travel tips | melbourne (eng.)

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MELBOURNE TRAVEL TIPS VISÃO GERAL ONDE COMER OVERVIEW ATTRACTIONS TRANSPORTATION SHOPPING WHERE TO STAY WHERE TO EAT

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Page 1: Travel Tips | Melbourne (Eng.)

MELBOURNE

TRAVEL TIPS

VISÃO GERAL ATRAÇÕESTRANSPORTE COMPRAS ONDE FICAR ONDE COMEROVERVIEW ATTRACTIONSTRANSPORTATION SHOPPINGWHERE TO STAY WHERE TO EAT

Page 2: Travel Tips | Melbourne (Eng.)
Page 3: Travel Tips | Melbourne (Eng.)

OVERVIEW

Melbourne is the second most populated city in Australia, home to more than 4 million inhabitants. Capital of Victoria state, the city located in Port Phillip bay has been founded in 1835 by settlers form Tasmania area.

Melbourne, a synonym for style and sophistication with its luxury hotels, fine restaurants and attractions all year round, is considered the fourth most expensive city in the world by The Economist. However, it is also considered by the same issue as one of the best cities to live in.

We strongly recommend a five days stay, at least, to visit the city’s main attractions. The first stop of your trip must be at the touristic information point (Melbourne Visitors Center), where you can get free maps, information about events, accommodation and transport tips, tour reservations, and also enjoy the souvenir store.

Melbourne breathes culture, art, sports and shopping. It is known as “Australia’s cultural capital”, home to Australian Impressionism and to both television and cinema industry of the country. Besides enjoying an array of

Page 4: Travel Tips | Melbourne (Eng.)

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TRANSPORT

Melbourne’s transport is a reference in Australia for its convenience. As many visitors stay in the central area, the attractions are usually located at a short distance. In order to get to them, the tourist is able to choose from three main options: train, tram and bus.

Trains are advisable for longer routes, usually for the neighborhoods and cities farther from Downtown. In turn, the tram circulates around the central area and has many stops, one near the other.

It is advisable to purchase a Visitor myki Value Pack, a card for tourists who wish to use the public transport in Melbourne. It is possible to obtain one of these cards at the Melbourne Visitors Center, in Federation Square, in Skybus terminals in Melbourne Airport, at Southern Cross Station, at the PVT Hubs and even straight at some hotels.

theaters, movies and festivals, the visitor may also attend to many worldwide-known sports events, such as the Formula 1 Grand Prix Australia and Australia Tennis Open.

For the foodies, Melbourne is also a big deal for who wishes to appreciate wide range of flavors with dozens of restaurants from different parts of the world. Victoria’s capital is also a good destination for shopping, with great options of stores.

Its is possible to explore every corner of the city without much expense and mostly effort free with an easy and good quality public transport. The many transport options (tram, train, bus and bikes) set the tourist free to move about as he so prefers.

WEATHERMelbourne is known by its unstable weather. For this reason, the city is known for going through the ‘four seasons in a day’. Usually, the climate is mild, with warm to hot Summers, mild Springs and Falls and cold Winters. The average temperature ranges from 25°C during Summer and 14°C during Winter. The rains pour most frequently from May to October. A nice tip is to be prepared for any weather. Thus, we recommend that you make sure there is a space for an umbrella and that you pack clothes that may be dressed in different weathers.

Page 5: Travel Tips | Melbourne (Eng.)

The myki card is valid for trips by train, tram and bus, in zones 1 and 2, including bus routes for Melbourne Airport. For visitors who intend to stay less than seven days in town, the tip is to use the myki Money card option. However, if the stay exceeds a week, the card recommended is myki Pass.

Children and elders pay half the price when purchasing the card. Besides, it offers a discount in 15 important touristic attractions. It is important to highlight that the user must always have a valid pass when using the public transport in Melbourne. Otherwise, a fine may be applied.

There is also a electric tramway running around the touristic attractions in Melbourne downtown. Besides being free of charge, it tells the story of each place. For whoever intends to leave Melbourne to visit nearby cities the V/Line train is recommended. This other option is more expensive but offers more comfort in longer trips.

Taxis are also very commonly used in the Australian city. They are a plenty and easy to be seen, once they are yellow. The taxis are not really used by tourists, who can count on a quality public transport.

Page 6: Travel Tips | Melbourne (Eng.)

It is possible to find many places around Melbourne to rent bikes. The rent must be paid by credit card. Two hours riding those bikes cost about AU$ 20. Even though it is not a very cheap alternative, it is a healthy and real fun way to move around the city. Besides, the bikes can be rented and handed back in any other station.

Ferries are another interesting option to move around and also used a lot to admire the city from another angle. To tour by the Yarra River or by the Port Phillip Bay can be really fun for who wishes for a change of scenery and have fun in a stunning landscape.

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Page 7: Travel Tips | Melbourne (Eng.)

