Insider Guides - International Student Guide Melbourne Edition 2013 by Insider Guides

International Student Guide

INSIDER GUIDES

Melbourne 2013

International Student Guide

Melbourne 2013

Free!

LA TROBE - IT’s ThE cOmpLETE pAckAgE Make the most of your Australian study experience Study in the world’s most liveable city* at La Trobe University. Melbourne is known for its love of sport, culture and food. It hosts major international arts and film festivals as well as top sporting events like the Australian Tennis Open Grand Slam, the Formula One Grand Prix and the Melbourne Cup (horse racing). Just 14 km from the city centre, our main Melbourne Bundoora campus is ideally positioned to offer you the complete Australian study experience.

mAkE LA TROBE YOUR cAmpUs Study at La Trobe, graduate from one of the world’s top 5%** universities and experience a campus that: § Has a vibrant, cosmopolitan atmosphere with students from over 90 countries.

§ Offers industry experience through work placements, clinical placements and internships.

§ Features its very own Wildlife Sanctuary.

§ Provides extensive sporting facilities, clubs and societies.

§ Is breaking new ground with 30 research centres including the new $288m Centre for AgriBioscience and the $94m La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science.

§ Organises student trips around Australia, including the Outback.

§ Home of the A-League Melbourne Heart Football Club

§ Gives international students access to a comprehensive range of support service.

§ Offers international exchange opportunities at over 100 universities in 30 countries.

latrobe.edu.au/international/ask-a-question *Global Liveability Survey 2012 ** Source: 2012 Academic Ranking of World Universities

CRICOS Provider 00115M

Visit our campus, go to our website or contact us:

Message From The Lord Mayor Welcome to Melbourne. Our city’s reputation as one of the world top destinations for higher education is well-established. Melbourne also provides many opportunities for broader cultural experiences.

We are a remarkably diverse city with people from more than 200 nations calling Melbourne home. Many communities provide support to newly-arrived students with different language and faiths. In this guide you’ll find valuable information about services for young people in our city. We encourage students to play an active role during their time in Melbourne, whether your interests lie in arts, sports, or enjoying Melbourne’s lively cafes and bars. For more information about events and other activities specifically organised for international students visit our website at www.melbourne.vic.gov.au, and take a look at our What’s On site for events to enjoy in Melbourne. I wish you every success and a rewarding experience during your time in our city.

Robert Doyle Lord Mayor of Melbourne

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Never be Bored Again.

Australia Student Guide

Ever. Local students know how to enjoy Australian cities. Now itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your turn.

Locals maintain the free Australia Student Guide app so you can discover the best nightlife, student specials, events, adventures, shops, experiences and more.

Welcome We know that moving to a new country to study is both exciting and frightening. We’re here to help. Insider Guides - International Student Guide is designed to help new students discover what to love about Melbourne. To do this, we recruited local students, interviewed past international students and researched the city. The aim of the guide is to equip you with the tools to discover your new home from the inside out. Throughout the pages of the guide, you will discover how the locals already enjoy Melbourne, now it’s your turn. We have also launched a free smart-phone app called ‘Australia - Student Guide’ on iPhone and Android. This is the best way to discover new places and experiences in Melbourne, with a constantly updated calendar of events picked just for you, the international student in Melbourne. The Insider Guides Team

Contents Your New City Academic History Fun Facts Getting Around The Australian Flag Indigenous Australia Aussie Cultural Diversity

14 15 15 16 20 21 24

Setting-up & First Steps Need to Knows Accommodation Decking Out Your New Pad Getting Connected Finding a Job Banking & Money Staying Healthy When Things Break

26 27 28 32 34 36 40 42 46

Shopping Need to Knows Shop Spots Your Local Shops Books, Music & Movies Clothing & Accessories Markets & Second-hand Stores

48 49 50 52 54 56 60

Eat & Drink Need to Knows Eat & Drink Spots Aussie Cuisine

62 63 66 68

Coffee Culture Cafés & Breakfasts Budget Eats Casual Restaurants Pubs & Student Hangouts Cocktail Bars Nightclubs Late Night Eats Recycling

70 72 73 74 76 78 79 80 81

Entertainment Need to Knows Live Sports Live Music Net Cafés, Gaming Arcades & Karaoke Cinemas Galleries Theatre & Live Arts Events Calendar

82 83 84 86

Adventure Need to Knows Cheap & Free Activities Group Activities Local Sites Libraries Day Trips Weekend Trips Wildlife Beaches Discover Australia

98 99 100 102 104 106 107 108 109 110 112

88 89 90 92 94

Melbourne train network SOUTH MORANG Epping CRAIGIEBURN

Lalor

Roxburgh Park

Gowrie

Jacana

Oak Park Pascoe Vale

s nd ou gr w ON E ho GT RS IN OU EMEC FL AC R

St Albans

Newmarket

Ginifer

Kensington

Albion

V/LINE

Montmorency Greensborough Watsonia Macleod Rosanna

Bell

Heidelberg Eaglemont

Thornbury

Ivanhoe

Croxton

Darebin

Northcote

Alphington Fairfield

Merri

Jewell

Ascot Vale

Keilor Plains

Preston

Brunswick

Moonee Ponds

Watergardens

Regent

Batman

Anstey

Essendon

Diggers Rest

Merlynston

Moreland

Glenbervie

Eltham

Ruthven

Coburg

Strathmore

Diamond Creek

Reservoir

Fawkner

Glenroy

Wattle Glen

Keon Park

UPFIELD

Broadmeadows

SUNBURY

HURSTBRIDGE

Thomastown

Coolaroo

Royal Park

Rushall

Flemington Bridge

Clifton Hill

Dennis Westgarth

Victoria Park

Macaulay

Yarraville

North Richmond

Spotswood

City Loop Jolimont Flinders Street

Heyington

Newport

Williamstown Beach

to n

Williams Landing (opening 2013) Hoppers Crossing

North Williamstown

Altona

W es

Aircraft

Seaholme

WILLIAMSTOWN

Prahran Windsor

Elsternwick PORT PHILLIP

Gardenvale

Ormond McKinnon

Middle Brighton

Bentleigh

Brighton Beach

Patterson

Hampton

Moorabbin

SANDRINGHAM

ALAMEIN

Upwey Tecoma

Holmesglen

Caulfield

North Brighton

Upper Ferntree Gully

East Malvern

Malvern

Glenhuntly

Ferntree Gully

Ashburton

Darling

Armadale

Balaclava

Boronia

Burwood

Glen Iris

Toorak

BELGRAVE

Jordanville

Carnegie

Ringwood East

Bayswater

Hartwell

Gardiner

Hawksburn

Mooroolbark Croydon

Heathmont

Willison

Tooronga

South Yarra

Ripponlea

WERRIBEE

Riversdale

Kooyong

Laverton

LILYDALE

West Richmond

Parliament Southern Cross

ch m Ea on d Ri st ch m Bu o n rn d le y H aw th o G le r n nf er Au rie bu rn C am b Ea e r w e st C ll a C a n mb er te w e C r bu ha ry ll th Su a m rre y H M on ills tA Bo lb er x t H La ill bu rn u Bl ac m kb u N un r n aw a M itc din ha g m H ea th R i e rd ng a le w oo d

Seddon

*Flagstaff

Melbourne Central

Ke S n s ou in th gt on

M el Ro ton ck b D an ee k rP ar Ar k de er Su ns h T W ott ine es en M t Fo ham id dl ots e Fo cra ot y s Fo cra ot y sc ra y

Collingwood North Melbourne

Mount Waverley

Murrumbeena

Syndal

Hughesdale

GLEN WAVERLEY

Oakleigh Huntingdale Clayton Westall

Springvale Sandown Park

Highett

Noble Park Yarraman

Cheltenham

Dandenong

Mentone Lynbrook

Parkdale

Hallam Narre Warren

Merinda Park

Mordialloc

Berwick Beaconsfield

CRANBOURNE

Aspendale

Officer

Edithvale

Cardinia Road PAKENHAM

Chelsea Bonbeach

aw a Ba r r a xt e So r m e Ty rvil a b le b H as tin Bi g s tte rn M or ra C do o rib P ST oin t O N Y P O

Kananook FRANKSTON

Carrum Seaford

NORTH

DIESEL SERVICE

MAP NOT TO SCALE

Effective 18 November 2012

For more information visit ptv.vic.gov.au or call 1800 800 007 (6am – midnight daily)

Pa rk in g

ec tin g tra C on m ne ct in g bu s C V/ on Li ne ne c trating in V/ Co Li nn n Pr e c ect em oa in g c iu m h St at io n H os tS ta tio n

*Flagstaff Station is closed on weekends and public holidays.

Zo ne 1 Zo ne C on 2 n

Information

Ticketing zones

Premium Station: Customer service centre is staffed from first train to last, seven days a week. Host Station: Customer service staff at station during morning peak.

# Line

to Showgrounds and Flemington Racecourse is only open for special events. © Public Transport Development Authority (operating as Public Transport Victoria) 2012

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Tram Network Map A4_PTV_HR.pdf

23/10/12

2:50 PM

Melbourne tram network Zone 1

Zone 1 or 2

Thornbury Station

St Pa rk

Riv er Ya rra St

Prahran Station

Dandenong Rd

Glen Iris Station

Windsor Station

Wattletree Rd

Rd rk Pa

GLEN IRIS TO MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY

MALVERN TO MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY

Malvern Station Balaclava Rd

PRAHRAN TO NORTH RICHMOND

Glenhuntly Rd

78 (Until 7pm) Elsternwick Station

Hawthorn Rd

LUNA PARK / ST KILDA BEACH TO NORTH RICHMOND (After 7pm)

Waverley Rd

Balaclava Station

VERMONT SOUTH TO CITY SPENCER ST

Burwood Station

Toorak Station

Armadale Station

ry bu er nt Ca

ST KILDA BEACH TO EAST BRUNSWICK

Kooyong Station

WATTLE PARK TO WATERFRONT CITY DOCKLANDS

Burwood Hwy

Gardiner Station

Malvern Rd

Carlisle St

ST KILDA 112 FITZROY ST TO WEST PRESTON Luna Park

Prahran Market

High St

70 Hartwell Station

Av Vic to ria

Camberwell Station

Riversdale Rd

TOORAK TO MORELAND

Chapel St

Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre

109

Riversdale Station

Burnley Station

South Yarra Station

Toorak Rd

BOX HILL TO PORT MELBOURNE

Box Hill Station

TO MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY

Glenferrie Station

Hawthorn Station Swan St

Fit zr oy

St at io n

TO MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY VIA ST KILDA

Whitehorse Rd

Burke Rd

Alfred Hospital

STH MELBOURNE BEACH TO EAST COBURG

TO VICTORIA HARBOUR DOCKLANDS

Balwyn Rd

Park St

Commercial Rd

East Richmond Station

AAMI Park

DOMAIN INTERCHANGE TO WEST COBURG

e gu ta on M

MELBOURNE TO BOX HILL

Jolimont Station Richmond Station

Melbourne Park

TO CITY / LA TROBE ST WEST END (Peak only)

72 CAMBERWELL

Glenferrie Rd

109 PORT

MCG

Federation Square

24 48

Shrine of Remembrance

St on nd t re s S Cla rrar Fe

Port Phillip

South Melbourne Market

Church St

Kingsway

NORTH

North Richmond Station HODDLE ST TO VICTORIA HARBOUR DOCKLANDS

Southbank Blvd

Arts Centre

Epworth Hospital Bridge Wellington Pde

Flinders St

St Kilda Rd

Flinders Street Station

Yarra River

Parliament Station

Collins St

NORTH BALWYN

Cotham Rd

16 KEW

NORTH RICHMOND 78 TO PRAHRAN (Until 7pm) 79 TO LUNA PARK / ST KILDA BEACH (After 7pm)

Spring

35 City Circle

Swanston St

Melbourne CBD

TO WEST MARIBYRNONG 57 Flinders St TO AIRPORT WEST 59

Melbourne TO NORTH COBURG Central CITY Station ELIZABETH ST

Collins St

TO HODDLE ST 31

Westgarth Station Clifton Hill Station

Smith St

35 City Circle

William St

Southern Cross Station

La Trobe St

TO WEST PRESTON 11

Merri Station

St Vincent’s Hospital ST VINCENT’S PLAZA TO ETIHAD STADIUM 30 Victoria St

TO CITY SPENCER ST (Mon-Fri)

Queen Victoria Market

Elizabeth St

Spencer St

VICTORIA HARBOUR DOCKLANDS TO NORTH BALWYN 48

Bourke St

Victoria St

Flagstaff Station

Lonsdale St

Nicholson St

CITY TO VERMONT SPENCER ST SOUTH 75 95 TO MELBOURNE MUSEUM (Mon-Fri)

24 LA TROBE ST WEST END TO NORTH BALWYN (Peak only) Etihad Stadium

MELBOURNE MUSEUM

Peel St

ETIHAD STADIUM 30 DOCKLANDS TO ST VINCENT’S PLAZA

th be za Eli

Errol St

CITY CIRCLE 35 TO WATTLE PARK 70

Northcote Station

Rushall Station

Brunswick St

Rd on gt in m Fle Abbotsford St

WATERFRONT CITY DOCKLANDS TO BUNDOORA RMIT 86

High St

FOOTSCRAY 82 TO MOONEE PONDS Footscray Station

Royal Elgin St Melbourne Hospital MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY 64 TO EAST BRIGHTON (Mon-Fri) TO EAST MALVERN 3 5 TO MALVERN TO CARNEGIE 67 6 TO GLEN IRIS TO KEW VIA ST KILDA 16 72 TO CAMBERWELL TO EAST MALVERN 3a (Sat / Sun)

BUNDOORA RMIT TO WATERFRONT CITY DOCKLANDS

Croxton Station

St Georges Rd

p oo Dr

Royal Children’s Hospital Royal Women’s Hospital

EAST BRUNSWICK TO ST KILDA BEACH

Lygon St

Racecourse Rd

Royal Pde

m so Ep

Royal Park Station Melbourne Zoo

t rS le Ty

MORELAND TO TOORAK Anstey Station

Brunswick Station Jewell Station

Newmarket Flemington Bridge Station Station

Flemington Racecourse Station

Maribyrnong Rd

Melville Rd

Rd er nd xa le tA M

Gilbert Rd

Moreland Rd

EAST COBURG TO STH MELBOURNE BEACH

MOONEE PONDS TO FOOTSCRAY 82

Showgrounds Station

TO CITY ELIZABETH ST

Moreland Station

Essendon Station

WEST MARIBYRNONG TO CITY ELIZABETH ST

WEST PRESTON VICTORIA HARBOUR 11 TO DOCKLANDS 112 TO ST KILDA FITZROY ST

19 NORTH COBURG

Nicholson

Batman Station Coburg Station

Sydney Rd

r ilo Ke

WEST COBURG TO DOMAIN INTERCHANGE

Hig h

Ple nt y

AIRPORT WEST TO CITY ELIZABETH ST

Zone 2

Caulfield Station

EAST MALVERN TO MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY (Mon-Fri)

3a TO MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY

Glenhuntly Station

VIA ST KILDA (Sat / Sun)

67 CARNEGIE

TO MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY

EAST BRIGHTON TO MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY

MAP NOT TO SCALE

Effective April 2011

te rm in us tra Ne in ar st es at t io n H os pi ta l

For more information visit ptv.vic.gov.au or call 1800 800 007 (6am – midnight daily)

Tr am

C BD

Ticketing zones

Zo ne Zo 1 ne 1o r2 Zo ne 2

Information

All trams operate in Zone 1. If travelling only in the Zone 1 or 2 overlap, a Zone 2 ticket can be used. © Public Transport Development Authority (operating as Public Transport Victoria) 2012

231012

Useful Contacts When you’re setting yourself up and settling into a new country, you’re bound to have a few questions. These are some of the places you can go to get those answers. There are also emergency numbers and services to call if you get in to trouble.

Emergency

Study in Australia

If you are in danger and need help, ring this number to get the police, an ambulance or a fire truck to you urgently. Remember to state which service you need and tell them where you are.

Provides basic information about studying in Australia, including information on the universities and listings of useful contacts.

000

Police This is the non-urgent number for police assistance. Their website also has information on how to keep yourself safe. 131 444

www.studyinaustralia.gov.au

Study Melbourne Provides information on living and studying in Melbourne, more detailed information about where you can study in Melbourne and provides answers to some of the questions you may have while you’re here.

Australian Consumer Law Make sure you are getting a fair deal when shopping or purchasing services. Find out what your legal rights are. www.consumerlaw.gov.au

Tenants Union of Victoria Has information about renting rights and obligations and can provide advice on issues you may have with renting. 9416 2577

www.police.vic.gov.au

www.studymelbourne.vic.gov.au

www.tuv.org.au

Department of Immigration

Fairwork Ombudsman

Victoria Legal Aid

This is the department that handles Visa enquiries and issues. www.immi.gov.au

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (for Embassies) The DFAT can help you to find your country’s embassy within Australia. www.dfat.gov.au

Australian Tax Office The Tax Office are the people to contact about getting a Tax File Number and find out more about payments made to you while you’re here.

If you are being discriminated against at work or you think that you are working in bad conditions, and if you can’t sort out the issue with your employer, you can contact the Fairwork Ombudsman for help. www.fairwork.gov.au

Consumer Affairs Has more detailed information about what your obligations and entitlements are when buying products and services. Also has some useful information about what to do if you think you have been cheated out of your money. www.consumer.vic.gov.au

A free legal service that can give you advice if you need to know what your legal rights are. 9269 0120

www.legalaid.vic.gov.au

International Student Care Service ISCS provides help in times of crisis and when you need to find out more about housing, legal problems, your health or just need to talk to someone. 1800 056 449

www.iscs.vic.gov.au

Metlink (Public Transport Services) Includes ticketing information, timetables and more.

www.ato.gov.au

www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au

www.insiderguides.com.au

Lifeline If you want to talk to someone about your mental health, this resource is a crisis support hotline. 13 11 14

www.lifeline.org.au

The Couch The Couch is a social area where you can meet other international students. They also provide international students the chance to engage with support services. 9653 3212

Healthdirect Australia A free helpline with trained staff who can help you to treat non-urgent illnesses when the GPs are not open. 1800 022 222

Melbourne Sexual Health Centre To talk about your sexual health symptoms and get advice, you can call this number. 9341 6200

Beyond Blue A free counselling service that you can ring if you are feeling depressed or anxious. Their website also has great tips for coping with stress. 1300 224 636

www.beyondblue.org.au

Road Transport Authority Find out about the road rules and what you need to get yourself into a car.

Australian Human Rights Commission

Frontyard Integrated Youth Services

Discrimination against people on the basis of their race, descent, colour or ethnic/ national origin is against the law in Australia. If you feel you are being treated unfairly because of your race, you can make a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission. If you want to make a complaint, head to:

Frontyard aim to address the physical, social, and emotional needs of young people, up to the age of 25, who spend time in the Melbourne CBD. In particular, they help those who are homeless or at risk of being homeless.

www.humanrights.gov.au /racial_discrimination

CISA CISA is the national peak student representative body for international students. They advocate for the interests and needs of international students. www.cisa.edu.au

AFIS AFIS is a non-profit organisation that supports international students. They collaborate with governmental bodies, education providers, student societies and community organisations. internationalstudents.org.au

Youthlaw At Frontyard, 19 King St, Melbourne The Youthlaw vision is ‘to provide an accessible legal service to young people under the age of 25, focusing on areas of unmet legal need’. www.youthlaw.asn.au 9611 2412

www.melbournecitymission. org.au

Travellers Aid Level 3, 225 Bourke St, Melbourne Travellers Aid Australia is a not-for-profit organisation that provides simple, practical travel-related support and aid. It helps people travel independently and confidently, no matter what their background or situation. www.travellersaid.org.au

Volunteering Australia The Volunteering Australia’s role is to ‘represent the diverse views and needs of the volunteering sector while promoting the activity of volunteering as one of enduring social, cultural and economic value.’ Get involved by heading to their website. www.volunteeringaustralia.org

Gambler’s Helpline If you think you may have a problem with gambling, talk to someone today. It’s a free call. www.problemgambling.vic. gov.au 1800 858 858

www.vicroads.vic.gov.au

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Your New City

Introduction With its great live music, vibrant culinary scene, world-renowned street art and inner-city laneways packed with hidden bars and cafes, Melbourne is a culturelover’s dream. Often described as Australia’s ‘cultural capital’, Melbourne is the country’s second largest city after Sydney and was ranked first in the Economic Intelligence Unit’s 2011 World’s Most Liveable Cities ratings.

Before European settlement, the area of land that Melbourne now occupies was home to three Indigenous tribes -the Wurundjeri, the Boonwurrung and the Wathaurong - for an estimated 31,000 to 40,000 years. The city of Melbourne was founded in 1835 and grew quickly in both population and wealth, particularly during the 1851 Victorian Gold Rush. Sadly, Melbourne’s Indigenous population had decreased by an estimated

80% by the early 1860s due to introduced diseases as well as largescale dispossession of their lands by European settlers. Today, Melbourne is a diverse and multicultural city with a population of just over 4 million - 35% of which was born overseas. The city boasts large communities of Vietnamese, Italians, Chinese, Indians, Lebanese and British, and it is the third largest Greek city in the world after Athens and Thessaloniki.

The Average Australian The average Australian male lives to 79 and the average female lives to 84.

Your New City

www.insiderguides.com.au

Academic History The city of Melbourne has a long and proud academic history. The University of Melbourne was the first university to be established in the state of Victoria, and only the second in the country. Founded in 1854 – just 19 years after John Batman established the city of Melbourne – the university was a product of the mid-century Victorian gold rushes, which saw vast amounts of wealth pour into the state.

Today, Victoria is home to nine publicly funded universities, many of which have earned solid international reputations. The University of Melbourne is currently Australia’s top-ranking university in 14 disciplines according to the QS World University Rankings, while RMIT and LaTrobe are included in the QS’s list of the top 50 new universities worldwide. The state of Victoria has produced brilliant scientists and inventors

whose discoveries have had worldwide impacts. Among the inventions developed in Victoria are the Black Box Flight Recorder and the Bionic Ear. Melbourne has produced many other famous (or infamous) people including feminist Germaine Greer, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, pop singer Kylie Minogue, media magnate Rupert Murdoch and the current Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard.

