Best Time To Visit

Time your visit to Melbourne for autumn (March to May) or spring (September to November) – these are the sweet spots when the city's weather is at its finest. Ideal for sauntering about on foot or pedalling around on a bike, you'll revel in the abundance of outdoor activities Melbourne has to offer.

Passport/Visa

Unless you are a New Zealand citizen granted visa exemption on arrival (in most cases), you will need to obtain a visa prior to visiting Australia. Citizens of all European Union countries, as well as Andorra, Norway, Iceland, San Marino, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, and Vatican City are eligible for an eVisitor visa, which can be applied for online. For citizens of the United States, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Brunei, South Korea and Malaysia, the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) entry permit is available, which can be applied for online and grants holders the right to enter Australia an unlimited amount of times for stays of no longer than 3 months per visit. Citizens of all other world countries (with the exception of Somalia) are also able to apply for a visitor visa online. For more information, visit the official website of the Australian government's department of home affairs.

• Web:

  immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-finder/visit

Avalon Airport (AVV)

Avalon Airport, an international hub located in Avalon, is part of the Greater Geelong area in Victoria. It holds the title of the second busiest airport serving Melbourne, despite not being located in the city's metropolitan area. Positioned 15 km (9.3 miles) from Geelong's city centre and 50 km (31 miles) from Melbourne's heart, it's easily accessible. SkyBus manages the Avalon City Express, providing regular airport transfers to Melbourne CBD and Werribee, in line with major flight schedules. The taxi pick-up and drop-off area is conveniently situated right outside the terminal, making your journey hassle-free. Avalon Airport is served by the Geelong Taxi Network, Black & White Cabs, and 13 CABS.

• Web:

  avalonairport.com.au

Melbourne Airport (MEL)

The Melbourne Airport, also known as Tullamarine Airport, is located 25km north of the city. The Skybus shuttle bus offers service from the airport to Southern Cross Station in Melbourne city from 4am to 1 am every day. Airport taxis are available from the ground floor level outside all terminals.

• Web:

  www.melbourneairport.com.au

• Phone:

  +61 3 9297 1600

Public Transport

Tram travel is free throughout all of Melbourne's city centre, with "free zone" limits clearly marked at tram stops and indicated on board the trams themselves. Fare payment is required outside the free tram zone, which is done by a chargeable "myki" travel card (works on trains, trams and buses). A better alternative for short-term visitors might be a "myki Explorer" card that grants visitors unlimited travel on all forms of public transport in Melbourne for 1 full day. The "myki Explorer" also includes discounts on entry tickets to several local attractions, and may be purchased at Melbourne Visitor Centre in Federation Square, SkyBus terminals at Melbourne Airport and Southern Cross Station, PTV Hubs, and multiple hotels. Metro trains cover the city centre and suburban areas with Flinders Street Station as the main hub and run from around 5am to midnight. There are 5 central stations: Flinders St, Southern Cross, Flagstaff, Melbourne Central and Parliament. Buses cover the whole city and suburbia, and run from 5:30 am to 11:30 pm, with several routes operating throughout the night. Bike Share service is also available for those willing to explore the city by bicycle, first 30 minutes of use are free of charge but a small deposit is required. You can also use the Yarra River as a means of transportation, where boat cruises, water taxis and even gondolas will take you on board.

• Web:

  www.ptv.vic.gov.au

Taxi

Uber, Ola, DiDi, Shebah and GoCatch ridesharing apps are used in Melbourne. It’s usually easy to find a cab in Melbourne. Taxis are metered. Here are two popular taxi companies: Silver Top Taxi Services (+61 13 10 08) and 13CABS (+61 13 22 27).

• Web:

  www.visitmelbourne.com/practical-information/getting-here-and-around/taxis