 – not bad at all. After adjusting the seat to ‘short-person’ height, I put my helmet on and off I go.

It’s a lovely sunny day, and it doesn’t take long for me to de-

cide that this is the way to travel. I cruise along in the cycle lane and take in one of the really classic parts of the city – the Carlton streets are packed with tiny, charming cottages and terrace houses which used to be home to Melbourne’s working class. After a short time I feel like I’m getting to know my bike. It’s a short friendship, but I’ve named him George.

Coming to the end of Faraday, I go across Nicholson, turn into Bell, and now I’m in Fitzroy. I have to say that Bell Street is now my absolute favourite little street in Melbourne. The houses are just so cute. After crossing Brunswick St (those pubs look great but some other time…) I ride up Moor St and turn right at Gore St. This dream run of quiet little streets unfortunately comes to an end, and I have to walk with the bike in order to cross Victoria Pde at the lights. But it’s all worth it as I speed down the hill at Clarendon St with a glorious view of the Fitzroy gardens backed by the city skyline. I cross the bridge over a railway line, turn right and see the bike station in Wellington Pde. The sign says, to make sure the bike is locked you must see the green light flashing. I discover that you do need to push the bike in quite hard, but finally, there is the green light. And the time? The whole journey took nearly 30 minutes, and at the end of it I

could choose to take my bike for another trip or be lazy and jump on the train at Jolimont Station.

All in all, I was more than happy with the experience. The bikes are built in a solid, sit-up style that means they are quite slow but very easy to ride, and perfect for just cruising around.

I travelled on safe bike lanes along some of Melbourne’s best ‘secret streets’, and fell in love with my city all over again! www.melbournebikeshare.com.au

TIPS FOR USING MELBOURNE BIKE SHARE:

• You can buy daily ($2.50) or weekly ($8) tickets from the bike stations • You can take as many trips as you want in one day, but there’s an extra charge for each trip of more than 30 minutes (e.g. a 59 minute trip costs $4.50)

• A yearly ticket costs only $50 – that’s little more than $1 per week! And you get your own key.

• There are 50 stations around the city centre – for locations check out melbournebikeshare. com or get the iPhone app at bikeshare.tel • All the bikes have a basket where you can put your bag.

• Always take a helmet. You can also buy one for $5 or rent for $2 at a 7 Eleven store • Stay safe on the roads!

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Photo by: Tony Pierrakos

HOMEWARES, CLOTHING & MORE

SHOPPING

INTRODUCTION Every day, Australians and tourists are travelling to Melbourne, just to go shopping!

In malls, markets and streetside shops, almost anything you need can be found here.

The best way to find great shops is just to have a look around. Chapel St, Prahan, is a great place to look for highend and second-hand clothes from Australian and international designers. Fitzroy hosts some of the best shopping, with factory outlets on Smith St, and other trendy and highend stores on Brunswick St and Gertrude St. For market shopping, wander down to the beach-side suburb of St Kilda.

Other shopping areas are Brunswick, known for its retro and second-hand clothing, and Richmond, with a selection of factory outlets offering heavily discounted goodies.

This section contains a range of listings from students that recommend everything from the bargain buys to the highend. There are also some great websites that can help you plan your shopping adventures. One of the best is: www. onlymelbourne.com.au.

MALLS AND CENTRES For a one-stop shopping experience, you can often find everything that you need at a mall or shopping centre. There is a fairly standard set-up in

shopping centres, generally containing a few supermarkets, department stores, and a wide selection of speciality shops. Centres and malls are also a good place to look for the local newsagency, post office and bank.

SUPERMARKETS The quality of food is high in Australia. Most meats come from local sources, and almost all our fruit and vegetables are also grown here, rather than imported. You can buy this produce in any supermarket, besides other specialised stores and markets.

If you want high-quality meat, we recommend choosing Australian. Check the label: it should tell you where it’s from.

You can freeze most red meats for a few months and most white meat for a few weeks at least. The beef is excellent, and you can even buy a few of our native animals to try.

There is a delicatessen section in supermarkets as well, and they sell meats, cheeses and other items. The quality is generally good. Fresh fish is also available. While sandwich meat can be bought here too, packaged sandwich meat is also available in the cold goods section (normally next to the cheeses).

DEPARTMENT STORES Department stores generally stock all of the non-food items,

although some do sell lollies, soft drinks and chips. For electronics, cheap clothes and shoes, music, home wares, and more, this can be a good option. Some of them even develop photos for a cheap price, or sell car and garden products. Myers, David Jones, Target and Kmart are some of the department stores you’ll find in almost every major shopping mall or centre.

DELICATESSENS (DELIS) Also known as corner stores, at some point these used to sell something that earned them their original name. Now they are much like smaller, closer supermarkets, stocking all your essentials and a few other things that you might like. Most sell hot foods for a quick lunch, and ice-creams for those unbearably hot summer days.

PETROL STATIONS In Australia, petrol stations don’t just sell petrol. They also sell a selection of supermarket items that you might urgently need when the supermarkets aren’t open – basics like milk, bread, toilet paper, chocolate, etc. If you’re desperate for something late at night, or it’s just not worth driving to the shops, this might be an easier option for your supplies. Some of the bigger ones sell coffee and fast food.

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BUTCHERS These shops provide all your meat needs. Often they stock other animal products as well, such as eggs or yoghurt. Some butcher shops specialise in one particular meat or prepared meat that is ready to cook, such as with marinades or bread-crumb covering. Many people prefer to buy meat from a butcher because it can be fresher and much cheaper than meat from the supermarket.

BAKERIES The bakeries in Australia generally stock the traditional

fare of loaves and rolls. They may also have a selection of bread-based lunch items, such as pizza bread and focaccias, or dessert items, such as ‘sticky buns’ and jam scrolls.

At Easter, you can get delicious hot-cross buns. Many bakeries promote their fresh products, promising that everything they sell has been baked that morning.

GREENGROCERS Greengrocers sell a range of fruits and vegetables, always important in a healthy student diet! Often they stock greater ranges than supermarkets, so it might be easier to find that rare ingredient at your local

greengrocers. They may also sell a range of related items, such as spices, pickles, juices and more.

CATALOGUES AND SPECIALS Every week you’ll likely receive a bundle of catalogues through the mail from the big department stores. They can be useful for knowing what’s available from where and also checking out what deals are on.

NEWSAGENCIES Besides stocking things that tell you the news, namely

newspapers and magazines, these are a great place to find stationery supplies and much more. Some offer student discounts. They tend to sell cards, art supplies, diaries, calendars and notebooks.

BUDGET OPTIONS

MARKETS

While there are some things you need to buy brand new, there are loads of items that are worth buying second-hand. Keep your eye out for second-hand stores and you will save a fortune. Some of these are mentioned in this section!

Melbourne has plenty of markets where you can get a great price on food or other items.

Some of the best markets are out in the country, so if you have a car, the trip is well worth it. We have included in this section listings of what we consider the must-see markets of Melbourne.

1. Second-hand shops

2. Bargain hunting

Queen Victoria Markets

Watch out for the sales, or let someone else do it for you. The website www.ozbargain.com.au is where bargain hunters come to tell you where to save money.

They have a massive network of members who know when and where the sales are on, and how you can take advantage of them.

Corner of Queen and Elizabeth Streets

3. Direct Factory Outlets (DFOs)

What do you get if you add the multicultural flair of Melbourne, the incredible fresh produce from its surrounds, and the hustle and bustle of curious and hungry Melburnian shoppers?

The Queen Victoria Markets is well known Australia-wide as one of the best outdoor markets in the country. Boutique wine makers, butchers, farmers and craftsmen come from all over the place to bring you the ultimate shopping experience. The competition between stall owners makes the market come alive, as bargains are shouted out loud while you stroll through. This market guarantees to bring your senses to life, and is highly recommended. Also, many of the

Buying direct from the manufacturer means the savings they make by avoiding a retailer are passed on to you. These shops are called factory outlets and some of them are located in awesome shopping areas.

Bridge Rd in Richmond has many of these, as well as Smith St in Fitzroy.

3. Online Traders The Trading Post has to be the leader in online traders.

This is the place to keep an eye out for local bargains and giveaways. There are a few other big online traders as well. Gumtree.com.au is well-loved by Aussies for its buy and trade deals. Also check out melbourneexchange.com.au and simpletrade.com.au.

4. Auctions If you pick the right auction, you can come out with an absolute bargain. Look for the auctions of office furniture and you could get very cheap desks and chairs – always good for studying!

19

photos in this guide were submitted by Tony Pierrakos who runs a great photography stall there. Photos make excellent souvenirs or gifts so be sure to have a look!

Have a visit of the QVM website. They run many other seasonal or special event markets throughout the year, including the Mooncake Festival.

9320 5822 Tue & Thu: 6am-2pm; Fri: 6am-5pm; Sat: 6am-3pm; Sun: 9am-4pm www.qvm.com.au

Footscray Market Corner Hopkins and Leeds Streets, Footscray

Need lotus flowers? This market is another great place to find those ingredients that other places just don’t stock.

It has a reputation as being remarkably cheap too, while still having very fresh produce.

Even if you don’t intend on using lotus flowers in your next dish, this place is still worth checking out, as they have stalls with more than just food. Prepare yourself for a fun, fast shopping expedition.

9687 1205 Tue-Wed & Sat: 7am-4pm; Thu: 7am-6pm; Fri: 7am-8pm

Federation Square Book Market The Atrium, Federation Square

Has the constant stream of uni textbooks made you forget what it is like to read for pleasure? A browse through the city’s largest weekly book market at Federation Square will be sure to inspire. Selling new and second-hand titles,

20

Shopping

this market covers all the topics you can think of, including history, cooking, art, gardening, and everything in between.

9655 1900

Sat: 11am-5pm

www.fedsquare.com

South Melbourne Market 322 Coventry Street, South Melbourne Recommended by: Emily French

One of the joys of coming to Melbourne is the amazing fresh food that is on offer at the local markets. If you’re a student, chances are you’ve got a pretty meagre budget on which to sustain yourself – and this is where South Melbourne Market really shines. This market has great local produce that is just so reasonably priced, you won’t find yourself forced to resort to packet noodles to survive between pay cheques.

9209 6295 Wed, Sat & Sun: 8am-4pm; Fri: 8am-5pm www.southmelbournemarket.com.au

Suzuki Night Market Corner of Queen Street and Victoria Street

This market was recommended to us by international students who look for those ingredients which are common back home, but not so common here in Australia. The diversity of food at this market makes it hugely popular on those balmy summer nights. While perfect for a quick and tasty feed from the stalls offering freshly cooked meals from around the world, students can also stock up on a range of different fresh

produce, listen to some live music, taste some of Victoria’s best wine and browse through 150 stalls offering a unique range of arts and crafts.

9320 5822

Wed: 5:30pm-10pm

Mid Nov 2010-Early Mar 2011

MUSIC , DVDS & GAMES For mainstream purchases there are some easy stores to find such as JB HiFi, EzyDVD or Allans music. However, the following are some of the more hidden gems around Melbourne.

Play Shop 4, 50 Bourke Street, Melbourne Recommended by: Jerrie Johnston

Play has an excellent selection of music, games and DVDs compiled together in this secret space. If what you’re looking for isn’t here, it’s not in Melbourne. But here, they’ll order it in for you. Prepare to pay a bit extra for your items, but it is well worth it - the staff are enormously friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.

9650 0652 Mon-Sat: 10am-9pm; Sun: 11:30am-6:30pm

Minotaur Entertainment 121 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne

Minotaur offers a massive range of comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, games, movies, and basically everything you can think of that is related to sci-fi pop culture. If you have not been able to keep

www.insiderguides.com.au

STOCKING UP YOUR NEW HOME

Getting everything to stock up your new home takes time, but it can be fun and affordable if you know where to look. Most household supplies can be bought from supermarkets, i.e. cleaning products, toiletries, etc. For bigger items, like furniture and home wares, there are a number of options.

Melbourne is home to many new and used furniture stores so you’ll never be lacking for choice.

BIG FURNITURE OUTLETS We recommend these as the first stop for furniture hunters, as they have massive showrooms full of decent furniture at relatively cheap prices. Remember to check whether delivery is available and what the charge is. Some places also expect you to be able to put furniture together yourself, such as IKEA. It’s good to think outside the square a little as well.

Big department stores have affordable and beautiful home wares. Places like Bunnings can also have cheap cleaning equipment or clothes-washing accessories.

SECOND-HAND FURNITURE Ishka 362 Lygon Street, Carlton

Recommended by: Emily French Selling a range of items from beautiful clothing and jewellery to unique pieces of furniture, Ishka is a fantastic multicultural store specialising in hand-crafted items from all over the world. It’s a classy and unusual store that is perfect for gift ideas or for an individual piece to liven up your living space. With regular storewide sales, it also won’t break the budget!

9347 6880 Mon & Wed-Sat: 9:30am-9pm; Tue: 9:30am-6pm; Sun: 11:30am-6pm www.ishka.com.au

Chapel St Bazaar 217 Chapel Street, Prahran

This joint looks, smells and sounds like the past. As you walk through the store looking in the bins and on the shelves, it will be hard for you not to feel nostalgic about something. You will find outfits, toys, books, furniture, jewellery, hats and even some retro electrical.

Although before you go home and plug it in, it may be worth getting the electrics tested out professionally. At the very least make sure you have a functioning surge arrestor.

9529 1727

Know Your Product 1 Timmins Street, Northcote

OK, so most of this stuff will cost you more than IKEA furniture. But if you’re in love with retro furniture, this is the place to shop. With green stools from the ‘60s, army seats from the ‘40s and a selection of beautiful woodwork, it’s easy to convince yourself that it’s worth it. There are also reasonably priced items from more recent times.

9486 1116

Wed-Sun: 12pm-6pm

www.knowyourproduct.net.au

SHOPPING ONLINE

Never underestimate the power of the Internet when it comes to finding bargains for your new home. Sites like Ebay and Amazon can seriously offer some top deals on both new and used goods. You can also keep up with Australian websites such as the Trading Post and Grays Online when it comes to finding what you’re looking for. www.ebay.com.au www.graysonline.com www.tradingpost.com.au www.amazon.com

Mon-Sun: 10am-6pm

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up-to-date with what’s been happening to your favourite characters since you moved to Australia we highly recommend a visit. Even if you are not a fan of anime and games, this place is still pretty cool to have a walk through for a browse.

9670 5414 Mon-Wed & Sat: 9am-6pm; Thu: 9am-7pm; Fri: 9am-9pm; Sun: 11am-5pm www.minotaur.com.au

Thomas’ Music 31 Bourke Street, Melbourne

So your music and movie tastes are a little different?

Stocking all the things that other retailers only have the minimum of, you can get the latest jazz, international and classical music. They also have a great selection of DVDs so you can find that ‘50s comedy for your folks and get a copy of the arthouse film you need for your studies.

9560 9111 Mon-Thu & Sat: 9am-6pm; Fri: 9am-9pm www.thomasmusic.net.au

African Drumming 12 Grey Street, St Kilda

African Drumming is one of the hubs of African culture in Melbourne. They offer drumming workshops and classes are not only awesome fun, but a great way to meet people and gain some new skills. They also sell a wide range of African djembes, drums, CDs, books and arts and crafts. With a fantastic team of instructors and staff, don’t hesitate to contact

them or put your head in the door.

Obese Records

9525 3073 Mon-Fri: 10am-6pm; Sat: 10:30am-5pm

Obese is the largest Australian independent hip hop label. If you’re a hip hop fan we highly advise checking out the retail store. Obese has been the home to some of the most popular Australian hip hop artists ever to jump onto the stage. If you’re looking for a good insight into Aussie hip hop music and the culture behind it, give this store a visit.

If you have a keen interest in seeing some hip hop shows, check out the Obese blog @ obeserecords.blogspot.com

www.africandrumming.com.au

VINYL HUNTING

By Adrian Manusco

Whether you’re a DJ spinning some tracks in the clubs or just interested in sitting in a comfortable chair at home and chilling to some tunes, Melbourne’s record stores will have something for you. The Melbourne music scene caters for all kinds of music fans. Before you go hunting for your personal favourites, don’t be scared if you don’t have a record player. Visiting these stores can be a cultural experience in itself and most record stores also sell CDs. Missing Link 405 Bourke Street, Melbourne (in the basement)

Missing Link has been Melbourne’s central independent record store since... well, forever. The store plays host to occasional in-store gigs, all of which are free and all-ages.

Known for its unparalleled punk/hardcore section, Missing Link also stocks a huge amount of local releases. This is the place to go if you want to hear some of Melbourne’s amazing musical talent.

9670 8208 Mon-Wed: 10am-6pm; Thu-Fri: 10am-6pm; Sat: 10am-4pm; Sun: 10pm-4pm

4A Izett Street, Prahran

9529 1577 Mon-Thu: 10:30am-5:30pm; Fri: 10:30am-6pm; Sat: 10:30am-5:30pm; Sun: 12:30am-5pm www.obeserecords.com

Greville Records 152 Greville Steet, Prahran

A space/time-capsule in the middle of trendy Chapel Street, Greville Records offers Melbourne a glimpse into the outer-reaches of music. Stocking rare funk, soul, punk, indie, jazz, rock and reggae albums, the store specialises in the obscure and the strange. Dealing mostly with rare CDs, the store is less for crate-digging DJs and more for the obsessed music lover. Greville Records, like most of the stores listed, also write small reviews on each album, giving you more of a reason to grab something you’ve never heard of!

9510 3012 Mon-Sat: 10am-6pm; Fri: 10am-7pm; Sun: 12pm-5pm

www.missinglink.net.au

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Shopping

www.insiderguides.com.au

Go to Study Melbourne online... for answers to all your questions about: • Support services • Work and money • Accommodation • Health and wellbeing • Recreation • Shopping

www.studymelbourne.vic.gov.au

BOOKS

Readings

The Paperback Books

309 Lygon Steet, Carlton

60 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Foreign Language Bookshop

Readings is one of Melbourne’s largest indie bookstores, with several stores around the city.

If you’re looking for something a little more alternative and arty, this might be a great place to check out. Readings also offers a large range of mainstream books, DVDs and CDs. The store offers a discount to students on some course-related material when an ID card is shown. There is also a large pinup wall where students post accommodation listings.

They support local events, like the Writers’ Festival.

Recommended by: Jerrie Johnston

259 Collins Street, Melbourne

The Foreign Language Bookshop stocks books for both educational and recreational purposes. The book store has titles in over 150 different languages. There is a large range of books that cater for Englishas-a-second-language students. This might be a great place for you to find yourself an electronic translator, dictionary or phrase book to help you with your studies.

9654 2883 Mon-Thu: 9am-6pm; Fri: 9am-6:30pm; Sat: 10am-5:30pm www.foreignlanguagebookshop.com.au

9347 6633 Mon-Fri: 9am-11pm; Sat: 9am-11pm; Sun: 9am-10pm www.readings.com.au

Paperback Books is a cute, quirky and over-crowded bookshop perched at the Parliament end of Bourke Street.

Venture inside for a cramped treasure trove of books that looks deceptively disorganised, but the chaotic appearance is a pure façade – the books here are of an amazing variety and sneakily well-organised. Excellent price range and lovely service; just make sure you don’t go inside at peak hour!

9662 1396 Mon-Fri: 9:30am10pm; Sat 11am-11:30pm; Sun 12pm-7pm www.paperbackbooks.com.au

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Hill of Content 86 Bourke Street, Melbourne Recommended by: Jerrie Johnston

Lose yourself in this fabulous book-store that stocks an almost endless supply. Venture inside from the Melbourne cold for the friendly greetings, but stay for the wide range of sources. Whether it’s obscure fiction, biographies, text books or self-help guides you require, you’re sure to find many hidden gems here. Prepare your legs for some exercise though – the second floor is worth the hike!

9662 9472 Mon-Thu: 9am6:30pm; Fri: 9am-8pm; Sat: 10am-6pm; Sun: 11am-5pm www.hillofcontentbookshop.com

SECOND-HAND CLOTHING If you’ve never bought secondhand, don’t be scared! It’s gone from a budget option to a well-loved activity, with people using it to find the perfect vintage piece or grab a bargain on antique furniture. For Melburnians, there’s a huge selection of stores. A great blog for finding out about them all is ‘I op therefore I am’: melb-opshopping.blogspot. com. People post their finds on there, with photos and prices.

RetroStar First Floor, Nicholas Building, 37 Swanston Street, Melbourne Recommended by: Jerrie Johnston

Travel up a hidden stairwell into another world with this

24

Shopping

warehouse-style setup of second-hand vintage, retro and alternative clothing. If it’s band t-shirts, shoes, bags or 1950sera clothing you’re after, you’ll find it here. Prepare to pay a bit extra if you’re not willing to spend too long hunting for a bargain – otherwise, don’t miss their superb Warehouse Sales!

9663 1223 Mon-Thu & Sat: 10am-6pm; Fri: 10am-8pm; Sun: 11:30am-6pm www.retrostar.com.au

Lost and Found Market 12 Smith Street, Collingwood Recommended by: Marcellina Mardian

Second-hand shopping can get a little bit tricky if you don’t know where to go. Lost & Found Market is definitely a good place to start. With four levels to explore, Lost and Found is a heaven of vintage treasures. The place is bursting with an endless selection of clothes, shoes, books and vintage knick-knacks. They have a dedicated section for men’s fashion too. Music lovers will be thrilled to see the vinyl record collections, all in mint condition. At the basement, you could find some good-looking vintage furniture pieces for your apartment. All the items here are reasonably priced, so next time you’re on Smith Street, make sure you check this place out.

9419 4477

Mon-Sun: 10am-6pm

www.lostandfoundmarket.com.au

Savers 330 Sydney Road, Brunswick Recommended by: Emily French

A self-proclaimed “recycle superstore”, Savers is nothing short of a godsend for a student on the lookout for a budget outfit or costume. It’s second-hand and as cheap as it comes, so it won’t matter if you somehow misplace your shirt or end up with beer (or worse) spilled all over yourself at the end of the night. Not only can you find clothes here – there’s a mishmash of furniture, ornaments and crockery although, to be frank, I’d wash anything you buy here thoroughly before you use it!

9381 2393 Mon-Wed: 9am-6pm; Thu-Fri: 9am-9pm; Sat: 9am-6pm; Sun: 10am-5pm www.savers.com.au

STREET WEAR Hype Shoes 257 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Sneaker fan? If you are, this is a place worth walking into.