Fun Facts The world’s very first feature-length film was made in Melbourne in 1906. The film was called The Story of the Kelly Gang.

The Australian Football League was created in Melbourne in 1858. Today, AFL (otherwise known as ‘Aussie Rules’, ‘footy’ or simply ‘the game’) is Melbourne’s most popular spectator sport.

Melbourne’s famous tram network is the fourth largest in the world, and the largest outside Europe.

Every single jar of the beloved Australian bread spread Vegemite is made in Melbourne.

One of Australia’s most successful media exports is the Melbourne-made television drama series Neighbours, which has been sold to over 50 countries worldwide. It’s also Australia’s longest-running drama series.

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Your New City

Getting Around It’s always a little bit daunting arriving in a new city that has an unfamiliar public transport system. How do the tickets work? How much does it cost? How efficient is it? Luckily, Melbourne’s transport system is pretty simple; once you learn the basics, it’s convenient and very easy to use. And while the system is not perfect, on the whole it’s fairly reliable and affordable.

myki

Tickets & Timetables For all your public transport enquiries, head to www. ptv.vic.gov.au. Here you will find timetables, ticketing information, journey planners, maps, and phone numbers to call if you require information in a foreign language. You can also find a run-down of the best way to get to your university by clicking the ‘Using Public Transport’ tab at the top of the page and following the links. If you would prefer to speak to someone in person, you can visit the PTV Hub located at Southern Cross Station, or call 1800 800 007. Melbourne is a large city, so for ticketing purposes it has been divided into two ‘zones’. Zone 1 includes the CBD and the inner suburbs, while Zone 2 encompasses the outer suburbs. If you travel across zones, you will be charged the ‘Zone 1+2’ fare, which is more expensive than travelling in one zone only.

myki is Melbourne’s ticketing system and can be used to travel on trains, trams and buses in Zones 1 and 2. The reusable smart card is easy to use. Simply top up before your journey and then touch on and touch off at a myki reader as you travel. How does a myki work?

A myki works a bit like a debit card: first, you’ll need to load money onto your myki at a station or an authorised store. Visit ptv.vic. gov.au for information on where to buy and top up a myki. Next, simply touch the card to the yellow card reader when you enter and exit a station or vehicle and your fare will be automatically deducted. You need to touch on and touch off for every journey except if you are using trams wholly within Zone 1, in which case you don’t need to touch off. How much does a myki card cost?

A full fare myki costs $6, and a concession fare card costs $3. How much does it cost to travel?

There are two payment options with the myki ticketing system: the ‘myki money’ and the ‘myki pass’.

Go Online Find the best way to get from A-B in Melbourne with the PTV online journey planner. jp.ptv.vic.gov.au

Your New City

www.insiderguides.com.au

Buses Trains Trains are the best way to get to the city’s outer suburbs. They can become pretty busy during peak times, so avoid travel at these times if you can. Where will they take me? Melbourne’s train network fans outwards from the CBD to the outer suburbs, with 15 different train lines servicing the metropolitan region. These lines are known by the name of the destination suburbs: Hurstbridge, Lilydale, Belgrave, Alamein, Glen Waverly, Pakenham, Cranbourne, Frankston, Sandringham, Williamstown, Werribee, Sunbury, Craigieburn, Upfield, and South Morang. Check the PTV website to see if there is a train line near you. How often do they come? Train frequency can vary widely depending on when and where you travel. On busy lines at peak hour, trains can run every four or five minutes. On others, during off-peak times trains may only run every 20 minutes to half an hour. You can find timetables online and at stations.

Due to Melbourne’s extensive inner-suburban tram network, buses are rarely used in this part of town as they generally only service those routes not frequented by trams. Where will they take me? If you happen to live in the outer suburbs, buses will be your new best friends. You can find a full list of bus route maps at the PTV website. How often do they come? Bus frequency can vary from once every 10 minutes to once every hour, depending on the time of day. Expect greater frequency during peak work and school hours. If you’re out late at night on the weekend and need a way to get home, help is at hand. The NightRider buses travel between the CBD and the outer suburbs every 30 minutes between 1.30am and 4.30am on Saturdays, and between 1.30am and 5.30am on Sundays. How often do they come? The frequency of buses depends on the time of the day and the popularity of the route. Popular routes are frequented every 10–15 minutes during peak times, and once every 20 or 30 minutes during the evenings. Other buses run once every 30 minutes, or even once an hour. Check the PTV website for timetables.

TramTRACKER Find out when your tram is coming via your smartphone. Download now for free from the App Store and Google Play.

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Your New City

Bikes

Trams Unlike other Australian cities, Melbourne has an extensive tram network that stretches outward from the CBD. In fact, Melbourne’s network is one of the largest in the world. Where will they take me? The tram grid covers most of Zone 1, and in the eastern suburbs the trams reach almost to Zone 2. In the city centre, free City Circle trams loop the CBD, making this a great way to see the city without paying a cent. Check the PTV website for a full map of Melbourne’s tram network as well as individual line timetables. How often do they come? During peak times, trams will generally run every seven to 10 minutes. The City Circle tram runs every 12 minutes.

Cycling is on the increase in Melbourne and travelling by bike is one of the most enjoyable and affordable ways to get around. New bike lanes continue to be introduced to increase separation from traffic and parked vehicles, which makes it safer to cycle throughout Melbourne. www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/cycling

Buy If you’re living in Melbourne for an extended period of time, it’s a good idea to buy yourself a bike – check out gumtree.com.au for some second-hand options. (You can always re-sell the bike when you leave the city.) Rent If you’re in or close to the city, check out the Melbourne Bike Share project – you’ll find the blue bike stations scattered around the CBD. This is a great option if you want to make a number of short trips; it costs only $2.60 per day as long as each trip lasts less than 30 minutes. Helmets are available for $5 at many retail outlets or vending machines at Southern Cross Station or Melbourne University. For $39 a year students can purchase an annual Melbourne Bike Share Subscription giving them unlimited access to a bike anytime. www.melbournebikeshare.com.au

Bike Safety It’s illegal to ride a bicycle without wearing a helmet in Australia. It’s also a legal requirement to attach lights to the front and back of your bike if you’re riding after dark. Another issue to be aware of is ‘dooring’ – car drivers opening their doors next to bicycle lanes and injuring cyclists as they ride past. If you’re on a shared path, keep everyone in mind. Use your bell, slow down, relax and enjoy yourself! A big tip is to not always follow the pack; only cross the road when you feel it is safe.

Your New City

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Taxis Taxis are an expensive way to get around Melbourne; an average 10-minute cab ride will cost you at least $15. If you find yourself in need of a taxi, you should be able to hail one if you’re standing on a busy road. Otherwise try one of the Safe City taxi ranks dotted throughout the city. These are staffed areas with security officers between 11pm and 5am, so they’re perfect for late night travel. If you need a wheelchair-accessible cab, call Silver Top Taxis on 8413 7202.

Safe City Taxi Ranks 55 King Street 8 King Street Flinders Street Station 50 Bourke Street 131 Queens Street (12am -5am)

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Taxi Companies Black Cabs 13 CABS (132 227) Silver Top Taxi Service 131 008

Your New City

Yellow Cab Co 131 924 For ‘Maxi Taxis’ 0407 306 294 .

The Australian Flag The Aussie Flag, like every country’s flag, holds a lot of cultural significance. The flag came into being after each of the states joined together to form the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. The flag’s design was selected as part of a competition in 1901 - five winners (including two teenagers) shared in the £200 prize.

2 3

The Commonwealth Star

The Union Jack

The Southern Cross

Also known as the ‘Star of Federation’. It has seven points to represent the six states and combined territories of Australia. The seventh point was only added in 1990. This is the symbol of Australia’s ties with Great Britain. As a member of the Commonwealth, it is one of only five other countries with the Union Jack on their flag. These five stars represent the Southern Cross constellation - a significant navigational star in the southern hemisphere.

Each of the states and territories around Australia have their own flags as well, each containing the Union Jack, and a badge containing something unique. The flag of Victoria contains a an imperial crown which is currently Saint Edward’s Crown.

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Indigenous Australia Before European colonisation in 1788, Australia’s population was made up entirely of the Indigenous people of Australia – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. There were hundreds of communities around the country that spoke several different languages and held different beliefs while upholding various common traditions and practices.

It’s important to appreciate that the European or Western way of life that you now see in Australia is a relatively new concept (only a few hundred years old). The Indigenous population has inhabited Australia for over 60,000 years. Today, elements of Indigenous culture can be found in many areas of modern Australian life. Indigenous art, music, people, stories and history are an important part of our national identity. Land Ownership To the Indigenous people of Australia, the concept of land ownership that Western cultures have (i.e. buying and selling land) is very different from their

own. Their relationship with the land was, and remains, at the core of their spirituality. Land was not viewed as something that a person could “own”. As this society and land ownership system was not respected by the British, Australia was viewed as ‘terra nullius’ (“land belonging to no one”) and the land was colonised. Today, some important legal milestones have been reached in the area of Indigenous land rights, which indicate that cultural sensitivity and respect can dictate how Australia moves forward. Experiencing Indigenous Australian Culture If you’re interested in learning more about this

incredible rich and diverse culture, we highly recommend visiting your local museum to discover how Indigenous Australians used tools, shared stories over generations, created spectacular artwork and lived off the land. If you’re planning a trip, you might like to consider Uluru in the Northern Territory to learn about this remarkable natural wonder and its importance to the local Indigenous community. A local Anangu guide can give you a rich insight into this part of the world. You could even head to Alice Springs to check out Aboriginal art galleries, or even the Kimberleys in WA and discover some rock art.

Black : Represents the Aboriginal tribes of Australia. Red: Represents the red earth and the red ochre, which symbolises a spiritual relationship with the land. Yellow: Represents the sun, the provider of life and the protector of people.

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Your New City

Welcome to Melbourne Where your future takes off

Congratulations! You are one of around 150,000 students from 200 countries who have chosen Melbourne to secure your future. Melbourne is Australia’s leading city for international students. In 2012, the QS World University Rankings named Melbourne the leading student city in the Asia-Pacific region. It was also judged among the world’s top four student cities along with Paris, London and Boston. To help you settle in to your new life, visit studymelbourne.vic.gov.au for all the information you need about visas, cost of living, accommodation, transport, health and safety, support services and more. The website is available in English, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Indonesian, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Vietnamese and Arabic and five in-language mobile sites. Study Melbourne provides you with the following support services: > Culture Card – for access to museums, art galleries and sporting events. > Welcome Desk at Melbourne International Airport. > International Student Care Service – free, confidential support to international students, particularly those who are experiencing difficulties. Learn more about the wonderful benefits of living, working and studying in Melbourne and Victoria at studymelbourne.vic.gov.au

Aussie Cultural Diversity Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no secret that Australia is one of the most multicultural countries in the world: people from all over the world have migrated here, vibrantly shaping the Australia that we experience today.

Asian

British

Indian

Australia has a large Asian population, which started growing back in the 1850s with the Australian Gold Rush. In 1861, just after the height of the gold rush, Chinese immigrants made up 3.3% of the population. Since then, the number has continued to rise, with Australia now home to well over 200,000 Chinese residents. The second most commonly spoken language at home in Australia is Mandarin. Other Asian countries have also made a significant impact on the Australian lifestyle, with an increasing number of residents from Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia and Hong Kong.

Australia was settled by the British, so our association with England and Great Britain goes back a long way. Captain Cook discovered the country back in 1788 and a variety of English, Irish and Scottish migrants made their way to Australia. Over 1 million residents currently living in Australia were born in the United Kingdom. British culture can be seen everywhere in Australia - our fondness for cricket, our flag, our language and our love for a quenching ale.

Indian migration to Australia is one of the more recent patterns of immigration. Over 153,000 Australian residents were born in India according to the most recent Census. However, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s said some of the first settlers were Indian convicts transported by the British Colonial Government in India back in 1788! A large portion of Indian migrants also arrived in Australia during the Gold Rush. Since then, the Indian culture has been bolstered by a strong student intake each year.

Your New City

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European While there were some European cultures that made their way to Australia in its early years, it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t until after World War II that Europe started changing the face of Australia. With so many displaced people after the War, ethnicities from all over Europe made their way to the country. The influences of Italian and Greek cultures can be found almost everywhere, as well as German, Polish and Eastern European nationalities, and nowhere is this more obvious than in Australian cuisine. Australians have embraced all manner of European cuisine!

Multicultural Hub 506 Elizabeth Street (opposite the Queen Victoria Market), Melbourne The City of Melbourneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Multicultural Hub is a friendly place, where people from Melbourneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s many different cultures can get together to work, share and learn in a safe and supportive environment. Open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. 9092 1500

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Your New City

For

Leas

Setting-up & First Steps Removalists

Introduction Before you can start exploring and enjoying everything this place has to offer, there are a few necessary things to sort out. These are basic things, like where you’re going to live. Will you be living in private accommodation, or perhaps with an Australian family?

Next on the list is getting connected. It’s pretty hard to study and keep in touch with your family back home if you don’t have any Internet access or a phone contact. There are plenty of different options when it comes to getting connected, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble setting yourself up.

Once you’ve sorted out your living situation, there’s the all-important furnishing of your home. Where can you find cheap furniture? What sort of things should you be buying anyway?

Of course, if you’re going to be living in Australia for a while, you’re going to need a source of income - and nobody likes relying on Mum and Dad forever. Finding a job is a great way to experience more of

the Australian culture and meet more of the locals, not to mention improve your English and gain some quality experience. If you’ve never applied for a job before, look no further than here for all the tips and tricks you’ll need to secure that part time position. Money is also a crucial part of living in Australia. Luckily there are plenty of different options for storing and accessing your money - you won’t need to keep your cash stashed under your mattress.

The Average Australian Based on a recent survey, 6/10 British families want to move to Australia.

Setting-up

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Need to Knows Second-hand One of the best tips for any new student is to try and live cheaply. You want to have enough money to spend exploring your new city, so if you can find bargains on the essentials, you’ll be off to a good start. A lot of second-hand shops are run by charities like the Red Cross or the Salvation Army. There is sure to be some low priced pre-loved furniture you can give a new home to. Otherwise keep an eye on your university pin boards - other international students usually try to sell their bigger items before they head back home.

Garage Sales People often like to get rid of their old belongings by holding a garage sale. People will set up their things in their driveway and sell them. Sometimes you can pick up a real bargain. Garage sales are usually held on the weekend - most people will create handwritten signs pointing to the address and put them on main roads, so keep your eyes out.

Gumtree & The Trading Post These are great websites where people can sell just about anything - old furniture, tickets to concerts, even pets. The good thing about these websites is that you almost always need to meet the person selling you the goods – meaning you can check it out before you buy it and you don’t have to pay for delivery! It’s always a good idea to take a friend with you when you’re collecting your newly purchased item, just to be safe. www.gumtree.com.au www.tradingpost.com.au

Storage If you come to Australia and find you have a lot more stuff than you can store, you might need to look into storing it. There are plenty of places around that will store your stuff in a small garage for a period of time. It can get pretty pricey though, so make sure you do your research. Your institution will be able to help you here.

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Setting-up

The Right Accommodation For You One of the first things you’ll need to think about after you’ve decided what you’re going to be studying in Australia is where you’ll live. There are a few options that you can choose from but make sure you do your research - check with your institution about their recommended accommodation, and take into account your needs and budget before you lock anything in.

Homestay Student Apartments Most universities offer student apartments where you might share with a few other students or have your own room. What will I get? You’ll get fully furnished rooms, which can range from 1 to 5 bedrooms, a shared kitchen and bathroom. How much will it cost? It depends on the apartment, but you’ll be paying between $200 and $500 a week. What are some of the advantages? There’s a real emphasis on community - some house over 400 students! Plus you don’t have to worry about furnishing your place. What are some of the disadvantages? It can be quite expensive and you have to pay for your Internet use separately. Who should I talk to? www.unilodge.com.au www.urbanest.com.au

A homestay is where you live with an Australian family in their home for the duration of your study. You may live with a family, a couple or another person. What will I get? Depending on the family you stay with, you may get different facilities, but you’ll certainly get your own furnished bedroom. How much will it cost? Living with a family will probably cost you between $250 and $300 a week. What are some of the advantages? You’ll get most of your meals provided, as well as Internet and you won’t have to worry about setting up utilities or phone lines. What are some of the disadvantages? Sharing with a family might be frustrating, you may live quite far from your institution and you won’t get a sense of living independently. Who should I talk to? Check out the Australian Homestay Network. They can help you link up with a family, as well as answering important questions like how much it costs. www.homestaynetwork.org.au

Setting-up

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Renting & Share Houses Residential Colleges Colleges are a great accommodation option for international students as a lot of the basics are taken care of, and most colleges are only a short distance from the big universities. What will I get? At a residential college you’ll receive all your meals, as well as a weekly room clean. You’ll get yourself a fully furnished bedroom, plus access to Wi-Fi, library facilities and tutors. How much will it cost? It depends on the college you choose, but most colleges cost between $285 and $410 a week. What are some of the advantages? It’s a great way to meet lots of different people while utilities and Internet are often included in the price. What are some of the disadvantages? Sharing bathrooms can be frustrating, you’re often locked into a yearly contract and there’s such a strong social aspect you might find it hard to concentrate. Who should I talk to? Check your institution’s website first - they’ll point you in the direction of the right colleges. You can then check out their websites and find out all the important information.

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

This is true independent living renting an apartment or a house either alone or with housemates. What will I get? Renting a place means you call the shots. You have to pay for everything though, including furniture, food, utilities as well as rent. How much will it cost? $100 - $400 a week - depending on how many you share with and where you live. That usually doesn’t include bills, and it definitely doesn’t cover any food costs. What are some of the advantages? Independent living is great and you can meet a whole bunch of new people, plus you have a lot more control of your living arrangement. What are some of the disadvantages? Paying for everything, including furniture and all utilities can be tough and it can get lonely if you’re living by yourself. Who should I talk to? Since renting is a private matter, your institution won’t have much to do with this. But it’s a good idea to check out the Study Australia website - they can give you all the information you’ll need about renting and how to find a place. www.studyinaustralia.gov.au

Setting-up

Accommodation Finding a place to live can be a scary process. Most problems arise between international students and their landlords because the students have not paid enough attention to the contract they have entered into. Some landlords will try to take advantage of you! Know what your rights are.

Here are a few tips that will help you stay out of trouble: Read the fine print Make sure you know if you have entered under a fixedterm 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. A verbal agreement is not good enough proof of your tenancy terms. Bond, house bond As a general rule, if you are renting for $350 a week or less, the bond cannot be more than four weeks rent. Be aware though, there are exceptions to this. Check what you can legally be charged at: www.consumer.vic.gov.au/ renting

Rent in advance A landlord can ask for two weeks rent for periodic tenancy and one month’s rent for fixed term tenancy.

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.

Do your own inspections There are three inspections you need take seriously:

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.

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, or they want you to send money overseas or to a PO 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.

End of days Pay attention to the details regarding the end of your tenancy agreement. If you leave without giving notice, you can get in real trouble! For more information or if you run into trouble with your landlord, call the Tenants Union of Victoria. 9416 2577.

www.tuv.org.au

Accommodation Apps Find your new rental property on your phone with either the Domain or Realestate app. Download now for free from the App Store and Google Play.

Setting-up

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nt accommodation e ud st st e rg la e th e We ar w Zealand e N d an ia al tr us A in provider

Our properties: • Are safe, fun and affordable • Offer independent student living options • Are close to universities • Have onsite management and building security • Have a Community Spirit Program where you can make new friends and do fun things together

For more information, visit

unilodge.com.au

Decking Out Your New Pad

Bathroom What will I need?

Kitchen

• Towels • Bath mats • Toiletries

What will I need?

Can I buy them for cheap?

• Dining table & chairs

Absolutely. Get the towels, shower curtains and such from IKEA or discount department stores like Kmart, Big W and Target. For everything else, you can pick them up from good supermarkets. What if I want to spend more money? You can head to upmarket department stores such as David Jones and Myer.

Bedroom

• Cutlery, crockery • Appliances Can I buy them for cheap? You can deck out a kitchen for quite cheap these days. Check out Target, Big W and Kmart for small electronic stuff like kettles and toasters. Head to IKEA for the furniture. What if I want to spend more money? If you want to buy big brand kitchenware, Myer and David Jones are good for this. They have a nice range of pots and pans too. For a good fridge, check out The Good Guys, as you’ll want their extended warranty.

What will I need? • Bed • Linen • Storage Can I buy them for cheap? Pick up the bed base, tables and storage from www.gumtree.com.au or IKEA, but don’t buy second-hand mattresses. That’s disgusting. You can get good deals on new mattresses at places like Forty Winks (www. fortywinks.com.au). You can get some nice linen from Target and Big W too. What if I want to spend more money? If you want to buy high quality bedding, check out Sealy beds (www.sealy.com.au). For bits of furniture, head to The Good Guys and Harvey Norman. Just Google their locations in your city.

Study What will I need? • Desk & chair • Bookshelf • Computer Can I buy them for cheap? Yes. Find furniture from www.gumtree.com. au. Alternatively, head to garage sales in your area on Saturday mornings. What if I want to spend more money? Head to IKEA. Or if you’re thinking about spending a bit more, you can go to places like Harvey Norman. They also sell computers and electrical items there.

Study (or relax) with IKEA all year round. FREE delivery

ÂŠ Inter IKEA Systems B.V. 2012.

Moving out should be fun! So come in-store and decide what your new uni life will look like without having to worry about getting it all home. Present this ad at the Home Delivery counter to receive free delivery when you spend $250 or more.* IKEA Richmond

IKEA Springvale

630 Victoria Street, Richmond VIC 3121.

917 Princes HWY, Springvale VIC 3171.

www.IKEA.com.au/Richmond

www.IKEA.com.au/Springvale

*One free delivery per ad to zone A or B. Offer valid until 31.03.2013 at IKEA Richmond & IKEA Springvale only. See www.IKEA.com.au/unipromo for details and further conditions.

Getting Connected So you’ve just landed in Australia and you’re wondering what to do next. You’ll probably want to talk to your family back home as soon as you can to let them know you’ve arrived safely and to hear a familiar voice. Getting connected is pretty easy in Australia if you know what to do.

