Destination

Melbourne

Traveller Information

Melbourne stands on the ancient grounds of the Kulin Nation of the Wurundjeri people. For the Kulin Nation, Melbourne has always been an important meeting place for events of social, educational, sporting and cultural significance.

Getting to Melbourne

Getting to Melbourne is simple, with direct flights arriving at two main airports:

Melbourne Airport at Tullamarine (MEL) is 22km (14mi) from the city and services both international and domestic arrivals.
Avalon Airport (AVV) is 55km (34mi) from the city and services domestic and select international flights.

Transport options from both airports to the city include:

SkyBus – Offers frequent express services to Southern Cross Station in Melbourne’s CBD. Approximate journey time is 30–45 minutes from Tullamarine and 50–60 minutes from Avalon. Free Wi-Fi is available onboard, and no booking is required.
Taxi or rideshare (Uber, DiDi, etc.) – Travel time is approximately 30–40 minutes from Tullamarine and 50–70 minutes from Avalon, depending on traffic.
Hire cars – Available from both airports for flexible travel at your own pace. Travel time will vary depending on route and time of day.

Getting around is just as easy as finding a great cup of coffee in Melbourne. The city offers clean, reliable and affordable public transport services. There is even a free City Circle tram line with historical commentary.

Currency and Foreign Exchange

Australia has a decimal system with 100 cents to the dollar ($AUD). Coins have values of 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, $1 and $2 dollars. Notes have values of $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 AUD.

Major city bank 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.

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

For more information on currency and goods & services taxes click here

Electricity and Voltage

In Australia the power plugs and sockets are of type I. The standard voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz.

Visas

All passport holders (except Australian or New Zealand) must apply for a visa before leaving home. You can apply for a range of visas, including tourist visas and working holiday visas, at your nearest Australian Consulate. You can also apply for certain types of visas online.

To find the most suitable visa, check eligibility, or find out about visa extensions, visit the Department of Home Affairs website.

Climate and Weather

Despite having four distinct seasons, Melbourne's weather is known for being a bit unpredictable. Summers (December - February) are generally warm and winters (June - August) cold, but just ask a local and they’ll tell you that it’s not uncommon to experience all four seasons in a single day!

Melbourne warms up in summer with mean temperatures between 14 - 25.3°C (57.2 - 77.5°F). These months are dry, with occasional hot spells that can last more than three days. Melbourne’s top temperatures are usually in January and February, when temperatures can occasionally soar past 30°C (86°F). For more information visit the Tourism Australia website.