Stocking the latest in trendy street wear and casual footwear, this shop has one of the largest selections of the coolest hip street brands under one roof. To list a few favourites, they stock Nike, Onitsuka, Adidas, Lacoste, Converse, Vans, and Creative Recreation.

These are all available in the most up-to-date styles and sold for competitive prices. In the words of Forrest Gump’s mum, “there’s an awful lot you could tell about a person by their shoes”, so head on in

www.insiderguides.com.au

and find a pair that tell a story about you.

9663 1122 Mon-Thu & Sat: 10am-6pm; Fri: 10am-7pm; Sun: 11am-6pm www.hypedc.com

General Pants Co. Shop 1, London Store Building, 345 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Boasting some of the best Aussie brands, including Sass & Bide and One Teaspoon, students can also find a range of premier international brands.

Their website also hosts an online gallery, The Bubble, which all aspiring artists in any field can join.

8398 9150 Mon-Wed & Sat: 9:30am-6pm; Thu: 9:30am-7pm; Fri: 9:30am-9pm; Sun: 10am-6pm

Fat

Kinki Gerlinki

General Post Office, 3/350 Bourke Street, Melbourne

2/360 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

The Fat store is one of the most unique clothing outlets in Melbourne. Filled with quirky, cool retro and street fashion it offers clothing to the city girls and guys who love to show off their bold fashion sense.

Fat has been the birth place of a handful of famous Australian designers and artists.

Fat stocks the classic brands like Sass & Bide and Tsubi, but also stocks a range of up-andcoming new labels. As an interesting addition, the store now stocks a handful of arts and crafts pieces, ceramics and musical instruments.

www.generalpants.com.au

9662 3332 Mon-Thu: 10am-6pm; Fri: 10am-8pm; Sat: 10am-6pm; Sun: 11am-5pm

Someday

www.fat4.com

Level 3, Curtin House, 252 Swanston Street, Melbourne

Someday stocks funky street wear and accessories with the attitude that style is personal.

They also have on hand a selection of books, vinyls and toys (if you can call them that).

Combining the modern with the retro, and bringing their own feel to it, it’s well worth a look inside, even though they are at the high end of the pricing scale.

GIRL STUFF Mimco General Post Office, 15/350 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Mimco emphasises the importance of being properly accessorised. The one-stop shop for accessories like bags, handbags, jewellery and scarves, Mimco products cater for the busy student and the upmarket traveller.

9654 6458 Mon-Thu & Sat: 11am-6pm; Fri: 11am-7pm; Sun: 12pm-5pm

9663 9321 Mon-Thu & Sat: 10am-6pm; Fri: 10am-8pm; Sun: 11am-5pm

www.someday-store.com

www.mimco.com.au

This well-loved store stocks mostly their own stuff, made from personal designs and rare fabrics. There are almost affordable clothes in here too, much to the relief of anyone who loves designer clothing.

And because they work to their own style you can always find pieces that go together and create a unique look.

9495 6059 Mon-Thu & Sat: 10am-6pm; Fri: 10am-7pm; Sun: 11am-5pm www.kinkigerlinki.com.au

Smitten Kitten Shop 6, Degraves Street, Melbourne Recommended by: Jerrie Johnston

Step into this luxurious boutique for a saucy garment your wardrobe has been sorely lacking. This discreet lingerie oasis specialises in vintage-style garters, stockings, slips, seductive perfumes and a wide variety of other sensual gifts.

Whether just stepping in to admire the silks or purchasing a special gift for a loved one, the staff are sensible and friendly and you’ll leave feeling great – no awkward moments, guaranteed! Prepare your wallet for the purchases beforehand though!

9654 2073 Mon-Fri: 11am-6pm; Sat: 10am-5pm www.smittenkitten.com.au

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Cue

Kickz 101

Shop 1, 256 Collins Street, Melbourne

63 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne

Recommended by: Chanelle Leslie

These guys love basketball.

They love it enough to have a whole shop dedicated to your basketball needs. Don’t play?

It’s still worth looking at their huge collection of wonderfully coloured shoes, from pink to green to bright orange. They also have a selection of accessories to browse through for the basketball fan or the general collector.

Somewhere between the chichi fashion designers of Milan and the bland business-wear of Wall Street lies Cue’s aesthetic. Cue is for the professional dresser who knows her Pucci from her Gucci and her Balenciaga from her Balmain.

Although you can expect to pay a little more than you might at most high street chains, your Australian-made clothing will last long as you could ever need it.

9639 2666 Mon-Wed: 9am-6pm; Thu: 9am-7pm; Fri: 9am-8pm; Sat: 9am-5pm; Sun: 10am-5pm www.cue.cc

SPORTS & OUTDOOR Rock N Skate Shop 3/22-28 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda

‘Rockin’ sells and hires out inline skates. They also boast an impressive selection of long boards for rent and skateboards for sale. If you already have some gear that needs a bit of a tune up, ‘Rockin’ offers repairs and maintenance.

If you are heading down to St Kilda for the day and are looking for something special to do, hiring some wheels is always a fun activity.

9525 3434

Mon-Fri: 11am-6pm;

Sat-Sun: 10am-6pm

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Shopping

9620 1101 Mon-Thu & Sat: 10am-6pm; Fri: 10am-7pm; Sun: 12pm-5pm www.kickz101.com.au

Boardworx Shop 112, Brandon Park Shopping Centre, Wheelers Hill

This Aussie-owned store is a great place to look for your snow and skate boards and accessories. They stock a huge range of clothes as well, to suit the cold and the hot weather sports, including skiing and swimming. There are regular specials on and it is worth checking out their website because they may have online offers or vouchers.

out. Anaconda is the largest outdoor supplier around. It’s like a high quality IKEA of adventure products such as kayaks, bikes, tents, fishing rods, climbing gear, drink bottles, clothing - the list is endless.

8695 9300 Mon-Thu & Sat-Sun: 10am-6pm; Fri: 10am-9pm www.anaconda.com.au

Ballistyx!

99-101 Maroondah Highway, Ringwood

Only 20 mins on the Eastlink train, it’s worth travelling to this store for your next board.

Stocking snowboards, skateboards, and soon BMX bikes, this place is much cheaper than most for new accessories and stocks far more than other places. Drop in there on the way through to the mountains or check out their website for their super-helpful FAQs page.

9870 9991 Mon-Wed: 9:30am-5:30pm; Thu-Fri: 9:30am-7pm; Sat: 9:30am-5pm; Sun: 11am-4pm www.ballistyx.com.au

9561 7979 Mon-Wed: 9am-5:30pm; Thu-Fri: 9am-9pm; Sat: 9am-5pm; Sun: 11am-4pm www.boardworx.com.au

Anaconda Basement Level 1, 20 Convention Centre Place, South Wharf

If you’re venturing into the great outdoors and need some gear to help you get by, the folks at Anaconda can help you

www.insiderguides.com.au

BY DELIMA SHANTI WHAT’S ON: GREAT DEALS AROUND MELBOURNE

All year round, Melbourne hosts a wide range of markets every month, where you can buy everything from kitchen tables to unique vintage dresses without breaking the bank account.

Blackbird Market Held on the second Saturday of every month at The Workers Club on Brunswick St, stalls will offer a wide range of art works, contemporary fashion and jewellery by local designers, and great quality vintage clothing. While you’re there, enjoy the live bands, DJ sets, artist installations and when you’re done shopping, hit the bar and order their delicious lamb burger and some cold cider!

Camberwell Sunday Market No moaning and groaning, this one is worth getting up early on a Sunday morning! Open from 7am-1pm, you’ll want to get to the market early, which is just a stone’s throw away from Camberwell station. Stall holders offer mainly second-hand or hand-made goods, from Lego blocks, to fur jackets to jewellery made from old silver spoons and forks. Pro-tip: If you can’t get there early enough, don’t despair, because you can score deals for under $5 when people start packing up at 12.30pm.

Hello Sailor Vintage Fair The Hello Sailor Vintage Fair is held fortnightly across two locations: the Carlton Hotel on Bourke Street and the Grace Darling Hotel in Collingwood. The markets are usually held on both Saturday and Sunday, at 1pm-6pm, so you’ll have plenty of time for a quick espresso and a dose of hangover eggs before you trudge your way through the vintage gems on offer.

Beauty for less: Biba Academy - Swanston St and Fitzroy ($25 cuts) If your hairstyle is starting to look like John Lennon’s from his hippie era, never fear, because the Biba Academy has $25 cuts by hairdressing trainees. Cutting techniques are very ‘now’ and you need only look at the students’ hairstyles to see that they’re very much in-the-know with the latest in hair trends.

Melbourne College of Hair and Beauty (Manicure $13, Facial $15, Waxing from $6) Trips to the beauty salon are not often wallet-friendly, especially for the females among us.

Luckily, the Melbourne College of Hair and Beauty across from Flinders St Station offers cheap massages, facials and manicures amongst other services, so you can sneak a quick pampering session when waiting for your next train.

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MISCELLANEOUS Rokk Ebony (Salon) 328 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne Recommended by: Emily French

Although there are multiple salons on most streets in the city, it’s alarmingly difficult to find a decent hairdresser in Melbourne. Rokk Ebony, however, is an immaculate and classy establishment that offers everything from basic cuts to complex colouring. With an impressive collection of accolades to their name – it’s won Salon of the Year for seven years running – this place really delivers. And best of all, students get a 15% discount!

9645 8010 Mon: 10:30am-6pm; Tue & Fri: 9:45am-6pm; Wed & Thu: 9:45am-9pm; Sat: 9am-5pm www.rokkebony.com.au

Rose Chong Costumes 218 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

During your stay in Australia, you will most likely be invited to a costume party, and when this happens, a visit to this shop will ensure you have all that you will need to stand out in the crowd. Seriously, these guys are professionals in the costume field. Rose Chong has become a recognised Melbourne institution and is worth wandering through even if you don’t have a party to go to and are just looking for a little bit of fun.

9419 6233 Mon-Thu: 9am-6pm; Fri: 9am-8pm; Sat: 10am-5pm

Kikki K (Stationery) 318-322 Little Collins Street, Melbourne

If you’re going to be studying and keeping yourself organised, then you’ll need things like pencils, pens, paper, diaries, etc. Kikki K has all these things and all of them are gorgeous.

You can even colour coordinate your desk with ranges in blue, pink, red and more. While you’re there, pick up some cards to send back home and get a new pen to write in them!

8616 0518 Mon-Thu: 10am-6pm; Fri: 10am-8pm; Sat: 10am-5pm; Sun: 11am-5pm www.kikki-k.com

Dafel (Vintage Dolls) Shop 16, Block Arcade, 282 Collins Street, Melbourne Recommended by: Jerrie Johnston

Travel back to the childhood of your dreams! This beauty stocks vintage-style porcelain dolls, jack-in-the-boxes, golliwogs, prams, beautiful dollhouses and a huge range of adorable teddy-bears! Don’t miss this two-storey love-affair with childhood obsessions, staffed by a team as enthusiastic as you will be! But wait, there’s more – they also offer doll repairs and maintenance!

Pop in for a visit and feel your heart melt with joy and memories.

9654 3882 Mon-Fri: 10am4:30pm; Sat: 10am-2pm www.dafeldollsandbears.com.au

SHOP GREEN! If you care about the environment, you might want to think about how many plastic bags you use.

Plastic bags take many years to break down, and if they end up in the ocean, it can mean disaster for marine animals.

The alternative is to take your own reusable bags with you when you shop. You can buy ‘green’ (environmentally-friendly) bags to take with you, or you can get prettier woven bags that are just as eco-friendly. These can be bought from many organic and wholefoods shops, and from some markets. Make sure you get washable bags and wash them often!

Need to use the plastic bags? You can also help out by getting these recycled. Some of the major supermarkets will take back their plastic bags and recycle them. You’ll need to ask your supermarket if they are also a recycle centre though, as only few of them will take them.

www.rosechong.com

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Shopping

www.insiderguides.com.au

GETTING CONNECTED Free Wireless If you have wireless technology on your mobile device, you’ll be glad to know that there is free wireless available throughout areas of the city. You’ll also find wireless at your uni campus, McDonalds, most public libraries and some cafés. If you can’t get it for free, check out what the mobile phone companies are offering. There are various 3G plans available from almost every company that provides wireless broadband.

Home internet Contracts generally vary from 1 month up to 24 months, although companies are increasingly offering ‘contract-free’, prepaid internet. The longer you sign up for, the lower the cost of initial installation. Look for contracts that include a free wireless modem/router, or you can buy one.

Download limits are common and you need to check carefully if your plan has a limit. Generally the more you pay per month, the higher your download limit. There are ‘unlimited’ contracts, however unlimited plans often have reduced speeds after a certain usage.

Even with a download limit,

you’ll need to see whether it is divided up into ‘peak’ and ‘offpeak’ times.

Speeds depend on whereabouts you live and vary between 512kbps ADSL (8Mbit Max) and ADSL2+ (24Mbit). The two ADSL varieties are around the same cost as each other, but most plans are ADSL2+.

Australia is set to receive fibre optic over the coming years.

Check the availability in your area.

You may need to connect your landline before you can use the Internet (this is done by calling Telstra on 13 2200). If you don’t need a house phone, consider looking for a service called Naked ADSL. This allows you to have the Internet but you don’t pay the line rental cost because you don’t have a telephone.

Phoning Home We understand it can be a bit expensive to call home, so we have a few options for you to save some cash.

Prepaid Sim Cards If you already have an unlocked mobile phone, then getting a SIM card is a great option for you. Instead of getting locked

into a contract with an Australian phone provider, you just buy the SIM card, put it in your phone and buy prepaid credit whenever you need it from supermarkets, petrol stations, convenience stores, etc.

Skype If you have a computer with the Internet, microphone, and speakers or headphones, Skype is the ultimate way to call anywhere in the world. If you haven’t heard of Skype, it’s a communication program that allows text, video and voice chat. If your friends and relatives have Skype too, then you can call them for free for as long as you want! A great feature of this program is that you can actually call landline and mobile phones all over the world for ridiculously cheap rates. It uses Voice Over IP (VOIP) technology, which runs over the Internet. www.skype.com

Phone Cards Using phone cards to call overseas is around 80% cheaper than normal calls from your home phone, so don’t waste your money calling without a phone card! Walk into any newsagency and selected convenience stores to find an assortment of different phone cards. They differ by offering cheap calls to different countries.

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Photo by: Tony Pierrakos

WHERE TO EAT IN MELBOURNE

EATING OUT

INTRODUCTION The restaurant culture in Melbourne is the envy of all the other cities in Australia.

Among these vibrant and multicultural streets, you will find a vast array of eateries influenced from all corners of the globe. Discovering these places for yourself will give you a valuable insight into how Melbourne embraced these different cultures to become the great city that it is today.

Don’t be intimidated by people standing out the front of restaurants trying to entice you to come in. This is all part of the Melbourne restaurant culture. They can be quite persuasive after they shove a menu in your face, so be strong and know that there are a lot of restaurants to choose from.

This sort of intimidation gets a bit stranger when you go to places like Hardware Lane in the city, where you can actually barter for special deals on your food (e.g. get a free bottle of wine with your meal). There is also a very strong café culture in Melbourne. The result is arguably the world’s best coffee being served from thousands of different cafés around the city.

RESTAURANT SCENES Recommended by: Ellmien Chang

Brunswick Street Fitzroy Here in the city’s bohemian

heart, you’ll be able to see many different kinds of people and shops all together. It will take you a good day to trawl all the stores, a colourful line-up of different cultures that stretches between Victoria and Alexandria Parade. You can also stop at a cute, colourful cafe when the bags get too heavy, or when you want to discuss the artworks you have seen. Have lunch at one of Melbourne’s best gastro pubs or at the cheap international eateries. Here you can choose an eclectic mix of Malaysian, Vietnamese or Thai cuisine. You’ll also find organic vegetarian restaurants, hamburger joints, souvlaki cafes and tapas bars. After sunset, the party continues in the restaurants and legions of lively nightspots. As well as clubs, pubs and hip wine bars, you can easily find venues for jazz and salsa. During September to October, there are circus, cabaret, music, dance and comedy acts during the Melbourne Fringe Festival in Brunswick Street. It will make you feel so alive!

Hardware Lane Between Elizabeth and Queen Street When you’re tucked away between Queen Street and Elizabeth Street, then crossing Little Bourke Street, you’ll be able to find Hardware Lane, a small lane in the heart of Melbourne’s legal district.

Hardware Lane is an historical portrait where all the warehouses were located. It

has changed to a superb area for a huge variety of dining options. It is a perfect choice to dine here because the lane is so close to public transport.

You can enjoy the beautiful café scene or even plan your next adventure trip by shopping around the nearby outdoor stores. Hardware Lane wins hands down as ‘the’ place for laneway dining in Melbourne. When you walk along the lane, you can see it is shaded by a canopy of café umbrellas. Sip a cup of coffee along a red-cobblestoned pavement and soak up the atmosphere. The restaurants in Hardware Lane do not end at noon. People start going to have dinner after sunset and the stretch transforms into one of the Melbourne’s funkier dining venues, with the fantastic sounds of live jazz bands off the laneway.

The jazz bands provide the fabulous and perfect soundtrack for an intimate dinner.

Lygon Street Carlton Lygon Street is a must-see part of the Melbourne restaurant scene, in one of the favourite suburbs of Melbourne.

The reason it is so famous is because Carlton is the Italian centre of Melbourne and Lygon Street is Melbourne’s own Little Italy. It is the place where the famous cafe culture was born, and we can see many double-storey Victorian terraces in the street crammed with endless cafes and restaurants serving steam-

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ing bowls of pasta, coffee and delicious gelati. There are also many choices of pizza and old favourites like Tiamo, the University Cafe and Brunetti.

They are all as warm and welcoming as ever. Walking further down Lygon Street there are bookshops, galleries and numerous stores selling the latest Australian and European fashions. The crowd here is mixed with students and the literary set buying up big at Readings bookstore, and older Italian men just watching the world go by.

Chapel Street South Yarra The restaurants, stylish bars and cool cafés have totally occupied the perfect location for both alfresco and indoor dining all year round. Chapel Street is a true Melbourne gourmet lover’s paradise.

Restaurants, cafes and bars here are renowned for using fresh ingredients and offer cuisine specialties that include a fusion of Eastern and Western styles. There’s no better place to spend long summer days or cosy winter nights, or just sip a latte and do some ‘people watching’.

Chapel Street offers a myriad of culinary experiences – a lazy weekend brunch, alfresco lunch or stylish and sophisticated dining. Besides, Melbourne’s Prahran Market is just nearby, located on Commercial Road.

It has been operating for more than 100 years and shopping at Prahran Market is an experience in itself, reminis-

32

Eating Out

cent of the traditional produce markets of Europe.

DINNER PARTIES

By Joshua Trezise

anywhere in the city. Whether you’re on your way to class, heading for some retail therapy or just wandering the streets of Melbourne – Stax is the place to relax.

A very popular part of the Australian culture is for friends to get together and have dinner parties or barbecues.

If you find yourself attending a dinner party or barbecue with a group of friends and find yourself confused about whether you should bring anything or not, don’t worry about it! It’s not a necessity, however it is polite to bring something small along of your choice; for example, this could be a bottle of wine, a salad or a dessert - whatever you feel like. For some recipe ideas, there are plenty of websites on the Internet, for instance check out www.tastebook.com, and for those with an iPhone, you can download the app.

9663 3008 Mon-Thu: 7:30am-4pm; Fri: 7:30am-3pm

CAFES AND BREAKFAST

Recommended by: Hannah Reekie-Nicholson

Café Stax 16 Little Latrobe Street, Melbourne Recommended by: Hannah Reekie-Nicholson

A stone’s throw away from the bustling Melbourne Central shopping centre, Stax café is a welcome retreat from the often-hectic city pace. Serving healthy and decent-sized meals for both breakfast and lunch, and with perfect coffee every time, Café Stax is really the perfect detour to

Creperie Le Triskel 32 Hardware Lane, Melbourne Recommended by: Jerrie Johnston

You’ll find this authentic French creperie hidden among the Melbourne commons. Outstanding service, French tunes, excellent prices and an upbeat chef add to the atmosphere and make coming here a genuinely fun experience. Oh, and the crepes they specialise in? …

Absolutely to-die-for!

0466 406 404 Tues-Thurs: 7am-4pm; Fri: 7am-9pm; Sat: 8am-4pm

Brunswick Flour Mill 341 Sydney Road, Brunswick

The Brunswick Flour Mill’s breakfast is well worth travelling to Brunswick for - gourmet French Toast, perfect poached eggs and brilliant coffee which is a credit to their barista. It really feels like a family kind of place, with long tables or even sections available for large groups, but the window tables at the front are also perfect for a quiet coffee and a bit of people watching on Brunswick’s colourful Sydney Road.

9078 0497

Mon-Sun: 7:30am-5pm

www.flourmill.net.au

www.insiderguides.com.au

La Paloma 259 Albert Street, Brunswick Recommended by: Hannah Reekie-Nicholson

La Paloma is Brunswick’s bestkept secret. It’s purposely dishevelled and hand-made look adds to the simplicity of the café. All that matters to patrons and staff alike is that the coffee is good and atmosphere friendly. Lunch is whatever they’ve decided to make on that day, usually a beautiful tortilla or fresh salad rolls.

It’s worth the search and trawl down Albert Street just to sit outside with a latte and freshly made churro.

9380 8520 Mon-Fri: 8am - 5pm; Sat: 9am - 5pm

Penny Farthing Espresso 206 High Street, Northcote Recommended by: Ruby Jones

Only recently opened, the Penny Farthing does an absolutely smashing cup of coffee in the morning. Breakfast and lunch are simple and delicious; the avocado smash comes highly recommended, combining just the right amounts of feta and chilli. The staff are lovely and the outdoor courtyard is perfect for summer 9482 2246 Mon-Fri: 7:30am-4pm; Sat-Sun: 8:30am-5pm www.pennyfarthingespresso.com

EATING OUT ON A BUDGET

BY THE EDITOR

When you’re on a student budget, you don’t often have a choice but to try to live cheaply. Here are some tips to help out: 1. Watch your drink, entrée and dessert ordering. Drinks are by far the place where money goes on a night out. Water is healthy and free. If you want to have a bigger night out, alcohol is often cheaper from pubs and clubs, especially at happy hour!