Wi-Fi In Australia, there are plenty of places that offer free wireless. You can often find Wi-Fi hotspots in some airports, cafes, public libraries, McDonalds and your campus (although you may have to sign up to use these – check with your campus first). If you’re struggling to find a connection anywhere, there are a few Wi-Fi-Finder apps on smartphones too. Just head over to one of these spots, pull up a chair and connect to the web – too easy!

Mobile Broadband and 3G Obviously there will be times when you can’t use free wireless, so another option is to use a wireless dongle. A dongle is a small USB that you plug into your computer and are usually sold by phone companies like Virgin Mobile or Vodafone. These are prepaid (you can get some for $29 for 30 days all the way up to $79 for 100 days) and are excellent for short-term use. You can also connect your phone to your laptop and use your phone’s 3G connection (don’t use it too much! – most phone plans have a low data allowance).

Setting-up

Home Internet A more long-term solution is to sign up to an Internet contract if you’re living in a house. There are a whole range of different plans and contracts out there, so make sure you do your research and choose the right one for you. Try to find one that includes a wireless modem or router, otherwise you’ll have to buy one separately. Plans usually include a download limit, and the higher the cost per month, the more downloads you receive. You can often sign up for a year or more and the longer you sign up for, the cheaper it gets. We recommend getting Naked ADSL (uses your land line) as, let’s be honest, who uses land line phones these days anyway?

Internet Providers: Internode: www.internode.on.net Optus: www.optus.com.au Telstra: www.telstra.com.au

www.insiderguides.com.au

Skype

Mobile Phones

If you prefer to hear as well as see your loved ones back home, Skype is certainly your best option. Combining video and sound, it’s basically a video call and, best of all it’s free if the person you’re calling has Skype too. So make sure your family signs up back home to keep things cheap. Just visit the Skype website, download the software and you’re done! Another voice-based option is Skype credit which also allows you to call foreign mobiles at great rates.

Living in Australia, almost everyone has a mobile phone and chances are you had one back home too. Unfortunately, that one might not work here, as it may be locked to your provider back home. There are ways around this, but most short-term travellers will often purchase a cheap mobile phone on a pre-paid deal, meaning you pay for what you use and aren’t locked into any sort of monthly contract. You can buy these pre-paid SIM cards (and rechargeable credit) from almost anywhere – supermarkets, service stations and mobile phone outlets.

www.skype.com

Alternatively, if you’re here for a while, you can sign up to a plan, which can often provide greater value (and better phones), but comes with a fixed-term contract (usually 24 months).

Viber & Whats App

Phone Cards If your parents aren’t very computer savvy, perhaps a phone call might be easier. To keep your costs down, make sure you buy a phone card – it’s about 80% cheaper than calls from a home phone. www.aussiephonecards.com.au

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

If you’ve got a smartphone, there are a few apps out there that can help you save your dollars while still communicating with the people you want. Viber is a great app which uses all your existing contacts. It lets you make calls and send messages - all for free. It uses your 3G connection to connect with other Viber users, so it’s a great alternative to other methods. Best of all, it works with any network and any operating system (Android, Windows and iOS).

Setting-up

Finding a Job While you’re staying in Australia, chances are you’re going to need to support yourself financially. One of the ways you’ll be able to do that is by getting a job. We’ve highlighted some of the important steps involved.

Decide Why should I get a job? Working has a number of benefits apart from just money. Getting a job in Australia means you’ll get to meet new people, as well as improve your English. You’ll also gain valuable experience. How much can I work? International students studying full time in Australia for more than 3 months automatically receive a work visa when you apply for your Australian student visa. This means you can work for up to 40 hours a fortnight during the semester and an unlimited amount during term breaks. What sort of job should I get? Most students find work in retail or hospitality industries because of the flexible hours they offer. This includes working at a supermarket or waiting tables at a local restaurant. The good thing is that a lot of these jobs don’t require much experience before you start.

Hunt How do I find a job? First things first, get your resume polished and start door knocking on businesses you want to work at. Expect to get knocked back by 90% of them, but this is a great way to get your name in front of the managers and staff as it shows that you’re keen. Where can I go to find work? If you don’t have any luck in person, try these websites. www.seek.com.au www.careerone.com.au www.indeed.com.au

Where else can I go to find work? If you can’t find anything online, you could always try looking at your institution. Many universities and colleges also have online job boards that are worth taking a look at.

Setting-up

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Prepare Do I need a Tax File Number? Yes you do. A Tax File Number means you won’t get taxed at a higher rate. You just have to fill out a form online and have your passport handy. Visit www.ato.gov.au to apply for one. What else should I know? Many Australians are very approachable people; so don’t be too nervous about asking lots of questions. Most will be happy to help you out. Just remember to be polite, punctual and willing to learn. What happens if I get in trouble? While most businesses in Australia try to keep their employees happy, some might try to underpay or overwork you. If you think something’s not right, you can always call the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94 or visit the website at www.fairwork.gov.au. They can advise you on what to do next.

Apply How do I apply for a job? If you’ve found the job on the Internet, chances are you’ll be able to apply directly through the website. Do I need to include a resume? If you’ve found a job in person, most places will ask you to send them a resume. A resume is basically a record of your previous work experience. Keep your resume short and include a reference - a previous employer or someone who has seen you work or study. Try asking a friendly tutor. I’ve been offered an interview, now what? Congratulations! If you’ve managed to get an interview, you’re almost there. It’s always a good idea to prepare for an interview - get a friend to ask you some questions about your skills and your experience, and practice answering them.

Volunteering Volunteering isn’t just about making a difference in the lives of others. You can develop new skills, build your confidence and make a whole bunch of new friends. It also looks awesome on your Resumé! There are many positions you can volunteer for in your community. To get involved, check out this website: www.volunteeringvictoria.org.au

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Setting-up

Welcome and best of luck this semester from your ANZ Student Banking Specialists. Whether you call Australia home, or you’ve come here to study, we can help you address your banking needs.

anz.com ® A-Z Review is a registered trademark of Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZ) ABN 11 005 357 522. ANZ’s colour blue is a trade mark of ANZ. Item No. 85379B 10.2011 W251263

At ANZ, we understand student life because we ask. When you have an A-Z Review® your needs come first. That’s how our Student Banking Specialists will then be able to recommend a banking solution to suit your lifestyle and goals from a broad range of everyday banking, savings, credit card, investment and insurance products and services. If you require assistance in a language other than English, we also have multilingual staff conveniently located at the following city branches. Come in and say hello. A’Beckett St

• 230 Swanston Street (Chinatown)

La Trobe St Little Lonsdale St

Collins St Flinders Ln

Swanston St

Elizabeth St

Queen St

William St

King St

Bourke St

Exhibition St

Little Bourke St

Russell St

Lonsdale St

Bourke St Little Collins St

• 309-325 Bourke St Mall • 353 Elizabeth Street • 293 Collins Street • 222 Exhibition Street • 254 Queen Street

Flinders St

Other convenient locations with multilingual staff include: • Box Hill, 10 Main Street • Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Level 1 Building HD

Banking & Money If you’re going to be living in Australia for a period of time, you’re going to need to have somewhere to safely keep your money. This is where having an Australian bank account is a good idea.

Setting Up a Bank Account There are plenty of different banks available in Australia and there’s sure to be one that suits your needs. What should I bring? Head into the bank and explain that you’d like to open an account. Make sure you bring enough ID with you. Most banks will need to see your passport, visa, or driver’s license (if you have one) as well as proof of address - you can bring a household bill. What do I get?

You’ll get a bankcard - this is what you’ll use when you want to pay for something by EFTPOS or withdraw money from your account.

ATMs What are they?

Automatic Teller Machines are a fast, easy and convenient way to take money out of your bank account. All you need to do is insert your bankcard, type in your PIN number and select the amount you’d like to withdraw. Your card will pop out, along with your money and a receipt. Some ATMs also offer different language features, so you can choose your native language to help you out. What are the fees?

Most banks won’t charge you for using their ATM but if you use another bank’s ATM, you will be charged $2. They call this a ‘disloyalty fee’. It’s also a good idea to avoid the smaller machines found in pubs, clubs and service stations - these will also charge you a fee.

Online banking All of the major Australian banks allow you to transfer funds, pay bills and manage your accounts online. Be sure to ask for your internet banking options at your local branch.

Setting-up

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Money Transfer What do I need to do to receive money from overseas?

What do I need to do to send money overseas?

It’s your birthday and your parents want to send some cash to you in Australia as a gift from back home. You’re going to need to let them know a few things first.

You want to send a bit of money to your parents back home. There are a few things you’ll need from them before you can do an international money transfer.

Make sure you let them know your: Australian bank account name

Make sure you know their: Bank account name and account number The overseas bank ‘sort’ code

Australian bank account number and BSB

International Bank Account Number (IBAN) (Europe only)

Address of the bank your account is with

SWIFT code of the overseas bank

Australian bank SWIFT Code

Debit Cards An increasingly popular option among Australian locals is Visa or Mastercard debit cards. You can apply for these through your bank. It works just like a credit card and allows you to use credit services (i.e. online services), but it uses the money in your account. Be sure to check the fees and interest on any card before you decide to get one.

Notes and Coins It’s always a good idea to have some cash on you when travelling and a good way to do that is by converting your home currency into Australian Dollars (AUD). If you have some currency from back home and want to change it, head into your local post office. They’ll exchange it based on the current rates.

Travellers Cheques If you have brought some with you they can be easily exchanged for cash at your bank, or through Amex and Thomas Cook. Just make sure you bring your passport when you want to cash them in.

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Setting-up

Staying Healthy Your health can seem unimportant when you’re studying, but it needs to be a priority. Our Editor talked to Dr. Maggie Phillips about some important issues for international students.

Diet Students are more at risk of stomach upsets because of the high-party, high-stress lifestyle. Eating fast food can seem easy, but cooking meals that are low in fat and high in fibre is the best option. The better you eat, the better your body can use the energy for study. Don’t rely on high-caffeine ‘energy’ drinks. Have three solid meals a day and you’ll have plenty of energy. Take the time to prepare healthy meals at home.

Sexual Health You can get contraceptive medications and devices very easily and cheaply in Australia. Condoms are available from supermarkets and pharmacies. Emergency contraceptives are available from pharmacies if you need them. Take them within 24 hours for the most effective result. Pregnancy terminations are not easy to get in Australia. It can take weeks to organise, and late terminations can be difficult to arrange and expensive. www.stdservices.on.net

Climate Australia is a dry country so you may need to adjust if you’re used to humidity. Showering too often will wash away the oils your skin needs for dry conditions. If you’re getting itchy, switch to moisturising soaps or use Sorbolene (moisturiser).

Mental Health Remember to take time out for yourself. If things seem too hard, talk to friends and family. Universities and colleges often have counseling services or you can use free services such as Beyond Blue and Lifeline. Make sure you talk to someone as soon as you feel like things are getting too hard to handle.

Sunlight Vitamin D deficiency is common and you may easily end up deficient if you are not spending much time in the sun. The easiest way to combat this is to spend more time in the sun - only 15 minutes a day is needed so take your books and sit outside while you study. Otherwise, you may need vitamin supplements.

Clinic Hours Very few medical clinics are open seven days a week or have 24-hour services (and those that do can be expensive). If you need a medical certificate or you have a minor illness like a cold, wait until the doctor’s offices are open. You can also ring Healthdirect Australia to get advice on treating non-lifethreatening illnesses: 1800 022 222

Ambulance Cover Some OSHC policies have gaps or limitations in ambulance cover. This means you may not be covered if you require an ambulance. These bills can be thousands of dollars, so be sure to check the small print with your provider! Ambulance Victoria Membership offers low cost, comprehensive protection against the cost of Ambulance treatment and transport Australia wide. To take out Ambulance Victoria Membership call 1800 64 84 84 or visit ambulance.vic.gov.au /AmbulanceVictoria Hospitals If you need to go to a public hospital in a non-emergency situation or for an elective procedure, then call your OSHC provider and check that you will be covered. Remember to ask your OSHC provider where their nearest agreement hospital is. Call to confirm that you will be accepted as a patient with OSHC. Remember, your OSHC may not cover you for private hospitals. Complaints If you face a situation where you feel like you’re being ripped off or unfairly treated in regards to your OSHC, you can call the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman (PHIO). It’s a free service designed to help you out of trouble! Phone: 1800 640 695 (within Australia)

Setting-up

Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve capped your phone bill to control costs. Now do the same for ambulance.

The ambulance cover provided by health insurance companies may have conditions or limits that mean you may still have to pay to use ambulance services. For just $38.35 per year for singles, genuine Ambulance Victoria Membership means youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re 100% covered for any kind of ambulance transport anywhere in Australia.*

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Join now. Call 1800 64 84 84 or visit ambulance.vic.gov.au

No bills. No questions. No gaps.* Subject to Membership Scheme Business Rules.

Your rights in Australia Under Australian law you are protected from discrimination, harassment and bullying in many areas of public life such as employment, education, accommodation, sport and the provision of goods and services. The Australian Human Rights Commission can investigate and resolve complaints of discrimination, harassment and bullying based on: • race • sex • disability • age • sexual preference, criminal record, trade union activity, political opinion, religion or social origin (in employment only). For free and confidential information about your rights or to make a complaint about discrimination, call the Commission’s Complaint Information Service on 02 9284 9888, 1300 656 419 (local call) or 1800 620 241 (TTY). If you require an interpreter, call 13 14 50 and ask for the Australian Human Rights Commission. For more information, go to: www.humanrights.gov.au

The Principles to promote and protect the human rights of international students is a guide produced by the Australian Human Rights Commission which explains how your human rights can be promoted and protected while you are in Australia. The Principles are available at: www.humanrights.gov.au/racial_discrimination/international_students.html

International Student Care Service

The International Student Care Service provides friendly and professional advice, information, support and referral to local services and community resources.

Services provided by the International Student Care Service include: â&#x20AC;˘ Crisis intervention and support in emergency situations â&#x20AC;˘ Information about: > accommodation and housing providers > legal services > health services > other specialist support services All services are free and confidential.

free call*

1800 056 449 DBI 6165

International Student Care Service Level 1, 19-21 Argyle Place South Carlton VIC 3053 info@iscs.vic.gov.au studymelbourne.vic.gov.au

In case of emergency dial:000 police/fire/ambulance Interpreters available on request * Except from mobiles

When Things Break Living away from home can be a lot of fun, but what happens when something goes wrong?

1 The Taps Are Leaking If your taps are leaking, you can try tightening or replacing the seal or washer. The team at the hardware store can give you some good advice. If it’s more serious, your agent or landlord needs to know first as they should be paying for this. They will either organise a plumber to come over, or they may tell you to organise a plumber and they will pay you back.

1 7

Check out Jims Plumbing www.jimsplumbing.net.au.

2 Your TV Stopped Working Assuming you bought the TV new and it’s under warranty, you’ll need to call the manufacturers or take it back to the store where you bought it. They might send out a technician. If it’s not under warranty, you can either pay a repair man to fix it (which can cost a lot), or throw it out. If you want to throw it out, don’t dump it on the street!! Call your council and ask where you can dispose of it.

3 You’ve Spilled Some Red Wine… 1. Pour salt/Bi-Carb Soda on it, wait until the powder turns red then remove it. Repeat until it stops going red. 2. Grab some paper towel and pat it around the edges to stop it spreading. Don’t rub or wipe. 3. Call a professional carpet cleaner if you need to (about $80).

Oven’s Not Working 1. Check the gas supply. If you have gas bottles, are they empty?

2. Call your agent or landlord and ask for a repairman to check it out.

6 Broken Windows If you’ve accidentally broken a window, you need to get it fixed as soon as possible. Your landlord won’t pay for this, as it was your fault.

6 4

Have a look online for a glazier - these guys can replace windows quickly and easily. Be ready to spend a bit of money though, they’re not cheap. Make sure you let your landlord know as well - they might be able to organise it with you.

5 Your Furniture Has Become Unusable Your couch may have been comfortable once upon a time, but now it’s horrible to sit on, and some of the springs are poking through. Getting rid of a couch can be as easy as making a phone call.

Broken Fridge

1. Remove all of the perishables and put them into an Eski or an ice filled sink / tub.

Check your local council’s website for their policy on ‘hard rubbish’ - most will be more than happy to come and collect your old couch for a small fee or for free (some councils do this free once or twice a year). Again, don’t just leave it out on the footpath.

2. Check the power point and electrical box to ensure it’s getting power. Make sure the doors are shutting properly and that the motor is running, if not, it is best to call a professional. 3. If it’s not worth fixing it, call your council to determine the best option to dispose of it. Don’t put it on the street or you’ll get a fine!

VINYL • CDs • DVDS • MOVIES

Clothing • Accessories

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Shopping

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M U S I C

L E S S O N S

Introduction If you love to shop, you’ll love Melbourne. This stylish city is a popular shopping destination due to its convenient shopping ‘strips’ – streets that are almost entirely dedicated to fashion stores. For sportswear and outdoor gear, try Smith Street in Collingwood; for budget and mid-range fashion outlets, head to Bridge Road in Richmond. Chapel Street in South Yarra is a hub for mid- to high-end fashion stores, and the CBD’s Bourke

Street Mall is home to two mammoth department stores, Myer and David Jones, as well as fashion chains such as Zara and Sportsgirl. For high-end designer labels, hit the Melbourne GPO in the city or catch a tram up to the ‘Paris end’ of Collins Street (so called because of its historic European-flavoured architecture as well as the numerous European designer stores located there, like Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Prada).

Melbourne’s trendy inner-city suburbs are all about vintage wear, so here you’ll find lots of great second-hand stores, op shops and dedicated vintage shops. The city also boasts a handful of fantastic markets – favourites include the Queen Victoria Market and the Camberwell Sunday Market – which will satisfy even the most demanding shoppers.

Australia Student Guide Smartphone App With a continually updated events calendar for your city and showcasing some of the most exciting and interesting places and experiences, enjoying Australia has never been easier. Download now for free from the App Store and Google Play.

Shopping

16A

www.insiderguides.com.au

No Parking Anytime

Need to Knows

Opening Times In Australia, most stores open by 9am and close by 5pm. Major supermarkets are usually open until 9pm during the week. On Sundays, most shops will open later at 11am. Usually Thursdays or Fridays will see longer trading hours, known as ‘late night shopping’ and most shops have extended hours around Christmas.

Sales Everybody loves to pick up a bargain and Australia has two big sales throughout the year – the end of financial year (July 1) and Boxing Day, after Christmas (December 26). Most shops will also have sales racks or ‘bargain bins’ where you can pick up a cheap deal.

EFTPOS Electronic Funds Transfer Point of Sale (EFTPOS) is where you can use your bankcard to pay for your purchase. You’ll need to swipe or insert your card and enter your PIN. Most places have a $10 minimum purchase amount and some will also offer ‘cash out’ – an easy way to withdraw money from your bank account whilst shopping.

Online Shopping Sometimes after a long search, you can’t find what you want in a store, or you’re simply looking for a cheaper option. Why not try shopping online? As long as you have a debit or credit card, you can purchase anything and everything, and it can be a way to get a great bargain. Just be careful of shipping and postage – it can be very expensive.

The Average Australian Australians use 3.92 billion plastic shopping bags a year!! That is over 10 million new bags being used a day. Most of that goes to landfill!

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Shopping

Shop Spots Shopping can be a surprisingly stressful activity in an unfamiliar city. Often you’ll end up stumbling around, tired and hungry, wishing someone would just give you a bit of insider knowledge about the best place to find that elusive product.

Bourke Street Mall, Melbourne CBD The Bourke Street Mall in the CBD is home to Melbourne’s three main department stores: Myer, David Jones and Target. The mall, which is car-free between Elizabeth St and Swanston St, also features a smattering of chain stores, including Cotton On, Sportsgirl, Forever New and the city’s first Zara outlet. If you have a bit of cash to splash and you love designer fashion, head to the oh-so-fancy GPO on the corner of Elizabeth and Bourke Streets, which features three levels of major international and Australian designer stores, including Sass & Bide, Lisa Ho, Akira, Gorman, Zimmermann, Mimco and Ben Sherman.

Bridge Road, Richmond This is a great place to come for clothes, shoes and accessories, no matter your budget. Shops here range from small inexpensive independent stores to midrange chains to designer

outlets. The area is also littered with cafes, bars and restaurants for whenever you need an energy boost.

Smith Street, Collingwood/Fitzroy Like Bridge Road, Smith Street is another hotspot for ‘street shopping’, particularly if you’re looking for cheap factory outlet stores. If you’re shopping for outdoor wear, this is the place to come, as here you’ll find factory outlet stores of many of the big active-wear brands including Kathmandu, Adidas, Nike and Mountain Design.

Highpoint, Maribyrnong The Highpoint shopping mall in Maribyrnong is probably one of inner Melbourne’s better shopping destinations if you have little time and you’re on a tight budget. Located about 10km west of the Melbourne CBD and easily accessible by bus or tram, this place features over 400 stores – including major chain stores like Myer, Kmart, Target and Big W – all under

the one gigantic roof. There’s a food court here if you need a lunch break and a Hoyts Cinema for a quick shopping escape.

Melbourne Central, Melbourne CBD This enormous shopping mall in the heart of the CBD is filled with hundreds of shops, including just about every clothing chain store you can think of. There’s a food court and a Coles supermarket on the lower ground floor and a Hoyts Cinema on the upper levels. Getting here couldn’t be easier as the Melbourne Central Railway Station is located directly beneath the mall. One of the nice aspects of shopping in Melbourne Central is its aesthetics: the heritage-listed Coop’s Shot Tower that’s located in the centre of the mall is a popular tourist attraction, and above it you’ll find the famous upside-down glass cone ceiling that’s such a recognisable feature in Melbourne’s skyline.

Hot Spots For Cheap Grocery Shopping Aldi 8 Franklin St, Melbourne

Champion’s Supa IGA Foundry

Laguna Oriental Supermarket

399 Bourke St, Melbourne

Costco 381 Footscray Rd, Docklands

QV, 221 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne

Shopping

Great Eastern Asian Groceries 183-189 Russell St, Melbourne

Excel Food Mart 140 Peel St, North Melbourne

www.insiderguides.com.au

• MOVIES

Clothing • Accessor

16B S A L E

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www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Shopping

Your Local Shops

BUTCHER

NEWSAGENT

NEWS

Butcher

Newsagent

What is sold here? Butchers sell high quality meats, including cold cuts for sandwiches, prepared mini-roasts, cutlets, sausages, steaks, marinades and some condiments.

