About Melbourne

Welcome to Melbourne

About Melbourne

Melbourne is similar to many modern cities around the world. However, it is also quite unique. No matter where you come from you will feel at home, with the 170 or so ethnic groups who have made Melbourne their home.

You will find few cities in the world contain as many parks and gardens as Melbourne. Set amongst as much parkland as there is development, the Garden City of the Garden State lives up to its reputation. The city of Melbourne is surrounded by over 650 hectares of luscious, peaceful, public gardens and parklands for you to enjoy.

Melbourne also has a reputation as the Culture Capital of Australia. Its restaurants, museums, galleries and theatres are highly recommended to all visitors.

Melbourne and its inhabitants are said to be "sports mad". We can’t get enough sport; we play it, we watch it, we love it. Australian Rules Football, cricket, basketball are some of the games that you must see. Watching a game of Australian football with up to 100,000 other spectators is an experience that you must not miss. In your first week in Melbourne you will be required to choose a football team to support as those you meet will often ask you, "What team do you barrack for?"

Weather

Melbourne’s weather can vary greatly and it is often said that you can experience four seasons in one day. In the summer months (December - February) temperatures can range from 15 to 40 degrees Celsius. Hot days are usually bearable because the heat is dry rather than humid. In winter (June - August) temperatures can range from 8 to 15 degrees Celsius with the nights as low as 3.

Melbourne’s annual average temperature is 14.9 ° C. Annual rainfall is 655mm.

Eating Out

Melbourne is renowned for the variety and quality of its restaurants. Food of all nations can be found in the city and neighbouring Carlton, Fitzroy and St Kilda. You may wish to purchase a restaurant guide such as "The Age Good Food Guide" from a book shop. This will help you to find the food of your choice as well as the cost.

Transport

Melbourne and its suburbs run a comprehensive tram, train and bus service that you will find cheap and easy to use. It operates between 5.00am and midnight Monday to Saturday and 8.00am to 11.00pm on Sundays. The School is only minutes from two train stations and buses run to and from the School.

Melbourne’s International Airport is approximately 22km from the city. "Skybus" departs every thirty minutes from 5.40am to 11.30pm with coaches travelling to and from Spencer Street, a major rail terminal ($9). Taxis are also available ($25-$30) or a private service that will meet you at the airport can be arranged through the School.

Concession cards for government subsidised travel are not available to full fee paying International students.

Special Events In Melbourne

Places To Visit In And Around Melbourne

• The Victorian Ski fields
• Phillip Island Penguins
• The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
• Rialto Towers Observation Deck
• Healesville Sanctuary
• The Victorian Arts Centre
• National Gallery of Victoria
• Museum of Victoria
• Melbourne's Royal Botanical Gardens
• Soverieign Hill Museum, Ballarat
• Lygon Street, Carlton
• China Town, Little Bourke Street, Melbourne
• The Twelve Apostles
• Federation Square

Banking

Banks are open from 9.30am till 4.00pm Monday to Thursday and until 5.00pm on Friday. You will find branches of all major Australian banks in the main shopping centre near the School. ATM’S (Automatic Teller Machines) are available 24 hours a day. To use an ATM you will need a plastic card which can be obtained from the bank or you may be able to use your existing card eg Master Card. Check before leaving. These cards can also be used in the Ivanhoe Grammar School office to pay your School Fees.

Remember your PIN or security number must not be given to anyone.

It may be a good idea to arrange your Australian bank account before you leave. For example ANZ (Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited) has an office in your country and is one of the four major banks in Australia. When opening an account in Australia you may need your passport. Interest earned will be taxed at 49% unless you have a tax file number. However, you can claim it back when you lodge an income tax return.

Voltage

Australia’s electricity voltage for domestic use is AC 240 volts, 50 cycle and we use a distinctive three pronged pin. Adaptors can be bought at the airport or at hardware stores.

Telephone

Calls from public telephones cost 50 cents. Many phones now use pre-paid Telstra Phone Cards which can be purchased in newsagents, gift shops and many other outlets.