2. Because the beginning of the week is a slow time for restaurants, they may offer deals on these nights. Keep an eye out for meal deals that may be available on these days.

3. On other nights, look for the specials. They are often regular meals that are well-loved by customers.

4. If you’re going to a pub, the front bar is the place to eat.

You might find the front bar has basically the same menu as the restaurant or lounge, without you having to pay for the décor.

4. Lunch menus are also much more affordable than the night menu, so consider grabbing a bite with your friends during the day instead.

5. Corkage is the price you pay for bringing your own wine to a restaurant. Some places have an expensive corkage fee and others are only around $2. Before you bring your wine, check this fee.

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Kinfolk 673 Bourke Street, Melbourne

LUNCH SPOTS

Recommended by: Marcellina Mardian

The Green Refectory

Kinfolk is more than just a cafe serving fresh, organic meals and excellent coffee. They aim to promote ethical buying by directing their profits to various local and international charities. Breakfast and lunch menus change daily with great variations of fresh sandwiches, salads and small cakes. The cafe gets busy during lunch time, but usually there are seats at the communal table.

At the end of your meal, you’ll be asked to put a coffee bean in a jar to vote for a charity you’d like to support. Your vote will help Kinfolk to distribute funds.

Recommended by: Hannah Reekie-Nicholson

Mon-Fri: 7am-3pm

115 Sydney Road, Brunswick

From the outside of 115 Sydney Road, it is hard to tell what this café is like. There is no sign except for a small green light box, but inside the vintage wallpaper and bare brick walls show that The Green Refectory is chic, but not too classy; a true Brunswick staple on the busy Sydney Road. Serving great muffins and main meals alike, there is something for everyone at this café. Prices are reasonable [main meals range from $5-$15] and service is mostly friendly and happy to chat.

9387 1150 Sun: 8am-6pm

Mon-Sat: 7am-8pm;

Café Giraffe 302 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne Recommended by: Marcellina Mardian

Walking into Cafe Giraffe, you feel like you’re in the comfort of a friend’s house. This cafe is among the favourite places for students to sit down for a meal with friends. Favourite meals like pasta, pies and salad cost no more than $15.

The desserts are irresistible; cheesecake lovers won’t be disappointed here. In addition to their delectable food and atmosphere, you’ll find knickknacks like Jenga, magazines and books to keep you entertained in the short wait for the meal. Café Giraffe is open till late on weekdays, making it a good alternative if you’re looking for a quiet homely spot to relax and unwind with friends.

9640 0889 Mon-Thu: 10am-9pm; Fri: 10am-11pm; Sat: 5pm-11pm

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Eating Out

www.insiderguides.com.au

Photo by: Tony Pierrrakos

ORDERING COFFEE

BY THE EDITORS Walking into a café for the first time in Australia can be a little intimidating. The following chart indicates what ingredients are put in the most common coffee options in Australia.

Soul Soup 55 Cardigan Street, Carlton Recommended by: Hannah Reekie-Nicholson

Found on the site of an old Victorian Terrace building, and just across Victoria Street from RMIT University, this friendly little café is the perfect place for a luxurious, yet inexpensive lunch. As you might guess from the name, Soul Soup serves to-die-for bowls of the Soup of the Day with homemade Turkish bread and real butter for just $6. 90. A hearty, homecooked luxury - well worth it.

0403 254 358

Mon-Fri: 7am-3pm

www.soulsoup.com.au

Don Don Shop 6, 340 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

Cheap, fast and tasty. Popular with students for a cheap but hearty lunch, Don Don has built quite the reputation around town. Serving Japanese food

ESPRESSO

MACCHIATO

FLAT WHITE

CAFFÉ LATTE

CAPPUCCINO

CAFFÉ MOCHA

Coffee Shot

Milk Foam

Steamed Milk

Chocolate Syrup

Note: If you are not a big fan of coffee, cafes also often serve a range of other beverages including teas, hot chocolates and iced drinks.

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TUCKER LINGO! VOCAB 101 Brekkie – breakfast Bickie – biscuit Cuppa – cup of tea or coffee Morning tea, smoko – a short mid-morning break, generally to have a cup of tea/coffee Sanga – sandwich Tea – can also refer to dinner Barbie – barbeque Mash – mashed potato Snags, bangers – sausages Mince – meat cut into very fine pieces, known elsewhere as ‘ground meat’ Patties, burgers – mince meat in a flat circular shape, can also be made with lentils or other vegetarian ingredients Schnitty – a.k.a. ‘Schnitzel’, a piece of meat, generally chicken or veal, covered in breadcrumbs and shallow fried Barra – Barramundi, large freshwater fish from Northern Australia Prawn – king shrimp Game meat – something that needs to be caught (i.e. roo) as opposed to something that has been farmed (i.e. beef) Bring a plate – bring a plate with food for everyone to share (i.e. salad, dessert, some kind of finger food, etc.) and everyone else invited will do the same. It’s a way of collaborating on a meal.

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Eating Out

with a twist, you can expect to pay under $10 for a meal!

Be careful though, this place is known as a lunch time spot, so don’t come here looking for dinner. Bento Box is our recommendation for this restaurant, and we are sure you won’t be disappointed.

9670 7113

Mon-Fri: 11am-3:30pm

O’Bento Shop 243, Melbourne Central, La Trobe Street, Melbourne

O’Bento is the home of fresh, high quality style Sushi and Sashimi. Just off Little Collins Street, you can sit down and enjoy a meal at an incredibly cheap price. However, like all good things, this place is no secret. So to avoid the lunchtime rush, we recommend you come early so that you can find a seat and get the full O’Bento experience. Offering a wide selection of warm Japanese dishes like Bento Boxes and nori rolls, treat your taste buds to something amazing.

9663 3323 Mon-Thu: 9am-7pm; Fri: 9am-8pm; Sat-Sun: 9am-6pm www.o-bento.com.au

Sushi Burger @ Japanese J Café 167 Exhibition Street, Melbourne

It sounds strange, and well, quite frankly, it is strange! The name says it all. Showcasing a hybrid of cultures, Sushi Burger offers American style burgers made from traditional sushi ingredients. However, don’t be put off by the absurdity of this recipe! This café is busy and for a good reason. The burg-

www.insiderguides.com.au

AUSSIE CUISINE Schnitzel & Steak Toppings

Australians are notorious for adding condiments and extra ingredients to the top of schnitzels and steaks. Two common examples of this are the ‘Surf and Turf’ or ‘Beef and Reef’ option available at many restaurants. This is basically prawns placed on top of either a schnitzel or a steak then covered in a sauce. The list of these topping options are endless.

Some other popular examples include Kilpatrick (Worcestershire sauce, barbeque sauce and bacon), Mexican (salsa, mozzarella and jalapenos) and Parmigiana (mozzarella, bacon and a fresh tomato sauce) Meat Pie & Sausage Rolls Australian lunch time meals are often sourced from the bakery or deli. Many of these bakery-style foods usually involve some kind of meat or poultry wrapped in pastry.

Some common examples include the meat pie, sausage roll and pasty. We highly recommend adding tomato sauce to all of these during consumption. If you ever get the chance to try a Ned Kelly pie (a.k.a. ‘hangover pie’: eggs, bacon and tomato in a pie), grab it!

Seafood Since the majority of Austral-

ian cities are coastal, seafood has always been a popular choice for meals. Some particularly nice seafood that we recommend trying while you are here include King George Whiting, Morton Bay Bugs and Barramundi. Seafood is often brought out on special occasions. If you tried some seafood back at home and didn’t like it, we advise giving it another shot here in Australia as it might surprise you.

Aussie Breakfast Breakfast in Australia may, in some situations, be as simple as a couple of slices of toast or a bowl of cereal. Many cafés and restaurants serve a traditional style Australian breakfast, this usually includes eggs, bacon, fried tomatoes, baked beans and sometimes hash browns.

pasta & green salads are common side dishes. You might find yourself in a game of cricket, don’t panic! Just hit the ball and run! Remember the Aussie bbq hierarchy! Only one person should be flipping the meat, one person should be poking the sausages and 4-5 men should be standing around watching the bbq with a drink in their hand, not helping at all.

ESSENTIAL TOOLS

It is impossible to cook an Australian bbq without the right tools. Be prepared to use the following.

SPATULA

The Barbeque You’re in Australia, barbecues happen! The staple BBQ ingredients: beer, beef sausages, sliced bread, onion and tomato sauce. But don’t be disheartened if you don’t eat meat and drink beer like many of the local students do! Why not try cooking up some veggie burgers, falafels or tofu kebabs?

Or, if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, grab a recipe for stuffed tomato or zucchini. (google ‘vegetarian bbq’ for some great ideas) It’s a good idea to bring something to contribute too. Potato,

Perfect for scraping under things and mixing ingredients up.

TONGS

Perfect for twisting and picking things up.

37

BUYING FAIRTRADE

BY LOUISE SCHEBELLA

Fairtrade. It’s a pretty common word in our culture today.

But what does it mean? Below is everything you need to know to help you navigate the world of ethical shopping!

What is it?

When products have a Fairtrade label, it means at every point in manufacturing – materials, processing, and production – the workers are paid fair wages, and work in decent conditions, thereby helping to eliminate poverty and slavery.

But isn’t that what happens normally?

Many things that we buy are produced by companies that pay factories to make their products cheaply, and are not concerned how the owners can offer such low prices. Often factory owners pay their workers an incredibly low wage in order to give companies inexpensive products. In these places, there are relaxed, unenforced laws about child labour, as well as working conditions and fair pay. Many people are paid less than the cost of living, which means they live in poverty, and in some cases, are not paid at all, and are imprisoned as slaves. What an injustice! Most of the things that we purchase (computer parts, coffee, tea, clothes, plastics) have been made by people working in terrible conditions for long hours. Often, they have no chance of ever improving their situation, because they are not educated, and are paid appalling wages.

What can we do?

You can do lots of things! Buy Fairtrade certified products, of course. Look for the Fairtrade label.

This is most easily found when buying coffee, chocolate and tea. As well as this, Australia has tough labour laws, meaning that Australian-made products are quite often Fairtrade. However, we need to increase the demand for Fairtrade products so that companies know that consumers want people everywhere to work in fair conditions.

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Eating Out

ers are fresh, healthy and incredibly tasty. Also offering a range of traditional Japanese dishes, you can even bring along the most conservative of your friends. With most burgers under $6 and daily specials at $3.80, this experience won’t damage your bank account.

9650 9877 Tue-Sat: 12pm-3pm, 5:30pm-9:30pm jcafe.sushiburger.com.au

CASUAL DINING Palookaville 416 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

The idea behind Palookaville is that it’s not right to waste food or money. The serves are not excessive and neither are the prices, with most mains $12.

There is a very relaxed pub feel to the place, decked out with modest décor, making it a great place to have dinner with your friends.

9416 3942

Mon-Sun: 5pm-late

www.palookaville.com.au

Baraki Upo Mezethes 168 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

This place is a quaint little shop with an interesting and quirky layout. There are obviously a number of Mediterranean influences. A band is regularly playing live jazz and soul music and the food is delicious and moderately priced. The menu has many Mediterranean/ Greek classic dishes and some modern and innovative additions that are definitely worth giving a shot. We recommend trying the Red Wine Octo-

www.insiderguides.com.au

pus and the Haloumi (goat’s cheese).

9663 1002 Mon-Tue: 7am-3pm; Wed-Thu: 7am-8pm; Fri: 7am-11pm; Sat: 7pm-11pm (Bar open Fri-Sat until 3am) www.baraki.com.au

Italian Waiters Club

plenty of other choices. The quesadillas and baguettes are as awesome as the burger.

There are also snacks like apple pie and salted caramelised popcorn. You’ll love it!

9663 7994

Mon-Sun: 7am - 5pm

www.trunktown.com.au

also serve sake the traditional way, so if you have a Japanese background you might find this place quite a treat.

9654 5688 12pm-11:30pm

Mon-Sun:

www.chocolatebuddha.com.au

MoVida (indulge yourself)

20 Meyers Place, Melbourne

Café Segovia

1 Hosier Lane, Melbourne

33 Block Place, Melbourne

Recommended by: Ruby Jones

Segovia has a nice friendly setting and hosts a quirky laneway atmosphere. This is a favourite for many locals in the area. Although the place always seems to be very busy, the staff seem to stay on top of the orders quite well. If you’re the kind that is able to get up early enough, they also offer particularly nice breakfasts. With live funky jazz music on weekends adding to the already friendly atmosphere, Segovia offers modern European dishes, including lunchtime snacks like focaccias and antipastos. There are also set meals available like pastas and pizzas.

Recommended by: Hannah Reekie-Nicholson

This cheap and cheerful restaurant can be found at the top of a rickety staircase down a laneway in the city. It’s always bustling and busy; and the atmosphere is warm, welcoming and unpretentious. Big plates of pasta come out hot and fast, and in huge healthy serves.

You might have to wait a little while for a table on the weekends but it’s definitely worth it.

9650 1508 Mon-Fri: 12-2:30pm, 6pm-11:30pm; Sat: 6pm-11:30pm

Trunk Diner 275 Exhibition Street, Melbourne Recommended by: Marcellina Mardian

This new extension of the Trunk family is a more walletfriendly option for students compared to the Trunk restaurant next door. Set in a relaxed outdoor area, this modernstyle American diner serves breakfast and lunch daily. The Wagyu beef burger at Trunk Diner is a crowd favourite.

Topped with caramelised onion, cheese or pickles, make your gourmet burger combination for less than $15. If you’re not big on burgers, there are

9650 2373 Mon-Fri: 7am-late; Sat: 7:30am-late Sun: 8am-5pm www.cafesegovia.com.au

Chocolate Buddha Federation Square, Melbourne

Chocolate Buddha has absolutely nothing to do with chocolate. This Japanese style dining hall is set right in the heart of the City. It is perfect if you’re in town looking for a place to pop into for a casual feed. Serving all the traditional Japanese favourites such as sushi, ramen and donburi, they

Frank Camorra, head chef at MoVida, serves up inventive dishes with modern twists of classic Spanish tapas style food. This Melbourne gem of a restaurant is great for both a full sit-down meal, or just a glass of wine and tapas dish or two at the bar. Try the Chicken Liver Pâté Cornetto dish, made famous thanks to the cooking contest, ‘Masterchef’. This restaurant will dish up a wowfactor every time.

9663 3038

Mon-Sun: 12pm-late

www.movida.com.au

VEGETARIAN Crossways 123 Swanston Street, Melbourne Recommended by: Ruby Jones

Right in the heart of Melbourne city, Crossways can be found at the top of a wooden staircase that opens out into a large informal dining hall. Every day of the week is a different special, and you can go back for as many second helpings as you can fit in. It’s $5 all you can eat for students, which includes a drink and dessert. The space

39

VEGEMITE

BY SALLY HUANG Many Australian families have a jar of Vegemite sitting their cupboard somewhere. The size of the jar varies, but the contents is always the same Vegemite.

Let’s start with the definition: ‘Vegemite, a vegetable extract used as a spread, flavouring’. An Australian friend who travelled to USA complained that there was no Vegemite in America: “USA sucks. They don’t have Vegemite.” This is the conclusion he draws after 3 month’s “non-Vegemite” life there… To be honest, my first experience of Vegemite was awful and I had to brush my teeth to get rid of the strange taste. Now, I just love it! After toasting the whole piece of wheat bread, smearing a thin layer of butter, then vegemite, it tastes beautiful! It is a quick, nutritious and warm snack. I learned how to make it from a friend and practice almost every day. Then one day I got the comment, ‘You are Vegemite toast master now, so no need to learn from me anymore…’

Now Vegemite has become the ‘must’ of my life. Every time I feel the need for a snack, I always go for it. This Christmas, I will visit my family in Beijing. Vegemite is also in the list of my ‘Australian own’ products.

Other Aussie foods to try:

• Meat Pies – eat these hot with tomato sauce.

• Iced Vovos – a biscuit with a sweet icing and shredded coconut topping.

• Milo – Malt drink that comes in a large green tin. Perfect mixed with warm milk.

• Tim Tams – there’s a reason Aussies want a packet of these chocolate biscuits that never runs out.

They’re yum!

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Eating Out

is friendly, peaceful, and low budget.

9650 2939 2:30pm

Mon-Sat: 11:30am-

Lentil as Anything 41 Blessington Street, St Kilda

Lentil as Anything is more than just a restaurant serving cheap meals. It’s a concept and statement dedicated to multiculturalism, education and equality in Australia. Offering a range of healthy and tasty dishes, the customers here nominate the price that they are willing to pay and, in most cases, the proprietors will accept this. Lentil as Anything can be found at five different locations around Melbourne, each supported by their local community, raising money for various charities. If you get the chance to dine at this restaurant, we recommend that you

www.insiderguides.com.au

Photo by: Josh Trezise

try the Toasted Vegie and Tofu Burgers.

Shakahari

9534 5833 Mon-Sun: 9:30am-9:30pm

This is not the usual fare of vegetarian food, not that this is the usual vegetarian restaurant. It is slightly more upmarket than most vegetarian places and bases its beautiful menu on freshness, balance, and Asian ingredients with a European feel. Many of the dishes are also gluten-free and lactose-free, so this place can cater for almost anyone.

www.lentilasanything.com

Got an iPhone?

Urbanspoon is a great website giving reviews on restaurants and cafes.

urbanspoon.com

201-203 Faraday Street, Carlton

9347 3848 Mon- Thu: 12pm-3pm, 6pm-9:30pm; Fri-Sat: 12pm-3pm, 6pm-10pm; Sun: 6pm-9:30pm

prefer eating in the comfort of your own home, you can take away. The shop sells a range of different pizzas, pasta dishes, roast vegetable dishes and noodle dishes. They also serve a delicious range of smoothies and fresh juices. If you have always thought that Tofu is tasteless, we advise you try the smoked tofu dishes and have your world rocked!

9417 6935 Mon-Fri: 11am-10pm; Sat-Sun: 9am-10pm www.vegiebar.com.au

www.shakahari.com.au

Vegie Bar 380 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

Vegie Bar offers a healthy and natural alternative to traditional take out. The shop is youthful, fun and creative!

You can either dine in or, if you

41

EAT AROUND THE WORLD IN MELBOURNE! Shoya - Japanese 25 Market Lane, Melbourne Recommended By: Maria Huang

Celebrating your 21st birthday?

Going on a romantic date? Or just in the mood for some pampering on your taste buds?

Tucked away in Market Lane in the heart of Chinatown, Shoya provides excellent serves of Japanese cuisine ranging from premium sashimi to nonsmokey Teppanyaki (Japanese Barbeque) sets. You can watch the highly skilled chefs work their magic by the sushi bar or enjoy the relaxing ambience at a table. Whichever it is, the trip to Shoya, accompanied by the attentive service, is one that would leave you coming back for more, once your pockets are full again, that is.

9650 0848 Mon-Thu: 12pm-2:30pm, 6pm-10:30pm; Fri-Sat: 12pm-2:30pm, 6pm-11pm; Sun: 6pm-10:30pm www.shoya.com.au

Ants Bistro - Cantonese 9 Corrs Place, Melbourne Recommended by: ShuShan Lam

Hidden along an alleyway in Chinatown, Ants Bistro is a contemporary Cantonese res-

42

Eating Out

taurant. The food takes after modern Cantonese cuisine that is now commonly found in different countries around Asia. The round table setting makes it a great place for a gettogether with friends or family.

It gets very busy at night especially on weekends, so be sure to book in early if you’re headed there for dinner!

9639 2908 Mon-Wed: 11:30am-3pm, 5:30pm-11pm; Thu-Sun: 11:30am-3pm, 5:30pm-2am

Norsiah’s Kitchen - Malay 101D/604 Swanston Street, Carlton Recommended by: ShuShan Lam

A family run business, Norsiah’s Kitchen is a popular spot for international students looking for a cheap and comforting meal. Pick what you want from a variety of readycooked Malay dishes served with rice for $6.50. We also recommend their Teh Tarik – the most traditional drink found in Singapore and Malaysia.

9347 7079 9:30pm

Mon-Sun: 11:30am-

Classic Curry - Indian 597 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne Recommended by: ShuShan Lam

Curry lovers rejoice! Classic Curry is a North Indian restaurant located not too far away from Victoria market. They serve cheap and genuine Indian curries starting from $8.

Be sure to try their Butter Chicken, Fish Masala Curry, or their Chicken Tikka Masala.

End your meal on a sweet note with their Mango Lassi drink.

9329 4040

Mon-Sun: 11am-10pm

www.classiccurry.com

Han Guuk Guan - Korean 13A Victoria Street, Melbourne Recommended by: ShuShan Lam

Hidden in between office buildings on Victoria Street, this place is easy to miss. But Han Guuk Guan is considered a true gem for many. The atmosphere inside is lively – bustling with Koreans who frequent this place, and waiters who speak little English. Try their famous Jaa Jung Meon (Traditional Black Bean Noodles), and be sure to cash in on their half-price Korean Barbeque on Mondays!

9639 1747

Stalactites Restaurant Greek 177/183 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne Recommended by: Jerrie Johnston

Appropriately titled, Stalactites has an unusual appeal to it: the

www.insiderguides.com.au

interior design has been made to resemble stalactites within a cave. Incredibly popular and available for functions, this famous cove offers an excellent selection of Greek cuisine to get your mouth watering.

Be sure your table orders one of their delightful platters, but ensure you leave room for the exquisite homemade Gemista!

9663 3316

Mon-Sun: 24 hours

www.stalactites.com.au

your dishes if this sort of food isn’t your usual fare. You can have a satisfying feed here for under $20, and wash it down with some homemade sangria, which was highly recommended to The Insider. We also advise trying the Pork Belly and Crispy Calamari.

9533 7044 Mon-Thu: 10am-11pm; Fri-Sun: 8am-1am www.basque.com.au

Muttis - German/Austrian

Il Fornaio - Italian

118 Elgin Street, Carlton

2 Acland Street, St Kilda

This is a pricier option for dinner for students, however if you want high-quality German food with a modern feel, this is about the best place in Melbourne. There is a homely feel to the restaurant as reflected in the name, meaning ‘mother’s kitchen’. For those wishing to complete the experience, there is also a selection of German beers on tap.