What is sold here? Newsagents sell newspapers, stationary, magazines, cards, bus tickets and more.

Why are they awesome? Butchers often have a better range of meats than the supermarkets and provide better quality cuts. You also get to talk to the actual butcher who cut up your meat and who can tell you about where the meat was sourced and interesting ways to cook it. Where can they be found? They can be found in most shopping centres and groups of shops. They are also common in fresh food markets. If you are looking for Halal or Kosher meats, check with your local butcher and they can point you in the right direction.

Shopping

Why are they awesome? Newsagents often have a wide array of newspapers, including international publications. They also have a massive range of cards for any celebration. Some also sell tickets to events and lottery (lotto) tickets. Where can they be found? Newsagents are always found in small shopping centres. Often theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re near supermarkets.

www.insiderguides.com.au

GREENGROCER

Greengrocer What is sold here? You can find fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs, nuts, yoghurts and juice here. Why are they awesome? Greengrocers may be a bit more expensive than supermarkets, but they’re awesome because the food always tastes that little bit fresher. Also, the staff know about where the food came from and what’s in season. In Australia, it is perfectly acceptable to pick up fruit and vegetables to feel and smell them before you buy it. Just don’t eat it before you pay for it! Where can they be found? Greengrocers are often found in small shopping centres near supermarkets.

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

BAKERY

Bakery What is sold here? Bakeries sell loaves of bread, rolls, cakes, pastries, pies, sausage rolls and more. Why are they awesome? Bakeries have saved many students from lunchtime hunger. The family run bakeries often make their own hot food too! The bread is often fresh and delicious, although some do sell yesterday’s bread. Where can they be found? Like greengrocers, butchers and newsagencies, bakeries are often found in small groups of shops. However, Insider Guides thinks the best bakeries are always a little bit out of town in the country. Ask a local where the best bakery is in your city. A good bakery is always worth the trip!

Shopping

Books, Music & Movies So you’re in a new country and there’s bound to be a range of different books, films and song titles coming up in conversation you’ve never heard of. We encourage you to peruse the shelves of some of these outfits to get a taste for what’s trending in Aussie pop culture.

TITLE 341 Sydney Rd, Brunswick TITLE seeks to represent all those who get forgotten by the other stores. They sell music, books and DVDs from genres that are difficult to get or just have a small following - classical and classic, foreign, forgotten and postmodern. Their books are non-fiction. They also sell some hard-to-find vinyl records. 9380 4488

www.titlespace.com

Missing Link 405 Bourke St, Melbourne Located in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, Missing Link has been Melbourne’s central independent record store since? well, forever. The store plays host to the occasional in-store gig, all of which are free to 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

www.missinglink.net.au

Mag Nation 88 Elizabeth St, Melbourne Mag Nation stocks over 4000 magazine titles in a four-storey retail outlet. The magazines are both national and international covering just about any topic you can think of. The store also stocks the latest stationery and design books out there for those arty folks. The store stocks a number of titles in foreign languages. If you’re interested in fashion or design this is a place you must check out. 9663 6559 www.magnation.com

Play Shop 4, 50 Bourke St, Melbourne 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’s well worth it - the staff are enormously friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. 9650 0652

Alley Tunes 660 Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn Is it a cafe? Is it a record store? What does it matter when it’s this awesome? Hidden beneath the train station, Alley Tunes combines Melbourne’s love of a good coffee with that of a great tune. Aimed at beat enthusiasts, it’s stocked to the brim with fantastic hip-hop, funk and jazz. Alley Tunes makes crate-digging a breeze. 9819 9449

Minotaur Entertainment 121 Elizabeth St, Melbourne Minotaur offers a massive range of comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, games, movies and basically everything you can think of that might be related to sci-fi pop culture. If you’ve not been able to keep 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’re not a fan of anime and games, this place is still pretty cool to have a walk through for a browse. 9670 5414 www.minotaur.com.au

Shopping

www.insiderguides.com.au

The Book Grocer 452 Sydney Road, Brunswick

Foreign Language Bookshop

Readings

259 Collins St, Melbourne

Readings is one of Melbourne’s largest indie bookstores, with several branches 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’s also a large pinup wall where students often post accommodation listings.

The Foreign Language Bookshop stocks books for both educational and recreational purposes. The bookstore 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

www.foreignlanguagebookshop. com.au

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

309 Lygon St, Carlton

9347 6633

www.readings.com.au

Shopping

The Book Grocer is a familyowned business that was established back in 2007 with the opening of their very first store in Sydney Rd, Brunswick. Since then, six other Book Grocer stores have popped up across Melbourne, including three in the CBD. The Book Grocer sells books at incredibly cheap prices (mostly around the $10–$15 mark), but unlike many other ‘dirt-cheap’ stores, the Grocer stocks quality titles that you’ll actually want to buy. 9388 9718

www.bookgrocer.libro.com.au

Polyester Records 387 Brunswick St, Fitzroy If you’re an avid music fan and are looking for some less common CDs, you should definitely check out Polyester. The store has a broad range of genres and a lot of alternative music. You might find yourself leaving with a heap of CDs you didn’t even know you wanted, or perhaps some that you thought you’d never be able to find! 9419 5137

www.polyesterrecords.com

Clothing & Accessories You’re certainly going to need some new threads during your stay in Melbourne, and there are whole ranges of different fashion avenues, suiting every budget and most of them can be found within the city walls, but be sure to head out to some of the surrounding suburbs as they also have a lot to offer the avid shopper.

Gorman

Kinki Gerlinki

Cue

Shop g1 & g26, GPO Melbourne, Bourke St

2/360 Brunswick St, Fitzroy

Shop 1, 256 Collins St, Melbourne

If you’re on the lookout for a great Melbourne fashion label, head over to Gorman. Founded by Lisa Gorman in 1999, this label not only makes great clothes but it’s also dedicated to being as ecologically sensitive as possible. As with any boutique label, the clothes are not cheap, but the designs are gorgeous and display a ‘very Melbourne’ flavour.

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.

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 as long as you could ever need it.

9654 8488 www.gormanshop.com.au

Mimco GPO 15/350 Bourke St, Melbourne Mimco emphasises the importance of being properly accessorised. Their products cater for the busy student and the upmarket traveller. It’s the one-stop shop for accessories like bags, handbags, jewellery and scarves. 9663 9321 www.mimco.com.au

9495 6059

www.kinkigerlinki.com.au

Smitten Kitten Shop 6, Degraves St, Melbourne Step into this luxurious boutique for that saucy garment your wardrobe has been missing. 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 friendly and you’ll leave feeling great - no awkward moments, guaranteed!

9639 2666 www.cue.com.au

Kickz 101 63 Elizabeth St, Melbourne 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 massive range of jerseys and kicks. They’re so into the game they even have a mini cinema setup showing games 24/7. 9620 1101 www.kickz101.com.au

9654 2073 www.smittenkitten.com.au

Shopping

www.insiderguides.com.au

Dotti 143-151 Bridge Road, Richmond The girl who wants valuefor-money clothing will want to find their nearest Dotti store. It’s all about the latest of women’s fashion, with a bit of a sexy side. Skirts, shorts, pants, cardigans and tops are all a bargain here. Check them out for inexpensive accessorising too, particularly their hats and sunnies. 9421 6749 www.dotti.com.au

Kookai 138-140 Greville St, Prahran Kookai can be a bit on the expensive side, but their well-designed, well-made clothing is worth it. The average student need not despair on prices either they have good sales and their VIP nights can present much needed bargains. 9525 0316 www.kookai.com.au

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

www.generalpants.com.au

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Women’s Shoe Sizes US

5 5.5 US 6 5 6.5 5.5 7 US 6 7.5 5 6.5 8 5.5 7 8.5 6 7.5 9 6.5 8 9.5 7 8.5 10 7.5 9 10.5 8 9.5 12 8.5 10 13 9 10.5 14 9.5 12 vt 10 13 10.5 14 S 12 vt 2.5 13 3 14 S 3.5 vt 2.5 4

Europe

35 35.5 Europe 36 35 37 35.5 37.5 Europe 36 38 35 37 38.5 35.5 37.5 39 36 38 40 37 38.5 41 37.5 39 42 38 40 43 38.5 41 44 39 42 45 40 43 46.5 41 44 48.5 42 45 43 46.5 Europe 44 48.5 35 45 35.5 46.5 Europe 36 48.5 35 36.5

2.5 3 UK 3.5 2.5 4 3 4.5 UK 3.5 5 2.5 4 5.5 3 4.5 6 3.5 5 6.5 4 5.5 7 4.5 6 7.5 5 6.5 8 5.5 7 9.5 6 7.5 10.5 6.5 8 11.5 7 9.5 13 7.5 10.5 8 11.5 UK 9.5 13 2 10.5 2.3 11.5 UK 3 13 2 3.5

Europe 36 37.5

UK 3 4.5

Men’s Shoe Sizes 3 4.5 S 3.5 5 2.5 4 5 3 4.5 5.5 3.5 5 6 4 5 6.5 4.5 5.5 7.5 5 6 8 5 6.5 8.5 5.5 7.5 9 6 8 9.5 6.5 8.5 10 7.5 9 10.5 8 9.5 11 8.5 10 11.5 9 10.5 12 9.5 11 12.5 10 11.5 13 10.5 12 13.5 11 12.5 14 11.5 13 14.5 12 13.5 15.5 12.5 14 16.5 13 14.5 13.5 15.5 v 14 16.5 2 14.5 4 15.5 v6 16.5 2 8

35.5 37

35 36.5 37.5 35.5 37 38 36 37.5 38.5 36.5 37.5 39 37 38 40 37.5 38.5 41 37.5 39 42 38 40 43 38.5 41 43.5 39 42 44 40 43 44.5 41 43.5 45 42 44 45.5 43 44.5 46 43.5 45 46.5 44 45.5 47 44.5 46 47.5 45 46.5 48.5 45.5 47 49 46 47.5 50 46.5 48.5 51 47 49 47.5 50 US (L) 48.5 51 X-Small 49 Small 50 US (L) Small 51 X-Small Medium

Dress Sizes 4 10 v6 12 2 8 14 4 10 16 6 12 18 8 14 20 10 16 22 12 18 24 14 20 16 22 18 24 20 22 24

Small Medium US (L) Small Large X-Small Medium Large Small Medium X-Large/1X Small Large 1X/2X Medium Large 2X Medium X-Large/1X 3X Large 1X/2X 3X Large 2X X-Large/1X 3X 1X/2X 3X 2X 3X 3X

2.3 4

2 3.5 4.5 2.3 4 5 3 4.5 5.5 3.5 4.5 6 4 5 7 4.5 5.5 7.5 4.5 6 8 5 7 8.5 5.5 7.5 9 6 8 9.5 7 8.5 10 7.5 9 10.5 8 9.5 11 8.5 10 11.5 9 10.5 12 9.5 11 12.5 10 11.5 13 10.5 12 13.5 11 12.5 14 11.5 13 15 12 13.5 16 12.5 14 13 15 UK 13.5 16 4 14 6 15 UK 8 16 4 10 6 12

UK 8 14 4 10 16 6 12 18 8 14 20 10 16 22 12 18 24 14 20 26 16 22 18 24 20 26 22 24 26

Shopping

Australia

3.5 4 Australia 4.5 3.5 5 4 5.5 Australia 4.5 6 3.5 5 6.5 4 5.5 7 4.5 6 7.5 5 6.5 8 5.5 7 8.5 6 7.5 9 6.5 8 10.5 7 8.5 11.5 7.5 9 12.5 8 10.5 14 8.5 11.5 9 12.5 Australia 10.5 14 2 11.5 2.3 12.5 Australia 3 14 2 3.5 2.3 4

Australia 3 4.5 2 3.5 4.5 2.3 4 5 3 4.5 5.5 3.5 4.5 6 4 5 7 4.5 5.5 7.5 4.5 6 8 5 7 8.5 5.5 7.5 9 6 8 9.5 7 8.5 10 7.5 9 10.5 8 9.5 11 8.5 10 11.5 9 10.5 12 9.5 11 12.5 10 11.5 13 10.5 12 13.5 11 12.5 14 11.5 13 15 12 13.5 16 12.5 14 13 15 Europe 13.5 16 32 14 34 15 Europe 36 16 32 38 34 40

Europe 36 42 32 38 44 34 40 46 36 42 48 38 44 50 40 46 52 42 48 54 44 50 46 52 48 54 50 52 54

Mexico

Mexico --Mexico 4.5 5--5.5 4.5 65 6.5 5.5 74.5 6 7.5 5 6.5 9 5.5 7 10 6 7.5 11 6.5 9 12.5 7 10 7.5 11 Mexico 912.5 10 11 Mexico 12.5 ---

Mexico --

Japan 21 21.5

21 22.5 24 21.5 23 24.5 22 23.5 25 22.5 24 25.5 23 24.5 26 23.5 25 27 24 25.5 28 24.5 26 29 25 27 30 25.5 28 31 26 29 27 30 Japan 28 31 20 29 21 30 Japan 22 31 20 22.5

35.5 36 37 35.5 37.5 36 38 37 39 35.5 37.5 39.5 36 38 40 37 39 41 37.5 39.5 41.5 38 40 42 39 41 43 39.5 41.5 44.5 40 42 46 41 43 47 41.5 44.5 49 42 46 43 47 China 44.5 49 33 46 34 47 China 35 49 33 36

Japan 22 23.5

China 35 38

Japan 22 21 22.5 21.5 23

Japan 22 23.5

21 23

31 32.5 30 31.5 33 30.5 32 34 31 32.5 35 31.5 33 32 34 Australia 32.5 35 6 33 8 34 Australia 10 35 6 12

33 36 38 34 37 39 35 38 39.5 36 38 41 37 39 38 39.5 42 38 41 43 39 43.5 39.5 42 44 41 43 44.5 43.5 45 42 44 46 43 44.5 43.5 45 47 44 46 47.5 44.5 48 45 47 46 47.5 48 -47 -47.5 -48 -Japan 5-7Japan 9511

Italy 40 46

Australia 10 16

Japan 9 15

38 44

36 42 48 38 44 50 40 46 52 42 48 54 44 50 56 46 52 58 48 54 50 56 52 58 54 56 58

20 22.5 23.5 21 23 24 22 23.5 24.5 22.5 23.5 25.5 23 24 26 23.5 24.5 26.5 23.5 25.5 27 24 26 27.5 24.5 26.5 28 25.5 27 28.5 26 27.5 29 26.5 28 27 28.5 30 27.5 29 30.5 28 31 28.5 30 31.5 29 30.5 32

34 37

---4.5 5-6-4.5 6.5 57 67.5 4.5 6.5 8 5 7 8.5 6 7.5 9 6.5 8 9.5 7 8.5 10 7.5 9 10.5 8 9.5 11 8.5 10 11.5 9 10.5 12 9.5 11 12.5 10 11.5 13 10.5 12 13.5 11 12.5 14.5 11.5 13 15.5 12 13.5 12.5 14.5 Italy 13 15.5 36 13.5 38 14.5 Italy 40 15.5 36 42

8 14

6 12 18 8 14 20 10 16 22 12 18 22 14 20 24 16 22 26 18 22 20 24 22 26 22 24 26

7 13

5 11 17 7 13 19 9 15 21 11 17 23 13 19 25 15 21 27 17 23 19 25 21 27 23 25 27

Dangerfield 289 Brunswick St, Fitzroy For everyone that has a little bit of an alternative side this place is worth having a look at. Being one of Australia’s most loved funky urban clothing companies the store is filled with pants, jackets, tees and accessories that cater to people with mainstream tastes and those who are looking to stand out in the crowd. If you’re looking for interesting teeshirt designs particularly, this is your one stop shop. 9416 2032

www.dangerfield.com.au

Hype Shoes 257 Bourke St, Melbourne Shoe fan? If you are this is a place worth walking into. Stocking the latest in trendy street and casual footwear, this shop has one of the largest selections of the latest 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 at competitive prices. 9663 1122 www.hypedc.com

Fat GPO 3/350 Bourke St, Melbourne 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 birthplace of a handful of famous Australian designers

and artists. As an interesting addition, the store now stocks a handful of arts and crafts pieces, ceramics and musical instruments. 9662 3332

www.fat4.com

Rebel Sports 211 Lonsdale St, Melbourne If you can kick it, throw it, swing it or punch it you can probably find it here. If you’re missing the sports you used to play at home or are looking to try something new Rebel Sports can probably help you out with the equipment side of things. They also stock a large range of popular sports clothing and shoes. Popular brands include Adidas, Nike, Lonsdale, Asics, Puma and Everlast. 9663 6044 www.rebelsport.com.au

American Apparel 262 Chapel St, Melbourne American Apparel is America’s largest clothing manufacturer. In recent years this store has travelled just like you to Australian stores and set up a fresh retail outlet providing the most hip and youthful items they have to the guys and girls of Melbourne. This store sells a huge range of stylish but plain outfits. Anything from shorts to dresses to hats to socks you can find it here for great prices. 9529 6852 www.americanapparel.net

Cotton On DFO South Wharf, 20 Convention Centre Place, South Wharf Cotton On has cheap but fashionable clothing made from cotton. This means t-shirts and tops are the main stock, but there are also accessories and pants. Check out their sister store, Cotton On Body for underwear. 9686 7467 www.cottonon.com

Sportsgirl 516 Chapel St, South Yarra Affordable and stylish, Sportsgirl can give your look that bit of individuality you’re wanting. Skirts, pants, tops and jumpers are all here, plus some inexpensive hats, sunnies and jewellery. Definitely check out the sale items, as accessories tend to be the majority of the run out stock and you can get jewellery pieces for just a few dollars. 9804 7077

www.sportsgirl.com.au

Sure! 11 Manchester Lane, Melbourne Self-proclaimed ‘Melbourne’s home of good stuff’, Sure is renowned for stocking some of the rarer street brands (such as Alife, HUG and The Hundreds) and a comprehensive range of the latest shoes, tees and accessories. You can also find the old-school classics like Vans, Nike and New Balance. 9663 7873

www.thesurestore.com

Shopping

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Markets & Second-hand Stores Vintage stores are a fantastic way to find that unique item to finish your look and usually on the cheap. Markets are also a great way to find the freshest produce at the best prices, and everyone knows it’s important to eat those fruit and veg.

The Esplanade Market St Kilda Esplanade, St Kilda If you love arts and crafts markets, and you also love the seaside, the Esplanade Market will become your new happy place. The location of this market is undeniably beautiful. The market, which has been operating since 1970, showcases the work of nearly 200 Victorian artists and craftspeople. Strolling along the Esplanade looking at lovely things is a pretty worthwhile way to spend a Sunday morning. 9534 0066

Queen Victoria Markets Cnr Elizabeth and Victoria Streets, Melbourne What do you get if you add the multicultural flair of Melbourne, incredible fresh produce from its surrounds, and the hustle and bustle of curious and hungry Melburnian shoppers? The Queen Victoria Markets! They’re well known Australiawide 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 trip. 9320 5822

Rose St Artists’ Market 60 Rose St, Fitzroy Here Melbourne artists and designers can sell and display their wares. Located in a former backstreet junkyard, the market was inspired by similar projects in Berlin, London and particularly by the DUMBO Collective artists’ market under the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. The market generally runs every Saturday and Sunday, and you’ll find all sorts of goodies here including fashion, photography, art, homewares, bicycle hire, food and great music. 9419 5529

Savers 330 Sydney Rd, Brunswick 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 also a mishmash of furniture, ornaments and crockery. 9381 2393

www.rosestmarket.com.au

www.savers.com.au

Salvo’s Store Brunswick

Someday

740 Sydney Rd, Brunswick This store has a decent-sized clothing section, but the best finds here are accessories and books. Unlike many other inner-city op-shops, the books at the Brunswick Salvos are relatively cheap (usually around $2–$4) and there’s a great selection available. Keep in mind that Wednesday is student discount day; present your student card for 20% off! www.salvosstores.com.au

Level 3, Curtin House, 252, Swanston St, Melbourne Someday stocks funky st 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’re at the high end of the pricing scale. 9654 6458

www.someday-store.com

www.qvm.com.au

Shopping

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Café • Pizza •P

COFFEE! $2.99

Eat & Drink

PUSH

Introduction Thanks to its rich multiculturalism, Melbourne is blessed with an enormous variety of mouth-watering culinary choices. No matter your budget, it’s easy to find good quality food almost anywhere in the city. In the CBD, students flock to the many Chinese, Malaysian, Korean, Indian and Vietnamese budget eateries scattered along Swanston St, Elizabeth St, Russell St and, of course, the historic Chinatown area in Little Bourke Street.

For a hearty pub meal, just wander through any of Melbourne’s inner suburbs where you’ll find lots of great bars and pubs serving up classic Australian pub fare such as fish ’n’ chips and parmigianas. Many of these venues also feature live music, so you may even find yourself being serenaded as you eat. However, if you’re looking for a party, you’ll be more than satisfied with the options here. The nightlife scene in Melbourne takes itself seriously and is truly the envy of other Australian cities.

Cocktails are an art in Melbourne, with such specialist bars as The Croft Institute and Cookie, which are definitely worth a visit. It’s best to talk to the locals about where the best bars are, as some of them are on rooftops, hidden down alleyways and in other unassuming places. Luckily, we’ve got some places recommended by local students to get you started.

Eat & Drink

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Need to Knows Cover Charge Most clubs will charge you a fee to get in after 10pm – expect to pay anywhere between $5 and $20, depending on where you go. If you contact a bar via Facebook you can often get on the door allowing for an express entry and avoiding the fee.

Dress Code When going out in Australia, there are a few rules guys in particular should pay attention to. Make sure you wear neat casual clothing – clubs won’t let you in with thongs, singlets or ripped jeans. Some clubs also have a policy about tattoos, so you may need to cover them. Ladies are often treated a bit more leniently, but try and look classy if you know this could be a problem.

Happy Hours and Ladies’ Nights One thing Australian clubs do well is happy hours, ladies nights and drink specials. Happy hours are usually a couple of hours early in the evening where drinks are cheaper (think two for one vodkas). Ladies nights refer to girls getting discounted drinks.

Specials Board Everyone likes a cheap meal, and most restaurants and cafes have a specials board where they can show off their bargains of the day. These dishes will usually be one offs, and won’t appear on the menu. It’s a good idea to check these, as you might find your new favourite. If you have any questions simply ask the staff.

