About Melbourne

Welcome to Melbourne!

Melbourne is a stable, prosperous city and a gateway to the Asia-Pacific region. With its ease of navigation and temperate climate, visitors are drawn to Melbourne to explore its labyrinth of laneways and experience its innovative food and wine scene, thriving culture and year-round calendar of major events.

Melbourne’s comprehensive transport network and touring companies will enable delegates to travel to other parts of Victoria and Australia for pre and post touring. For delegates that require public transport to get around the city and Docklands, tram travel is free.

For many delegates, this could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit the ‘Land Down Under’ and have access to uniquely Australian experiences. An exciting and engaging social program can bring to life Australia’s diverse culture and extensive array of natural attractions.

Around Melbourne itself are inspiring day trips to the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula wine regions, the Great Ocean Road, the Penguin Parade at Phillip Island, historic Sovereign Hill and Healesville Sanctuary. Further afield, Melbourne’s airport offers easy access to attractions, including Sydney, Uluru in the outback, the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday Islands.

Getting to Melbourne

Melbourne Airport, colloquially known as Tullamarine Airport, is the primary airport serving the city of Melbourne, and the second busiest airport in Australia. The airport at is located 23kms from the CBD with the journey taking from 20 to 35 minutes depending on traffic.

Find out if you need a visa here.

Melbourne Interactive Video

Discover Melbourne

Plan Your Trip

Visitor Guide

Things to Do

Hidden Secrets

Regional Victoria

Cultural Protocols

Weather

Melbourne enjoys warm summers, glorious springs, mild autumns and crisp winters. With its variable climate, Melbourne heats up December to February (summer), cools down March to May (autumn), chills out June to August (winter), and warms up again September to November (spring).

Melbourne's top temperatures are usually in January and February with average daytime temperatures of 26C (79F). Those months are often dry, with hot spells and cooling afternoon breezes off Port Phillip Bay.

Currency

Usual banking hours are Monday to Thursday 9am–4pm, Friday 9am–5pm. Major banks ANZ, Commonwealth, NAB and Westpac have offices in Melbourne and in many towns in regional Victoria. In smaller centres, you may withdraw money at a post office or newsagent.

Major city branches can exchange foreign currency. Foreign currency exchange bureaus are also available at the airport and in Melbourne's central business district. ATMs (automatic teller machines) are widely available in the city and regional areas. Bitcoin ATMs are less common in Melbourne, but travellers can check with concierge at major department stores and hotels for locations.

Major credit cards – Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Bankcard, UnionPay, Diners Club and affiliates – are widely accepted across Victoria. Some retailers in larger centres also accept JCB cards.

Taxation

Australia has a Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10 per cent on most goods and services such as accommodation, day tours, guides, translators, food, transport (coach, rail and cruise) and other tourism services. Prices quoted for an Australian holiday will include the 10 per cent GST, payable at the time of ticketing. International airfares are the exception and do not attract GST.

Departing travellers may be able to claim a refund for GST and WET (Wine Equalisation Tax) paid on goods purchased in Australia. The refund is applicable to goods totalling at least $300 AUD (GST inclusive) being taken out of Australia and purchased no earlier than 30 days before leaving Australia.

TRS offices are located at international airports and cruise-liner terminals. To claim, make sure you have your passport, international boarding pass, retailer's tax invoice and the goods. Other conditions may apply. Visit the Australian Border Force website for more information on the TRS.

Tipping

Tipping is not customary in Australia and is at your discretion.

Time Zone

Melbourne is in the Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), UTC+10:00.

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