This rustic little Italian St Kilda café is definitely a student hotspot. Offering traditional bakery style goods with a modern flavour, you will feel at home as you sip on a fine Italian coffee and bite into a savoury scroll, quiche or pizza slice. Il Fornaio also offers a set menu for breakfast and lunch, so bring a few friends along and have a bite before heading out to explore St Kilda for the afternoon. Running over two levels, this cafe also has an outdoor area for those who enjoy soaking up a bit of sun.

9534 2922 Mon-Fri: 7am-11pm; Sat-Sun: 8am-11pm www.ilfornaio.net.au

Basque - Spanish 159 Chapel Street, Prahran

Basque serves Spanish-inspired cuisine, which includes a Tapas-style menu option and also standard meals. Their friendly staff are more than willing to help you pick out

seating arrangement is ideal if you’re a smoker, but can be dull. A delightful eating experience.

9654 1011 Sun: 9am-5pm

Mon-Sat: 8am-6pm;

www.laurent.com.au

Thai Culinary - Thai 433 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne Recommended by: ShuShan Lam

Don’t be deceived by this seemingly empty and obscure restaurant. Thai Culinary offers a true taste of Thailand and the chefs are willing to accommodate to your taste buds if you speak Thai. We recommend the Spicy Chicken Ribs, Thai Spicy Noodles, and if you’re looking for something more typical of Thai food, then be sure to try their Tom Yum Soup.

9328 3812

Mon-Sun: 11am-10pm

www.thaiculinary.com.au

9349 5008 Wed-Thu & Sun: 4pm-late; Fri-Sat: 12pm-3pm, 4pm-late www.muttis.com.au

Laurent - French 306 Little Collins Street, Melbourne City Recommended by: Jerrie Johnston

Laurent is a light and airy French Boulangerie/Patisserie that serves a charming range of savoury and sweet foods.

The macaroons are particularly delightful! The staff are occasionally a little off-key and aloof, but the food is divine. If eating in, I would advise finding a table inside – the outside

43

Photo by: Tony Pierrakos

ENTERTAINMENT & MUCH MORE

NIGHTLIFE

INTRODUCTION Melbourne is home to some of the best nightlife in the country. Whether you want to have a quiet night or a big one, there will be something for you to do and it will probably be in a great location for a good price. Most locals will tell you that having a local friend to guide you is the best way to find the hidden secrets that this vibrant city has to offer.

However, as an international student in a new city, finding a local friend isn’t always that easy. We’re here to help!

If you are after a quiet night out at the cinema, Melbourne has a huge range of them scattered around the city and beyond.

You can choose to see a range of foreign language films, blockbusters and everything in between at big and small cinemas (indoor and outdoor)!

Over the last few years, the nightlife culture has grown from strength to strength, with now over 1000 bars, pubs and nightclubs. Even if you just want a quiet drink with friends, you are in for a treat. Over the past few years, many pubs have had a face lift and joined the long list of stylish bars that Melbourne is so famous for. And they are everywhere!

A stumble down a side street may find you at the door of one of Melbourne’s hidden bar secrets. For those that are interested in cocktails, Melbourne cocktail bars offer some of the world’s best.

Don’t worry if you aren’t into drinking alcohol, the nightlife of Melbourne still caters for you!

The city has hundreds of late night cafés just waiting for you to check out. Plus, there is live music, theatre and experimental performances on every night of the year. If you are a music fan, you can expect some of Australia’s top live music on show in Melbourne pubs and bars.

you walk down the street. The majority of bars and clubs here have a very homely feel and a warm atmosphere. We advise checking out Polly Bar as an Insider favourite. Smith Street is also a hub of activity at night, with great live music venues.

For those into dance, Fitzroy can cater for you too, with some brilliant dance venues and studios that offer cheap lessons.

If seeing music isn’t enough, and you need to sing in front of your friends, then you need a good Karaoke lounge. Melbourne has you covered here too. You can find our recommendations in this section. Or if you feel like dancing, you can find nightclubs or go out for some lessons, and meet other dancing fanatics at the same time.

RICHMOND

Let us show you how to make the most of Melbourne nightlife, and you can buy us a beer to say thank you! Before we get started, here are some areas you should know about.

FITZROY Fitzroy is a great nightlife destination for those interested in the pub atmosphere.

Despite the whole suburb being relatively small, there are a huge number of pubs and live music venues. Bar Open and the Evelyn Hotel are some highlights of this buzzing suburb. Brunswick Street is full of all things colourful and arty, and you can be sure to see a very diverse mix of people as

If you are looking for something a little more trendy, this might be a place worth checking out.

The pubs and hotels around here tend to be done up and highly respectable, as well as being home to some great live music. We particularly advise visiting Bridge Road. Bridge Road is known as a shopping district, but there are also a massive number of classy and chic modern bars, restaurants and cafés to be found. If you are particularly interested in trying some local Australian wine, there are a large number of wine bars worth finding. It’s also a good place to go if you want to sit back in a swish bar and enjoy a cocktail or two.

ST KILDA According to some locals, St Kilda used to have the reputation of being the home of drug lords and prostitutes.

However, this is no longer the case. St Kilda has a number of bustling touristy streets filled with picturesque views, bay

45

side cafés and pumping bars.

St Kilda is only a short tram ride from the city so if you are looking to get out of the city for a night this is definitely a place worth having a look at. Why not go down for an afternoon at the beach and stop off at one of the trendy bars or cafés afterwards? If you’re a live music fan we highly recommend visiting the Esplanade Hotel. Aclan Street is probably one of the best places to walk down when you first arrive.

Remember to check the times for the trams if you’re planning to find your way back to the city late.

place for you. Lygon Street, located in the Italian district, has a number of quaint latenight cafés and eateries that are a good alternative to the pub/ club atmosphere. We highly recommend Brunettis Café. Carlton is also home to some of the more artistic alternatives on a night out, such as theatre and live art.

There are great cinemas too, putting on some spectacular and fun movie nights on the weekend.

Cinema Nova

www.eventcinemas.com.au

SOUTH YARRA & PRAHRAN

380 Lygon Street, Carlton

Moonlight Cinema

Recommended by: Emily French

Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne

South Yarra and Prahan have more nightclubs and brilliant hotels than you could ever want. For cocktail drinking, this is the place to start out. If you have some money and you are heading south of the river for a night out, we recommend that you first head to Chapel Street, one of the most stylish streets in Melbourne. Prahran is also a great place to go if you’re not keen on having a big one. Check out the world famous Astor Theatre, which seats over 1100 people.

CARLTON Carlton is located close to a number of universities, so if you’re looking for a place to hang out and not too keen on travelling, this might be the

46

Nightlife

MOVIES

For those of you wanting to step outside mainstream movie culture, Cinema Nova is a fantastic art-house cinema that won’t break the budget.

On Mondays, tickets are a mere $6 before 4pm and $8 after that. For the rest of the week (except Saturdays), a student ticket is $12, significantly cheaper than Hoyts or Village Cinemas. If you feel like being lavish with your leftover cash, you can enjoy a glass of wine or some gourmet nibbles with your film.

9349 5201 www.cinemanova.com.au

Greater Union Cinema 131 Russell Street, Melbourne Recommended by: Emily French

If you’re after a cinema that’s a little off-the-beaten-track without leaving the city, Great-

er Union is the ideal choice.

Even for new releases, you’re pretty much guaranteed that there will be tickets available.

Also, with $13 student tickets it certainly won’t break the bank either. Greater Union is well-loved by the international community for its frequent showings of Bollywood and Indian Tamil films as well as more mainstream cinema. Be warned though, the seats can get a little uncomfortable if the movie runs for more than two hours!

9654 8133

Held in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Moonlight Cinema is a great way to see the movies.

The movie selections are usually brilliant classics or new releases, with tickets at great prices. There’s also a great view of the night sky and the surrounding city.

1300 551 908 www.moonlight.com.au

Village Cinemas: Crown Shop 50, 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank Recommended by: Emily French

Village Cinema, located on the top floor of Melbourne’s Crown Complex, is certainly in one of the pricier suburbs of Melbourne but the $14 student tickets at Village Cinema are still cheaper than elsewhere.

If you’re feeling flash (or have

www.insiderguides.com.au

been lucky at the Casino on the ground floor) this cinema offers a fantastic Gold Class experience where you can have an intimate dining experience on luxurious sofas whilst you enjoy your film.

1300 555 400 www.villagecinemas.com.au

The Astor Theatre 1 Chapel Street, St Kilda Recommended by: Jerrie Johnston

Old-school vintage glamour is relived in this friendly and rare cinematic thrill! Step into a bygone-era and relax on the homely couches outside before your movie starts - see if you can spot the owners’ pets relaxing amongst them too! Playing modern releases, old-school classics, double features and shock-horror disasters, this theatre is bound to be showing something you love. An excellent spot for film buffs and romantic rendezvous alike!

9510 1414 www.astor-theatre.com

COCKTAIL BARS & LOUNGES Cocktail bars and lounges provide you with a personal environment, away from loud music and raving drunkards. If you’re looking to get to know a new friend or hoping to get to know that special someone a little more intimately, these places provide the perfect atmosphere. You have probably noted by now that Melburni-

HOW TO FIND WHAT’S ON

There are a myriad of ways to work out what to do with your spare nights. If you are looking for something to do, check out these publications and websites for cheap or free nightly entertainment: OUT: An awesome resource, listing free and very cheap entertainment for every night of the week. www.threethousand.com.au/out

Beat Magazine: This is great place to look for live music gigs.

They list and give reviews for major bands through to local acts at the pub, plus they have a section dedicated to giveaways. Print copies are available from various locations. www.beat.com.au

Liveguide: These guys cover all of Australia, but they have a special section for Melbourne. Mostly they focus on music events, but they also show what’s on in mainstream theatre and arts. www.liveguide.com.au/Melbourne

White Hat: This website lists so much that they admit they don’t have time to make it look pretty. If you can get past the looks, it’s a great site with listings on a lot of free or cheap activities, events, places, and more. www.whitehat.com.au

Theatre Alive: Covering all the independent theatre gigs, this is the best place to find out what’s on for a cheaper night out at the theatre. www.theatrealive.com.au

Last Tix: Not really a guide, but they have last minute deals on tickets to everything from theatre to live music to comedy. Because it’s last minute, you can get great deals like two-for-one, or 25% off. The drawback is that you have to sign up. www.lasttix.com.au

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MOVIE NIGHTS IN BY DELIMA

SHANTI

Weekend nightlife doesn’t have to be expensive. Movie nights in are a great way to round up the gang with minimal damage to your wallet. So butter up a bowl of popcorn, dim the lights, sit back and enjoy the show!

Most Australian neighbourhoods have a video store that you can borrow films from. Local libraries also offer a range of rental opportunities.

TOP FIVE AUSSIE FILMS 1. Mary and Max (2009) Mary and Max is a whimsical clay-animated feature film about Mary, a lonely 8-yearold living in Mount Waverly in Melbourne and Max, a 44-year-old New Yorker with Asperger’s syndrome. They exchange letters, telling each other about their everyday lives and continuing to do so for a very long time. Not everything is all cuteness and rainbows though, as the loneliness of both main characters plays up the dark undertones of the movie.

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Nightlife

2. Kenny (2006) This comedy is arguably as underappreciated as the main character himself. Kenny works for a portable toilet business and has a troubled family life.

The whole movie consists of little vignettes and clips from Kenny’s life, from his portable toilet convention in the USA (no kidding!) and his charming and funny encounters with everyday folk throughout the course of his daily duties. Let the poo jokes begin.

of adolescence. The only difference is that he has to negotiate his own teenage worries around taking care of his autistic older brother Charlie, who is going through his own adolescent sexual issues. The unflinching look at autism adds depth to an otherwise typical boy-meets-girl story.

Featuring a quality all-Aussie cast with Rhys Wakefield, Toni Collette and Gemma Ward, this one is definitely one to watch.

3. Undead (2003) A great Australian zombie flick, this one tells the story of an Australian fishing village following a meteorite shower, turning its residents into the hungry, flesh-ripping undead.

A small group of survivors then face the gruelling task of escaping from zombies and strange glowing hooded aliens.

4. Flirting (1991)

Want to shake things up a bit? Here are some ideas to make an event out of your regular movie nights: • Make it a themed movie night.

Watching a war epic? Dress up in your best camouflage gear. Or maybe you were thinking along the lines of Breakfast at Tiffany’s?

Make it a fancy event: get dressed in your little black dress and serve

This one’s a bit of an oldie, but still a goodie. Featuring a then unknown cast including Nicole Kidman, Thandie Newton and Naomi Watts, this cult classic is a funny film about young love, sex and awkward teenage experiences in an Australian boarding school.

up some cheese and crackers.

5. The Black Balloon (2008)

theme for best dressed (think

The Black Balloon is a comingof-age story with a difference.

Thomas is a normal teenager from a true-blue Aussie family, going through the motions

• Have an epic movie marathon.

This one’s good for movies with sequels like Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and my personal favourite, Resident Evil. Make it an allnighter and dress up as characters from the movies. You can give away prizes based on the movie zombie masks and Lightsabers, you can get these really cheap from stores like Kmart).

www.insiderguides.com.au

ans take style very seriously.

Cocktail culture is an art and a science in this city, so we recommend experiencing it. This can, however, be an expensive experience. Most cocktail bars do have specials offered daily so be sure to check these out before you order.

Berlin Bar 16 Corrs Lane, Melbourne Recommended by: Karla Wong

Hidden amongst Melbourne’s laneways is Berlin Bar – a themed bar divided into East and West Berlin. This quirky bar delivers in ambiance, with each room cleverly and intricately decorated, extensive drink menus in the form of passports, and an entrance where you need to knock on the door and wait for it to be opened. With the wide range of cocktails available, it’s okay to get confused; friendly staff are available to assist in making the right drink decision. The struggle will be finding the bar, but once you find it, it will be worth the effort.

9639 3396 Wed & Sun: 5pm-12am; Thu: 5pm-1am; Fri: 4pm-3am; Sat: 6pm-3am www.berlinbar.com.au

Madame Brussels Level 3, 59-63 Bourke Street, Melbourne Recommended by: Jerrie Johnston

This secret hideaway is located only after you traipse up a few flights of stairs, so ladies may wish to bring some flats along!

Madame Brussels is a cheeky venue of indoor grass and lawn

chairs, wait-boys in cheeky short-shorts and a decadent vibe not unencouraged by staff. Sip a cocktail in your deck chair on a dreary Melbourne winter night – while you’re still indoors! On summer nights relax on the terrace and admire the wonderful view, while you try to stay out of too much mischief.

work-out, it’s well worth the discovery of a quaint bar with fantastic views over the city.

The bar has a chilled out vibe about it and is a great place for catching up with friends on lazy summer nights.

9662 2775 Mon-Wed: 12pm-11pm; Thu-Sat: 12pm-1am; Sun: 12pm-11pm

New Guernica

www.madamebrussels.com

This cosy bar and club is open seven days a week, rain, hail, or shine. Once you get over the bar’s resemblance to a fairytale forest, order up a cocktail jug or make use of their $5 drink specials. The light-hearted décor betrays the seriously good music they have on offer, with weekend gigs by the coolest DJs sure to make your night out one heck of a party! They’ve also got a no-nonsense dress code; suits are a no-no on club nights and be prepared to be turned away if you’re wearing thongs or Ed Hardy.

Cookie 1/252 Swanston Street, Melbourne Recommended by: The Editors

This one is a Melbourne institution, with it being so popular on Friday and Saturday night it is always quite hard to get in. We recommend checking this place out during the week.

With a strange but fantastic mix of art and weird objects lining the walls, it is hard to not be impressed. It only gets better when you see the amazing cocktail list and one of the biggest beer lists we have ever seen. Perfect for a chilled out drink with a friend.

9663 7660

Mon-Sun: 12pm-3am

www.cookie.net.au

Rooftop Bar

9654 5394 Tue-Fri: 4pm-late; Sat-Sun: 1pm-late www.rooftopcinema.com.au

Level 2, 322 Little Collins Street, Melbourne

9650 4494 Mon-Wed: 5pm-3am; Thurs-Fri: 5pm-5am; Sat: 9pm-5am; Sun: 8pm-3am www.newguernica.com.au

PARTY PUBS & STUDENT BARS

Level 7, Curtin House, 252 Swanston Street, Melbourne

The Retreat Hotel

Recommended by: Shannon McKeogh

Recommended by: Jerrie Johnston

To find the Rooftop Bar you must first venture up six flights of stairs. Although a bit of

280 Sydney Road, Brunswick

Search no further for a crazy and eventful night out!

Whether it’s a dark, dingy atmosphere, relaxed and spa-

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cious beer garden or some well-lit pool and live music you’re after, you’ll find it here among friendly patrons. Be sure to try out their weekly ‘Rock Aerobics’ ($10 – bring a towel!) and do not miss their annual ‘International Talk like a Pirate Day!’ wild celebrations!

off in winter: the garden is fully heated for your comfort.

Lane’s Edge

9380 8667 Mon-Thu: 3pm-late; Fri-Sun: 12pm-late

Recommended by: Ruby Jones

9380 4090 Mon-Thu: 5pm-9pm; Fri: 12pm-3pm, 6pm-10pm; Sat-Sun: 12pm-10pm

The Toff, as it is commonly known, seems like a classy joint upon entering. However, their fancy booze and surroundings is also home to some of the best parties in the city. Local and international indie acts have graced the Toff stage. Entry is often free on club nights on weekends. Just make sure you’re at least mildly sober on arriving: the tiny elevator is unreliable and the venue is up on the second floor.

www.myspace.com/retreathotel

The Penny Black 420 Sydney Road, Brunswick Recommended by: Jerrie Johnston

Favourite haunt of Brunswick locals, the Penny Black plays host to live music in its front room, but further venturing will find you a calmer seating area on the other side of the bar.

From here you view their fantastic backyard beer garden – but it’s worth going outside to experience the atmosphere for yourself. And don’t be put

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Nightlife

www.thepennyblack.com.au

The Toff in Town Level 2, Curtin House, 252 Swanston Street, Melbourne

9639 8770 Mon-Thu & Sat: 5pm-late; Fri: 3pm-late; Sun: 4pm-late www.thetoffintown.com

39 Bourke Street, Melbourne

This pretty little bar consists of a half indoor, half outdoor courtyard. In the winter it’s nice and cosy with heaters; in summer it’s opened out with plants. Table service is provided, and there’s a menu of snack food as well as a wide range of beer to choose from.

9654 2409 Sat: 4pm-1am

Mon-Fri: 7:30am-1am;

ALTERNATIVE E-Fiftyfive 55 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne Recommended by: Shannon McKeogh

E-Fiftyfive is like a second home. Decked out in funky and comfortable couches with modern art on the walls, it’s like the lounge room you’ve always dreamed about. It’s also easy to forget you’re in the

www.insiderguides.com.au

Photo by: Tony Pierrakos

DRINK IN STYLE AT HOME

Here are four cocktail recipes that are easy to make, two of which are non alcoholic. They all use similar ingredients so that you don’t have to go out and buy a small fortune’s worth of alcohol to get variety.

Pina Colada 15ml dark rum , 15ml coconut rum, 15ml coconut cream, 65ml pineapple juice, 15ml sugar syrup, crushed ice, pineapple pieces.

You’ll need a tall glass to build it in. Place the pineapple pieces in the bottom 1/3 of the tall glass. Pour over sugar syrup. Heap the crushed ice into next 1/3 of the glass. Blend rum, cream and juice in a cocktail shaker. Pour over ice and pineapple pieces. Garnish with a pineapple slice, umbrella and swizzle stick.

Splice 30ml melon liqueur, 30ml coconut rum, 90ml pineapple juice, 30ml cream float, crushed ice, tall glass to build it in.

Fill 1/3 of the tall glass with crushed ice. Pour melon liqueur over ice. Pour coconut rum over ice and melon liqueur. Pour pineapple juice over the melon liqueur and rum. Gently float the cream on top. Garnish with a pineapple piece, glacé cherry and serve with a swizzle stick.

Beach Berry Cruiser (non alcoholic) 1 tablespoon red berries (raspberries or strawberries), 2 tablespoons crushed pineapple, 60 ml orange juice, crushed ice, lemonade.

Blend berries, pineapple and orange juice. Mix with crushed ice. Pour into a tall glass. Top up with lemonade. Decorate with extra fruit or umbrella.

Brown Cow (non alcoholic) Cola, scoop of chocolate ice cream, grated chocolate, crushed ice.

Place ice in an ‘old-fashioned’ or tumbler glass. Pour in cola. Add the scoop of ice cream Sprinkle the grated chocolate on top.

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heart of the city at E-Fiftyfive as mellow tunes drown out the hustle of the street.

9620 3899 Mon-Fri: 10am-3am; Sat: 11am-3am; Sun: 12pm-3am www.efiftyfive.com.au

The Trader Bar (Basement), 71 Collins Street, Melbourne Recommended by: Jerrie Johnston

Hidden in an alley-basement, this gem simulates the stockmarket via drink prices. Watch current prices rise and fall over the night – take a gamble or rush to the bar when you see your favourite drink come crashing down to fantastically low prices. Whether you leave with a full wallet or an empty one – there’s no way you can have a dull night at Trader!

9663 4678 8pm-late

Wed-Fri: 4pm-late; Sat:

Section 8 27-29 Tattersalls Lane, Melbourne

What do you get with a shipping container and some free space in an alley? One of the best bars in Melbourne! Situated down Tattersalls Lane near Little Bourke St, this cleverly designed bar looks like it has been put up temporarily, with many of the seats being neatly stacked wooden pallets and the well-stocked bar operating from a window in the shipping container. But all this just adds to the great vibe of this place, with a live DJ often

spinning decks and even MC battles taking place here.

0430 291 588 Sun-Wed: 10am-11pm; Thu-Sat: 10am-1am www.section8.com.au

DANCING LESSONS Dancing is a great way to get fit and impress everyone with your new moves. There are numerous dance clubs and dance schools. Many are very cheap as well, offering the option of paying for each lesson upfront. Often you don’t need a partner; just show up and have fun meeting new people.

Free Salsa Classes with The Salsa Foundation The Amphitheatre, Federation Square

The Salsa Foundation runs free introductory dance classes.