Over-18 Only In Australia, the legal age for drinking and going out is 18. That means you’ll be asked for ID whenever you buy alcohol or go to a venue that serves alcohol. Even if you’re not planning on drinking, you’ll still need to take your Proof of Age card, passport or drivers licence to a club. Sometimes foreign ID isn’t accepted so be safe and bring your passport (a photocopy won’t cut it).

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Eat & Drink

BYO (Bring Your Own) While most restaurants serve a selection of wines and alcoholic beverages, you may like to bring your own (BYO). Expect to pay a small fee for this, known as ‘corkage’, which will vary depending on where you go. Do not attempt to do this with beer or hard liquor.

Reservations On weekends and particularly in popular restaurants, it’s always a good idea to make a reservation. Call the restaurant the day before, let them know how many people will be eating on your table and what time you’d like to arrive. That way, you’ll know there’s a table waiting for you when you get there.

Themed Nights Some Australian clubs hold themed nights, where dressing up is encouraged. Popular themes include school uniform nights, retro nights and heroes and villains. The best way to keep up with these nights is to ‘like’ the venue on Facebook.

Tipping Tipping isn’t expected in any Australian stores or restaurants. It’s not in our culture. Some places will have ‘tip jars’ on the counter where you can give a few dollars if you experience particularly helpful service.

Pub Crawls A university experience isn’t complete without a pub crawl. Each faculty will have at least one during the year, so keep your eyes out for posters. Buy a t-shirt from your uni (it acts as your ticket) and follow your peers to five different pubs and clubs. The t-shirt will usually get you a cheap drink deal at the venues. It’s a great way to get to know the people in your course too.

Eat & Drink

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Course Counselling Application Processing Student Visa Guidance Regular Interview Sessions and Expos Professional Seminars Student Activities and Excursions

to collect welcome pack and attend our welcome day event!

For more information please contact: IDP Education Pty Ltd Melbourne Student Services Tel 03 9606 1800 Email info.melbourne@idp.com Address G/F, 373 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000

Eat & Drink Spots Melbourne is renowned both for its rich and varied cuisine as well as its vibrant nightlife – particularly its world-famous live music scene. The city’s inner suburbs all offer wildly differing atmospheres depending where you are geographically, meaning that no matter your taste you’re sure to find something to whet your appetite.

The CBD

The North

The South

Food

For cheap eats, nothing beats Chinatown in Little Bourke Street. There’s a multitude of super cheap Chinese dumpling eateries here, and if you have money to spend you can find one of Melbourne’s most reputable (and expensive) restaurants in this area, the famous Flower Drum. Swanston Street and upper Elizabeth Street are also hubs of cheap Asian cuisine. Nightlife

If you love your nightclubs and intimate cocktail bars, the CBD is the place to be. Just walk down any one of the tiny city laneways and you’re sure to find some hidden gem or other (remember that sometimes they can be very well hidden – many bars don’t even have signs on their doors).

The inner northern suburbs are where to go for trendy cafes, chic restaurants and cool pubs where you can have a meal and listen to a live band at the same time. You’ll find cheap and tasty Middle Eastern food in Sydney Road, Brunswick; a plethora of Italian restaurants in Lygon Street, Carlton; and a mix of everything in Fitzroy and Collingwood. Nightlife

Melbourne’s northern suburbs are packed with the venues that give the city its enviable reputation as Australia’s live music capital. High Street in Northcote boasts four or five of Melbourne’s best music venues, all within 500 metres of each other; Collingwood and Fitzroy are also home to an enormous number of great bars and pubs. The number 86 tram will take you from the CBD through all these suburbs and deliver you in High St in under half an hour.

Nightlife

St Kilda is the place to go for nightlife south of the CBD. Acland Street in St Kilda boasts numerous bars and clubs that are especially popular with the foreign backpacking community. Closer to the city, Southbank is packed with posh bars and clubs, including the enormous Crown Casino.

Top Halal Restaurants in Melbourne

Nelayan Indonesian Restaurant 265-266 Swanston St, Melbourne

Gaylord Indian Restaurant 4 Tattersalls Lane

Abla’s Lebanese Restaurant 109 Eglin St, Carlton

Little Malaysia 26 Liverpool St, Melbourne

The South Melbourne Market is famous for its giant dimsims, and further south in St Kilda you’ll find cake shops to satisfy every craving. The southern suburbs tend to be a bit pricier than the west or the north, but even here there are bargains to be had.

Eat & Drink

Sawasdee Thai Restaurant Lvl 1, 139 Little Bourke St, Melbourne

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The East Food

Victoria Street in Richmond is the best place to find cheap eats in Melbourne’s east. The street is brimming with Vietnamese and Chinese restaurants, mostly with low or medium-range prices.

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Nightlife

Richmond is home to some great bars and pubs, including one of the city’s most acclaimed cocktail bars, called Der Raum. Further south, you’ll find a vibrant nightclub scene in Chapel Street, which runs through student-infested Prahran and upmarket South Yarra.

Café • Piz

COFFEE! $2.99

The West Food

Footscray is heaven for fans of cheap Asian and African cuisines. Not only will you find a multitude of restaurants here, there are also a couple of fantastic fresh fruit and vegetable markets where you can buy all sorts of exotic and delicious ingredients to take home.

PUSH

Nightlife

Although the western suburbs aren’t known for their nightlife, you can still find some great bars and pubs in Flemington, Moonie Ponds and Yarraville (Yarraville’s beautiful Sun Theatre cinema is definitely worth a visit). Further in towards the city, West Melbourne also features a few hidden gems around the Queen Victoria Market.

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Eat & Drink

Aussie Cuisine Aussie BBQ Everybody knows Aussies love cooking outdoors – that’s because it’s easy, social and the best tasting. What will I eat? • Sausages (also known as ‘snags’) • Burgers (‘patties’) • Chops • Steaks You can also find salads, bread and plenty of tomato sauce (ketchup). How much will it cost?

Head to your local shops and pick up everything you need for under $20. • Pack of 8 beef sausages $5.00 • Loaf of bread $2.50 • Bottle of tomato sauce $3.00 • 250g coleslaw $4.50 Where can I go? You’ll be able to find a hot plate at most parks and popular beaches – and some people will have a barbecue at home. When would I eat this? You can fry some bacon and eggs for breakfast, throw a few sausages on for lunch, or put together a gourmet dinner of barbecued vegetables and marinated steaks.

Pies, Pasties and Sausage Rolls Australians love a good lunchtime pastry, especially after a long road trip. The best can be found at bakeries outside the city. What will I eat? Typical bakeries will serve a few basics and vary the ingredients: • Pastie – vegetable and meat filled pastry. • Pie – usually filled with Chicken or Beef with sauces and spices. • Sausage roll – long meat filled pastry. Great with tomato sauce! Bakeries also sell cold drinks, sandwiches, rolls and cakes. How much will it cost? Bakeries are a relatively cheap way to eat, with most pastries costing anywhere between $3 and $5. Where can I go? There are a few commercial chains of bakeries, but for the best quality we recommend you look for your local independent bakery. If you head out of town on a road trip, keep your eyes out for a country bakery. When would I eat this? Bakeries make for the perfect quick lunch. You can buy a tasty savoury snack, a sweet cake for afterwards and a drink. Most bakeries will close by about 4pm, so make sure you get in early.

Eat & Drink

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Pub Food A pub is like a casual restaurant and a bar combined – it’s a place to eat and drink. Often the servings are generous and the types of meals are similar from pub to pub. What will I eat? • Chicken & beef schnitzels • Fish and chips • Burgers • Roast dinners • Steaks At some pubs there’ll also be a salad bar where you can serve yourself various salads and vegetables. How much will it cost? Prices will vary at each pub, but you should be able to get a decent meal for around $15-$20. Where can I go? There will be one very close to you. The best thing about pubs is that there are so many scattered around the country. In almost every outback town there’s a pub (even if the population barely reaches a hundred). When would I eat this? Pubs are excellent for a casual lunch (with many having cheaper lunch specials) or a nice dinner. A lot of the pubs in Australia now have modern outdoor eating areas known as ‘beer gardens’.

Take Away Like the rest of the world, Australia has its fair share of commercial take away outlets. But there are plenty of other ‘fast food’ alternatives you should try. What will I eat? • Fish and chips • Yiros (Kebab) & Burgers • Curries • Pasta How much will it cost? Depending on what you choose, the price will vary. But for the most part you should be able to get something pretty substantial for under $15. Where can I go? Take away joints are located everywhere. The best place to have some traditional fish and chips is down by the beach. Grab some (it’ll be wrapped up in paper to keep the heat in), find a nice spot on the beach and enjoy the view. When would I eat this? Take away makes for a great cheap, quick dinner – plus it means you don’t have to make it yourself.

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Eat & Drink

Coffee Culture Thanks to European immigration after World War II, Australians now have a taste for coffee. It’s almost a necessity for existence here and the café culture reflects this well. Almost every restaurant, petrol station, pub and lunch bar will serve coffee. Little cafés with outdoor seating are found everywhere in the city centre and wherever there are shops or lots of people to be found, there’ll be a café hidden somewhere. Coffee is taken seriously here and no visit to the city is complete without tasting some of the finest brews. How much will it cost?

Depending on where you go, you should be able to find a decent coffee for around $3-$4. Most cafés also sell some sort of cake, pastry or savoury snack which can cost anywhere from $3-$10. When would I drink this?

Coffee in Australia is recommended to be drunk any time! Start with a quick one for breakfast, meet a friend in the afternoon for an iced coffee, then have a hot chocolate after a long day studying.

Cafe Latte

Flat White

Cappuccino

Coffee Shot Milk Foam Steamed Milk

Espresso

Macchiato

Long Black

Chocolate Syrup or Powder Hot Water

Hot Chocolate

Black Tea

White Tea (cold milk)

Eat & Drink

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Melbourne Tel: (03) 9663 6448 Mob: 0424 882 082 Skype: ametmel1 Brisbane Tel: (07) 3210 6033 Mob: 0430 277 427 Skype: ametbne777

Sunnybank Tel: (07) 3423 7688 Mob: 0433 463 388 Skype: ametbne1

Gold Coast Tel: (07) 5518 7888 Mob: 0433 830 805 Skype: ametgct4

Cafés & Breakfasts Waking up early and heading out to meet your friends for breakfast is the perfect way to start your weekend. Luckily, there are plenty of cafes and coffee spots that serve up some delicious early morning dishes. Typically, breakfast is served until 11am, but some places around Melbourne serve ‘all day’ breakfasts. This works well for those who like to sleep in.

Auction Rooms 103 – 107 Errol St, North Melbourne Auction Rooms is big, breezy and trendy. This cafe offers a changing ‘coffee of the day’ alongside their normal blend. Prices are a bit above average for an inner-city café though - coffee ranges from $3.50 for an espresso to $5 for a specialty coffee, and food ranges from $14.50 to $18 for lunch. It’s probably not the place for a budget meal, but it’s a nice choice for an afternoon coffee date. 9326 7749 www.auctionroomscafe.com.au

Seven Seeds Speciality Coffee 106-114 Berkeley St, Carlton Seven Seeds pride themselves on sourcing the world’s best coffee, meticulously roasting it and selling it to those looking for that special cup. The delightfully modern interior of Seven Seeds is inviting to all those who come to visit. Its located in Carlton and is particularly close to the Uni Melbourne campus. 93478664

www.sevenseeds.com.au

Penny Farthing Espresso 206 High St, Northcote 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

Hardware Societé 120 Hardware Lane, Melbourne Hardware Societe has about the best breakfast/brunch you can get in Melbourne. It’s hidden down a laneway and easy to walk past, like so many other places around the city. The staff are friendly, the room compact but bright and the coffee is fantastic. The brunch menu is all to die for but we recommend trying the baked egg with chorizo. 9078 5992

pennyfarthingespresso.com

Brother Baba Budan 359 Little Bourke St, Melbourne One of our favourites, this delightful cafe will amaze you with its flavours, and when one glances towards the ceiling, its decor. The large range of blends are all fair trade and cruelty free. Grabbing a coffee here in rush hour is quite an experience as the serious coffee drinkers line up in desperation for their morning cup. The house blend is something to experience, but be sure to check out the ever-changing coffee of the day too. 9606 0449

How would you like your eggs? There are several ways to have your eggs served,. If you have a preference be sure to let the waiter know.

Fried Pan fried, often with oil.

Poached Boiled in water, with no oil or salt.

Scrambled Beaten and cooked in a pan, usually mixed with some herbs and cheese.

www.brotherbababudan.com.au

Eat & Drink

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Budget Eats Looking for a cheap place to eat? These are the sorts of places you should look into. Most of the meals are under $10 and all are close to the city universities - perfect for a mid-study break!

Saigon Pho

A1 Bakery

73A Nicholson St, Footscray Phở is a rice-noodle soup served with meat (beef, chicken, pork or a combination) and garnished with various herbs and condiments. Saigon Pho serves up authentic phở at very cheap prices ($7.50 for a small, $8.50 for medium and $9.50 for a bucket-sized soup). Try it all. You won’t be disappointed.

645 Sydney Rd, Brunswick Come here for a $2.50 coffee, a delicious Lebanese pastry or two, and a couple of delicious baklava to finish off your meal. There’s also a range of food – breads, spices, dips and other goodies – available to buy in the ‘shop’ section of the bakery. You won’t find fancy decor or mood lighting here; this place is big, bare, cheap and delicious.

9689 8806

9386 0440

www.saigonpho.com.au

www.a1lebanesebakery.com

Crossways

Don Don

123 Swanston St, Melbourne 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 there 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. 9650 2939

Budget Tips 1. Whip it up The surest way of sticking to your weekly budget is by preparing meals yourself. Why not cook in bulk and freeze any leftovers for those nights when you need a quick microwave fix?

Shop 6, 340 Little Lonsdale St, 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 with a twist, you can expect to pay under $10 for a meal! Be careful though, this place is known as a lunchtime spot, so don’t come here looking for dinner. Bento Box is our recommendation for this restaurant.

Lentil as Anything 41 Blessington St, St Kilda 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. 9534 5833

www.lentilasanything.com

9670 7113

2. Supermarket Games Plan your meals before heading out to make sure you stick to buying only what you need. Try to shop late in the evening to get the biggest price cuts on meat and bread. For cheap fruit and vegetables buy at the end of the week when shops are ready to restock.

3. Cheap Tuesday Tucker Tuesday is the day to find a fast food bargain! From cheap drinks to cheap pizza, every week more and more businesses are jumping on board the Cheap Tuesday bandwagon and extending the savings to you.

Casual Restaurants Sometimes you might feel like heading for a more restaurant style experience, but you don’t want to part with your precious cash. There are heaps of cheap restaurants around Melbourne that serve quality food and have a good atmosphere - not to mention a diverse range of cuisine to choose from.

Stalactites Restaurant Tiba’s 504 Sydney Rd, Brunswick Tiba’s offers either take-away or sit-down meals of classic Lebanese fare – think hummus dip, salads and shish kebabs. You can get a huge plate of food that includes all of the above plus bread for under $15. Apart from the delicious food, this is an interesting place to come to mix with Melbourne’s varied Islamic community. Just remember, being an Islamic restaurant means that no alcohol is permitted on the premises. 9380 8425

www.tibasrestaurant.com.au

Vegie Bar 380 Brunswick St, 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 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. 9417 6935

www.vegiebar.com.au

177/183 Lonsdale St, Melbourne Appropriately titled, Stalactites has an unusual appeal to it: the 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 www.stalactites.com.au

Empress of China 120 Little Bourke St, Melbourne There are a myriad of super cheap Chinese dumpling restaurants in Little Bourke Street’s China Town, but one stands tall above the rest. The Empress of China serves up delicious dumplings, noodles and many other dishes at student-friendly prices. The food here is perhaps a touch more expensive than a couple of the more famous dumpling houses nearby, but the quality of the Empress’s food is better and the staff here are friendlier. 9639 7723

Kakki di Hatti 128 Lygon St, East Brunswick If you like Indian food, you’re on a tight budget, and you live anywhere in the East Brunswick region, you should know about Kake Di Hatti. This modest eatery serves up tasty Indian cuisine at affordable prices. Meat dishes are around the $10–$11.50 mark, with vegetarian mains a bit cheaper at $6–$12. This restaurant is nothing fancy, but it’s a great place to come with friends to share a few delicious dishes. You can also BYO drinks. 9387 7771 www.kakedihatti.com.au

Laksa King 6–12 Pin Oak Cres, Flemington This Flemington institution has built up a mighty reputation for itself over the years, with many Melburnians arguing it’s home to the city’s best Malaysian food. The service is quick, the food is delicious and the prices are reasonable. The restaurant gets extremely busy in the evenings, so you may need to book a table – unless you don’t mind waiting. And one more tip: if you eat between 5pm and 6.30pm, Laksa King will discount your bill by 10%. 9372 6383

Eat & Drink

www.insiderguides.com.au

Food Trucks Food Trucks have really started to pick up popularity in the past years in Australia. Venders often appear spontaneously around the city centre during lunch hours.

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

To keep track of when these food trucks will be around we recommend liking them on Facebook :

/Beatbox-Kitchen /Yogurddiction /Taco-truck-melbourne

Eat & Drink

Pubs & Student Hangouts Pubs are a central part of Australian culture and they used to be known as ‘public houses’. In Melbourne, you’ll find a pub on most streets. In recent years, most of the pubs around Melbourne have upgraded their looks and their kitchens, now serving some fantastic food as well as offering a wider range of beverages. Pubs aren’t just a place to have a drink and a feed either. Most pubs can also serve as a live music venue, pool hall and even host trivia nights.

The Alderman

The Retreat Hotel

The Town Hall Hotel

134 Lygon St, Brunswick East Even though The Alderman sits fairly and squarely on Lygon St, it’s easy to pass by this great little bar without noticing it. The best way to describe The Alderman is relaxed, mature, no fuss. The front bar is chic, quirky and minimalist; the homely middle ‘lounge room’ features an open fireplace, leather couches, and board games; and the back courtyard is the perfect place for a quiet drink and a chat on a warm night.

280 Sydney Road, Brunswick

33 Errol St, North Melbourne If you’re looking for a cosy pub meal, look no further than The Town Hall Hotel. This place has a lovely dining room featuring an open fireplace in winter and candles on every table. The menu has all the pub meal favourites as well as few non-traditional options like Moroccan chicken salad and Thai beef salad. There’s beer and cider on tap, and in nice weather you can sit in the beer garden or in the seating area on the front pavement.

9380 9003

Search no further for a crazy and eventful night out! Whether it’s a relaxed and spacious 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!’ 9380 4090 www.myspace.com/retreathotel

Prudence

The Penny Black

368 Victoria St, West Melbourne

420 Sydney Rd, Brunswick

Intimate, warm, trendy, casual – all these words can be used to describe Prudence, a small bar very close to the Queen Victoria Market in Victoria St, West Melbourne. Full of cosy spaces and retro design features, this place always has great music spinning on the vinyl record player. Drinks here are pretty standard prices for an inner-suburbs bar and there’s beer on tap. If you’re planning a visit to Prudence, be warned: it gets very busy on the weekend.

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

9328 1983

townhallhotelnorthmelbourne. com.au

9380 8667

www.thepennyblack.com.au

9329 9267

Eat & Drink

www.insiderguides.com.au

The Corner Hotel 57 Swan St, Richmond 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 others. Venture into the darkness of the band room for a superb music venue or relax in the side bar for some pool. A cosy beer garden and delicious pizza are available on the second floor. 9427 9198

The Workers Club

E-Fiftyfive

Corner Brunswick and Gertrude Sts, Fitzroy

55 Elizabeth St, Melbourne

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.

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

9415 8889 www.theworkersclub.com.au

www.cornerhotel.com

Section 8

Joe’s Shoe Store

The Brunswick Green

27-29 Tattersalls Lane, Melbourne

233 High St, Northcote

313 Sydney Rd, Brunswick 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 which talented musicians spin tunes in the afternoons. The tofu wrap with wasabi comes highly recommended too - only $9 with chips and salad.

No, actually, this is not the place to buy shoes. Joe’s Shoe Store is in fact a bar. Simple, unpretentious and relaxed, Joe’s specialises in a wide variety of local and imported beers and wines. You can order gourmet pizza at the bar, which is then delivered from Meine Liebe pizza shop next door, and enjoy it in the beer garden out the back. It’s the perfect place to come for a casual afternoon drink. 9482 7666

9381 2413

9620 3899 www.efiftyfive.com.au

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 wellstocked bar operating from a window in the shipping container. 0430 291 588

www.section8.com.au

But how much alcohol am I actually drinking? Below is a rough guide as every drink is different. All bottles and cans that contain alcohol will show how many standard drinks they contain on the back label. The best way to monitor your drinking is to be aware of how many standard drinks you are consuming. For guys, it is usually ok to have no more than two standard drinks within the first hour and then one every hour after that. For girls it’s the same, but only one drink in the first hour. The blood alcohol limit for driving is .05 here in Australia (0.00 if you are on your provisional or learners licence), so you will need to be below this if you plan on driving.

1.4

Stubby

Pot

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Schooner

Wine (100ml)

Eat & Drink

Sparkling (150ml)

Spirits (30ml)

Cocktail Bars If you feel like getting a little dressed up and acting sophisticated for a night, heading out to one of Melbourne’s cocktail bars is the way to go. Be prepared to spend some cash - most cocktails cost around $14-$19, so keep your eyes out for happy hours or specials. Buying shared drinks such as Sangria or ordering a bottle of wine can be an effective way of cutting costs.

Rooftop Bar Der Raum 438 Church St, Richmond Regarded by the Worlds Best Bars website readers as THE World’s Best Bar, there’s no questioning this is an asset to Melbourne nightlife. Using only freshly pressed juices, their cocktail menu changes with the seasons. There’s no doubt that you will be astounded at the selection of drinks and the talent of the bar staff. 9428 0055

Madame Brussels Level 3, 59-63 Bourke St, Melbourne This secret hideaway is only found after you climb 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, waitboys in cheeky short-shorts and a decadent vibe. 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.

