Staying in Melbourne
What visa do I need to visit Australia?
Participants are advised to make their own arrangements with respect to entering Australia. There are five types of visas for visiting Australia. Please visit the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs for further information.
General Info
Time Zone Currently Being Used in Victoria
UTC+10 (Australian Eastern Standard Time)
International dialling codes
Australia: +(61)
Victoria area code: (03)
What is the emergency number in Australia?
The emergency number for police, ambulance and fire brigade is 000.
What kind of electrical plugs are used in Australia?
You may need an adapter in order to plug your appliances into the power sockets: the adapter required for Australia is Type 1 Australia plug. The plugs in Australia have two flat metal pins, forming an inverted ‘V’ shape, and occasionally a third pin in the centre. The electrical current in Australia is 220 – 240 volts, AC 50Hz.
What is Goods and Services Tax?
Australia has a Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10 per cent. You may be able to claim a refund for the GST paid on goods if you have spent AUD$300 or more with a single business, no more than 60 days before departing Australia. Tourist Refund Scheme facilities are located in the departure area of international terminals.
Attractions and Events
Keep up to date with events during December through the City of Melbourne’s What’s On Guide.
Art and Culture – Federation Square, Melbourne’s Street Art and Southbank Art Precinct
Federation Square is home to major cultural attractions including the Australian Centre for Moving Image and the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, as well as world-class events, tourism experiences and an array of restaurants, bars and specialty stores. More information available here.
Melbourne’s street art is internationally renowned and has become an attraction for local and overseas visitors wanting to experience Melbourne’s creativity and culture. Street art locations and a map of locations can be found here.
Yarra River’s south bank is home to Melbourne’s arts precinct where you will find various cultural institutions including the National Gallery of Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne and much more. You’ll also find an array of bars and restaurants around the arts precinct. More information here.
Food and Drink – Melbourne’s Laneways, Chinatown and Queen Victoria Market
Al fresco eateries and small bars all nestle side-by-side in laneways threading throughout the city. Each arcade has its own individual character and charm. A guide to some Laneway highlights can be found here.
Chinatown is a distinctive and well-known area of Melbourne which dates to the gold rush days of the 1850s. Chinatown Melbourne is the longest continuous Chinese settlement in the western world. Explore Chinatown for yourself with more information available here.
Queen Victoria Market is just around the corner from the University and is a historic landmark, a tourist attraction and a Melbourne institution. More details here.
Lygon Street – Italian Restaurants and Bars
Only a short walk from the University is leafy Lygon Street where you can stroll and discover Little Italy – the place where Melbourne’s famous cafe culture was born. Information and Lygon Street highlights available here.
St Kilda
St Kilda is home to many of Melbourne’s famous visitor attractions including Luna Park, the Esplanade Hotel, Catani Gardens, Acland Street and Fitzroy Street. It is home to St Kilda beach, Melbourne’s most famous beach, several renowned theatres and many large events and festivals. Check out what is on in December here.
Royal Botanic Gardens
In the heart of green parkland extending south of the Yarra River, about two kilometres from the CBD, the Royal Botanic Gardens are among the finest of their kind in the world. Established in 1846, the gardens encompass two locations: Melbourne and Cranbourne. The Melbourne Gardens cover an area of 38 hectares with more than 8,500 species of plants, including many rare specimens. Further information can be found here.
Yarra Valley and wine region
Less than an hour from Melbourne, the Yarra Valley offers quality local food and wine and spectacular scenery.
The Yarra Valley is recognized as one of the world’s premier wine growing regions with over 80 cellar doors and restaurants serving fresh regional produce. Further information on how to get to the vineyards and tour options can be found here.