You don’t need to have a partner or experience; you just need to want to have a bit of fun. The best thing is you get fit and healthy, while making new friends and learning new skills. They’ll be run in Fed Square throughout January and February 2011.

9655 1900 5pm-8:30pm

Wed & Thu:

www.thesalsafoundation.com.au

$5 on a Tuesday or a Wednesday night. This is meant to feel like a nightclub, with dancing in the dark, and be a lot of fun, because no one can really see what you’re doing! Not that they’d care. www.nolightsnolycra.blogspot.com

Star Studios Level 1, 325 Centre Road, Bentleigh

This dance studio offers a range of classes from beginner through to expert levels. There is also a range of styles to learn from ballroom through to rock’n’roll. Best of all, they offer free beginner’s lessons in modern ballroom and Latin on Tuesday and Friday nights!

9557 6389 Free Tue & Fri lessons: 7:30pm-8:30pm www.starstudios.com.au

Unitd Styles Corner Brighton Road and Chapel Street, St Kilda East

If you think you’d like to try something funkier, Unitd Styles specialises in hip hop, funk, and break dance styles. The crew is made up of street dance performers, experts in the styles that they teach. Classes start at $15 for beginners who want to attend casual classes, no bookings required.

0411 174 150

No Lights No Lycra Tuesdays: 250 George Street, Fitzroy

www.unitdstyles.com

Wednesdays: 49 Nicholson Street, Brunswick East

Apart from free, this has to be the best value dance lesson around. 90 minutes costs just

52

Nightlife

www.insiderguides.com.au

DANCE CLUBS

Billboards

The Corner Hotel

170 Russell Street, Melbourne

57 Swan Street, Richmond

Alumbra

The classic dance club of Melbourne, Billboards is a massive complex that you will struggle to stand still in. Playing a range of Top 40 hits and R&B tunes all night, Billboards has a nice chilled out bar so you can relax in your breaks from dancing. We recommend getting here early on Saturday night as you will struggle to get in if you leave it too late. It is definitely big enough to spend a whole night in (capacity is around 1000 people!!), and we are sure you will enjoy it. Saturday nights here are arguably the best party in Melbourne’s nightlife.

Recommended by: Jerrie Johnston

9639 4000 Mon-Wed: 8am-11pm; Thu-Fri: 8am-1am: Sat 12pm-1pm: Sun: 12pm-11pm

301 High Street, Northcote

9/161 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands Recommended By: Maria Huang

It’s the end of that killer assignment week, and you and your friends need to let your hair down. Alumbra will help you to do just that. One of the newest clubs in town, Alumbra is located by the harbour at classy Docklands. It boasts of stylish Zen deco with a large Buddha statue greeting you once you enter. It’s a place where the social bugs go to get their weekend fix of drinks and dance, so be sure to grab your best pair of dancing shoes and sassiest outfit to hit the dance floor!

8623 9666 Sun: 4pm-1am

Fri-Sat: 4pm-3am;

www.billboardthevenue.com.au

www.alumbra.com.au

Transport Federation Square, Melbourne

While this bar has a massive dance floor and is a cranking club late at night, it is also fantastic to chill out with a drink while looking over the Yarra River. This place is one of the biggest Melbourne has to offer, and is popular with a massive range of clientele. With an industrial feel balanced out with cool dim lighting, chic furniture and a stunning outdoor area, it oozes cool. Prices are pretty reasonable too!

9654 8808

Mon-Sun: 11am-late.

www.transporthotel.com.au

LIVE MUSIC The Workers Club Corner Brunswick and Gertrude Streets, Fitzroy

Host to a restaurant, two bars, a band room and a monthly vintage market, The Workers Club is one of those places you want to stay in all day long. For a night out on a budget, grab a delicious lamb burger; wash it down with a beer (or two), and head over to their band room to see some quality local bands in action.

9415 8889 Sun-Wed: 4pm-1am; Thu-Sat: 12pm-1am www.theworkersclub.com.au

A lovable pub in the dark part of town, The Corner has remained a favourite Melbourne spot for bands including The Buzzcocks, The Horrors, Broken Social Scene and many, many others. Venture into the darkness of the band room for a superb music venue, or relax in the side bar for some pool. A beer garden and delicious pizza are available on the recently jazzed-up second floor.

9427 9198 Tue-Thu: 4pm-late; Fri-Sat: 2pm-3am; Sun: 3pm-1am www.cornerhotel.com

Northcote Social Club Recommended by: Ruby Jones

A pub and a live music venue, you can rely on the social club for a low-fuss good time. Serving up decent pub food and beer on tap, the people are always friendly, and the bar is always busy. The band room has good Australian acts playing most weekends, usually for about $20.

9489 3917 Mon: 4pm-late; Tue-Thu: 12pm-late; Fri-Sat: 12pm-3am; Sun: 12pm-late www.northcotesocialclub.com

The Brunswick Green 313 Sydney Road, Brunswick Recommended by: Ruby Jones

Stocking an impressive array of bottled beer, the Brunswick Green is a relatively new addition to Brunswick nightlife. It has a nice outdoor courtyard in

53

which talented musicians spin tunes in the afternoons. The tofu wrap with wasabi comes highly recommended – only $9 with chips and salad.

9381 2413 Tue: 5pm-11pm; Wed-Thu: 5pm-1am; Fri: 4pm-1am; Sat: 2am-1am; Sun: 2am-11pm

Cherry Bar 103-105 Flinders Lane (ACDC Lane), Melbourne

Cherry is one of Melbourne’s most frequented rock bars, often hosting both popular local and international rock and alternative acts. The bar is also particularly well known for its soul nights that run every Thursday night. Check Cherry’s MySpace to see the acts that will be playing in the future.

9639 8122 Wed & Sun: 8pm-late; Thu & Fri: 5:30pm-late; Sat: 9pm-late www.myspace.com/cherrybar melbourne

Ding Dong Lounge 18 Market Lane, Melbourne

Sister bar to New York’s famous Ding Dong lounge, Melbourne’s Ding Dong provides rockers with the perfect location to meet up with mates and see a few bands. This venue has had an impressive list of famous local and international acts feature in the past. Some majors include Foo Fighters, MGMT, Muse, and Guns and Roses. Most nights of the week they have something interesting going on so check out their online gig guide to see if anything suits you.

9662 1020

Thu-Sat: 8pm-4am

www.dingdonglounge.com.au

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Nightlife

Paris Cat Jazz Club 6 Goldie Place, Melbourne

This venue is one of the new homes of live Jazz in Melbourne, and one of the most talked about. If you are after a relaxed night sipping on classic cocktails and listening to the smooth sounds of jazz, this place is certainly for you.

9642 4711 www.pariscat.com.au

THEATRE AND LIVE ARTS Melbourne is an artistic hub and the theatre scene is no exception. With dedicated production companies and venues involved, there is a constant stream of great acts to see, some traditional and others highly experimental. There’s also a range of involvement that you can have as the audience, from classical productions to the actors relying on the audience to help improvise the next scene. Below are some venues that regularly host productions.

Arts Centre 100 St Kilda Road, Melbourne

The Arts Centre is great to go to, whether you want to step inside or just stay out to look at the huge landmark. With a spire designed to look like tutu frills and light up the surrounding area, the Arts Centre shows itself to be a truly attention-grabbing place. The acts on here are large budget, highly-skilled performances

of opera, rock, classical, and so much more. There’s also a market every Sunday.

1300 182 183 www.theartscentre.com.au

Forty Five Downstairs 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Forty Five Downstairs is a notfor-profit space, offering experimental and emerging theatre the chance to show itself.

The acts here tend to be on the cutting-edge of theatre and offer something engaging, personal and thoroughly emotional for their audiences. There are also some more classical performances. Prices can vary widely, but most productions are around the $20-$30 mark.

9662 9966 www.fortyfivedownstairs.com

Melbourne Workers Theatre Corner Errol and Queensberry Streets, North Melbourne

Melbourne Workers Theatre prides itself on the documentary style of its performances.

With real issues in society as the inspiration for the pieces, they bring to light the ideas that most need talking about in modern Australia. 2010 saw a particularly exciting topic, as they sought to combine the mediums of theatre and television for a discussion on race and international students.

2011 holds promise of equally exciting material.

9326 6667 www.melbourneworkerstheatre.com.au

www.insiderguides.com.au

FIVE POPULAR AUSSIE BANDS

BY DELIMA SHANTI

You only need to tune in to Rage on ABC TV every Saturday morning to see that Australia is not lacking in the musical talent department. Many Australian acts have gained international attention, with bands like Tame Impala going from playing gigs in local pubs to touring overseas.

But don’t worry; they still come back to Australia every now and then, so make sure you check some of these bands out next time they’re in town!

1. Angus and Julia Stone (acoustic, pop-folk) There’s only one word to describe this band: pretty. The brother-sister duo from Sydney released their second album Down The Way in 2010, and everything from their sweet vocals, earnest lyrics, to the layers of sweeping strings and steady strums makes the Stones an easy listen; the kind of music you would play on a sunny Sunday whilst making pancakes.

2. Tame Impala (psychedelic rock) The Perth three-piece bring the ‘60s to those of us who missed the flower-power era. Even in their live performances the band’s sound has a very vintage feel, with jarring guitar riffs and John Lennon-like vocals of front-man Kevin Parker.

3. Super Melody (electronic pop) Melbourne’s Super Melody is the brainchild of James Cecil, who is also a member of genrehopping pop group Architecture in Helsinki. Their recently released debut, Destination Unknown, is an eccentric yet accessible pop record, reminiscent of 1980s Britpop (perhaps with a touch of George Michael). Their live shows, often in intimate spaces like Northcote Social Club and Builder’s Arms Hotel, promise the crowds a good ol’ butt-shaking fun night out.

4. Children Collide (grunge, alternative rock) A dash of the Klaxons, a pinch of Kings of Leon and a bit of The Strokes and you get Melbourne’s answer to indie rock. The grungy three-piece have been around for a while, hitting the live music scene hard and moshpits around Australia harder with their infectious tunes. If you’re looking for something a bit more jarring and abrasive, here’s the band to look out for.

5. Bliss and Eso (hip hop, rap) These Sydneysiders are great as party starters. Not only will their songs tempt the meekest among us to exude the kind of bravado reminiscent of the best of the booty-shakers on the dancefloor, a listen through just one or two of their songs and your knowledge of Aussie slang will go through the roof.

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Photo by: Tony Pierrakos

BOTH NEAR AND FAR

ADVENTURE

INTRODUCTION

LOCAL SITES

Melburnians have an advantage when they want to explore their local area: they are located in one of the most naturally rich areas in Australia. From skiing areas, to stunning coasts, to great camping spots, Victoria is full of chances to get outdoors, see some wildlife, and have some fun. Camping and road trips are both great Australian pastimes and, with the right precautions, wonderful experiences to have here when you want to take a few days out from the study routine.

Eureka Skydeck 88

For those wanting to stay close to home, the city itself is a great site for exploration. Join a club to get into urban exploration, see the local galleries and attractions, or just wander around to find street art.

There are many cheap and free options to help you get around the city, to the aquarium, amusement parks, museums, and more. Plus, tours are run by many places, including wemakestuffgood.com, in case you’d like some expert guidance around town. With so much to do and see, there’s never an end to what you can discover about your new study home.

Riverside Quay, Southbank

Get a view of the whole of Melbourne from the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere. The skydeck overlooks the whole city and the view at night of all the lights is without comparison. To go to the top costs less than $20 and there is a free iPhone audio tour app.

9693 8888

10am-10pm

www.eurekaskydeck.com.au

Old Melbourne Gaol

caters to everyone from those just wanting to play a few side show games to those searching for ultimate thrills (the scariest rides are Pharaoh’s Curse, Metropolis and the Enterprise). It is a great way to spend a day, or even take your guy/girl on that first date (nothing breaks the nerves like sharing a super-fast roller coaster ride together!). Tickets cost about $40 and get you unlimited rides for the day.

9525 5033 seasonal opening times (see website for details) www.lunapark.com.au

377 Russell Street, Melbourne

Melbourne Aquarium

A place that will surely send shivers down the backs of even the thickest-skinned individuals, this is an experience you will remember for life. Walk through the halls that housed some of the most notorious criminals Australia has ever seen, including the famous bush ranger Ned Kelly, where he was eventually hung. Hear the frightening yet fascinating tales of the prisoners’ lives and life within the gaol. This tour is one we highly recommend.

Corner of King Street & Flinders Street, Melbourne

8663 7228 9:30am-5pm

Mon-Sun:

www.oldmelbournegaol.com.au

Luna Park 18 Lower Esplanade, St Kilda

OK, even though this place is packed full of families on weekends, you still need to go to Melbourne’s Luna Park at least once during your stay. It is one big amusement park that

Where is the only place in Australia you can see Antarctic penguins? It just happens to be right here in Melbourne at The Melbourne Aquarium, in the Antarctica Exhibit. But the whole aquarium is amazing, and as you stroll through the interactive displays and gaze at the weird and wonderful world of the ocean, you can’t help but feel insignificant knowing we share the Earth with such diverse creatures and we are just one of them.

International tour guides are available, so if your English is not good, be sure to call ahead and make a group booking.

9923 5999 9:30am-6pm

Mon-Sun:

www.melbourneaquarium.com.au

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URBAN ADVENTURE

BY SEAN HOGARTH Melbourne is like any major city in the world; it is well covered by signage informing you of interesting sites and things to do. There are no doubt thousands of pamphlets to pick up from the visitor sites throughout the city which will show the most popular places to visit. However, cities are alive, littered with forgotten buildings, alley ways and experiences for all the senses. Melbourne is well regarded as a centre for urban exploration, so when you arrive, learn about the city, follow the maps of interesting places, but keep your eyes open for the chance at adventure. If you dare to look over a fence or test to see if a door is unlocked you can discover something new, something beautiful hidden away.

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Adventure

The Australian Parkour Association 13 Guilfoyle Ave, Coburg There are perfectly legal methods to discover the hidden world of Melbourne. It has a strong parkour community that uses the city literally as a playground. Parkour comes from a French discipline focussed on the ‘art of movement’, and is the act of getting from point A to point B by adapting to the environment.

Parkour communities are recognisable by their frequent attempts to leap across park benches and over brick walls.

Parkour is a free and exciting method of discovering the city, and has the added bonus of being a good physical work

out. The Australian Parkour Association runs regular training events and welcomes first timers throughout the year for those interested in combining the art of movement with a free alternative to public transport.

1800 759 015 www.parkour.asn.au

Geo-caching A great way to see the city and the surrounding areas can be combined with a fun day of treasure hunting. Geo-caching is a worldwide phenomenon in which people use GPS units (or smart phone apps) to find caches placed by other participants. Getting a small

www.insiderguides.com.au

Photo by Denny Purnama

group of friends together with a picnic, a camera and a series of coordinates available from many websites could make for a wonderful day of adventure.

More information is available from Geo-caching Australia’s website. www.geocaching.com.au

Melbourne Street Tours 110 Franklin St Those with an interest in the urban space will be amazed at the street art of Melbourne city. Recognised (and painted)

by Banksy, Melbourne’s alley ways are a world famous example of utilising the urban space as a canvas. There are, of course, wonderful galler-

ies throughout Melbourne, but few of them capture the essence of the city as well as the city’s walls, and even fewer are free or allow visitors to eat whilst they view. The Melbourne city website includes a range of areas with great examples of street art, including: • Hosier and Rutledge Lane opposite Federation Square • Caledonian Lane off Little Bourke Street

• Corner Flinders Lane and Cocker Alley • 122 Palmerston Street, Carlton But there are, of course, countless other locations that only require a comfortable pair of shoes, a decent weather forecast, and a desire to see the hidden city.

9328 5556 www.melbournestreettours.com

• Union Lane off Bourke Street Mall •Rear of 280 Queen Street in Finlay Avenue •21 Degraves Street

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The Australian Centre for the Moving Image Federation Square, Flinders Street, Melbourne

The ACMI in Fed Square covers film, television, games and more, making it a must-see Melbourne destination for anyone who surrounds themselves with today’s media.

Take a glimpse at the history of cinema, browse through the modern galleries and discover the future of digital art. The ACMI also runs workshops and often has live events, see the website for details.

8663 2200

Mon-Sun: 10am-6pm

www.acmi.net.au

MUSEUM VICTORIA Museum Victoria is free for international students and oversees the state’s cultural and scientific collections: Melbourne Museum Nicholson Street, Carlton

As well as housing 16 million items, the museum often has interesting exhibitions. The outside is just as amazing as the inside, with a façade of giant coloured squares.

The Immigration Museum 400 Flinders Street, Melbourne

The Immigration Museum offers a fascinating insight into Melbourne’s multicultural origins.

HISTORICAL EXPLORE There are many tours run to help you find out about Melbourne. By having a look around at some of the buildings and streets in this fine city, you’ll not only be able to find out where you’re going and what there is around the city, you’ll also be able to learn why Melbourne is the way it is.

Aboriginal Heritage Walk Royal Botanic Gardens Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra

As part of the tours run by the Royal Botanic Gardens, an Aboriginal Heritage Walk can be taken, showing the original meeting grounds for the Kulin indigenous peoples. The tour is run by indigenous guides and shows the traditional uses of the plants. The tour costs around $25 and needs to be booked in advance.

Scienceworks

9252 2429 Tue & Thu: 11am-12:30pm

2 Booker Street, Spotswood

www.rbg.vic.gov.au

Scienceworks is an interactive science and technology museum. It features a planetarium and a lightning room with regular shows.

13 11 02 www.museumvictoria.com.au

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ANZ Gothic Bank

wealth of ornate metalwork and stonework that has gone into creating the building, which is complete with gargoyles! Because it is a working bank, entry is free for you to have a look around.

There is also a free museum of banking located on the lower ground floor.

Royal Exhibition Building Victoria Parade, Carlton

The Royal Exhibition Building is run by the Melbourne Museum.

It is a stunning piece of 19th century architecture, right in the middle of Melbourne and is next to the Carlton Gardens.

Have a picnic or a BBQ in the gardens, maybe see some possums, and then check out one of Australia’s best kept buildings.

Cook’s Cottage Wellington Parade, East Melbourne

This house was actually built in England, dismantled, and sent here to be rebuilt in the Fitzroy Gardens. The house of Captain Cook, an important man in Australian history, is the oldest building in Australia. It’s also an adorable little house and one of the cheapest to gain entry to throughout Melbourne. www.cookscottage.com.au

Golden Mile Heritage Walk

380 Collins Street, Melbourne

Melbourne Visitor Centre, Federation Square

The Gothic Bank is an example of splendid architecture right in the middle of Melbourne.

Just looking up, there is a

This tour tracks the history of Melbourne from first settlement and tells how the city came to be shaped like it is. You

www.insiderguides.com.au

NATIONAL GALLERY OF VICTORIA

BY JASMINE NORRIE

The National Gallery of Victoria will be celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2011. As such, 2011 is set to be an exciting year for exhibitions and celebrations.

Located over two buildings, the NGV collection is one of the oldest and finest art collections in Australia. The NGV International on St Kilda Road houses the international collection, and the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia in Federation Square houses work by Australian artists, including work by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Collectively, the NGV collection features 20 galleries, including 12 permanent collections, eight galleries for temporary exhibitions, four galleries dedicated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander works, and over 65,000 artworks in its collection, 26,000 of which are Australian. The 1999 redevelopment made it one of the world’s most beautiful, technologically-advanced galleries in the world.

Highlights to look out for in 2011 ‘Australian Made: 100 Years of Fashion’ celebrates Australian fashion from 1850 to 1950. You will need to get in quick to enjoy this one, as it is in its last days, closing January 23, 2011.

Entry is free at The Ian Potter Centre.

‘Luminous Cities’ examines the way photographers have viewed cities over the 19th and 20th centuries. The exhibition includes work from artists Eugene Atget, Steichen, Walker Evans, Lee Friedlander, and Berenice Abbott. It runs until March 12, 2011, with free entry at the NGV International gallery.

‘Gustave Moreau and the Eternal Feminine’ features 117 paintings, watercolours and drawings from acclaimed French artist Musée Gustave Moreau (1826-1898). This exhibition is the first significant display of Moreau’s work in the southern hemisphere and showcases the story of real and mythological characters Helen of Troy, Cleopatra, Samson and Delilah, Galatea, Sappho, Salome, and Lady Macbeth, as interpreted by Moreau. Running December 10, 2010 to April 10, 2011 at the NGV International gallery, admission fees apply.

‘Vienna: Art and Design, Klimt, Schiele, Hoffman.’ The NGV are particularly proud to present the eighth exhibition in the Winter Masterpieces series, ‘Vienna: Art and Design,’ bringing together a collection of some 240 works by the greatest Viennese artists of the early 20th century. Highlights include paintings by Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele, a collection of furniture, textiles and decorative arts including jewellery by Josef Hoffman, remarkable architectural drawings by Otto Wagner, and designs from the Vienna Workshop. Other artists include Richard Gerstl, Koloman Moser, and Oskar Kokoschka. Running June 18, 2011 to October 9, 2011 at the NGV International gallery, admission fees apply.

Go to: www.ngv.vic.gov.au for more details.

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can take the tour with a guide, or the cheaper option is to buy the booklet and guide yourself along the track. There’s also detailed information on the Visit Victoria website, under ‘History & Heritage’ (in the ‘Arts & Culture’ section).

1300 780 045 www.visitvictoria.com

National Trust Walking Tours Tasma Terrace, 4 Parliament Place, East Melbourne

The National Trust of Australia runs a number of tours to help you see the historic parts of Melbourne and tell you about the city’s history. Most of them cost about $30, but you can do some of them cheaper or for free (see their website for the details). A women’s tour of the city of Melbourne is also downloadable for your iPod off the National Trust website, with buildings and artwork around the city as part of the tour.

9656 9800 nattrust.com.au/walking_tours

GALLERIES

By Justin Feurring

Melbourne is the creative capital of Australia and there are galleries everywhere. Some of the best have been handpicked by locals and are shown below. For updates on current exhibitions visit: www.wemakestuffgood.com

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No Vacancy 34-40 Jane Bell Lane (QV Building), Melbourne.

Art: No Vacancy has gained a reputation for exhibiting the highest standard of young upand-coming local and international artists and illustrators.

Exhibitions: No Vacancy exhibits high-profile street artists and illustrators. Phibs, Swifty, Junior (Nior), No Comply and Twoone.