ATTRACTIONS

Museums, parks, zoos, sports. In Melbourne there is no lack of attractions to make your stay even more pleasant. Be it for adults or children, the city has many incredible options that are the joy of the tourists who visit this Australian corner that is so beautiful and cozy.

For art lovers, Melbourne Museum has eight galleries with permanent collections, one of them intended to please the kids. Located at Carlton Gardens downtown, the place also offers documentary exhibits that tell the story of aborigine folks from Victoria state. The place also has a movie theater with the third biggest screen in the world.

For literature fans, a visit to State Library of Victoria built in 1854, is mandatory. The place has more than two million books, including personal diaries from two of the Melbourne’s founders. National Gallery of Victoria,in turn, is the oldest museum of the country. Founded in 1861, it was visited by almost two million visitors in 2013. Still in Melbourne cultural circuit, the Royal Exhibition Building is also a great place to visit. Elected UNESCO Heritage of Humanity Monuments, the place is an important Australian exhibition center.

Home to important cultural attractions, Federation Square receives several events of different magnitudes since its opening in 2002. Currently, it is one of the main touristic attractions of the city, gathering a huge variety of restaurants, bars and specialized stores. There some important attractions can be

found, such as Ian Potter Centre and Heidelberg School, which have an important set of galleries dedicated to aborigine art.

Talking about Melbourne is also talking about sports. The city, home to big sport events, receives tourists from every corner of the world who want to experience the feeling to be in big competitions. The city has the largest cricket stadium of the world, the 12th one if all sports are taken into consideration. It is called Melbourne Cricket Ground, able to receive 100 thousand sports fans and is also a great place to visit for whoever want to know a little more about this sport.

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The Albert Park Circuit is the race track of the city usually home for Formula 1 opening season. With five thousand kilometers of tracks that circle the namesake artificial lake around, it is considered one of the most beautiful tracks of the main auto racing category. Another important attraction of the world’s sports schedule is Australia Tennis Open, always taking place in January and that gathers the most important tennis players of the planet.

What about getting to know Melbourne from above? To do so, nothing better than visiting Eureka Skydeck Tower, the tallest observation platform of the southern hemisphere. At the top of its 297 meters there is a breathtaking view. For the bravest ones, a glass cube (called “The Edge”) offers an unforgettable experience to have the whole city at your feet, literally.

It is obvious that one of the main cities in Australia would not leave the kids aside in its attraction list. One of the most successful attractions is Melbourne Zoo. Located just five minutes away from Downtown, is home to 250

species from all over the world. There, visitors are able to stroll around Asian and African rainforests and also, obviously, be in contact with the luxuriant Australian native jungle. Tigers, orangutans, crocodiles and the funny lemurs will certainly entertain the entire family.

Home to thousands of aquatic animals, including one of the largest Australian salt water crocodiles, SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium takes visitors in an adventure through the depths of the ocean. Children and adults will learn a lot and have fun with the world’s most famous marine species through many interactive activities.

As impossible to forget as the previously-referred attractions, the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria is a precious part of Melbourne’s cultural life. With dazzling landscape, lakes, plants and gardens, the place is a refuge for who wants some peace and quiet a few minutes far from the city. We would like to highlight the spot intended to shelter native fauna such as the black swans, cockatoos and other animals.

Page 9: Travel Tips | Melbourne (Eng.)

WHERE TO STAY

From the most luxurious suites to the simplest accommodations, there are options for all tastes and pockets in Melbourne. To whom intends to know the city as a whole, we recommend to stay at the city’s central area. Moving around gets way easier, once the biggest part of the touristic attractions are nearby and a lot of tours can be done on foot.

The visitor may also count on the electric tram free of charge if he so prefers, once it covers a good part of the area.

For travelers on a budget, the alternatives can be pensions, backpacker hostels and B&Bs (bed and breakfast). Melbourne Central YHA is an option that offers a good location in the city. It is a hostel located in the capital’s central area and offers quality for a way cheaper price than big hotels.

Page 10: Travel Tips | Melbourne (Eng.)

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On the other side, if sophistication is your intention, Crown Towers Melbourne poses a great alternative. Located right downtown, it is one of the most luxurious hotels in the city. A daily rate costs about R$: 1,3 thousand, depending on the accommodation. The windows of the most expensive rooms offer an amazing view of the city center.

However, there are options near downtown that are not so expensive, such as Novotel Melbourne On Collins, with a daily rate three times smaller than Crown Towers Melbourne charges, but also offers very comfortable rooms and a great locations in town.

One of the positive aspects of the city is that it offers the tourist the possibility to stay in very distinct places: beach, downtown or country side. In other words, Melbourne is a crowd pleasing destination. DINING OUT

In Melbourne you are able to satiate your appetites with a traditional pub’s food or with a gourmet feast in a sophisticated restaurant, among many options. There are more than 3,000 restaurants, cafes and bars from more than 70 different nationalities. In a single block you are going to be able to try almost everything: from Chinese food to the authentic European flavor, from Mexican and Indian to the modern Australian appetizers.