Level 7, Curtin House, 252 Swanston St, Melbourne To find the Rooftop Bar you must first venture up six flights of stairs. Although it’s a bit of workout, 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. 9654 5394

www.rooftopcinema.com.au

Croft Institute

304 Brunswick St, Fitzroy During the week, the Black Pearl is definitely a spot to unwind. You’ll be sure to get your drink with a little history, advice and a show from the bartenders. On weekends the Pearl goes into party mode, so Fridays and Saturdays you’ll be sure to have a rocking night out. We recommend heading on upstairs on those nights to the Attic, where making special concoctions really gets serious. 9417 0455

21 Croft Alley, Melbourne Take a stroll down Croft Alley and you’ll find an unmarked door, which leads you to one of the most interesting bars in Melbourne. This science lab themed bar will have you drinking delicious concoctions out of test tubes while gazing at the bizarrely clinical decor. This place attracts a cool crowd of 20-30 year olds and very rarely any idiots. There is a dance floor upstairs that pumps Electro for those looking for a little more. 9671 4399

9662 2775 www.madamebrussels.com

The Black Pearl

Eat & Drink

It’s Your Round! The term ’round’ in this context refers to the process of one person buying a number of drinks at a time for a group of people in a licensed venue. The idea is that each person of the group takes turns purchasing a beverage for all of the members. Each member of the group does this at least once. If all goes to plan, each member of the group has purchased the same number of beverages as he or she has consumed

www.insiderguides.com.au

Nightclubs For those who love to party and dance the night away, Melbourne’s nightclub scene is definitely for you. With a range of different clubs, there’s sure to be at least one that tickles your fancy and keeps you out past your bedtime.

Transport

Neverland

Federation Square, Melbourne

3248 Johnson St, South Melbourne

While this bar has a massive dance floor and is a cranking club late at night, it’s also fantastic for chilling 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 range of clientele. With an industrial feel balanced with cool dim lighting, chic furniture and a stunning outdoor area, it oozes cool. Prices are pretty reasonable too!

For serious clubbers, Neverland is a place to kick on until the morning. The six-room complex, which can hold up to 1,500 revellers at any one time, features a massive dance floor at the centre of the venue with a stage for the DJs to keep the R’n’B and house party tunes coming. Two decks and three outdoor areas mean you can wander the complex to find the right vibe for every part of your night.

9654 8808

9646 5544

www.transporthotel.com.au

www.neverland.net.au

Billboards

Eurotrash

170 Russell St, Melbourne

18 Corrs Lane, Melbourne

The classic dance club of Melbourne, Billboards is a massive complex that you’ll 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’ll struggle to get in if you leave it too late. It’s definitely big enough to spend a whole night in too - capacity is around 1,000 people!

Stocking a range of European beers, the highlight of this bar is the bizarre clash of cultures from Europe. You can find yourself chatting to a friend in a typical French cafe booth and the next minute be drinking smooth beers at the German bar or getting comfy on the Turkish harem couches. If you’re from one of the countries they’ve obviously been influenced by, you’ll probably either love it or hate it. Either way, it’s worth checking out.

9639 4000 www.billboardthevenue.com.au

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

9654 4411 www.eurotrashbar.com.au

Eat & Drink

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 spontaneous jams from Mumford and Sons. 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 www.dingdonglounge.com.au

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‘re 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

Late Night Eats Sometimes you just want to get a decent feed, but it’s after 10pm. Most places stop serving dinner at 9pm, and a lot of restaurants and cafes are shut. Luckily, there are still a few good places serving delicious food after most people have headed off to bed.

Bimbo Deluxe

San Churro

Corner Brunswick St and Rose St, Fitzroy One of the best meal deals in town for either lunch or (late) dinner is to be found at the Brunswick St institution Bimbo Deluxe. Their $4 gourmet pizzas are legendary but if you miss out on the $4 deal, don’t despair; the pizzas are still pretty good value at full price ($7-$9). Upstairs the mood is a bit lighter in the beer garden, but be warned; Bimbos can get jam-packed so be prepared to wait for a table.

143 Acland St, St Kilda San Churros make spicy and rich blends of hot chocolate to traditional Spanish recipes. Get your hot chocolate fix here or indulge in a chocolate tasting and a coffee. They often have specials on, such as free coffees after a certain time on Wednesdays, and these change regularly. Follow them on Facebook to find out what the current specials are.

9419 8600 www.bimbodeluxe.com.au

Town Hall Kebab 260 Sydney Rd, Brunswick It’s happened to everyone. You’re out with friends, going from pub to bar to club, and suddenly you realise it’s past midnight and you’re starving. Assuming you’re not a fan of certain global fast-food chains, it can be quite a challenge to find a quality feed at this time of the evening. If you happen to be on Sydney Rd, you can thank your lucky stars for the Town Hall Kebab caravan, purveyors of some very fine kebabs.

49 Brunswick St, Fitzroy This creperie may change your mind about crepes forever. Made with glutenfree buckwheat and in the traditional style of Breton (France), you can get both savoury and sweet crepes here from just $5. 9415 7588

www.breizoz.com.au

9534 9819 www.sanchurro.com

Lord of the Fries 55 Swanston St, Melbourne On a bustling corner in the CBD lies one of Melbourne’s best late night eats. Serving up some of the most delicious fries you will ever taste, with a choice of toppings that will make make your mouth water, this place will almost definitely make its way into your late night routine. They also serve up tasty mini vegetarian burgers that are also kosher, vegan, gluten free and halal. Definitely worth a try. www.lordofthefries.com.au

0430 305 533

Breizoz French Creperie

Eat & Drink

Safety at Night If you find yourself tumbling out of a club at some early hour in the morning, common sense will help keep you safe. Know where you’re going and walk briskly. Even if you’re not sure, walk with purpose so you don’t draw unwanted attention and try to keep to well-lit areas with lots of people around. Aim for a cab rank, train station, or bus stop. Have a mobile phone on you and don’t be afraid to call for help; maybe a mate will get out of bed to pick you up. Try to keep your personal belongings close to you at all times and don’t flash around any valuables such as iPods, jewellery and cash. Remember to dial 000 in an emergency

www.insiderguides.com.au

Recycling Unnecessary household waste is a major problem as it increases landfill and is bad for the environment. Australia has a good household recycling system. You probably have a recycling bin where you now live.

1 Cans This includes aluminium and steel cans.

2 Glass 1

If you have an empty glass bottle, you can recycle it. Remember to take the tops off!

3 Paper & Card This includes newspapers, junk mail, milk cartons, printer paper etc. Remember to remove any plastic wrapping!

2 3 4

4 Plastics This includes milk bottles, soft drink bottles, juice bottles etc. Remember to take the tops off!

Don’t put these items in the recycling:

» Car Parts

» Old appliances

» CDs and DVDs

» Clothing

» Plastic bags and wrapping

» Food

» Drinking glasses

» Bottle tops

» Liquid

» Polystyrene foam

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Eat & Drink

GALLERY

Entertainment

Introduction Melbourne’s live music scene is hands-down the best in the country. You can find music gigs happening on any night of the week, many of which are free or covered with a minimal charge. The city hosts numerous music festivals throughout the year and is a regular stop for big-name international acts. Melbourne also boasts a vibrant performing arts scene – it’s the birthplace of Australia’s first professional theatre company (the Melbourne

Theatre Company) and is home to numerous independent theatres and exhibition spaces that feature plays, dance and an infinite variety of other performing and visual art forms. Despite its reputation as Australia’s ‘cultural capital’, Melbourne is similarly famous for being fanatical about sports. It was here that Australian Rules Football (AFL) was invented in the mid-1800s, and it has since grown to become the state’s most popular sport. Every summer Melbourne hosts the Australian

Open Grand Slam tennis tournament, as well as the annual Australian Grand Prix motor race. There’s a constant stream of cultural festivals held in Melbourne, particularly during the summer months, including the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, the Melbourne International Film Festival, the Melbourne Fringe Festival and the Melbourne Writers’ Festival. Quite simply, it’s impossible to be bored in Melbourne.

Entertainment

www.insiderguides.com.au

Need to Knows Ticket Sales If you’re planning on going to a concert or sporting match while you’re in Australia, you’ll need to buy tickets. Most ticket buying takes place on the Internet through a couple of national websites. If you’re buying for a festival, those tickets are usually available through the festival’s website. www.ticketek.com.au www.ticketmaster.com.au www.halftix.com.au (for cheap tix)

Student Discounts Being a student certainly has its advantages; especially where live entertainment is concerned. If you enjoy a bit of live theatre, but don’t like the price, you can easily get a discount if you’re under 30.

Orientation Week Also called ‘O-Week’, this introductory week to uni is time to get settled in while having some fun. University campuses become a hive of activity as clubs are showcased, tours are run and introductory lectures are 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. Some very important information is given out in these first lectures.

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! Many of the nationalities that make it a culture capital have their own events throughout the year.

Gay and Lesbian Events The gay and lesbian scene is large in Australia, and as such there are hundreds of events around the country that have developed a massive following. Whether it is at the hundreds of gay venues scattered around the country, or at big outdoor festivals and parades, there are many ways to engage with this community. Check out this website: www.samesame.com.au

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Entertainment

Live Sports

Football (Aussie Rules) What’s the name of the league? The Australian Football League (AFL). Who are the teams?

Victoria is home to ten AFL teams, nine of which represent Melbourne suburbs: Collingwood (‘Magpies’), Essendon (‘Bombers’), Carlton (‘Blues’), North Melbourne (‘Kangaroos’), Hawthorn (‘Hawks’), Melbourne (‘Demons’), Richmond (‘Tigers’), St Kilda (‘Saints’), Western Bulldogs (‘Bulldogs’) and Geelong (‘Cats’). Where do they play? In Melbourne, AFL games are played at the MCG and Etihad Stadium. Occasionally games are also played at Simonds Stadium in Geelong. How much does it cost?

Adult/concession tickets to AFL football matches cost $35/$27 (reserved), $25/$17 (general admission – advanced) or $21/$13 (general admission – gate). Who are some star players? Some players to watch out for include Chris Judd (Carlton), Travis Cloke (Collingwood), Lance Franklin (Hawthorn) and Dane Swan (Collingwood). Interesting facts The Collingwood Magpies have the largest fan base of any sports club in Australia, but they are also the most hated team in the AFL. This hatred goes back many decades, probably originating from the fact that Collingwood was a very successful team during the early days of the AFL, despite the suburb itself being very much working class.

Entertainment

Basketball What’s the name of the league? The National Basketball League (NBL). Not to be confused with the American league, the NBA. Who are the teams? Melbourne’s team is called the Melbourne Tigers. Where do they play? The Melbourne Tigers’ home court is the State Netball and Hockey Centre in Parkville. How much does it cost? The cost of tickets to a game depends on where you sit. For concession, they can range from $15 to $70 Who’s the captain of the team? Tommy Greer Who are some star players? Alongside Tommy Greer, some of the standout players include Matt Burston and Adam Ballinger. Interesting facts Established in 1931, the Melbourne Tigers are the second-most successful NBL team (second to the Perth Wildcats) and the club is the former home of Australian basketball superstar Andrew Gaze.

www.insiderguides.com.au

Soccer (Football) What’s the name of the league? The Football Federation of Australia, Hyundai A-League. Who are the teams? Melbourne has two teams: Melbourne Heart FC and Melbourne Victory FC. Where do they play? Soccer games in Melbourne are held at the Etihad Stadium in the Docklands and AAMI Park in the city. How much does it cost? Tickets will usually cost between $16 and $25 for general admission seats. Who are the team captains? Melbourne Victory’s captain is Adrian Leijer, and the captain of the Melbourne Hearts is Brazilian footballer Helbert Frederico Carreiro da Silva (known as ‘Fred’). Who are some star players? By far the biggest star of the Melbourne soccer scene is Melbourne Victory forward Archie Thomson, who also plays for Australia on the world stage. Interesting facts In Australia, soccer is referred to as soccer, not ‘football’, as it is in other countries. If you talk about football, Aussies will assume you mean AFL.

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Cricket What’s the name of the league? There are a number of different cricket leagues in Australia, but each state has a team in the Sheffield Shield series. Who are the teams? Victoria’s team is called the Bushrangers. Where do they play? The Bushrangers’ home ground is the MCG in East Melbourne. How much does it cost? Some games are actually free to watch! Other games may be between $2 and $7 – bargain! Who’s the captain of the team? The captain of the Bushrangers is Cameron White. Who are some star players? Some of the star players include David Hussey and Cameron White. Interesting facts The first ever Sheffield Shield tournament was held in 1892–1893 between Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia. Victoria beat both teams twice to secure victory.

Entertainment

Live Music Jazz If you consider yourself a bit of a cool jazz cat, head into the Melbourne CBD and get cosy at some of the city’s best jazz venues. Where? The intimate Bennett’s Lane jazz club is Melbourne’s most famous and

Indie Independent music is the backbone of Melbourne’s vibrant music scene. On any night of the week you can find dozens of indie and rock gigs. Here’s a small taste of what’s out there.

DJs If you love your dance music, Melbourne will satisfy any musical itch you want to scratch. Most venues play a variety of music – often hosting different ‘theme nights’– so it’s always best to check their websites for gig guides.

beloved venue in which to see jazz. The very cool Paris Cat is also a popular jazz venue. Both of these clubs are located in the CBD. Who? An up-and-coming musician in the Melbourne jazz scene is trombonist Shannon Barnett. Also

Where? Northcote is a hub for indie music – the Northcote Social Club, Open Studio, Bar 303 and the Wesley Anne are all popular indie venues, and all located on High St. Other great venues for indie and rock include The Esplanade Hotel (‘The Espy’) in St Kilda, The Corner Hotel in Richmond, The Empress in Fitzroy North and Bar Open in Fitzroy. Who? Some of Australia’s most successful indie and rock acts are originally from

Where? Some of the city’s most popular clubs for dance music include The Hi-Fi, Billboards nightclub, Brown Alley, Roxanne Parlour and Wah Wah Lounge. All of these clubs are located in the CBD. Who? Melbourne has a number of well-known electronic

Entertainment

look out for pianist Bob Sedergreen, who is an established name in the Australian jazz community. How much? Tickets to jazz gigs are usually between $15 and $30 – occasionally more for big-name artists.

Melbourne: Nick Cave, Gotye, Architecture in Helsinki, Cut Copy, The Jets and The Avalanches to name just a few. There are new bands popping up every day, so keep your ear to the ground and you might just discover the next big thing. How much? It’s easy to find free gigs around town, especially during weeknights. If you do have to pay, often it’ll be a token cover charge of $5 or $10. Of course, you’ll pay more for big name bands.

artists including Bexta and Adam Bartas. How much? Most nightclubs have a cover charge, especially if you’re going out on a Friday or Saturday night. Expect to fork out $10–$20 to get in – more for big names and special events.

www.insiderguides.com.au

Hip Hop

the Adelaide outfit the Hilltop Hoods. Nevertheless, there are still a couple of great hip-hop clubs around town that support this fledgling scene.

Australian hip-hop is still mostly an underground scene, with few big breakout names such as

Where? First Floor in Brunswick St is a popular hip-hop club, as is the Laundry Bar

Pop Melbourne is very much on the touring circuit of all the big-name pop artists who make their way to Australia. Whether you want home grown stars or international acts, there’ll often be someone in town to give you your pop music fix.

Folk and World Music Melbourne’s rich multicultural society has given rise to a broad and varied music scene, with influences drawn from all over the world. Where? Again, Northcote is home to a plethora of fantastic music venues that host a broad range of gigs. The

Where? You’ll usually find the big stars at one of Melbourne’s big venues, such as the Rod Laver Arena, Hisense Arena, the Sydney Myer Music Bowl, The Arts Centre, or the Palais Theatre in St Kilda. Who? Melbourne has hosted everyone from The Beatles to Australia’s own pop-star

Wesley Anne is a popular folk venue, and further north the Thornbury Theatre also features a wide variety of musical flavours. The Paris Cat Jazz Club is another great venue for world music. Who? One of Australia’s most beloved folk-rock singersongwriters, Paul Kelly, is based in Melbourne. His nephew, singer-songwriter

on Johnston St (both in Fitzroy). Who? TZU and 360 are two of Melbourne’s bigger names in hip-hop. How much? Gigs may cost you a minimal cover charge ($5-$15).

Kylie Minogue to Madonna and Lady Gaga. Check any online gig guide to see who’ll be doing the rounds this year. How much? If you want to see big names, you’ll generally have to pay big money. Tickets to see international acts will usually cost between $80-$150.

Dan Kelly, has also made a name for himself around town. Another well-known name is Victorian-born Xavier Rudd. How much? Gig prices will vary depending on who’s playing. Check in with the venues for ticket details. Again, free gigs are pretty easy to find, especially Mondays to Thursdays.

Australia Student Guide Smartphone App To keep up-to-date with the music events around you, be sure to check the events calendar in the Australia Student Guide App.

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Entertainment

Net Cafés, Gaming Arcades & Karaoke Everyone likes to let off a little steam after a long day at uni, so if gaming is your thing, or you just want to check in with your family back home, there are plenty of arcades and net cafes in Melbourne.

Cydus 292 Victoria St, North Melbourne Cydus is one of the biggest internet cafes in Melbourne. They cater foir gamers mostly, but they have other services. Their rate is $3.30 an hour and cheaper if you’re a member. 9326 3069

www.cydus.com.au

Barnstormer Internet Cafe Suite 2/200 Sydney Rd, Brunswick Barnstormer is an internet cafe more for those who need a place to relax and browse the web or read their mail. They have a happy hour from 8pm-10:30pm. 9380 9622

www.barnstormer.com.au

Intencity Jam Factory, 500 Chapel St, South Yarra Intencity is a great place to take your new friends and get to know them better. There are video and arcade games as well as old school shooting hoops or air hockey for you to challenge your friends with. 9825 4699

Flying & Bowling @ QV Corner of Russell & Lonsdale St, Melbourne Ever wondered what it’s like to fly a passenger jet? Flight Experience gives you the opportunity to test your pilot skills in a full line 737 flight simulator. Fly in and out of any number of destinations including landmarks such as the Sydney opera house. Or try something a little more down to earth, Strike Bowling offers a fully licensed 10 pin bowling experience. www.qv.com.au

Party World Level 3, Melbourne Central, Melbourne Party World, a very popular Karaoke brand, has made it to Australia. The shy singer can feel comfortable here as private rooms provide the setting for a night out. Grab food and some drinks from the bar and get set to party the night away to your own tunes in plush lounges. If your Chinese, Korean or Japanese is up to scratch, attempt a tune in those languages as well as belting out the English hits. 9938 8888

www.cashboxparty.com.au

KBOX 52 LaTrobe St, Melbourne Kbox has a huge range of titles to attempt and like Party World, you can do so in the comfort of your own private area. You can even get a little competitive with your friends as you take on the challenges and score points for the most energy used during songs. 9663 9663

www.kbox.com.au

5 most popular Karaoke songs in Australia Mama Mia Abba Khe Sahn Cold Chisel Livin’ On A Prayer Bon Jovi Sexual Healing Marvin Gaye Summer Nights Grease

www.intencity.com.au

Entertainment

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Cinemas The wide selection of cinemas in Melbourne will satisfy even the pickiest movie buff in town! What’s more, if you’re a student, you’ll even get a student discount on the latest movies. Remember to always check out nearby cinemas and their latest deals for some irresistible offers.

The Astor Theatre

Kino Cinema

Corner Chapel St and Dandenong Road, St Kilda One of Melbourne’s most iconic and beloved cinemas is The Astor Theatre in St Kilda. Built in the 1930s, this single screen cinema has a whole lot of art deco charm – not to mention fabulous films. The movies shown here are generally cult favourites and often the audiences aren’t afraid to show their enthusiasm during screenings. Many films are shown as a double bill, with tickets costing only $15 (full) or $14 (concession) for both movies; even better is Wednesday’s ‘cheap day’, when all tickets are $10.

45 Collins St, Melbourne If you’re a fan of independent, art-house or foreign films, the Kino Cinema will suit you to a tee. You’ll find a broad range of films here, from the latest blockbusters to documentaries and indie films that have a limited release. Cheap day is on Monday, when tickets are $7 all day long. At other times tickets are $18 for adults and $14 for students, except on Saturday evenings when all tickets cost $1 extra.

9510 1414

www.astortheatre.net.au

Cinema Nova 380 Lygon St, Carlton 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, 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

9650 2100

www.palacecinemas.com.au/ cinemas/kino/

Moonlight Cinemas Royal Botanic Gardens, Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra Friends, food, gardens, stars and a great movie – it doesn’t get much better than that. The Moonlight Cinema is an outdoor cinema located in the Royal Botanic Gardens in South Yarra that screens cult, classic, contemporary and newly released films. The cinema operates during the summer months, and tickets are $18 full or $16 concession. Check the website for the current screening program. 1300 551 908

www.moonlight.com.au

Village Jam Factory 500 Chapel St, South Yarra A cinema which caters to all lovers of film. The Village Cinema offers connoisseurs a fine selection of European films, Blockbusters and everything in between. With the enormous V Max cinema offering big arm rests, comfy seats and plenty of legroom, try not to get so comfortable that you actually fall asleep. For those looking to impress someone special, take them into the Gold Class cinema where the screen is huge, the champagne is flowing and the sound will be sure to blow you away. 1300 555 400

www.villagecinemas.com.au

If you are looking for a more mainstream cinema:

Event Cinemas eventcinemas.com.au

Hoyts hoyts.com.au

www.cinemanova.com.au

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Entertainment

Galleries If you feel like expanding your mind and enjoying some culture, an art gallery is your best bet and there are plenty around Melbourne to keep you busy.

NGV International 180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne Lying on the carpeted floor and looking up at the National Gallery of Victoriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beautiful stained-glass ceiling is a Melbourne rite of passage. This wonderful gallery features a large permanent collection of both local and international art that can be visited free of charge. Temporary exhibitions usually cost between $12 and $25. Even if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not particularly interested in art, the mesmerising front windows featuring a constant trickle of water running down them makes the NGV International worth a visit. 8620 2222

www.ngv.vic.gov.au

Off the Kerb 66B Johnston St, Collingwood 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.