9663 3798 Tue-Sat: 11am-5pm; Sun: 12pm-5pm www.no-vacancy.com.au

Off the Kerb

Exhibitions: High emerging artists.

9078 6848 Sun: 12pm-6pm

quality,

Wed-Sat: 11am-6pm;

www.atlargegallery.com

Melbourne International Fine Art Level 1, 278 Collins Street, Melbourne

MIFA is an unusual gallery space set in the heart of the city. The beautiful open plan with natural light is a wonderful place to see new art from overseas. The focus is on international artists from the Asia-Pacific region.

66B Johnston Street, Collingwood

9663 3304 5:30pm

Mon-Fri: 10am-

This gallery runs three spaces for almost any type of artist to hire. As a result, they have talented artists showcasing their materials throughout the year, including many up-and-coming artists and graduates. Coming here, you might find sound art, fashion design, or performance art. There are also resident artists hiring space to work in, which is open at various times throughout the year.

www.mifa.com.au

Kick Gallery 4 Peel Street, Collingwood

9077 0174 Thu-Fri: 12:30pm-6pm; Sat-Sun: 12pm-5pm

Kick Gallery is a contemporary art gallery, housing some funky and innovative pieces from young artists. The gallery has awesome drawings, paintings, photography and sculpture from all over Australia. A dozen artists have their work stocked there at any one time and exhibitions change regularly.

www.offthekerb.com.au

0412 243 818 Sat: 12pm-5pm

At Large Gallery

www.kickgallery.com

208 High Street, Northcote

Art: Inspired by street art and graffiti of all mediums and styles, At Large Gallery showcases Melbourne’s leading underground painters and illustrators.

Tue-Fri: 11am-6pm;

Gertrude 200 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

Art: Gertrude Gallery has an international reputation for exhibiting contemporary conceptual art, ranging from digital installations to minimalist ab-

www.insiderguides.com.au

stract paintings. Gertrude is also famous for all the practising artists working in the upstairs studios.

Exhibitions: Predominantly conceptual-based shows.

9419 3406 Tue-Fri: 11am-5:30pm; Sat: 11am-4:30pm www.gertrude.org.au

STREET ART

By Jeremy Gaschk & Krystal Schultheiss

The street art scene is exploding in Melbourne. Exploring and seeing these natural canvases can be an exciting thing to do in your new city. The side streets and alleys are virtually outdoor galleries, painted and awaiting your discovery. It can be hard to know where to go to find the treasures. Use this as a guide and start exploring!

There are also great street art tours run by the artists themselves, a crew called We Make Stuff Good.

Fitzroy & Collingwood The side streets off Brunswick & Smith Streets

Fitzroy is where Melbourne’s street art culture started. Go on an adventure and immerse yourself in the culture of these colourful streets and alleyways. It is the home of Everfresh Studios, a collective of some of Australia’s best graffiti artists. A must see is the Everfresh mural on the side of the Night Cat Bar on Johnston St.

City

Little La Trobe Street

The city’s laneways are a celebration of the city’s culture.

Many of the alleyways have been commissioned and showcase some amazing work.

Between Swanston Street and Elizabeth Street

Croft Alley Off Little Bourke Street, in between Russell & Exhibition Street

In September 2009 ‘Don’t Ban the Can’ held an event that brought together over 50 artists from around Australia to paint the alleyway. This alleyway is one of Melbourne’s feature attractions, Google search ‘Don’t Ban the Can, Croft Ally Project’ to see why.

Caledonian Lane Off Lonsdale Street between Swanston and Elizabeth Street

Previous home of Melbourne’s famous St Jerome’s Bar. The alleyway was originally curated by artists Monkey and Koan, who still actively paint today.

The wall is ever-changing and is a well-known space to see street art in Melbourne.

Blender Studio Alleyway Off Franklin Street between Queen and Elizabeth Streets

One of Melbourne’s oldest urban & street art studios is here. The Alleyway is located on the side of the studio and has been featured in numerous media and TV shows.

Why it’s worth seeing: Here you will find old-school styled works by artists who helped push the street art and graffiti movement to where it is today.

WALKING AND BIKE TRAILS Get maps for these trails from the Visit Victoria website (www.visitvictoria.com) or view them on Google Maps.

The Bay Trail Starting from St Kilda and running along the coast, the bay trail is a great way to see the beaches near Melbourne.

The 6 kilometre ride takes about 40 minutes and finishes at Brighton. Or, you can have a more leisurely ride, stopping at cafes or Acland Street. You can also walk it, which takes two hours.

Further Bay Trails If you wish to see more of the coast, you can head in either direction to extend the trail.

Going towards Port Melbourne and finishing at Station Pier is 8 kilometres on a round trip.

From Brighton Baths, if you wish to head in the other direction, the trail extends another 6 kilometres and ends near Black Rock.

Main Yarra Trail For a longer bike ride The Yarra Trail runs from Southbank up

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the Yarra River. The main part of the ride ends at Templestowe and is 5 hours one way (although you can ride any section of it). This is the main bicycle route through Melbourne and it’s a great way to see the wider city.

Albert Park Lake Walk Albert Park is just south of Melbourne’s CBD and is one of the many parks around the area with walking tracks. The track around the lake has perfect scenery and provides exercise without being overly strenuous.

BEACHES

Photo by: Denny Purnama

When you were sitting at home deciding if Australia was the right country to study in, I bet one of the things that pushed you towards Australia was our golden sands and crystal waters that make our beaches some of the best in the world.

The beach is a big part of Australian culture. Sitting in the

sun with your mates before slipping into the ocean to cool off on a warm day is one of the most Australian experiences you can have. You might just want to sit back, read a book and soak in some sun. Alternatively, you might be a little more adventurous, looking to catch some waves on your surfboard. Whatever you want to do, there is a beach somewhere near Melbourne waiting for you. These listings will give you a bit of an idea of which beaches are worth checking out.

St Kilda Beach St Kilda is just a short tram ride from the city. Situated on Port Phillip bay, both the St Kilda beach and the Esplanade have a lot to offer beach goers. You can head out onto the sand for a few hours, go for a swim and after have some dinner at one of the beach-side cafés. You might even be lucky enough to find some live music at one of the several popular venues

in this area. Although this may not be the most secluded beach, it is close to the city and offers many activities for those who are more interested in shopping and dining instead of surfing and swimming.

Brighton Beach Brighton is an upmarket coastal suburb known commonly for its colourfully painted little beach huts.

Brighton beach is very exclusive in comparison to St Kilda.

If you’re looking to get away from the sounds of passing cars and trucks without travelling too far from the city, this is a good place to check out.

The privacy gives the beach a relaxed, laid-back feel; perfect for a picnic on a sunny afternoon. If you’re wanting to stick around for a snack or a couple of beers, Bay Street is just a five-minute walk away with some nice cafés and restaurants. If you’re looking to get here from the city, Flinders Street station will get you

BEACH SAFETY TIPS 1. Swim between the flags

At most popular beaches you will see surf lifesavers who have worked out the safest part of the beach to swim. They communicate this by putting up big flags on the beach. Swim in between them! This will ensure you don’t put yourself at risk by swimming in dangerous areas. Also, if you do struggle in the water, you have a much better chance of being seen by the rescuers if you are swimming in the area that they are patrolling.

2. Don’t fight the rip or current If you get pulled out to sea by the rip, do not try and fight it.

It will just make you tired and you will really struggle. The smartest thing to do is to let yourself get pulled out to sea, then when the rip dies down, swim to the side and swim back into shore.

3. Swim with friends Make sure you swim while your friends watch you. If you struggle, they can help you out or find someone nearby that can help you!

4. Don’t eat immediately before you swim Wait at least half an hour before you go for a swim if you have just had a meal. You could get cramps and this could make swimming very difficult.

If you want more information regarding safety on the beaches, check out www.lifesavingvictoria.com.au. Also, many popular beaches have surf life-saving offices present, with life savers patrolling the beaches at busy times.

there in about 20 minutes on the Sandringham line.

Middle Park Middle Park is a friendly little area outside Melbourne and is regarded by many Melburnians as a refreshing getaway from the city. There are some great areas around here for windsurfing and other water sports. There is also an array of nearby beach side cafés and kiosks if you forget to pack some lunch.

Hampton Beach Hampton Beach is a popular spot for young people. There is a great bike path to go for a ride or an afternoon walk with some friends. There are also a number of stunning beach front places to stay if you are looking to get out of town for a couple of days. If you are lucky enough to do so, you can experience the number of nice restaurants, boutique stores and cafés.

Elwood Beach Not the beach for ultimate relaxation - this is a very sport-orientated destination and home to many of the Melburnian triathlon events.

Elwood Beach has tennis courts, playgrounds and a fishing club. There are also public BBQ facilities.

Bells Beach, Torquay Probably the most famous beach in the country, Bells Beach is known for its long rolling waves and big surfing events. The town of Torquay

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is widely considered the home of Aussie surf culture, with some of the largest global surf brands growing from their bases in this town. While the beach is just amazing and you should definitely give it a visit, you should be aware that it isn’t a good beach for beginners to go surfing as the waves can get really big.

GETTING OUT OF TOWN Mt Baw Baw Rawson, Victoria 2.5 hours from Melbourne City

From its history as a gold rush site, Mt Baw Baw is now an environmentally protected area, providing the closest skiing and resort facilities to Melbourne. In summer, Mt Baw Baw is a perfect place to see some native animals or photograph stunning flowers and plants. There are many walking trails on which to have a little adventure and see the untouched beauty of the Baw Baw National Park. In winter, Mt Baw Baw becomes a wonderland of snow and a skier’s heaven. Everyone can have a go at the winter activities here, with slopes perfect for beginners, and the plants and animals still around for those with keen eyes.

5165 1136 www.mountbawbaw.com.au

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Grampians 3.5 hours by car from Melbourne City

One of the true treasures of the western Victoria. If you want to go camping with some friends and do a bit of bush walking, you cannot go past the Grampians. With a breathtaking series of sandstone mountain ranges, the natural beauty of this place will make you never want to leave Australia. One of the reasons it is so famous is because it is home to one of the richest indigenous rock art sites in South Eastern Australia. It is a spectacular place to camp and the bush walks are some of the best in the country. We recommend going with an organised tour for your first time as the Australian bush can be a dangerous place for those who are not prepared.

Phillip Island 2 hours by car from Melbourne City

I can hear you asking yourself, “where do I go to see all the wildlife?” Answer: Phillip Island.

This place is the ultimate for any international student wanting a wildlife experience that you will never forget. For example, the penguin parade, where little penguins waddle up the beach as they make their way back to their sandy home, is a highlight for Phillip Island visitors. Other treats range from seeing massive fur seal colonies to seeing koalas close up. The Insider recommends going for an unfor-

gettable stroll along Nobbies Boardwalk, which goes along this stunning coastline.

Dandenong Ranges 45 minutes by car from Melbourne City

For a taste of Victoria’s most scenic landscapes, the Dandenong ranges are a must-see.

Rich rainforest areas are able to be explored via walking trails. The Dandenong has the highest waterfall in Victoria, Stevenson Falls, and the tallest living tree, on the Cumberland walk. There is so much animal and plant life to see in the area, but there’s also rich wine country and skiing just nearby.

Marysville, one of the towns near the ranges, is home to a garden display and a monthly market. Other surrounding towns include Yarra Glen and Healesville, with its Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary.

DESTINATION AUSTRALIA! While you’re over here, it would be a waste not to see the rest of what Australia has to offer interstate. Remember to look out for editions of Insider Guides that exist in Adelaide and Brisbane. See our website for more details.

Sydney Sydney has two of the icons that everyone associates with life ‘down under’: the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.

It’s jam-packed full of everything to do in one city, with

www.insiderguides.com.au

cheap travel for students, backpackers and adventurers We’re here so you can go your own wn w way. ay.

• Cheap flights • Round the world flights • Student fares • ISE student cards • Adventure tours & packages • Working holidays & volunteering • Hotels & hostels • Rail & bus tickets • Campers & car hire 55 + stores nationwide

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Applies to genuine quotes from airlines & Australian registered businesses & websites for travel that originates/departs from Australia. Quote must be in writing & must be presented to us prior to booking. Fare must be available & able to be booked by the general public when you bring it to us. Fares available due to membership of a group or corporate entity or subscription to a closed group are excluded. Must be for same dates, flight routing, flight class & number of people. We will beat the price by $1.00 & give you a $20 voucher. For full terms & conditions see www.studentflights.com.au.

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breathtaking harbours in the centre of the urban sprawl, the ability to buy almost anything you want, and some of the best beaches and scenery not far away.

Adelaide This city is always described as more of a country town, but that’s just what makes it great! Of course, it’s anything but sleepy, particularly in the summer months as all the best festivals in Australia (and the world) come here to make the whole place a party atmosphere. There are beautiful wine regions and some of the best restaurants in Australia nestled away here.

Perth Perth is situated next the Swan River and it is one of the fastest developing cities in Australia. Just a short drive North takes you to the beaches around Scarborough, South takes you to the market atmosphere of Fremantle, and if you want to follow the coast even further South, you’ll reach the acclaimed Margaret River wine region.

Brisbane The locals are friendly, the beaches are some of Australia’s best, and the weather is great all year round. Brisbane is one of the most relaxed places in Australia, with a real party culture. South of Brisbane is the Gold Coast, a great place to swim and surf. If you head North, you’ll find stunning rainforest conditions and The

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LONG DISTANCE DRIVING TIPS

Going on a road trip interstate, or even in Victoria, with a group of friends is a great experience.

When you are out in regional Victoria, always remember to be alert for wildlife, especially during dusk or dawn, as this is when wildlife will be on the roads. Should the unfortunate happen, please stop and help the wildlife when possible.

During winter if you are driving to the mountains, remember to have your vehicle checked and serviced before you head s Dolphinconditions ith weather up, and always check as it varies. ackonwthe • Ky g ckinmountains.

Pi You might even need a & tyre chain to go up the rry be w ra St • Cherry s During summer it is important to note the fire level or ct late Fa iewarn& Choco inertoiebes trapped • W ings. You don’t want in a bush fire area.

It is important to always take a power nap when you are going on a long drive. If you are pushed for time, an alternative will be to swap drivers along the way. It is crucial that the driver is alert and not sleepy. There are many designated power nap areas along the way.

Finally, long drives interstate can be a pain especially with no other road users on the road, but please obey the speed limit at all times. Speeding to make up time is dangerous and will result in a speeding fine, as there are always mobile police patrols in and around regional Victoria.

Driving Advice: Have the car serviced or checked before going on a road trip.

Leave with a full tank of fuel as you might not know which petrol type they have in regional areas.

Take power naps in between long drives, or swap with another driver along the way.

Make sure you are fully aware of the weather conditions at all times during the journey.

Obey the speed limit at all times.

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Glasshouse Mountains, with its pristine habitats.

Darwin With more backpackers than anywhere else in Australia, it’s the real deal when it comes to Aussie outback living. Darwin is close to many of Australia’s conservation areas which protect the wildlife and the native habitat.

WINTER SPORTS Mt Buller About 3 hours from Melbourne City

You’ll never be bored at Mt Buller. With great winter sports, beginner skiing slopes and a toboggan park, there’s more than enough activity to satisfy everyone. There are also restaurants, cafes, and spas for those looking to relax.

In summer, Mt Buller has more to do than you can imagine.

For example, rock climbing, bush walking, downhill bikeriding to name just a few. They even have their own summer music festival and a gnome adventure for the young and young-at-heart.

Hotham About 4 hours from Melbourne City

Hotham is a great place to relax and indulge yourself in winter. Take a sled dog tour of the slopes, spend sunsets at the peak, or go for a night ski.

Summer is all about getting out and having fun. Go to Hotham’s music festival, take an audio tour, or try a range

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of sports from mountain bike riding to bush walking. There are also water activities, such as fly fishing and white water rafting.

Falls Creek About 4 hours from Melbourne City

Fishing and flowers in summer, skiing and snowboarding in winter. Falls Creek is an excellent place to experience the Australian snowfields. Try snow tubing or snow biking, get on the bungy trampoline, or go for one of the many tours around the area. The night shows are a spectacular display of fireworks and skills on the snow.

Mt Baw Baw Rawson, Victoria 2.5 hours from Melbourne City

Baw Baw apparently means ‘echo’ in the local native aboriginal language, although we can’t really prove this.

However, we can prove that this ski resort is one of the country’s best. With the states cheapest lift tickets and plenty of affordable accommodation available, this is probably the most cost-effective option for a student looking to enjoy the snow. Lessons are available for beginners. If you’re a bit more experienced, then you can begin carving your way through the slopes, surrounded by giant Mountain Ash trees, which are some of the tallest in the world!

Lessons Most ski resorts offer lessons for beginner skiers and snowboarders. Lessons often range from the very basics for complete beginners, to more advanced classes for those wanting to improve their abilities or get a refresher. Look out for ways to get discounts on lessons; you may be able to get a deal by purchasing multiple lessons at once or getting a lesson with your lift pass.

First-timers generally get a discount too.

Gear When it comes to gear, you needn’t spend a fortune. One option is to rent gear. There are plenty of rental places in and around the top skiing areas.

They may even deliver the gear to your lodge for when you arrive, although you may want to check your sizing first. There are also places for you to buy gear, if you’re planning on doing a lot of skiing, both in the city and near ski resorts. Ski resort websites will have listings of all the local places to buy and hire gear from.

www.insiderguides.com.au

Photo by: Rhiannon Dixon

FESTIVALS, SPORTS AND CULTURE

EVENTS

INTRODUCTION Melbourne and the wider Victorian area are home to a multitude of fun and amazing events throughout the year.

Hosting everything from music, to arts, to cinema, and some quirkier things, there’s something to satisfy everyone’s thrill-seeking and curiosity. Going to these events is a great way to get involved with Melbourne’s culture and have great experiences while you are here. There are also ways to get involved in these events.

Details of how to get involved have been put throughout the listings in this section. If you are wondering how to find out what’s on, many of the publications that list nightlife also list events. Some university websites also have this information available, and of course, you can ask the locals what they like! Here are some other places to try: www.eventful.com www.threethousand.com.au

ORIENTATION WEEK Also called ‘O-Week’, this introductory week to uni is a great time to get settled in while having some fun. University campuses become a hive of activity as everyone puts out information about themselves, tours are run, and introductory lectures given.

Some universities also have

concerts, dances, fairs, and more to help everyone meet in a relaxed environment. It’s highly recommended that you don’t forget the academic stuff because this is the best time to get a library tour, and for some courses very important information is given out in these first lectures.

PUB CRAWLS Almost all faculties will attempt to have one pub crawl a year. This is because Aussies love to have a drink! Most of all, they love to have a cheap drink, which most places on a pub crawl are willing to offer.

However, even if you don’t like to drink much, you’ll still have fun. Pub crawls are a great way to get to know people in your courses and make those important connections and friendships that help you through uni. Even better, you get to see some of the Melbourne nightlife with people who probably know it pretty well.

FESTIVALS Festivals are events with many artists or performers involved, which celebrate and showcase talent in a certain area. Melbourne is home to a wide variety of national and international art and music festivals (see below). Be aware that these can vary in length and time. Some festivals are day-long events at one location, while others go for weeks

and have many locations spread throughout the city.

FETES & SHOWS These events are set up like a one-off market, with stalls and tables from which people can sell a multitude of things, depending on the theme or idea behind the occasion.

Many schools and community groups hold these events to help with fund-raising. Mostly, the items there are something that you might want rather than need, but these can be a fun and interesting way to spend an afternoon.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS Public Holidays are the best time to get to an event. Many festivals try to coincide with ‘long weekends’ (where the public holiday falls on a Monday or Friday) so that attendees can enjoy their time out, or so that the festival can go for longer. There are also many free and cheap local events that are held on public holidays to encourage as many people as possible to go along.

Australia Day – January 26th Commemorates the arrival of the first fleet of ships from England and celebrates the nation we’ve become. There’s an awesome celebration of music from the past year on Triple J, called the Hottest 100. Relaxing with friends and listening to music is a must.

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Queen’s Birthday – June 13th This isn’t the Queen’s exact birthday, but it’s a great excuse for a day off and one of the best things about being in the Commonwealth. It’s probably why Australia isn’t a republic yet! The weather is still mild, so it’s good to head outside and have fun.

Anzac Day – April 25th This day is a remembrance of all the soldiers who have fought for this country. While it’s a serious occasion and there are marches held all over the country that you can attend, this is also a great day to be with friends.

Melbourne Cup Day – November 1st They call it the race that stops a nation. The biggest horse racing event of the year, this is a day of fashion too. Many people will watch the race whether at home or at work and even place a small bet (gamble responsibly).

Labour Day – March 14th This day celebrates Labour Unions and the rights for workers that they have achieved. Of course, most Aussies don’t know that, but they know it’s a great day for a barbeque and to go on holiday.

Good Friday & Easter Monday – April 22nd-25th People take advantage of the long weekend to go on holiday.

If you are planning on taking a trip at this time of year, then

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book accommodation early!

It’s also a great time to get together with friends and have some fun, as the weather is generally mild.

The other major holidays are Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, which are all from December 25th to January 1st. (Many businesses are shut for the whole period, and others have different opening hours, so you’ll need to check them as the holidays arrive.)

CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS AND EVENTS There are many celebrations from around the world that Aussies embrace with a passion and commit to making them a great day out. Melbourne is a multicultural hub of excitement too, and many of the nationalities that make it a culture capital have their own events throughout the year.

St Patrick’s Day St Patrick’s Day, an Irish tradition, is one of the best days of the year to go out. Mostly it’s celebrated by drinking a lot of beer, but if you wear something green and toast the day, you’ll have a great time.

2010 saw the second year of the Irish Festival to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, held in North Fitzroy. For details of this year’s festivities, see the Irish Festival Committee website.

March 17th 2011 www.stpatricksfestival.org.au

Chinese New Year Chinatown Precinct, Little Bourke Street, Melbourne

Chinese New Year is similarly loved and often there are street parades or traditional festivities on for all to enjoy.

Chinatown is generally home to a large celebration, and this year on the 6th of February will again host cultural activities including arts, karaoke, dances, and competitions.