For the one seeking sophistication, it is worthwhile to visit the acclaimed Attica, ran by Ben Shewry. Considered to be one of the best restaurants in Australia, it has been

Page 11: Travel Tips | Melbourne (Eng.)

classified as the 32nd in the list of the 50 Best Restaurants in the World. It offers creative tasting menu and selected wines. The city also offers other options of fine dining and worth the wait for a table, such as the very well-attended Flower Drum and Vue de Monde.

If you do not intend to spend much, there is no reason to worry. There are Vietnamese, Lebanese and Chinese restaurant options in every corner of the city, such as Richmond Thy Thy, Flemington’s Laksa King or CBD’s Camy Shanghai Dumpling. Food Trucks are also very popular in Melbourne and may save the tourist who seeks a quick and quality meal in the middle of the city.

For sunny days, the hint is to have lunch in one of Laneway restaurants. Their style is somewhat casual, but very pleasant. However, if you choose to explore the local culinary scene, the alternative is to indulge in fresh seafood from Great Ocean Road, local cheeses from High Country or wines and cold weather from Yarra Valley.

For the ones who just love Italian cuisine, the hint is to visit Lygon St., in Carlton, home to Italian colonization in the 50’s. The street is crowded day in day out with its sidewalks full with tables from restaurants, bars and coffee shops.

Wines and beers are very popular and traditional in the state of Victoria. From the renowned wineries located, in its majority in Mornington Peninsula and Yarra Valley to

Melbourne pubs, do not miss the opportunity to taste an authentic Australian artisan wine or beer.

But for the ones searching for an alternative to the restaurants and prefer to prepare their own food, Coles supermarkets are the solution. Very common and with many units around the city, the establishment usually offers low prices and promotions.

SHOPPING

Although it is a city marked by the strong cultural presence, Melbourne can also delight the tourist who wishes to have a good shopping session. Malls, shopping centers, stores and tours are some of the options available.

Queen Victoria Market is way more than the shopping Mecca in Melbourne. It is a historical landmark, a touristic attraction and a very important institution of the city. There are more than 600 stores that occupy two blocks and offer a bit of everything: coffee, fresh fruit, vegetables, gourmet food, purses, decoration items, souvenirs and much, much more. The market is closed only on Mondays and Wednesdays. Sundays are the busiest days.

Sundays, by the way, are the best days to go shopping in markets and street fairs in Melbourne. In Docklands, for example, it is possible to buy food, arts and crafts, clothes, jewelry and gifts in one of the dozens of

Page 12: Travel Tips | Melbourne (Eng.)

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stands mounted in the main pier of the city. Also on Sundays, craftspeople fill the Arts Centre Melbourne lawn to sell their handmade products. The parking lot of Federation Square opens stage to designers to release and sell their new products. It is the perfect opportunity to buy creative clothes, furniture and accessories made by young and talented professionals.

For whoever is looking for original arts and crafts, the place to go is called Esplanade, in St. Kilda. The small market also works every Sunday and it is a great hint for a cultural venue. The Community Grocer is a farmers’ market that offers excellent products at reasonable prices. The best about it: every single produce is fresh and grown by the local community. The fair takes place in Carlton, every Friday.

Bourke Street is another great spot for shopping (and tourism), where it is possible to find a great variety of stores. For those who are looking for some fashion, Collins Street is the place, famous for its stores of prestigious designers. The Block Arcade, also in this street, is a big 19th Century square that has been renovated and gathers many small stores nowadays.

The Chadstone Shopping Centre is a shopping alternative with more comfort and luxury. The mall has three floors and more than 500 stores. Many tourists need more than one day to know everything it offers.

Page 13: Travel Tips | Melbourne (Eng.)

CURRENCYThe currency in Australia is the Australian dollar. There are five bills: AUD$ 5, AUD$ 10, AUD$ 20, AUD$ 50 and AUD$ 100, and also coins of 5, 10, 20, 50 cents and one and two dollars. The marks of the bills are Australian personalities and the colors are eye-catching.

Banks, hotels and international airports are the best places to exchange currency. In Australia, ATMs are also common for banking operations.

The credit and debit card system is also very common in Australian stores. The banking hours are usually from 9:30 to 4:00 PM Mondays through Thursdays. On Fridays, banks close doors at 5:00 PM. The Post Office agencies also offer banking services such as withdrawals, deposits and bank statement requests.

Page 14: Travel Tips | Melbourne (Eng.)

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+61+3

000

CODE OF THE COUNTRY

CODE OF THE CITY

EMERGENCIES (POLICE, FIRE FIGHTERS AND MEDICAL SERVICE)

INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

MELBOURNE AIRPORT, MEL

+61 3 92971600

TOURIST INFORMATION

+61 03 96589658

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

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