About Melbourne
Melbourne is a modern, multicultural metropolis of four million people, boasting great events, a passion for food and wine and a fabulous arts scene. Easily navigated on foot, Melbourne is home to a non-stop program of festivals, renowned dining, major art exhibitions and musical extravaganzas. Integrated public transport is readily available. Within a short distance of Melbourne are pristine beaches and rugged coastlines, scenic mountains and forests, historic towns, wineries, golf courses and Australian wildlife ideal for post-conference touring and incentive programs.
If you have spare time be sure to visit some of the following:
- Melbourne Zoo
- AFL Hall of Fame
- Swim with the Dolphins: Polperro Dolphin Swims
- SeaKayak Australia: Full and Half-Day Kayak Tours in Port Phillip Bay
- Royal Botanic Gardens
- Melbourne Cricket Ground
- NGV International: Australia’s Oldest Public Art Museum
- Dandenong Ranges National Park
- Collins Street
- Queen Victoria Market
For more information, please visit the official tourism site for Melbourne at: www.visitmelbourne.com/
Airport Information & Travel to Melbourne
Travel to Melbourne couldn’t be easier; the city is a major hub for domestic and overseas air travel and is also well serviced by rail, bus and even shipping connections. Melbourne Airport is the gateway to southern Australia, with an average of 450 international flights operating every week to and from major destinations. Twenty two international carriers currently operate direct services to Melbourne. www.melbourneairport.com.au
Melbourne Airport hosts car and mobile phone rental, showers, high-speed wireless internet, shopping and restaurants.
It is a comfortable, modern and fully-equipped arrival point.
Melbourne is an integral part of the Asia-Pacific region and a convenient gateway to its markets; being just eight hours flying time from Singapore, 10 hours from Tokyo and only 14 hours from Los Angeles. Melbourne operates in Tokyo's time zone and overlaps with trading hours from the Middle East, across Asia and through most of the United States.
Skybus Super Shuttle is the official transit link between Melbourne Airport and the central business district. It departs every 15 minutes from Southern Cross station, a five-minute walk from the Center. Purchase tickets and view the timetable at the Skybus website.
By Train: Connex operates Melbourne's metropolitan train network with 15 lines radiating out from the city center. At the centre of the network sits the historic Flinders Street Station, opposite the attractions of Federation Square and close to Melbourne's arts and sports precincts. Metropolitan train services normally operate between 5am and midnight, Monday to Saturday, and 8am to 11pm on Sundays. www.connexmelbourne.com.au
Yarra Trams operates the entire Melbourne tram network - one of the biggest in the world, with 248 kilometres of double track and 29 major routes. Metropolitan tram services normally operate between 5am and midnight, Monday to Saturday, and 7am-11pm Sundays. For tram timetables and information visit: www.yarratrams.com.au
The Melbourne bus network comprises 24 bus operators, which run 285 bus routes servicing commuters, school students, major shopping centers, and leisure and sporting activities across Melbourne. Melbourne's bus network has a combined fleet of over 4,000 vehicles that travel around 70 million kilometers.
The Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle is free and a great new way to see Melbourne's attractions. Hop on and off at stops to see Melbourne Museum and Carlton Gardens; Queen Victoria Market; Melbourne Aquarium; Immigration Museum; Southbank; the Shrine of Remembrance; Royal Botanic Gardens; Chinatown and more. The shuttle runs 10am-4pm daily. The trip takes approximately 50 minutes and includes informative onboard commentary. www.thatsmelbourne.com.au
The Free City Circle Trams travel the perimeter of the central business district every day between 10am and 6pm, except Christmas Day and Good Friday. Extended hours of operation between 10am and 9pm occur on Thursday, Friday and Saturday during daylight saving time.
NightRider Buses travel from the city to the suburbs in the early hours, departing Swanston Street (between Collins and Flinders streets) hourly from 12.30am to 4.30am on Saturday and Sunday mornings, with connecting services to the Crown Casino. Buses go to Bayswater, Belgrave, Craigieburn, Croydon, Lilydale and Dandenong.
Integrated Public Transport: Melbourne's automated ticketing system operates on all train, tram and bus services in the metropolitan area, with tickets called Metcards. One ticket can give you flexible travel between trains, trams and buses. Just buy a ticket, validate it and travel. Most fares are based on two zones. For your journey, simply select the zone/s you will be travelling in, and purchase the appropriate Metcard - whether it be for a single zone or multiple zones. www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au
Useful Links
The City of Melbourne has an official website for what’s on in Melbourne
http://thatsmelbourne.com.au/Pages/Home.aspx
Visit Victoria is the official website for tourism in Victoria
http://www.visitvictoria.com/
Tourism Australia website
http://www.australia.com/index.aspx
The MCVB website has information on our members who offers tour in Melbourne and within Victoria
http://www.mcvb.com.au/iebms/mbd/mbd_p1_all_member.aspx?SessionID=fc9fd7ej4fhkei7ff4&PS=TTO
http://www.mcvb.com.au/melbourne-guide/victorias-attractions.aspx