10am-8pm February 6th 2011

La Dolce Italia - Lygon Street Fiesta Lygon Street, Carlton

Being in the heart of Little Italy, you can expect to have a brilliant time when Lygon Street gets out the red and white tablecloths and has a party. With food, wine, markets, a carnival, and so much more, this festival celebrates modern Italian culture. The street is closed to traffic as thousands of people get involved. Grab some pizza and a coffee while you watch tug-of-war, waiter races, or world records being broken.

February & October 2011 www.dolceitalia.com.au

Johnston Street Hispanic Fiesta Fitzroy

There is nothing better than letting your hair down,

www.insiderguides.com.au

grabbing a cool drink and a Spanish donut and heading down to Johnson Street in Fitzroy for some dancing on the street. The street is closed to traffic and the Latin American music takes over. Did we mention its free entry? Food and drink are available on-site.

There are special fashion industry workshops, designers showing off their gear and many free shows in Federation Square dedicated to the world of cloth, material and style.

Mid-November 2011

Melbourne Writer’s Festival

www.hispanicfiesta.com.au

Recommended by: Shannon McKeogh

Emerge Festival Fitzroy Town Hall Recommended by: James Dalrymple

Celebrating United Nations World Refugee Day and Australian Refugee Week, this event features a number of performances from a variety of local refugee groups. Showcasing dance, music, visual arts and foods from Africa to Asia, Emerge Festival explores and celebrates the richness and diversity of emerging and undiscovered Australian refugee culture. Check the Multicultural Arts Victoria website for more details closer to the event date.

June 19th 2011 www.multiculturalarts.com.au

MAJOR FESTIVALS Melbourne Fashion Festival Recommended by: Shannon McKeogh

Get your fashion fix at the Melbourne Fashion Festival when the city transforms into a fashion runway for one week.

March 14th - 20th 2011 www.lmff.com.au

Do you like to write or read?

Melbourne Writer’s Festival is a festival to celebrate the book worm and the basement writer. There are special events, lectures and booksignings from well-known and up-and-coming authors.

You can also go to workshops on novel-writing, journalism and new media, or just hear some impressive poetry at the poetry slam.

www.melbournefilmfestival.com.au

Melbourne International Student Film Festival Recommended by: James Dalrymple

This annual event is the biggest student film festival in Melbourne and showcases independent student films from around the world. This festival screens numerous short films and offers a various prizes and awards. Supporting fresh ideas and new talent, it showcases a variety of genres, including comedy, horror and sci-fi. This is one that is sure to be a hit with film students and movie buffs alike.

February 26th 2011 www.isfilmfest.org/melbourne

August 27th - September 5th 2011 www.mwf.com.au

The Melbourne International Film Festival Recommended by: Shannon McKeogh

Do you like watching Australian or international movies? The Melbourne International Film Festival has been running for over sixty years. With a great range of short films, feature length films, animation, and movie marathons from countries all over the world, it is not surprising that it is the largest film festival in Australia.

August 26th - September 4th 2011

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EVENTS AT FED SQUARE Throughout the year, free or cheap events are run at Federation Square. They range from performances to markets. There is an opportunity to learn something new at each event. All of the events are a great way to get involved in the city, make new friends and have an all-round cultural education. A full list of everything that’s on, the cost, and the time and place, is available through the Fed Square website. Here are just a few to get you interested.

9655 1900 www.fedsquare.com

Fed Square Car Club Showcase Flinders Street, Federation Square Last Sunday of every month

On the last Sunday of every month there’s an opportunity to see the car of your dreams.

Car Club members bring out some of the most stylish, elegant, and racy cars around for you to admire, and you can chat to the owners too. If you are a car lover, then this is certainly something to check out, even if only to help your imagination grow.

Sun: 11am-2:30pm

Fed Square Live Presented by The Push Main Stage, Federation Square

In summer you can get free live entertainment on most Thurs-

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day nights. Fed Square plays host to a series of music concerts by artists from all genres: everything from indie pop to world music, and even country.

They are all-ages too (if you’re under 18 you can attend).

Thu: 6pm-7:30pm January 13th - April 21st

Poetry at Fed Square The Atrium, Federation Square Second Saturday of every month

Once a month, poetry artists get to have a go at performing their work publicly and it’s free for all to attend. Not only do you get to listen to up-andcoming poets, but you can also brush up on your knowledge of famous poets as there are feature poets for each event.

There are up to ten readings on every occasion.

Sat: 2pm-4pm

MUSIC EVENTS Music festivals are a great way to check out your favourite bands and get to know new bands. There is nothing better than enjoying a few days with your friends out of town and listening to great music.

Most sell out quickly, so decide whether to go before the tickets go on sale. Some sell out within a day, e.g. Splendour in the Grass and Falls Festival.

Others sell within a couple of weeks, e.g. Big Day Out and Future Music.

Sydney Road Street Party Sydney Road, Brunswick Recommended by Ruby Jones

The normally chaotic Sydney Road is closed down for a day for Brunswick’s street festival.

The street comes alive with musicians, dancers, food, drink and fashion. Stages are set up and live music plays throughout the day, and the numerous pubs up and down Sydney Road get in on the action as well. Brunswick Street festival is all-ages and has a strong community vibe.

12pm-7pm March 6th 2011 www.brunswickmusicfestival.com.au/ srsp.htm

Golden Plains Festival Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre, Meredith

Yet another festival to travel for, but this festival is… interesting… in a good way. Firstly, early tickets can be bought via ballot: you apply for tickets and you may actually get them. Secondly, their policy page states that, sum, certain rowdy people shouldn’t bother going, and that the organisers won’t destroy the local landscape with signposts just for the ease of you finding the gig.

Thirdly, and most importantly, they seek out freakishly good and experimental musical talent for their line-up, such as Architecture in Helsinki and Joanna Newsom. If you want to see some of the best musicians in the world, in one of the most chilled environments

www.insiderguides.com.au

you’ll find, this is a great festival to catch.

March 12th - 14th 2011 2011.goldenplains.com.au

Port Fairy Folk Festival During this festival the little Port Fairy community becomes home to over 100 local and international acts, and the many fans they attract. This year features the likes of Bob Evans, Darren Hanlon, Dan Kelly and Lisa Miller. There will also be a myriad of local Melbourne acts, street performers, and the folk circus.

March 11th - 14th 2011 www.portfairyfolkfestival.com

St Kilda Festival The perfect mix: beaches, local talent and free entertainment.

A Melburnian favourite for almost 30 years, the festival brings Melbourne’s public, young and old, to see some of Australia’s hottest artists, musicians and comedians. And the best part: it’s free! If you start getting a bit warm after all the dancing, you can cool down with a swim too!

February 6th-13th 2011 www.stkildafestival.com.au

Soundwave Showgrounds

This year is set to see Iron Maiden headline as Soundwave tours the country, bringing brilliance from all rock music genres to your doorstep. The festival is fast becoming one of the most popular of Australia’s touring extravaganzas. But if

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you can’t get tickets, there’s a host of sideshows so you can still catch your favourite band in a more intimate setting.

festival, as it always delivers a good time for festival lovers.

March 4th 2011

It is possible to get involved as a volunteer or worker. Check their website for details.

www.soundwavefestival.com

December 2011 - January 2012

Apollo Bay Music Festival Covering everything from rock, theatre, comedy, jazz, hip hop, blues, country and world music, the Apollo Bay Music Festival is really just worth going to because you get to visit one of the most beautiful places in Australia, the magnificent Otway Ranges along the famous Great Ocean Road. When this festival gets going, talented buskers line the streets in this stunning beach-side town, which just helps create an awesome vibe.

www.fallsfestival.com.au

April 8th - 10th 2011 www.apollobaymusicfestival.com

Falls Festival Lorne (and Tasmania)

One of the most popular festivals in Australia, you have to be quite lucky to get a ticket to this one. Situated on a farm in the middle of a rainforest in the stunning beach-side town of Lorne, patrons have to camp on-site, meaning the festival vibe doesn’t stop when the acts stop playing. This festival always manages to attract big name acts like Moby, De La Soul, Franz Ferdinand, Kings of Leon and the Dandy Warhols just to name a few. Camping with your friends and making friends with strangers is a massive selling point for this

Big Day Out Melbourne City

The king of city festivals, the Big Day Out is now regarded internationally as one of the biggest festival tours in the world. Always bringing the best bands in the world as well as a huge range of awesome local and international acts, this is one that costs a fair bit, but is totally worth it. With a range of big and small stages in place and plenty of places to cool down in the hot summer sun, this is one day that the youth of Melbourne look forward to every year.

Late January 2012 www.bigdayout.com

St Jerome’s Laneway Festival Footscray Community Arts Centre

In 2004, a couple of guys in Melbourne thought that the Melbourne live music scene needed a bit of a shake-up.

They organised for some great bands to perform in an alleyway behind St Jerome’s Bar. It proved to be hugely popular and started a cult following of this uniquely intimate festival.

The philosophy of this event (to showcase a range of bands in unique settings) has proven to

www.insiderguides.com.au

be contagious, with a few different cities now having their own St Jerome’s Laneway Festival. However, the Melbourne one remains the best and is truly worth checking out for the world-class acts and awesome local bands in an incredible setting.

Late January/Early February 2012 melbourne.lanewayfestival.com.au

ALTERNATIVE AND MISCELLANEOUS EVENTS The Village Festival See website for location

Looking for weird in your life?

Maybe not, but that’s no reason to avoid The Village Festival, which combines the arts with all sorts of fun events.

Run in combination with Falls Festival (both Lorne and Tasmania), The Village also gets around to local areas near you, providing entertainment, arts, workshops, food, wine, and so much more. Get yourself into some comedy or try the ‘So You Think You Can Interpretive Dance’ competition. Check their website for regular updates to event schedules.

Wanting to get involved? The Village Festival regularly looks for volunteers to travel with them and help out on their stalls and events. There is also the opportunity for free tickets, meals and to make new friends with the artists and performers. See their website for details.

Rainbow Serpent

Japanese Film Festival

Beaufort

Recommended by: James Dalrymple

For the little hippie inside all of us, Rainbow Serpent is the premier alternative lifestyle, music and arts festival. Throw on your bell-bottom jeans, tie a rainbow ribbon in your hair and experience a festival that attracts an audience from all around the world. Showcasing world class performers from a range of different genres, the only thing they have in common is that they will definitely make you dance! So come on down and join a smiling community for chai-sipping, moondancing fun.

January 21st - 24th 2011 www.rainbowserpent.net

Underground Cinema Screenings Mystery Location (revealed three days before screening) Recommended by: Ruby Jones

Claiming to ‘take cinema out of the cinema’ the crew that run underground cinema screenings set up a mystery film in a mystery location and invite you along. Usually about $20 a ticket, you are told of the theme when you buy, and the location a few days before the event. When you arrive, actors give clues about the upcoming film as they engage the audience in their theatrics. Cheap food and drink is provided and fun is guaranteed. www.undergroundcinema.com.au

The 15th Japanese Film festival promises to showcase some of the best talent Japanese cinema has to offer. This event features an abundance of Australian premieres, prizes and special guests. Held at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, the weeklong festival provides locals with the chance of experiencing some of Japan’s finest film making talent.

Late November 2011 www.japanesefilmfestival.net

Bike Fest Celebrating bikes and everything that is good about cycling, this festival runs for a few days in November. It’s not just about getting fit and having fun in the sun, although that helps, but also tries to gather ideas about how to help cyclists cycle safer and easier.

The festival is designed to get everyone in love with cycling, with events like night picnics, tweed rides, and musical performances.

If you love cycling and want to get involved, you may be able to volunteer with Bike Fest.

This year’s event relied on the support of volunteers. Information on getting involved for future events can be found on their website in the lead up to the festival. They also tend to run creative competitions for people to get involved in, such

www.thevillagefestival.com.au

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www.insiderguides.com.au

as film, fashion and design competitions.

November 2011 www.melbournebikefest.com.au

Midsumma Festival Birrung Marr

Come along and celebrate queer culture by seeing the arts, dancing, film, cabaret, and more. This festival is awardwinning and encourages the best performers to put on a great show. The opening Carnival is one of the best attended events in Melbourne and the closing event is also wellloved. T Dance is the highlight this year and is a huge outdoor dance party.

If you’d like to get involved, Midsumma relies on the generosity of volunteers. There are more details on their website of how to get involved to help this great festival get up and running.

January 16th- February 6th 2011

Audi Victoria Week

Rip Curl ASP World Tour

Docklands, Melbourne to Eastern Beach, Geelong

Bells Beach, Torquay

The boats come out for this event which celebrates everything to do with boating. Even for those who don’t have their sea legs, the sight of over 450 yachts is certainly spectacular, and there is a weekend of free activities at Geelong. A fireworks display marks the end of the performances, markets and sailing.

This event also needs a large host of volunteers to help everything come together. Everyone is welcome to apply and those accepted are matched to jobs that suit their skills. It’s a great chance to make friends and see all the celebrations firsthand. See the website for details.

January 20th - 26th 2011

With funding promised by Melbourne State Government, Bells Beach should be able to see this surfing competition return in 2011. The competition here has huge prize money and draws some of the world’s finest surfers for a chance of glory. The waves get high and the skill levels are up there to match.

April 14th - 30th 2011 www.aspworldtour.com

AFL Grand Final Day MCG

A big day for Australians, this is a day when two teams in the AFL battle it out to become the season premiers. It is a game filled with passion, sweat and always tears and joy after the final siren.

www.victoriaweek.com

September 24th 2011

Australian International Airshow

www.afl.com.au

Avalon Airport, Beach Road, Avalon

Australian Open Tennis Championships

If you are a car fan, you probably already know this event exists and how awesome it is.

Every March, thousands pour into Albert Park and watch the world’s best drivers compete on what is regarded as a top circuit for Formula One racing.

If you’ve wondered how the airplanes work when you’ve been flying around to get to Australia, now is the chance to find out. More than 500 planes are on display for the largest airshow in Australia, with historical and commercial aircraft included. Also see the best that Australia has to offer in aerobatics at the International Airshow.

The Australian Open is rated by many sports fans as one of the world’s most anticipated sporting events, attracting the biggest names of tennis. With the French and US Open and Wimbledon, it completes international tennis’ ‘Grand Slam’.

A top event for any tennis follower.

March 24th - 27th 2011

March 4th - 6th 2011

www.australia-grand-prix.com

www.airshow.com.au

www.midsumma.org.au

SPORTING EVENTS The Australian Grand Prix Albert Park

Melbourne Park

January 2012 www.australianopen.com

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Melbourne Cup Carnival Flemington Racecourse

The horses, the glamour, the high stakes and the (literally) high fashion. Think: Over the top fashion lovers. It’s that time of the year when everyone huddles up in front of the telly or prepares to head down to the Flemington Racecourse that will host the awaited Melbourne Cup Carnival.

One of the biggest events on the social calendar, the carnival runs for about a week and caters to people of all ages from all walks of life. However, the main highlight is the Melbourne Cup day, where the finest of jockeys and horses compete for the $6 million grand prize in the 3200m race.

The Melbourne Spring Races have an extremely rich history, with the Melbourne Cup Race first being run in 1861. Since then, the Melbourne Cup race has become one of the most celebrated and prestigious racing events and attracts jockeys, horses and even celebrities from all over the world.

Last year, the carnival saw about 300,000 people enter through the gates to participate in the trackside activities.

The atmosphere at Flemington is always on a constant high, with horse shows, fashion shows and even family activities to take part in on the Emirates Stakes Day, which happens two days after the Melbourne Cup. If that is not for you, there is always the Crown Oaks day for the ladies

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filled with a whole day of pampering, fashion shows and girly fun.

Nothing expresses the Australian spirit of good cheer better than the Melbourne Spring Races, so be sure to attend this event to get the full Aussie experience and see what it is about this race that is able to stop a nation.

Here are just some tips on how to soak up the atmosphere:

put on your biggest smile. Photographers are everywhere!

Do not forget to bring your own camera to capture all the highlights of the day as well.

Have fun!

Melbourne Cup Carnival: www.melbournecup.com Other Spring Races: www.springracingcarnival. com.au www.racingvictoria.net.au

Things to do at the races: 1) Look out for celebrities! This event brings in celebrities from all over the world. Last year’s Spring Races saw celebrities like Enrique Iglesias, Rachael Finch, Jennifer Hawkins and Rebecca Twigley. Celebrity guest judges for the fashion shows like Paris Hilton and Eva Longoria also attended in previous years.

2) Pick a favourite horse and root for it! This does not mean you have to bet on it, but if you do, make sure you are of a legal age and gamble responsibly!

Got an iPhone?

Find the official Melbourne Cup App @ the App Store.

Melbourne Cup Carnival

3) Celebrate the day out with a round of drinks! There is no better time than at the races to embrace Spring as you enjoy your drinks on the public lawn.

4) Check out the different fashion statements! Some punters come in the craziest of costumes so be sure to look out for those outfits that you will not find anywhere else.

5)Look picture perfect! Be sure to don your classiest outfit and

www.insiderguides.com.au

ROYAL MELBOURNE SHOW BY SALLY HUANG There are some things you can only do once a year and it makes them extremely special and meaningful. Living in Melbourne, we are blessed to have many of these opportunities; one of them—the Royal Melbourne Show.

‘Thrill Seekers Carnival’ was our first stop. My recommendation is to always get yourself in the rides without any food or drinks in your stomach. By following this ‘Golden Rule’, there will be no upset stomach, ache or any other serious consequence. We start at the scary level 8 out of 10 ride - juggernaut. I think that it basically makes all passengers experience the feeling of an airplane crash in five full minutes. Also it is a good training program for ‘how to scream as loud as you can’. By the time we finally got back to the ground, my friend got a butterfly in his stomach as a souvenir. But I was feeling very excited and in good spirits. So after the brief discussion, both of us agreed to do some quiet and peaceful activities – such as the show bag. This year there were more than 300 show bags on offer which made it a fun and

challenging task to pick our favourite ones. With various attractions and discount offers, the decision making process becomes very interesting.

My friend chose to stay on the ground safely to video-tape me while I am up 60 metres high in the air - it feels like a one-hour journey viewing the Melbourne outline from different angles at extremely high speed, although it is actually only five minutes. My conclusion on the free-style ride is that it is an opportunity for everyone to feel their arms, legs, neck or whatever other part of their body, moving in free-style when they are actually tied up with a safety belt on a seat; and it is absolutely the best way to try to overcome gravity! When I watched the video tape afterwards, I could still feel the scary part of it (scary in a good way I mean).

Baby animals are the cutest creatures on the planet, especially the ones present at the Melbourne Show Animal Nursery House. After we enter into the venue, we are immediately approached by five lambs hopping around; maybe they were

looking for food, maybe for a companion or just some fun, but they absolutely cheered us up. A lot of parents bring their children here to learn more about farm animals by feeding them and petting them. I got a chance to hold a baby lamb in my arms, such a tiny, warm creature. At first, he struggled to get away from me a little bit.

Then after continuous gentle stroking on the head and back, he calmed down and got kind of sleepy.

There are many things to see and try at Melbourne Show; you feel that you can suddenly go back to your childhood and be without a worry in the world. Fairy floss is delicious and sticky and two people sharing one make the eating more enjoyable. The dog pavilion gives us a spectacular view of how well-trained and smart animals can be. Playing games trying to get all sorts of fluffy toys at the Sideshow Alley turned out to be the last highlight of this wonderful day.

A blue and white Unicorn was my big reward and souvenir of the Melbourne Show.

Thanks Melbourne for being such a dynamic, multicultural and activity-rich place!

Info on this year’s show: September 24thOctober 4th 2011 www.royalshow.com.au

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Photo by: Rhiannon Dixon

SURVIVING IN YOUR NEW TOWN

USEFUL INFORMATION

INTRODUCTION There’s more to study life than fun, so that’s where this section comes in. For many international students, this is the first time living outside of home, or being so far away from friends and family. Everything can seem a bit daunting because it’s the first time looking for a house, doing the banking, and working out a balanced routine of study and lifestyle. That’s why we’ve had the help of international and local students to give you an overview of the things you need to know about study life.

This is by no means all the information available on these subjects. There are many other resources out there to take advantage of. You will likely be given an introductory pack by your educational institution that contains a survival guide. These are generally put together by your union or student services association, and both of these groups are great to speak to if you feel you need more than what you’re getting. Other places that can also provide information are government agencies and independent international student associations. This is the main government website to provide international students with introductory useful information: Study Melbourne @ studymelbourne.vic.gov.au

Some groups that regularly give news and support include: The Couch The Couch is a charity run organisation that has open nights where international students can hang out, relax, and grab affordable meals. It is a great place to find social support while studying. They also offer help on issues to do with housing, employment, legal aid, counselling, and more.

Sun-Thu: 5pm-9pm salvationarmy.org.au/the-couch

International Student Care Service Level 1, 19–21 Argyle Place South, Carlton

This is the place to go for serious issues that you may be facing to do with housing, legal advice, health care and more. They can help you to find emergency accommodation and provide support on many other matters.

1800 056 449 www.multicultural.vic.gov.au/iscs

Australian Federation of International Students AFIS helps run The Couch, but they also have their own website providing news and covering issues relevant to international student life. They can help you create a network with other international students from around Australia, get involved in clubs and events, and find out where you need to go if need extra support. Membership is free.

STUDY TIPS You know study is important; that’s why you’re paying so much to be here! So we thought we would give you a bit of help with handling all the stress.

Make a schedule It is important to allocate your time. It will immediately calm you down and you will feel more in control of your workload.

Relax Only study when you are relaxed, alert and ready to work. Last minute study is not really effective.

Review Review your lecture notes.

Many students don’t bother doing this but you will be thankful when exam time comes.

Help!

Don’t be shy asking for help from other students, including local students. The teachers understand that you may not be as good at English as the local students, so talk to them about your study problems and they will help you!

Location, location, location Choose a good place to study!

You will get a lot more work done in a shorter amount of time if you work privately, in a quiet area.

www.internationalstudents.org.au

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HUMAN RIGHTS & EQUAL OPPORTUNITY Victoria protects and promotes the rights of international students.

Victorian laws protect people from unfair treatment – this includes international students. It is against the law to discriminate against an international student because of a range of personal characteristics including race, colour, nationality, age, disability, sex, and religious belief.

Dr Helen Szoke, Commissioner for Equal Opportunity and Human Rights, believes that Victoria is a place that values diversity and the contribution of international students.