Centre for Contemporary Photography 404 George St, Fitzroy If you love your photography, make sure you check out the Centre for Contemporary Photography on George St, Fitzroy. Established in 1986 as a not-for-profit resource and exhibition centre, the CCP showcases the best photography-based works from local, national and international artists. The centre features individual, group and curated shows. Exhibitions are generally free to visit; just check the CCP website for details on past, current, and upcoming shows. 9417 1549

www.ccp.org.au

No Vacancy 34-40 Jane Bell Lane (QV Building), Melbourne No Vacancy has gained a reputation for exhibiting the highest standard of young up-and-coming local and international artists and illustrators. No Vacancy exhibits high-profile street artists and illustrators such as Phibs, Swifty, Junior (Nior), No Comply and Twoone. 9663 3798 www.no-vacancy.com.au

Melbourne International Fine Art Level 1, 278 Collins St, Melbourne MIFA is an unusual gallery space set in the heart of the city. The beautiful open gallery, with natural light, is a wonderful place to see new art from overseas. The focus is on international artists from the Asia-Pacific region. 9663 3304

www.mifa.com.au

Kick Gallery 4 Peel St, Collingwood 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. 0412 243 818

www.kickgallery.com

9077 0174

www.offthekerb.com.au

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DISCOVER YOUR NEW CITY THE EASY WAY CSU STUDY CENTRES – MELBOURNE AND SYDNEY Discover your bustling new home, make friends quickly and improve your English skills, all while you prepare yourself for an exciting future career. CSU Study Centres offer you the choice to complete a Charles Sturt University (CSU) qualification in one of Australia’s two major cities – Melbourne or Sydney. CSU Study Centres offer undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Accounting, Business and Information Technology.

CSU Study Centres are run in collaboration with Study Group Australia, a global leader in international education and training. Together, CSU and Study Group Australia provide outstanding educational opportunities that enable each and every student to achieve his or her personal best. Our campuses are located in the heart of each city, so you’ll be in the centre of the action surrounded by the best restaurants, bars, cosmopolitan café’s, shopping stores and all the excitement a city brings! With three intakes a year, competitive fees and credit for prior learning, now is the time to enrol to get a recognised university degree.

www.csustudycentres.edu.au The Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). Provider Number for Charles Sturt University is 00005F (NSW), 01947G (VIC), and 02960B (ACT). 14894A.11.12

Join us on Facebook! Get the latest updates from our campuses, speak to current students and fellow newcomers.

Enrol and you could win! Visit www.csustudycentres.edu.au/insider or scan the QR code to find out how you could win the ultimate new city experience for you and your new friends! Prize pool is valued at over $500 and includes tickets to the hottest concerts, latest movies and sporting games!

Theatre & Live Arts Melbourne has a thriving live arts scene, especially during the warmer months. There’s never a shortage of theatre shows and dance companies touring Melbourne, and usually, students can get themselves a pretty cheap deal.

The Malthouse Theatre

Forty Five Downstairs

113 Sturt St, Southbank The Malthouse, located next to the Victorian College of the Arts in Southbank, is one of Melbourne’s best theatres for students. Committed to staging quality contemporary theatre, prices here are also reasonable, with student tickets at $25 and under-30s for $30. Expect a wide range of theatrical material here too.

45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Forty Five Downstairs is a not-for-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.

9685 1111

www.malthousetheatre.com.au

La Mama Theatre 205 Farraday St, Carlton If you love theatre, you definitely have to check out La Mama Theatre in Carlton, which bills itself as ‘Australia’s home of independent theatre’. Within La Mama’s cosy confines you’ll find small-scale productions by independent theatre companies – all at studentfriendly prices. Concession tickets here are usually $15, with full-price tickets costing around $25. There’s also La Mama Courthouse, a smaller and more intimate venue on Drummond Street. 9347 6948

www.lamama.com.au

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. 9326 6667

vvv.melbourneworkerstheatre. com.au

Entertainment

Southbank Theatre 140 Southbank Boulevard, Southbank The newly built Southbank Theatre houses Australia’s oldest professional company, the Melbourne Theatre Company (commonly called the ‘MTC’). Established in 1953, the MTC is one of the largest theatre companies in the English-speaking world, staging up to twelve plays per season plus a studio and education program. The company usually performs works by firmly established playwrights, both historical and contemporary. Of course, this reputation is also reflected in ticket prices. The good news for young people is that the MTC charges a flat-rate ticket price of $33 for those under 29 years of age. Full-time students who are over 33 can expect a slight discount on full price tickets - usually around $10 off. www.mtc.com.au

Fed Square Corner of Swanston and Flinders St Throughout the year, cheap or free events are run at Fed Square. They range from performances to markets. A full list of events are at the Fed Square website: www.fedsquare.com

www.insiderguides.com.au

Go where the locals Go... FEDERATION SQUARE Get your free culture fix at six of Melbourne’s amazing art galleries Enjoy over 2,000 events, markets, films, fashion parades, wine showcases and festivals a year Taste your way around 16 restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars Hire a bike, take a boat cruise or a bus tour Learn about Fed Square’s fascinating history with a free guided tour: 11am Mon - Sat (subject to availability) Browse through the unique gift shops Take advantage of the free wifi

FIND OUT WHAT’S ON VISIT FEDSQUARE.COM

Events Calendar Jan

Feb

Mar

Big Day Out

St Jerome’s Laneway Festival

Moomba Festival

Jan 26, Flemington Racecourse Australia’s biggest touring music festival drops into Melbourne on it’s way around the country. Featuring a huge line up of international acts as well as local favourites, the Big Day Out promises a whole day of awesome tunes - it’s an Australian summer tradition!

Australian Open 14 - 27 Jan, Melbourne Park If you like your tennis, then Melbourne is where you need to be during January. Melbourne has hosted the Australian Open for years and is a must see summer event for many Aussies. Expect to see your favourite international players hit the courts. www.australianopen.com.au

Festival of Sails 24 - 28 January, Geelong This is the oldest sporting event in Victoria, and one worth checking out! Over 450 yachts and over 4500 competitors come along to enjoy the party over the Australia Day long weekend. Expect some world class sailing, with gourmet food, live music, wine and more.

3 Feb, Footscray Community Arts Centre If you prefer your music a little more underground, the St Jerome’s Laneway Festival will probably be for you. Featuring an eclectic selection of acts from around the world, as well as some of Australia’s best indie artists, it’s a unique festival experience - and one of the cheaper festivals touring the country. www.lanewayfestival.com.au

St Kilda Festival 2 - 10 Feb The St Kilda Festival is the longest running local music festival in Australia. Now with a welcome from the local Indigenous peoples, markets, stalls, and so much more, the festival is really something to experience. Best of all, it’s free. www.stkildafestival.com.au

8 - 13 Mar, Alexandra Gardens Moomba Festival welcomes people into the city annually to experience the traditions and fun of Melbourne’s largest free festival. A celebration of Melbourne, Moomba is famous for its ‘Moomba King and Queen’ who reign over the traditional Monday street parade, Birdman Rally on the Yarra River, carnival in Alexandra Gardens and nightly fireworks. www.thatsmelbourne.com.au

French Film Festival 6 - 24 March The annual Alliance Francaise French Film Festival is an opportunity to see some of the best French films debut on Australian shores. The festival doesn’t only boast films, but also question and answer sessions with directors and actors, and special dining (and wine drinking) events. www.affrenchfilmfestival.org

Melbourne International Comedy Festival 27 Mar - 21 Apr This is the perfect way to let of some of that mid semester steam. Featuring a whole range of world class comedians, as well as some of the budding locals, most of the acts are reasonably priced.

www.festivalofsails.com.au

www.comedyfestival.com.au

Entertainment

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Apr

May

Jun

Fed Square Wine Showcase

Melbourne International Coffee Expo

Melbourne International Animation Festival

23 - 26 May, Royal Melbourne Showgrounds Caffeine addict? Make sure you attend the Melbourne International Coffee Expo. You’ll get to see the experts do what they do best as well as compete in the World Barista Championships. You can probably also get yourself a pretty decent cup of coffee.

23 - 30 Jun, acmi Cinemas Do you love cartoons? Better yet, do you love cartoons that are made for adults, with stories and interesting themes? The Melbourne International Animation Festival is just that - a celebration of all things animated. Featuring short films and feature length animated pieces, this is one festival to visit if you’re a movie buff.

3-4 April, The Atrium, Fed Square Whether you’re a wine buff or enjoy discovering new wines, you can taste some of Victoria’s finest drops at what has become Melbourne’s biggest cellar door. $25 at the door. www.fedsquare.com/wine

Lord Mayor’s Student Welcome Event 6 Apr, Queensbridge Square This event celebrates the diverse contribution of multiculturalism to our city, through overseas-born Melburnians and the presence of international students. Meet other students, enjoy fun activities, and watch cultural arts and performances from around the world. The event is between 2pm - 5pm www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/ internationalstudents

Step Off - Dance Crew Competition

www.internationalcoffeeexpo. com

Melbourne International Jazz Festival

www.miaf.net

Melbourne Cabaret Festival

31 May - 9 Jun Even if you’ve never listened to jazz, this festival is the perfect opportunity to expand your musical horizons. You can see some of the world’s best as well as local newcomers.

27 Jun - 7 Jul The top cabaret performers converge on Melbourne in the winter months to get things a bit hotter. If you’ve never experienced cabaret, this is a great chance to see why people love this intimate form of storytelling.

www.melbournejazz.com.au

www.melbournecabaret.com

13 Apr, location TBC This is one of the city’s highest quality dance competitions, proudly supported by the City of Melbourne. In 2012, there were over 1300 audience members and 33 dance crews!

For more information on Melbourne-based events head to: www.thatsmelbourne.com.au

mvcc.vic.gov.au/experiencemoonee-valley/events-andfestivals/youth-week/step-off. aspx

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Entertainment

Jul

Aug

Sep

Melbourne Magic Festival

Melbourne International Film Festival

Melbourne Fringe Festival

29 Jul - 13 Jul, Northcote Town Hall There’s magic in the air around July in Melbourne with the Melbourne Magic Festival. With plenty of performances for everyone, including kids shows, ‘after dark’ adult magic shows and magic workshops to hone your tricks, this is one impressive festival. There will also be world-renowned magicians and illusionists. www.melbournemagicfestival. com.au

Oz Comic-Con 6-7 Jul, Royal Exhibition Building Have your friends often referred to you as a ‘nerd’? You might find yourself at home at the Oz Comic-Con. It’s essentially heaven for anyone interested in sci-fi and pop culture. You can expect to meet actors from your favourite tv shows and authors of your favourite books. www.ozcomiccon.com.au

25 Jul - 11 Aug If you love going to the cinema, you’re going to love the Melbourne Film Festival. Featuring the best films from Australia and around the world, the festival also sees filmmakers talk about their craft. www.miff.com.au

Melbourne Writer’s Festival 23 Aug - 1 Sep The Melbourne Writer’s Festival is a pretty big deal amongst readers, writers and anyone interested in literature. There are hundreds of authors, both local and international, who come out and discuss their works as well as a whole range of different genres. melbournewritersfest.com.au

Lord Mayor’s Student Welcome Event 6 Apr, Queensbridge Square This event celebrates the diverse contribution of multiculturalism to our city, through the presence of international students. Meet other students, enjoy fun activities, and watch cultural arts and performances from around the world. The event is between 2pm - 5pm www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/ internationalstudents

Entertainment

Late Sep - Mid Oct Fringe festivals are supposed to bring a whole range of musical, theatrical and comical acts to the general public - and the Melbourne Fringe Festival outdo themselves every year. The best thing is that most of the tickets are pretty cheap, so you can see more than one thing! www.melbournefringe.com.au

Royal Melbourne Show 21 Sep - Oct 1 There’s nothing like a good old fashioned Royal Show - imagine a carnival sort of atmosphere with rides, animals, food, sideshows and plenty of things to see and you’re pretty close to the Royal Show. www.royalshow.com.au

Melbourne Spring Fashion Week Early Sep, various locations Each year, Melbourne Spring Fashion Week (MSFW) ushers in the changing season with a full-to-bursting program of events. City residents and visitors alike are invited to engage with fashion — from the burgeoning talent of our students and new designers, to the captivating collections from our country’s most revered labels and established designers. www.thatsmelbourne.com.au

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Oct

Nov

Dec

Melbourne Festival

Melbourne Cup (Public Holiday)

Stereosonic

10 - 27 Oct If you have slightly more highbrow taste when it comes to your entertainment, the Melbourne Festival will probably have something to suit you. Impressive, thought-provoking theatre, abstract visual art and even a little bit of opera thrown in for good measure, the Melbourne Festival is like nothing else. www.melbournefestival.com.au

Oktoberfest Most of Oct, various locations around Melbourne Another way Australia celebrates it’s multicultural nature is with Oktoberfest - the German festival. It combines everything Aussies love - great food, loud music and good beer.

Victorian Festival of Diwali 26 Oct, Fed Square Join in the festivities as Fed Square is immersed in the rich, vibrant colours of India for the Victorian Festival of Diwali, also known as the “Festival of Light”. Experience captivating folk, traditional and Bollywood dances, live bands, a bazaar and a variety of traditional Indo-Chinese cuisine.

5 Nov, Flemington Racecourse The people of Melbourne are incredibly lucky - we get an entire day off just to watch a horse race! The Melbourne Cup is an Australian institution, with many Aussies around the country placing a cheeky bet and watching the big race. Some also head to the races to get in on the action. www.melbournecup.com.au

Melbourne Music Week Mid - Late Nov Another local music initiative is Melbourne Music Week. Support local independent artists to do what they do best by getting along to a gig or volunteering to help out behind the scenes. www.thatsmelbourne.com.au

www.fedsquare.com.au

Early Dec, Melbourne Showgrounds If you love your electronic dance music, you’ll want to be in attendance at Stereosonic. One of Australia’s biggest dance festivals, you can expect all the big names as well as local DJs. This is the real start of the festival season - and summer! www.stereosonic.com.au

Falls Festival 28 Dec - 1 Jan, Lorne If you prefer to spend your new years eve in a large field listening to an awesome array of international bands, Falls Festival might be for you. Camping, live music and a chilled out atmosphere, the festival also features film, art and comedy. It’s got everything! www.fallsfestival.com.au

New Year’s Eve 31 Dec, various locations Several areas around the city offer free, live entertainment and activities for all ages in an alcohol-free atmosphere. The evening hosts two fireworks displays, with 9.30pm at Yarra Park and a midnight display. The midnight spectacle sees fireworks launched from rooftops across the city centre, meaning the spectacle can be viewed from any skyline view. www.thatsmelbourne.com.au

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Entertainment

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Aus

Introduction Although Melbourne isn’t known as a beach city, the Melbourne region is filled with beautiful natural scenery. The Great Ocean Road is one of the most breathtaking coastlines on earth, featuring dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, world-class surf and quaint rural towns dotted along its length. North of Melbourne you’ll find beautiful national parks, including the Grampians National Park and the famous rock-

climbing destination Mount Arapiles, as well as a number of great ski resorts including those at Mount Bulla, Hotham and Falls Creek. The Yarra Valley in Melbourne’s east is Victoria’s premier winegrowing region, and further south you’ll come to the Mornington Peninsula, another great beach destination.

There’s also plenty to explore within Melbourne itself. You could spend weeks wandering through the city’s art galleries, museums and zoos, and still find more to discover. But perhaps Melbourne’s most alluring aspects are found at street level: its cafes, parks, street art and markets. While the city boasts all the glitz of big attractions, most locals will tell you Melbourne’s true charms lie behind hidden doorways rather than under neon signs.

Did You Know? The distance between Adelaide and Sydney is 1400km, which means driving for 16 hours across 3 States. If you wanted to drive from Brisbane to Cairns (both in Queensland), it would take 20 hours or 1700km!! Australia is a massive country isn’t it?

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www.insiderguides.com.au

Need to Knows Airfares Travelling around Australia by plane can be a pretty cheap way to get around - you just need to look for a bargain. Keep your eyes on the budget airlines Jetstar, Tiger and Virgin – you can often get deals for under $100 one way!

Couch Surfing To save even more money travelling you can try couch surfing – instead of staying and paying for accommodation, you join this community and stay on couches. Sign up on the website and check out where you can stay. It’s a great way to meet new people and save some money. www.couchsurfing.com.au

Cheap Accommodation Being a student means you probably don’t have a whole lot of money to spend on luxurious accommodation. Luckily Australia has plenty of cheap places to stay – keep your eyes out for hostels, backpackers or motels when you’re travelling. Check out websites like Lastminute and Wotif for regular specials. www.wotif.com www.lastminute.com.au

The Seasons Australian seasons are the opposite of those in the Northern hemisphere. Australian summers start in December and end in March, and winters start in June through to August. Expect plenty of very hot, dry weather in summer and wet, windy days in winter.

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

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Cheap & Free Activities So you need to save your pennies? Don’t worry! There’s still plenty of stuff to do around Melbourne that wont break your bank account or doesn’t cost a thing! Plus, the best bit is, most of these activities are outside so you can see more of the city.

tions, take your camera and check out some of the city’s best graffiti displays.

Explore The Street Art Everyone knows Melbourne for it’s little alleyways and laneways snaking through the main streets, and often that’s where some of the best shops, cafes and displays of public artwork can be found. Follow a list of direc-

Where should I go? With so many different laneways and streets in Melbourne, it can be hard to know where to start. Try the Melbourne Street Art Tour on www.tightarsetours.com. It gives you a list of directions and a little information about each place – it’s a bit like following a treasure map! When should I go? Although Melbourne is a safe place, it’s always a good idea to go during the

possible to a smaller ball called a jack.

Lawn Bowls If you’re new to Australia, you may not have yet come across lawn bowls, a game similar to bocce that’s popular in several countries including Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the UK. The game is played on a grass-covered pitch, and competitors try to roll balls as close as

100

Where should I go? The St Kilda Sports Club is one of the best places to head for a couple of rounds. They’re open for casual players from noon to 6pm in winter and noon to 8pm during the warmer months. When should I go? Lawn bowls makes a great summer activity, especially at dusk when it’s just cooling down. Who should I go with? The game has traditionally been popular with older

Adventure

day. Also, you’ll get better photos that way. Who should I go with? Take a group of likeminded friends who won’t mind walking the day away – if you follow a planned tour, it can take anywhere from two to three hours. But it’s a great way to see more of the city and bond with fellow international students. How much will it cost? This sort of self-guided exploration is totally free! You might need to stop for refreshments though or be tempted into one of the many unique shops found hiding in the laneways.

folks, but younger people are increasingly seeing the fun in getting together with a group of friends and playing a casual game of bowls in the afternoon sunshine. How much will it cost? There are plenty of bowls clubs scattered throughout the city, and it’s generally pretty cheap to play a round. The St Kilda Bowling Club charges $10 per hour per person – and most of them also house a pub or a bar, so you can keep well fed and hydrated.

www.insiderguides.com.au

the CBD). There are over 50 around the CBD so you should be sure to find one somewhere. A lot of them are located near tourist sites like the aquarium on Flinders St or Federation Square.

Bike Riding One of the best and most enjoyable ways to see Melbourne is on a bicycle. What with the many green and leafy bike paths snaking through the city, you don’t even have to get on the roads to get around - and, these days, you don’t even have to own a bike. Where should I go? You can find the blue Melbourne Bike Share stations located around the inner city (mostly in

A Picnic in The Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens in South Yarra are some of the best in the country. It’s a little oasis, filled with plenty of unique pathways, luscious lawns and cosy spots to explore.

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

When should I go? There are a whole range of tours that have been mapped out for you to try. Check out www.melbournebikeshare.com.au for a selection of routes. For example, the Feed Me tour takes you past Melbourne’s Little Italy, Lygon Street, as well as Chinatown and Southbank. No better time to take a bike ride than near lunchtime!

will make it difficult to stay together. It’s also a good way of exploring the city by yourself. Just make sure you don’t forget your helmet! How much will it cost? As long as your trip lasts less than 30 minutes, you only have to pay $2.60 per day. The Bike Share system can be pretty affordable if you purchase an annual student subscription for $39 (unlimited access). melbournebikeshare.com.au

Who should I go with? Bike riding is an activity best enjoyed with a mate or two. Too many riders

However, you could always just buy a bike of your own. You can pick up second-hand bikes quite cheaply from classifieds sites such as Gumtree. com.au, and if you need help with repairs, just head to The Bike Shed at CERES in Brunswick East.

Where do I go? The Botanic Gardens are located on Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra – about 2km outside of the city centre. You can get there very easily by hopping on a tram or one of the free tourist buses.

open from 7.30am until sunset everyday. Choose a nice, sunny day and you’re set! Try to avoid public holidays though – everyone has the same idea and the garden gets pretty crowded. When should I go?

Who do I go with? A picnic isn’t really a picnic by yourself, so get a whole group of mates together and enjoy the surroundings! Or, just take that someone special for a more intimate, cosy picnic.

How much will it cost? Nothing, but obviously to have a picnic, you’ll need food. If you don’t want to spend hours cooking up a feast and you’re already in the city, why not head to Southbank to pick up some essentials and then wander down to the gardens?

When should I go? The Botanic Gardens are

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Group Activities These activities probably aren’t something you are going to do daily as they cost a little bit more.

It’s like roller-skating, but on ice – and it’s harder than it looks!

Ice Skating You may not think that Australia and ice-skating would be comfortable bedfellows, but in fact it’s never been easier to put on a pair of skates and take to the rink in this city. Even though there’s no snow falling in Melbourne, you can still experience the chilly weather and slippery ice.

Rock-climbing Sometimes going for a jog or playing a game of tennis just doesn’t quite cut it. If you’re looking for a thrill, why not try indoor rock-climbing? No matter whether you’re a newbie or a hardcore rock-climbing enthusiast, Melbourne’s indoor rock-climbing centres cater to all ability levels.

Where should I go? The Docklands is home to a new world-class iceskating facility called the Medibank Icehouse, which houses two Olympic-sized ice rinks. When should I go? Tuesday’s are a good day to hit the Medibank Icehouse – it’s half price! And at 7pm you get a free lesson! There are usually two sessions for public skating: one from 9am to 3.45pm and another

Where should I go? If you live in inner Melbourne, the most conveniently located rock-climbing facility is the Hardrock climbing centre in Swanston Street. If you’re more interested bouldering, try The Lactic Factory in Abbotsford, Melbourne’s only dedicated bouldering gym. When should I go? For those bouldering enthusiasts, The Lactic Factory is open from 9.30am – 4.30pm throughout the week, and 2pm – 7pm on the weekends. The Hardrock climbing centre is open from 12pm - 10pm throughout the week and 11am – 7pm on the weekends.

from 7pm to 10pm. On the weekend, you can skate from 9am to midnight, which makes it a great late night activity on those chilly nights. Who should I go with? Take a big group of friends and get ready to fall over, hold onto and trip up each other! How much will it cost? Ticket prices for a skating session at the Medibank Icehouse are $25 (adult) or $23 (concession) with skate hire, or $21 (adult) or $19 (concession) without skate hire.

