Destination guides > Australia > 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
four 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, the AFL Grand Final
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 city centre and explore the quirky nature of
Melbourne’s neighbourhoods. Toorak Road and Chapel Street in South Yarra offer the city’s
best shopping, dining and people watching, Lygon Street, Carlton 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, 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 cafés
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
Melbourne Visitor 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.thatsmelbourne.com.au & www.visitvictoria.com
Open 9am-6pm daily
EMBASSIES & CONSULATES
British Consulate
17th Floor, 90 Collins Street, Melbourne
Tram 11, 12, 42, 109 Train Parliament
Tel (03) 9652 1600
Website www.uk.emb.gov.au
Open Mon-Fri 9am-4.30pm
Canadian Consulate
Level 50, 101 Collins Street, Melbourne
Tram 11, 12, 31, 42, 109, 112 Train Flinders Street, Parliament Bus 313, 315, 316, 605
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
eLounge
Level 1, 9 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne
Tram 19, 48, 57, 59, 70, 75 Train Flinders Street
Tel (03) 9629 3188
Website www.elounge.com.au
Global Gossip
440 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne.
Tram 19, 57, 59, 68 Train Melbourne Central
Tel (03) 9663 0511
Website www.globalgossip.com
Open Mon-Fri 8am-midnight, Sat-Sun 9am-midnight
Free Wi-Fi hotspots can be found at the QV Centre on Swanston Street (tram 1, 3, 5, 6, 8,
16, 24, 30, 64, 67, 72 train Melbourne Central) in the courtyard between Three Degrees
and Wagamama; at the State Library (corner LaTrobe & Swanston Streets; tram 1, 3, 5, 6,
8, 16, 24, 30, 64, 67, 72 train Melbourne Central) and in the food court at the Australia
on Collins Centre (260 Collins Street; tram 31, 109, 112 train Flinders Street).