‘However, the Commission sees cases where international students experience discrimination seeking employment, when applying for rental properties or affordable sharehousing and accessing public transport,’ said Dr Szoke.

‘The Commission is here to help by resolving complaints and providing information about rights and responsibilities,’ she said.

Know your rights Knowing about rights and understanding how you are protected will help you to recognise discrimination and do something about it.

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Useful Information

What is discrimination?

Discrimination is treating someone unfairly because of a personal characteristic.

Discrimination laws cover education, employment, the provision of services and other areas of public life.

Example 1: Ismat commenced employment with a manufacturing company. He received less training and duties than someone else who was hired at the same time in a similar role. His employer told him he did not suit the work culture and dismissed him a short time after this.

Example 2: Rubaina and Chandran contact a local kindergarten to see if there are any places for their son, and they are told there is plenty of room. But when Rubaina takes their child to the kindergarten, the manager tells her she should take him to a place where he will fit in better.

What is racial and religious vilification?

It is against the law to incite or encourage hatred or severe ridicule of another person, or group of people, because of their race and religion.

Example: Charlie worked as a store-person and was continually racially vilified at work by colleagues and management.

Comments such as ‘gook’, ‘slopehead’ and ‘rice eater’ were directed at him. He complained to the director of the company that he did not like being spoken to in this way,

but he was laughed at and the treatment continued.

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission can help you deal with unfair treatment.

How the Commission can help If you feel you have been discriminated against, sexually harassed, or vilified on the basis of your race or religion, you, or someone on your behalf, can lodge a complaint with the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.

The Commission offers an impartial and free complainthandling service. Call our Advice Line or email us for confidential information. We can provide information over the telephone, in person or other suitable formats, and we offer a free interpreter service.

A complaint can be made in any language and the Commission can arrange a free interpreter in your language or a sign language interpreter if required. We can also help you draft your complaint if you need assistance. The Commission also offers information to service providers, employers and duty-holders about their responsibilities under the law.

The Advice Line can be contacted on 1300 292 153, weekdays 9am-5pm. email: adviceline@veohrc.vic.gov.au website: humanrightscommission.vic. gov.au

www.insiderguides.com.au

Human Rights Equal Opportunity The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission helps organisations to meet their obligations under the law, and protects the rights of individuals and groups.

The Commission’s role is to educate people about human rights and obligations, advocate for human rights and their protection, and to investigate complaints about discrimination.

humanrightscommisson.vic.gov.au

Contact us

Level 3, 380 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne Victoria 3000 Advice Line Telephone Fax TTY Interpreters Email

1300 292 153 1300 891 848 1300 891 858 1300 289 621 1300 152 494 information@veohrc.vic.gov.au

Commission services include: • a free telephone Advice Line • a timely, impartial and no-cost complaint handling process for people who may have experienced discrimination, victimisation, sexual harassment or racial or religious vilification • information and education about equal opportunity, racial and religious vilification and the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities.

BANKING IN AUSTRALIA

Proof of address - A bill that has been sent to your house is usually good enough.

on you at all times and not rely on your cards. VISA is one of the most accepted cards.

Opening a bank account

ATMs (Also known as cashpoint, cash machine or ‘hole-in-the-wall’)

Eftpos

Unless you plan to store your money in your mattress, you might want to get yourself an Australian bank account.

Dealing with the banks is rarely a straightforward process, so we’ve put together some tips for you.

Choosing a bank There are a number of banks to choose from in Australia, and we recommend doing your research online before choosing a bank. NAB, Commonwealth Bank and Westpac have quite comprehensive international student sections on their websites.

When comparing the banks, make sure you take note of the fees on the account. Fees and charges are all too common with Australian bank accounts, so it is wise to understand what you will be charged for and when. It is always best to shop around to minimise the fees you will be charged.

Once you’ve selected one, it’s time to visit the bank. Some banks require you make an appointment, but if you avoid the lunch time rush you should be able to get it done on the spot.

What to bring: Driver’s license (If you have one) Passport/ visa

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Always try to use the ATM that belongs to your bank as there will likely be no charge. If you can’t get to your bank’s ATM, you can use one from another bank (this charge is usually about $2 per transaction). Avoid using the smaller machines you find in bars, clubs and petrol stations.

Some of these will make you pay a lot for the convenience.

Safety Tip

By Carmen Teoh, MUOSS

Always shield your keypad when using an ATM, and never keep your PIN in your wallet or purse. Use the cash-out function in convenience stores to withdraw cash if it’s late or if you do not want to use an ATM alone.

Credit cards Before getting a credit card, take a look at ‘debit’ cards.

These enable you to use VISA or Mastercard services (like online shopping), but it uses the money in your account, not credit. If you decide you need a credit card make sure you do your research and ask about fees. Also check where your cards will be accepted. Some shops do not accept all types, or do not accept credit/debit cards at all, so it is a good idea to keep a small amount of cash

Eftpos is a way to use your bank card to buy products and services without using cash.

All you need to do is swipe your bank card and enter your PIN. You might be asked if you want “cash out”- this is just a convenient way to withdraw money from your account without going to an ATM, but once again, check if you will be charged fees for this type of transaction.

Transferring money overseas If you’re heading home and you’ve still got money in your account, you obviously haven’t been making the most of your time! Check out the rest of this guidebook for helpful tips about where to spend your money. If you must take it with you, head into your local bank branch with the details of your overseas account. They will ask for: Bank account name and account number The overseas bank ‘sort’ code International Bank Account Number (IBAN) (Europe only) SWIFT code of the overseas bank You may need to contact your overseas bank, but usually the above information can be found on their website.

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VOLUNTEERING

BY STEVEN TANNASON Melbourne University Overseas Students’ Service Volunteering may contribute to your curriculum vitae, though it should not be the only reason for you to undertake a volunteering opportunity. It contributes to your personal self-development, widens your network and may lead you to understand your own potential and talents. It is also a medium for you to do something you like, have fun with your friends, and enjoy!

Volunteering definitely contributes to your curriculum vitae, and you’ll find your volunteering experiences truly beneficial when applying for an occupation, especially if they are relevant to your intended profession. For example, if you’re aspiring to be an entrepreneur, you’ll probably wish to join entrepreneurial or business organizations. An example is SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise). In these organizations you may find positions that suit your interests and talents, such as being the media officer or editor.

However, having said that, you should not volunteer just for the certificates. You should volunteer because you love what you are doing. Moreover, I believe volunteering is a great

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way to develop as a person (it may sound a bit hyperbolic, but it’s true!) because more often than not, you’re volunteering for a cause. Whether for World Vision, or Salvation Army, you’re volunteering to make a positive impact to the community, and thus those experiences may mould your perceptions. Remember that happiness is real when shared.

Volunteering widens your network too. Not only do you get to meet new friends from all over the world, but you get to learn from one another too.

Those moments you’re going to spend with your friends will define your university experience.

You may ask, how can I get volunteering opportunities? Your university may have a volunteering service where you will be able to find various opportunities inside and outside the university. Or you may choose to visit national volunteering sites such as Go Volunteer (w w w.govolunteer.com.au).

You may volunteer in a notfor-profit organization. Examples of those organizations are your student union and AIESEC (www.aiesec.org).

Volunteering with your student union is a rewarding experience. Besides meeting new friends and gaining invaluable experiences working in committee, you realise you are volunteering for the education and welfare of your fellow students. Or you may wish to volunteer for your international student representation. Usually there are annual elections where you can run for officebearer positions, and these organisations will also hold positions that cater to your interests and talents.

However, it is crucial to remember your studies. Do not let your volunteer works disrupt your academic career and examinations.

Throughout your university years, your major responsibility is to be a STUDENT. Understand your limit, and please do not try to be a super-man or superwoman by trying to juggle your academic career and a whole bunch of volunteer works.

Volunteering is a great opportunity for you to make the most of your university years.

It provides you with great experiences, great friends and a lot of fun!

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Transferring money to Australia Need a top up from a relative back home? Here’s the information you’ll need to give them: Australian bank account name Australian bank account number and BSB Address of the bank your account is with Australian bank SWIFT Code Currency conversion When you need to exchange money, you should always shop around and see who is giving the best rate for the amount that you wish to exchange. Many places can convert your cash for you and they will differ in the exchange rates and fees they charge.

Most banks can convert money for you. You may pay more for the convenience of these places though. You can check for a better rate through Foreign Exchange specialists, such as 1st Contact Forex. They often have lower fees, better rates and a quicker processing time. Be sure to compare fees when choosing and check the minimum conversion rates. If you convert enough currency, the service can be very affordable.

FINDING A HOUSE Finding a place to live can be a scary process. Most problems arise between international students and landlords because students have not paid enough attention to their tenancy contract. Some landlords will try to take advantage of you! Know what your rights are. Download the ‘Renting a Home - a Guide for Tenants’ from the Consumer Affairs Resource Centre website: www. consumer.vic.gov.au.

Here are a few tips that will help you stay out of trouble: Read the fine print Check if you have entered under a fixed term or a periodic tenancy. If you sign an agreement, you should receive a copy straight away. Keep this in a safe place so you can refer to it if a problem arises, along with a copy of all other documentation including receipts for all payments. Every part of your agreement needs to be in writing. Verbal agreements can easily be broken, leaving you with no proof of your agreement terms.

Bond, house bond As a general rule, if you are renting for $350 or less a week, the bond cannot be more than one month’s rent. Be aware though, there are exceptions to this. Be sure to check what you can legally be charged by going to the Consumer Affairs Victoria website: www.consumer. vic.gov.au/renting

Do your own inspection There are three inspections you need take seriously: Before you agree to rent, inspect the place. DO NOT agree to pay money to someone for a house you haven’t seen. You can tell a rental scam if you are not allowed to inspect a property, the documentation looks wrong (see correct documents: ocba.sa.gov.au), or they want you to send money overseas or to a post box.

Before you move in, do a very careful inspection to check the condition of the house. Note as much as you can on any pre-existing problems when you first receive your inspection sheet. It’s best to take dated photos of any damages.

Keep a copy of all this documentation for yourself.

This will help if you have to dispute any repairs with the landlord at the end of your stay.

When you move out, make notes and take dated photos of everything again. It’s a good idea to have witnesses to all these inspections, so grab a trusted friend to help you.

Utilities Make sure you agree with your landlord about your electricity, gas, internet, water usage, etc.

Agree on exactly how much you are responsible for and any usage limits in writing before you begin renting.

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Choosing the right utility provider can be hard. Compare providers to get the best deal at www.choiceswitch.com.au.

End of days Pay attention to the details regarding the ending of your tenancy agreement. If you leave without giving notice, you can get in real trouble!

For more information call the Tenants Union of Victoria on 9411 1444. If you run into trouble with your landlord, contact Consumer Affairs on 1300 55 81 81.

To keep up-to-date with the latest news on real estate be sure to read the real estate section of the newspaper.

There is a lot of information out there about the living spaces that are available in Melbourne. Have a look at the pin up boards on campus and in other popular student places. You may be able to rent with other students to minimise costs, so keep your ear to the ground as there may be others in the same situation as you.

MEDICAL ADVICE

By Dr Maggie Phillips GP at Globe Medical

Diet & Nutrition Your diet can change dramatically when you arrive in a new country. Familiar foods are not so easy to find and you may be living away from home for the first time. The big mistake

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many students make is to cave in and eat often at familiar fast food outlets or food courts.

This will result in obesity, constipation and tears. (You may think you are saving time by grabbing a take away the night before an exam, but the medical deferrals for gastro tell us otherwise). Simple cooking is not rocket science.

Markets have a world class array of meat, fish, fruit and vegetables. A healthy stir fry of lean meat and colourful veggies takes ten minutes to prepare. EAT A HEALTHY BREAKFAST... you DO have time. If not, you have twice the chance of getting fat. Are you unable to cope with muesli, nuts and grains? Then at least get fibre supplement capsules from the supermarket.

Climate Australia has extremely dry air and harsh (mineralised) water.

People from East and South East Asia often get dermatitis when they come here. Do not over wash – once a day is plenty – and avoid really hot water. Use gentle, “soapfree” wash products... available from chemists for those with sensitive skin. Use lots of moisturiser such as Sorbolene after your shower. Australians know about the dangers of our strong sunshine. An episode of severe sun burn is not easily forgotten. On the other hand, some daily sunshine and outdoor light is essential for both physical and mental health. The trick is to get our daily dose of Vitamin D:

twenty minutes (35 in winter) before 9:30am or after 5:30pm in summer. If you are out in the more dangerous part of the day in summer, cover up, wear a hat and good sun block, seek out the shade and keep up your fluids.

Sex Away from home, new rules, new experiences, new friends... sex happens. Don’t let it be a disaster. It is a common myth that you’d have to be unlucky to get pregnant from one-off unprotected sex. It’s easy.

Our public hospitals are being inundated with requests for pregnancy terminations by international students. There really isn’t any excuse to not get educated about avoiding unwanted pregnancy.

Termination is by no means instant, as may be the case in some countries. Condoms will protect against unwanted pregnancy as well as serious sexually transmitted infections. They are easy to buy at the supermarket. If you didn’t use one, you can ask the chemist to help you with emergency contraception (Postinor 1) within 72 hours.

To be informed about sexually transmitted infections go to www.stdservices.on.net.

Be Active People who are moderately fit have more energy than couch potatoes. They achieve more in their day, sleep better, and can focus and study more effectively. There is an enormous amount of evidence

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that exercise prevents many chronic diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. In the short term, it simply makes you feel better about yourself and, paradoxically, less tired. You do not need to join an expensive gym to be moderately fit. Take the stairs, walk more and take up a social sport with friends.

Mental Health It is really easy to become bewildered in a strange country away from friends and family and trying to study in your second language. On top of this you may be having problems with your accommodation or finances. Give yourself a break. Don’t let it overwhelm you. Take small steps and pay attention to the physical health aspects discussed above. Try to make new local as well as international friends. Speak to others in your tutorial groups, or maybe get a part time job. Join a club if you have any special interests. Have a mental break from study. If none of this is working for you and you feel yourself sliding into a sea of hopelessness...TELL SOMEONE. Feel like you need more help?

Many universities offer free or very cheap counselling for their students. This service normally costs a lot of money, so it’s great to take advantage of, if you need help while studying.

Even if you are stressed with the level of homework, this is

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a great time to get some extra advice on how to get through it. Other universities also offer free editing and essay-writing help for your assignments.

Find out what services your educational institution has to offer.

If you are depressed, anxious or feeling helpless, there are also free services outside of university: Beyond Blue: www.beyondblue.org.au Lifeline: 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au

YOUR OSHC!

By Steven Tannason, MUOSS

‘The greatest wealth is health’, Virgil once remarked. The quote rings true especially when you’re studying abroad, away from home. Different weather conditions, (possibly) changing diet routines, workloads from classes or other extra-curricular commitments, may all contribute to a hectic lifestyle where extra attention to the health may be required.

For overseas students studying in Australia, the government introduced a service called ‘Overseas Student Health Cover’ (OSHC), which provides cover for hospital medical treatments, pharmaceuticals and emergency ambulance assistance. OSHC is crucial because it provides us, international students, with medical treatments when re-

quired, at low costs. Without Medicare or OSHC, hospital treatments in Australia may cost more than $500 per day.

What OSHC covers differs according to the hospital services. The Medicare Benefits Schedule fees are uniform in Australia. For out-of-hospital services, the General Practitioner Services are 100% covered by OSHC, while other medical services such as pathology and radiology are 85% covered. However, some doctors, specialists or health services may charge more than the MBS, and in these cases, the patients ought to pay the extra charge. For in-hospital services in public and private hospitals, the fees are 100% covered by OSHC. For prescription medicines, up to $50 per prescription item may be covered by OSHC. However, OSHC does not cover dental, optical or physiotherapy. If you would like to be covered for these treatments, you may consider the Extra OSHC that some providers offer, or additional private health insurance.

It is now the law that you must show proof of OSHC for the whole duration of your visa, when applying for your visa.

There are currently five OSHC providers in Australia; Australian Health Management OSHC, BUPA Australia, Medibank Private, OSHC Worldcare and NIB OSHC. Your university might be associated with a specific

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OSHC provider, but you may opt to choose your own.

Here are further links to the websites of the five OSHC providers: Australian Health Management OSHC: www.ahm.com. au/7323/OSHC BUPA Australia: www.over seasstudenthealth.com Medibank Private: www.medi bank.com.au/Client/Static Pages/OSHCHome.aspx OSHC Worldcare: www.oshc worldcare.com.au NIB OSHC: www.nib.com.au/ home/newtonib/overseas students However, prevention is better than cure. Take good care of your health, especially if you’re not used to the Melbourne weather. Get your daily intake of fruits and vegetables, and make sure you get sufficient sleep despite your assignments (do not study last-minute!). Drink water, eat nutritious foods, and smile! Remember, health is your greatest treasure, so be healthy and be happy!

WHAT’S MY TEAM? Live sport absolutely thrives in Melbourne, with teams in every major national sporting code and consistently dominating many different competitions. Seeing live

sport for yourself is also an experience worth having, and in Melbourne you have many opportunities to do so. There are a range of different sports on offer, whether it be ones you recognise from home like soccer (football in some countries), tennis, cricket and basketball. Perhaps you want to see some new sports like Australian Football, which Victoria is crazy about and has numerous teams within the national competition (AFL - Australian Football League).

There are other (national and international) famous sporting events held in Melbourne, and many standard competition games held on a weekly basis.

Here is an overview of how to get out and about and witness some testosterone flying and adrenalin driven sports action right here in Melbourne.

AFL Victoria has 10 teams in the AFL (Australian Football League) and it is the one sport you will find most people discussing in pubs, bars, cafeterias and everywhere else. You may actually find it a bit strange to hear the locals speak about AFL in such an obsessive way. We suggest checking out a few games and seeing if you like it. If you don’t like the game, chances are you will still like the atmosphere! If you get caught in a conversation about AFL, just say sentences like “did you see the game last night? How about that referee ay?” - you should be fine.

The teams and their home grounds are listed below: Collingwood - Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) Richmond - MCG Melbourne - MCG Hawthorn - MCG & York Park Carlton - Docklands Stadium & MCG Essendon Docklands Stadium North Melbourne Etihad Stadium St Kilda - Etihad Stadium Western Bulldogs Etihad Stadium Geelong - Kardinia Park You can find more information about the AFL at the official website: www.afl.com.au.

A-league Soccer Known as football in many countries, Melbourne hosts two A-League teams; the always entertaining Melbourne Victory and the newest addition to the league, Melbourne Heart.

Although the standard of soccer in Australia is lower than in Europe, it’s still great to see some brilliant young talent strut their stuff here in

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Australia before they get picked up by top European teams.

CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS

melbournevictory.com.au melbourneheartfc.com.au

Joining a club or sporting team is a great way to make friends and pursue your interests with like-minded people. There are many ways to get involved in a club or association. Some are run locally and others are run through educational institutions. Below are some places to start looking for something that suits you.

Basketball The Melbourne Tigers are the team here and they always put on a good show for the crowds.

Although basketball in general is not that popular here in Australia, we have nourished the talent of a few players who have gone on to play in the NBA. www.nbl.com.au/tigers Cricket The Victorian Bushrangers are the state men’s cricket team.

Australia has a proud cricketing tradition and cricket is the summer staple sport in Australia (because there has to be something to watch when the footy isn’t on). If you’ve never been to a cricket game, then prepare to sit around and relax all day long. Maybe ease yourself into the rhythm with some Twenty20 matches first. www.bushrangers.com.au Ladies need not feel left out.

The women’s state cricket team is the Vic Spirit. www.vicspirit.com.au Find out more information on cricket in Victoria from: www.cricketvictoria.com.au

University Unions All of the universities have unions through which clubs and associations are run. Information on existing clubs and associations is available through the union websites. This includes what’s on, how to join and even deals for members.

There’s everything from dancing and debating, to culture and entertainment. Can’t find something you like? Then enquire about starting your own club!

This site has links to most university union websites: www.australian-universities. net/Campus/Student-UnionVictoria Local Sports Clubs Another option is to join a local club. Not only does sport improve your fitness, but also your mental health, as you make friends and improve your skills. Searching on Google to find local clubs will bring up a range of options from bowling to cricket. Some council websites will include this informa-

tion as well. A good place to start looking is through the Victoria Government website for Department of Planning and Community Development: www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/sport The Federal Government also has a site to take you to other links that can give details on a range of sports. Just select your state and the sport you are interested in at: www.ausport.gov.au/partic ipating/find_a_sporting_club If you want to join the university sports associations, their websites also provide information and you can find them either through your main university homepage or more often through the union website as well.

North Melbourne Football Club Australian Rules Football (AFL – or ‘footy’) is the lifeblood of Melbourne.

The North Melbourne Football Club (the Kangaroos) offers ‘Welcome to AFL’, especially developed for International Students. Learn how footy is played, master the rules, pick up some skills (we’ll have you handballing in no time), and experience for yourself why this is the greatest game in the world. You’ll do skills sessions at Arden St (the home of the Kangaroos) and we will even give you a ticket to see a game live. To find out more, go to the Community section of our website at www. kangaroos.com.au.

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Roller Derby This sport is undergoing a revival and Melbourne gets its fair share of the action. Three main leagues are in action in the Melbourne city area: the Victorian Roller Derby League (VRDL), South Sea Roller Derby League and the Melbourne Men’s Roller Derby. There are local and interstate matches held regularly and they are a lot of fun to watch. Even if you’re new to roller derby, fear not! You’ll still enjoy watching this fast-paced sport, played by some of the most fearless women and men around. See the links below for more details.

THANKS!

This guide couldn’t happen with all the local and international students who have been contributing for months.

Thank you for your ongoing support of this project!

A special thanks to Elyse Lloyd, our content co-ordinator.

COMMUNITY To get involved, sign up to our free newsletter at our website.

VRDL: vdrl.wordpress.com

•

South Sea:www.southsearoller derby.com Melbourne Men’s: www.my space.com/mmrollerderby Indoor Sports Victoria Indoor Sports Victoria is an association that covers all indoor sports in the state, including basketball, netball, soccer and indoor cricket. You can find a team and register your interest through their website.

They cater for the absolute new-comer to the competitive player. Indoor sports are great for those wanting to stay active, be social, and keep out of the weather! w w w.indoorspor tsvic toria. com.au

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