Population: 3.5 million

Area: 2,452 sq. miles

Time Zone: Greenwich Mean Time plus ten hours: When it is noon in Melbourne, it is 9:00 pm yesterday in New York City and Washington, DC. (Daylight saving time turns the clocks one hour ahead between late October and early March.  However, this does not change the time interval in the US, as the US advances the time for Daylight saving time just as Melbourne’s ends. )

International Dialing Code: All numbers for Melbourne and the outskirts of the city begin with 03 and have 8 additional digits. The country code is 61.

Emergency: Police, fire or ambulance emergencies: 000. General police: 11444; fire: 11411; ambulance: 11440.

Currency: Australia’s currency is in dollars and cents. Major credit cards and traveler’s checks are accepted almost everywhere. The easiest method of securing cash at the best exchange rate is to make withdrawals using a US credit card from the ATM machines found at the major banks.

Average Temperatures:

Note: Australian seasons are the opposite of those in the U.S.

Average Temperatures:

Local Seasons: Melbourne's climate is warm to hot in summer (Dec.-Feb.), mild in Fall (March-May), damp in winter (June – Aug.), and cool in Spring (Sept.-Nov.) The coldest months are June and July and October is the wettest. Melbourne’s climate is changeable, especially during the spring and summer when sudden drops in temperature can occur within a few minutes. It is best to dress in “layers” and to have a raincoat

Sunscreen: Australian sun has strong ultraviolet rays, especially between 11am and 4pm. A wide brimmed hat and high SP sunscreen are essential in Melbourne in the summer when the sun is especially intense.

National Holidays:

January 1 New Year’s Day

January 26 Australia Day

First or second Monday in March Labor Day

April (dates vary) Good Friday, Easter Monday, Easter Tuesday

April 25 Anzac Day

2^nd Monday in June Queen’s birthday

Last Thursday in September Melbourne Show Day

First Tuesday in November Melbourne Cup Day

December 25 Christmas Day

December 26 Boxing Day

Electricity: ( 240 volt, 50 cycles A/C). Most hotels have 110V shaver outlets. American appliances will need a three pin flat plug adapter and will require a transformer if they do not have a dual voltage capability.

Visas and Passports: All visitors require a visa and passport to enter the country. Visas are free from Australian consulates and allow up to a three month stay. There is a charge for business visas.

Visitors with disabilities: Information is available from : VICROD Victoria Council for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled: P.O. Box 210 Hampton 3188. Telephone: 9597 0157.The Met Disability Services Officer will assist with advice on public transport for disabled travelers. 9619 7482

How to get around: Melbourne’s tram and light rail network is the fourth largest in the world. There are 135 miles of double track carrying trains through the city and out into the suburbs. Fares are paid through pre-purchased tickets or travel cards.

Services run regularly from five in the morning until midnight. Many train services link to bus and tram routes so you can negotiate your way to most places in Melbourne within a short walk from a train, tram or bus. You will also find taxi stands outside many train stations.

Spencer Street Station is the main city station from which you can take trains to other parts of Victoria.

Most stations on the loop provide services to outer suburbs or trains that link to a connecting train to take you on to your destination.

The City Circle tram provides a free and convenient way to visit the shops, museums, etc. in the City. Its route includes shopping malls, arcades, and many of the major attractions. Trams run in both directions every 10 minutes from 10am-6pm (except Christmas Day and Good Friday). Hours are extended to 9pm when daylight saving time is in effect.

Taxis can be hailed from the street or from one of the stands around the city. Look for the yellow taxis swarming major hotels and train stations. Flinders Street and Spencer Street Stations and Lonsdale Street outside Myer are the best places to hail a ride. All taxis are regulated and charge the same amount per kilometer. If you wish to book there is a small fee and several companies from which to choose. Taxis for the disabled are also available.

Air Travel: Melbourne Tullamarine Airport is about 20 minutes from the city. If traveling at peak times, add another 30 minutes.

The most direct route to the Airport is via Tullamarine Freeway, which is part of City Link. Part of this trip takes in the City Link road network and state-of-the-art electronic tolling system. There are no tollbooths to slow down the flow of traffic but a day pass must be purchased before using the network or by 12:00 noon on the following day. This fee is computed as part of the fare when using a taxi or airport bus. Rental car companies have other arrangements and customers will be informed of these at the time of car pickup. Day passes can be purchased at the customer service center at the airport, via the direct dial phones provided, or from a City Link service centre located adjacent to the freeway. To purchase day passes and for other information you can contact City Link at 03 13 26 29.

Sky Bus offers services from Spencer Street, Franklin Street and the Town Hall and departs about every half an hour.

Driving a car in the Melbourne area: Australians drive on the left hand side of the road.

There are one way streets, two directional carriage ways and some multiple lane carriage ways, often divided by a median strip.

Take care when turning onto these multiple lane roads. All lanes may be travelling one way.

Outback regions are linked with dusty narrow roads which require careful negotiation. There is a great similarity to driving on icy roads.

Another hazard in the country is the possibility of a kangaroo, wombat or koala crossing in front of the car. Drivers are required to carry a license at all times. An overseas license is acceptable as long as it is in English.

Cycling: Cycling country roads is fine way to spend a day. Riders are likely to encounter very few hills and only gentle inclines. Helmets are required by law.