Destinations > Victoria > Melbourne

Melbourne

With lovely parks and gardens, Melbourne stands on the banks of the Yarra River and the shores of Port Phillip Bay. The city is Australia's second largest and home to around 3½ million people.

It is Australia's major events capital – home to such international sporting events as the Australian Formula One Grand Prix, the Australian Tennis Open and the Melbourne Cup horse race.

Melbourne is a city of diverse and vibrant neighbourhoods. Each of these areas has its own character and personality and combined they make up the cultural patchwork that is Melbourne.

Venture away from the skyscrapers of the central city and explore the quirky nature of areas like Toorak Road and Chapel Street in South Yarra, which offer the city's best shopping, dining and people watching or Lygon Street, Carlton, which is Melbourne's slice of Italy, with pizza and pasta restaurants galore or perhaps enjoy authentic and cheap Vietnamese cuisine in one of the many restaurants on Victoria Street, Richmond, which is known as Melbourne's Little Saigon.

The beachfront neighbourhood of St Kilda is best known for its cake shops and backpacker scene. It has two distinct faces: the 24-hour nightlife of Fitzroy Street and the café and delicatessens of Acland Street. St Kilda's landmark is Luna Park with its laughing face and roller coaster rides. St Kilda Beach also features a weekend craft market.

Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, reflects the alternative side of Melbourne. The streets buzz with activity and are crammed with alternative lifestyle shops, second-hand clothing and funky restaurants.

Practical Information

INFORMATION CENTRES & USEFUL ADDRESSES

American Express

233 Collins Street, Melbourne

Tram 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12, 16, 22, 25, 19, 42, 57, 59, 64, 67, 68, 72, 109 Train Flinders Street

Tel (03) 9633 6333

Website www.americanexpress.com

Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-noon

Melbourne Tourist Information Centre

Federation Square, Corner Flinders Street & St Kilda Road, Melbourne

Tram 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12, 16, 22, 25, 42, 64, 67, 72, 109 Train Flinders Street

Tel (03) 9658 9658

Website www.visitvictoria.com

Open 9am-6pm daily

Natural Resources & Environment Information Centre

8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne

Tram 86, 96 Train Parliament

Tel (03) 9412 4745

Open Mon-Fri 8am-8pm

EMBASSIES & CONSULATES

British Consulate

17th Floor, 90 Collins Street, Melbourne

Website www.uk.emb.gov.au

Tram 11, 12, 42, 109 Train Parliament

Tel (03) 9652 1600

Open Mon-Fri 9am-4.30pm

Canadian Consulate

Level 50, 101 Collins Street, Melbourne

Bus 313, 315, 316, 605 Tram 11, 12, 31, 42, 109, 112 Train Flinders Street, Parliament

Tel (03) 9653 9674

Website www.canada.org.au

Open Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.15pm

New Zealand Consulate

Suite 2 North, Level 3, 350 Collins Street, Melbourne

Tram 11, 12, 19, 31, 42, 57, 59, 68, 109, 112 Train Flinders Street

Tel (03) 9642 1279

Website www.nzembassy.com/australia

Open Mon-Fri 9am-12.30pm & 1.30pm-5pm

USA Consulate

6th Floor, 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne

Tram 3, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67

Tel (03) 8526 5900

Website http://usembassy-australia.state.gov/melbourne/

Open Mon-Fri 9am-noon

INTERNET ACCESS

Backpackers World

Hotel Bakpak, 167 Franklin Street, Melbourne

Bus 220, 232 Tram 19, 57, 59, 68 Train Melbourne Central

Tel (03) 9329 1990

Open Mon-Fri 8.30am-7pm, Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-6pm

Cyberia Internet Lounge

19 Carlisle Street, St Kilda

Bus 246, 600, 623, 922, 923 Tram 3, 16, 69, 79

Tel (03) 9534 6221

Website http://members.ozemail.com.au/~cyberia2/

Open 10am-8pm daily

Global Gossip

440 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne.

Tram 19, 57, 59, 68 Train Melbourne Central

Tel (03) 9663 0511

Website www.globalgossip.com.au

Open Mon-Fri 8am-midnight, Sat-Sun 9am-midnight

Internet Café St Kilda

9 Grey Street, St Kilda

Bus 600, 922, 923 Tram 16, 96

Tel (03) 9525 3748

Open Mon-Thu 8.30am-10.30pm, Fri-Sun 9.30am-10pm

Satellite Café

476 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne

Tram 19, 57, 59, 68 Train Melbourne Central

Tel (03) 9639 0099

Open 9am-midnight daily