Who should I go with? Grab a few of your closest and most trustworthy friends – they might end up holding your life in their hands! If you want to go alone, rock-climbing centres are great places to make friends, as you have to trust strangers to spot you while you climb. How much will it cost? An adult general entry ticket at Hardrock will cost you $18, with harness and shoe hire costing an extra $6 each for a total of $30. Student tickets are $28 in total – it’s a bargain! If bouldering is more your thing, tickets to The Lactic Factory are $15 for adults and $13 for students.

Surfing If there’s one thing you absolutely must do while you’re in Australia, it’s hit the beach. If you have never attempted this before, there are numerous surf schools that offer lessons in Victoria’s popular surf towns, such as the Go Ride a Wave schools on the Great Ocean Road or Island Surf School on Philip Island.

Where should I go? It takes about an hour and a half to get from Melbourne to the nearest quality surf beach by car (a little longer by public transport), so it’s best to set aside a whole day for this. When at the beach take advantage of Victoria’s world-class waves and try surfing them. For advanced surfers, a trip to the internationally famous Bells Beach is a must. Other great breaks include Jan Juc, Winki Pop and Johanna Beach, all on the southwest coast. When should I go? Surfing is more of a summer activity, so it’s best to try and schedule your

could shoot to your heart’s content indoors. Melbourne Indoor Paintball is only five minutes out of the city. Check their website www.melbourneindoorpaintball.com for a guide of handy directions.

Paintballing Paintballing is essentially the practice of shooting people with little paint-filled balls. It’s a great excuse to run around and pretend you’re in a real-life conflict. Where should I go? Usually paintballing takes place on a big property in the countryside. But luckily, Melbourne thought to create a place where you

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Who should I go with? To get the best deal, get a group of at least eight mates together. That way, you have enough people to make the game fun, as well as challenging. Also, make sure everyone’s fit and healthy. If you don’t have enough people to make a team, you can always join another session, just check the website. When should I go? One of the best days to go is a Sunday. Melbourne

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lessons for the warmer months - any time from November through to March is a good idea. Who should I go with? Take your best mate who wants to learn – it’s an expensive experience and not everybody will be able to afford it. How much will it cost? Often, surf schools will charge either by individual lessons or in a bundle, for example, $40 for one lesson or $100 for three. Do your research to see what suits you. Most classes will also include wetsuit and surfboard hire. Check out www.sasurfschools. com.au to find the best one for you.

Indoor Paintball have a special deal that sees you have unlimited access to the venue and the equipment – you won’t get a deal like that any other day! Check their website for all the important info – you’ll need to book ahead of time. How much will it cost? If you’ve got a group and you’re heading in on a Sunday, you can get 200 paintballs and a couple of hours of fun for just $45 each. The more paintballs you get, the more expensive it is. If you’re feeling really eager, you can pay $120 for an after dark session, where you shoot with glow in the dark paint!

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Local Sites One of the best things about arriving in a new city is exploring and discovering those new cultural places. Thankfully, Melbourne has plenty of excellent museums and gardens to wander through.

Old Melbourne Gaol

Signal

377 Russell St, Melbourne The Old Melbourne Gaol was built during the 1800s and housed some of Australia’s most notorious criminals. Choose from a number of day and night tours to learn about these criminals and what their lives were like in the gaol. See a recreation of Ned Kelly’s last days, the best known bushranger in Australian history. Night tours are particularly exciting as they include ghost hunting and a special hangman’s tour of the gaol.

Flinders Walk, Northbank Signal is a creative studio for young people aged 13 to 20. At Signal, you can work alongside professional artists in a collaborative way. Located in the heart of the city, Signal is a place for making, showing, inspiring and developing Melbourne’s creative talent – in every medium. Signal is open to young people from all walks of life and ability – you don’t need any experience to take part in Signal.

8663 7228

Fed Square Off Flinders St, Melbourne You really cannot avoid going to Fed Square while you’re here. The Square is home to galleries and cultural centres including the Australian Centre for the Moving Image and The Ian Potter Gallery of NGV. Find a number of great bars and restaurants on the Square as well, such as Chocolate Buddha and the Transport Hotel. There are always events on which cater for writers, poets, artists, car lovers, beer lovers and everyone else. The book market on Saturdays is a must.

melbourne.vic.gov.au/Signal

ArtPlay Birrarung Marr, behind Federation Square ArtPlay is a civic studio where families and children can be creative and express themselves in ArtPlay’s open and supportive environment. At ArtPlay, children up to the age of 13 and their families are encouraged to learn the language of art together. From here, they can move on to galleries, performances and Melbourne’s other art offerings with confidence and curiosity.

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 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 www.lunapark.com.au

melbourne.vic.gov.au/artplay

www.fedsquare.com

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www.insiderguides.com.au

Public Holidays (Put these in your calendar) Australia Day January 26th (Jan 28th Public Holiday) 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. Labour Day March 11th 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.

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Queen’s Birthday June 10th 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! Melbourne Cup Day November 5th The Melbourne Cup is Australia’s biggest horse racing event of the year, and it’s also a public holiday in Victoria! It’s an excuse for a great day out with the highest fashions. Have a drink, place a small bet and enjoy a responsible and fun day at the races. Anzac Day April 25th This day is a remembrance of all the soldiers who’ve fought and died for this country. While it’s a seri-

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ous occasion and there are marches held all over the country that you could attend, it also a day off work and uni! Good Friday & Easter Monday March 29th-1st April 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 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.

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Libraries The City of Melbourne operates four public lending libraries, plus an access point, collectively known as the Melbourne Library Service. Membership is free to all residents of Victoria including local and international students. Libraries are located in the central city, Southbank, East Melbourne and North Melbourne. The access point is at Docklands. Melbourne Library Service has one of the largest collections of adult English as a Second Language (ESL) and English literacy material in Australia, containing a wide variety of resources to assist in learning to speak, listen, read, and write in the English language. Members are able to access the free online International English Language Testing System (IELTS) training program. Collections available in languages other than English include Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese. Collections consist of books, magazines, newspapers, DVDs, CDs and talking books.

Members and visitors can also use a great range of online resources, internet access and study spaces all of which are free. Joining is easy: log on to melbourne.vic.gov.au/ MelbourneLibraryService, complete the online membership form then drop into one of our libraries with some identification to collect your membership card.

City Library 253 Flinders Lane Melbourne Features a large English learning collection, study spaces and free Wi-Fi. You need your library membership number and password to access Wi-Fl at City Library East Melbourne 9658 9500

East Melbourne Library 122 George St, East Melbourne A modern, environmentally sustainable building with quiet study areas and free Wi-Fi. 9658 9600

North Melbourne Library 66 Errol St, North Melbourne A vibrant, neighbourhood library featuring study spaces and free Wi-Fi. 9658 9700

Southbank Library at Boyd 207 City Rd, Southbank This library has a readerfriendly layout, similar to that of a book shop. Free Wi-Fi available. 9658 8300

Aussie Novels Worth a Read True History of the Kelly Gang Peter Carey A stunning exploration of the life of the infamous Australian criminal/folk-hero Ned Kelly.

Tomorrow When the War Began John Marsden An easy-to-read but hard-toput-down novel about a group of friends who find themselves trying to survive an unexpected invasion of their home town.

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Cloud Street Tim Winton An award-winning, brilliant story of the life of two rural families who come to live together in Perth.

Deadly Unna Phillip Gwynne

The Hub ÂŠ Docklands 80 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands Pick up and return your Melbourne Library Service materials, access to free Wi-Fi. 8662 4822

A heart-wrenching story of an Aboriginal teenager living in a country town who is forced to confront the difficult issues of racism and family life.

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www.insiderguides.com.au

Day Trips So you’ve settled into the everyday grind of studying and you’re looking to geta way for a few hours and see the countryside. There are plenty of great places only an hour or two away from Melbourne that are definitely worth seeing.

Warrandyte The suburb of Warrandyte is located 24 kilometres northeast of Melbourne on the winding Yarra River. Covered with beautiful native bush land, this area was once rich with gold, a fact that was discovered in 1851 and exploited during the midcentury gold rush here and elsewhere in Victoria. The river is Warrandyte’s main draw-card, with some great swimming holes and picnic spots dotted throughout the area. Pound Bend, famous for its enormous 145-metre tunnel dug in the late 1800s, is a particularly popular place to come for a swim in summer. If you get hungry, head to The Warrandyte Bakery for a pie or something sweet and wander down the hill to eat beside the river. It takes roughly half an hour to drive to Warrandyte from the Melbourne CBD; alternately, you can get here by public transport (train then bus).

1,000 Steps Kokoda Track Memorial Walk The Kokoda Track Memorial Walk is a 2.8 kilometre climb uphill through the beautiful Dandenong Ranges National Park. The track was first created in the early 1900s and later named as a memorial

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

to the battle fought between Australian and Japanese forces in Papua New Guinea in WWII. Located close to the Ferntree Gully Railway Station, this is a great destination if you want to get close to nature but don’t have a car. At the top of the walk you’ll be treated to some great views as well as the One Tree Hill picnic ground, so pack a lunch and make the most of the day. It’ll take between 45 and 55 minutes to get from Flinders Street Station to Ferntree Gully Station by train, and the start of the walk is situated only about one kilometre east of the station.

Yarra Valley Wine Region Located about an hour’s drive east of Melbourne, the Yarra Valley is Victoria’s premier winemaking region. The very first vineyard was planted here in 1838, and today the Yarra Valley is known as one of Australia’s best cool climate wine districts. The region is famous for its Pinot Noir, but you’ll also find excellent Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz grown here in the many wineries scattered around the large area bordered by Hurstbridge, Kinglake, Healesville and Yar-

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ra Junction. A great way to see the region is to do a wine tasting day (this is much easier if you have access to a car). Even if you’re not interested in wine, a trip to the beautiful Yarra Valley is still well worthwhile, if only to see this lovely area of the state.

Werribee Gorge State Park Located about 65 kilometres northwest of Melbourne near the town of Bacchus Marsh, Werribee Gorge is a popular destination for hikers, rockclimbers and picnickers who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The gorge features a number of walking trails between 3 kilometres and 10 kilometres long which are graded in difficulty from medium to hard (check the Parks Victoria website for more information). There’s also a picnic ground here with fireplaces, picnic tables and toilets provided, and one rock climbing spot at Falcons Lookout for those looking for a thrill. The gorge itself is beautiful, with a river, swimming holes and spectacular views on offer, and it’s also a world-renowned geological site. The only way to access the gorge is by car (it takes about an hour to drive to Werribee Gorge from Melbourne). 107

Weekend Trips If there’s a long weekend coming up or maybe it’s the mid semester break it’s always nice to get away for a few days and explore some of the outer parts of the state. There are plenty of great places to visit overnight or for a couple of days.

Great Ocean Road

High Country

Victoria’s Great Ocean Road is one of the most spectacular stretches of coastline in the country – and for an island this size, that’s really saying something. Built between 1919 and 1932 by returned WWI soldiers, the road was created as a memorial to the war dead. The road winds along 243 kilometres of coastline between Torquay and Warrnambool, passing by countless beaches and small seaside towns. Hotspots include Wye River, Lorne, Apollo Bay and Port Campbell – all of which are jam-packed with holidaymakers during the warm summer months.

Starting around the lovely town of Mansfield, the High Country stretches northeastward, encompassing the alpine resorts of Mount Bulla, Falls Creek and Mount Buffalo, plus a handful of very charming historic country towns including Beechworth, Glenrowan and Myrtleford. During winter the alpine regions are blanketed in snow, making this a hotspot for skiers and snowboarders.

One of the most beautiful areas on the Great Ocean Road is the Otway National Park, situated at the southernmost point of Victoria’s west coast. Incidentally, this is one of the best places to come to see koalas – as you move through the area, just look up and you’re sure to spot a few fluffy grey lumps in the treetops. The best way to see the Great Ocean Road is by car, but there are lots of tour companies that provide organised trips. It’s also possible to access the region by public transport; check the Public Transport Victoria website for details.

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Mansfield is located roughly 190 kilometres from Melbourne; Beechworth is around 285 kilometres away. As usual, the most convenient way to see the region is by car, but it’s also accessible by public transport (see the Public Transport Victoria website for details).

Grampians National Park Keen rock-climbers will need no introduction to Victoria’s Grampians National Park, which boasts some of the best climbing spots in Australia (neighbouring Mount Arapiles is world renowned as one of the world’s best climbs). But this incredibly beautiful national park isn’t just for those who want to scale the peaks; it’s a great destination for hiking and camping, with walks catering for all ability levels available in the area.

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Situated around 235 kilometres west of Melbourne, this national park is heritagelisted for both its natural beauty as well as its ancient Aboriginal rock art. You can also spot native animals including kangaroos, koalas and emus in this region. The best way to get to, and around, the area is by car, but if driving isn’t an option, there are organised tours of the Grampians available.

Goldfields Between 1851 and the late 1860s, Australia’s population almost tripled due to the Victorian Gold Rush. The wealth generated from gold mining is still visible today in the beautiful historic architecture of the mining towns, including Ballarat, Castlemaine and Bendigo, all of which are located to Melbourne’s northwest. Check out Bendigo’s Golden Dragon Museum, which tells the little-known story of the huge influx of Chinese gold prospectors during the 1850s, whose legacy is still felt today. History buffs can also head to the ever-popular Sovereign Hill, an open air museum that has been made to look like a gold-rushera town, complete with recreated buildings and staff dressed in 1850s costumes. You can easily reach these major regional towns by car or public transport.

www.insiderguides.com.au

Wildlife Aside from its beautiful landscape, Victoria plays host to a number of unique animals. Everyone knows the koala and kangaroo, but what about the wombat or the bilby? There are plenty of native animals housed in a number of wildlife parks in the city and a little further out of town.

Healesville Sanctuary

Melbourne Zoo

Badger Creek Rd, Healesville

First established in 1862, the Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens (or Melbourne Zoo) is Australia’s oldest zoo. The 55-hectare site is conveniently located in Parkville, just 15 minutes from the city centre by tram. The zoo was originally modelled on the London Zoo, and today it houses more than 320 different animal species, including a range of native Australian animals.

The Healesville Sanctuary is located in the town of Healesville in the beautiful Yarra Valley region 65 kilometres east of Melbourne. Located on 30 hectares of beautiful native bushland, this is one of the best places to see Australian animals in their natural habitat. The sanctuary acts as a zoo as well as a rehabilitation centre, where experts treat injured animals with the hope of releasing them back into the wild. Highlights here include platypuses, red kangaroos, koalas, Tasmanian devils and the ‘Fearsome to Awesome’ reptile show. Getting to the sanctuary will take either one hour by car or roughly two hours by public transport (you’ll need to catch a train to Lilydale Railway Station then a bus to Healesville). Tickets are $26.10 (adult) or $20.20 (concession).

Elliott Avenue, Parkville

Highlights here include the fantastic seal tank, where you can watch these playful creatures through enormous glass windows, and the butterfly enclosure, a glasshouse filled with botanical plants and hundreds of exotic butterflies. Tickets are $26.10 (adult) or $20.20 (concession). www.zoo.org.au/MelbourneZoo

Melbourne Aquarium Corner of Flinders St and King St, Melbourne Located on the Yarra River in the CBD, the Melbourne Aquarium was opened in 2000 and features four distinctly themed underwater environments: ‘River to Reef’, ‘Antarctica’, ‘Weird and Wonderful’ and ‘Sharks Alive’. Each of these different habitats is home to some incredible wildlife, including King and Gentoo penguins, beautiful jellyfish and seahorses, and a variety of sharks and stingrays in the 2.2 million-litre Oceanarium. If you have some cash to splash, you can even dive with the sharks or walk among the penguins in their icy enclosure. It’s best to set aside two hours to see the aquarium properly. Tickets are $34.90 for adults and $23.90 for concession holders. 9923 5999

5957 2800

www.zoo.org.au/ HealesvilleSanctuary

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Did You Know? The Box Jellyfish is responsible for more deaths annually in Australia than snakes, sharks and salt water crocodiles.

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Beaches No trip to Australia would be complete without a dip in the ocean and feeling the sand between your toes. We have some of the best beaches in the world – long stretches of golden sand, blue water and plenty of perfect waves for surfing. Melbourne has plenty of quiet, gentle beaches for those who prefer sunbathing, but a little further up the coast there are beaches with some intense waves for those with a passion for surfing.

St Kilda Beach Melbourne’s best-known and most accessible beach is in St Kilda, the famous southern seaside suburb that is eternally popular with tourists and locals alike. The beach itself is not Victoria’s most spectacular, nor is it ideal for surfing, but it’s perfect if you want to go for a beachside stroll or a quick dip in the water without having to travel too far. Located roughly six kilometres south of the CBD, St Kilda Beach is easily accessible by the many trams that depart from Swanston St outside Flinders Street Station (check Public Transport Victoria’s website for timetables).

Brighton Beach If you’re looking for a safe sandy swimming beach close to the city, head to Brighton Beach. Famed for its very cute and colourful ‘bathing boxes’ that line the waterfront, Brighton is a great choice for those wishing to avoid the big surf and dangerous rips found elsewhere along Victoria’s coastline. Located just 11 kilometres south of the CBD, it takes only 20–25 minutes by train to reach Brighton Beach from Flinders Street Station. If you get tired of sunbathing, you can try out one of the many

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pubs or restaurants in the area, or make use of the public barbeque facilities located along the foreshore.

Torquay Torquay is one of the most popular surf beaches among Melburnites, famed not only for its waves but also for it’s shopping. It was here that the iconic Australian surf brands Rip Curl and Quicksilver were founded, and today this small beachside town is home to an enormous complex of surf-wear stores and factory outlets. You’ll also find numerous surf schools in Torquay, offering lessons and board hire to novice surfers. Torquay is located roughly 100 kilometres southwest of Melbourne – around one-and-a-half hours by car, or two-and-a-half hours by public transport.

Blairgowrie Blairgowrie is a popular seaside town on the Mornington Peninsular, best loved for its beautiful ocean beaches. Wedged between Sorrento and Rye, Blairgowrie is located about 85 kilometres from Melbourne near the western tip of the peninsular, making it a great access point to both the gentle waters inside Port Phillip Bay as well as the wilder ocean beaches looking out onto Bass Straight. The Blairgowrie Back Beach is famous for

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its ‘jump rock’ – a large rock formation from which many daredevils jump into the deep rock-pool below (this can be very dangerous, so take extreme caution if you decide to take the plunge). The easiest way to get to and around Blairgowrie and its beaches is by car, but it is also accessible by public transport (train to Frankston, then bus onwards).

Williamstown The quaint seaside suburb of Williamstown is located only 8 kilometres south of Melbourne’s CBD, making this a great spot to come for a swim or a walk along the beach. As with all beaches located inside Port Phillip Bay, you won’t find big waves or strong tides here; as a result, this is also a popular place for sailing, windsurfing and kite boarding. Williamstown itself is a lovely and historic area of Melbourne, featuring many heritage-listed buildings and sites, so there’s plenty to see if you want to get out of the sun. It takes about half an hour to get to Williamstown by train from Flinders Street Station – just catch any Williamstown-bound train and get off at the end of the line.

www.insiderguides.com.au

Safety tips

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.

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fight the rip or current

Rips are narrow powerful currents running out into the ocean. If you get pulled out to sea by the rip, do not try and fight it.

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!

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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.

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

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

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Discover Australia While youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re over here, it would be a waste not to see what the rest of Australia has to offer. Remember to look out for editions of Insider Guides that exist on Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane. See our website for more details.

Great Aussie Rail Experiences www.greatsouthernrail.com.au

7 The Overland

Indian PaciďŹ c The Ghan

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1 Perth

The most isolated city in the world, Perth is a busy metropolis with a strong sense of natural beauty. Located 20km inland from the Indian Ocean, Perth’s nightlife is bustling, its beaches are pristine and clean, shopping is relaxed but incredibly diverse and the ability to experience the real ‘great outdoors’ is made easy for locals and visitors.

2 Adelaide This city is always described as more of a country town, but that’s 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 give the whole place a party atmosphere. There are beautiful wine regions and some of the best restaurants in Australia waiting to be discovered.

3 Hobart 4

6 Canberra Canberra is the capital of Australia. It’s a cosy little city and hosts some of the sites that many tourists add to their list of ‘must sees’ when they visit. These include the world famous National Gallery of Australia and the Australian War Memorial. It’s also where our Federal Parliament sits, and if you visit you can tour Parliament House and gain a deeper understanding of how our democracy works.

7 Melbourne

Locals proudly proclaim that a traffic jam here would rarely last more than a couple of minutes. For fans of the wilderness, Hobart is just a few hours from some of the world’s most beautiful bush walks. There are plenty of waterfront cafés, bars and some stunning restaurants. With a population of around 200,000, this city is perfect for a leisurely getaway.

4 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 Glasshouse Mountains.

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

5 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 breath-taking harbours in the centre, the ability to buy almost anything you want, and some of the best beaches and scenery not too far away.

Known for its restaurant and café culture, Melbourne is the centre of classy urban Australian life. The shopping is second to none and the streets are lined with artwork. You can’t go without exploring some of the hidden laneway bars and cafés that showcase their proud culture of hospitality.

8 Darwin This is the real Aussie outback, well known for its wildlife and beautiful natural flora. There’s a stack of national parks in the Northern Territory and the sights are incredible, including the famous rock Uluru, right in the middle of the territory. Darwin is a very modern looking city as it was rebuilt after being almost wiped out by Cyclone Tracy in 1974.

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Thank You Insider Publishing would like to thank our Editors, Marleena Forward, Ellie Williams, Bridie Moran and Christie Legedza for their efforts this year. They researched their cities from the inside out. They listened to current students, experienced what makes their city great and then luckily wrote it down for us at Insider Guides. A very special thank you to Mateus Nolasco For all business enquiries: James Martin - james@insiderguides.com.au For all production enquiries: Samuel Trezise: sam@insiderguides.com.au www.insiderguides.com.au

Melbourne Where your future takes off

Learn more about the benefits of living and studying in Melbourne by visiting studymelbourne.vic.gov.au