Marvellous Melbourne

Billed as the cultural capital of Australia, Melbourne has something for everyone.

By Artemis Gouros

For a scenic holiday in a cosmopolitan city you don’t need to go all the way to Europe this summer! Our very own Melbourne has enough to keep visitors going from dawn till dusk with world-class shopping, dining, theatre and more. Boasting a calendar of over 300 events per year, this colourful city hosts arts festivals, musical extravaganzas and much more. This vibrant and exciting city is simply waiting to be explored by young and old alike.

Melbourne is also a very visitor friendly city with a number of websites and services dedicated to tourists. You can hop on the web and research sights, events and accommodation. You can also request information or plan your entire trip online. For those who prefer the personal touch, Melbourne also offers a visitor centre at the new Federation Square and services such as the City Ambassadors and the Melbourne Greeter Service.

On this page we have endeavoured to provide detailed information that will assist you to explore Melbourne for yourself. Stroll through gorgeous gardens, brave a rock concert or take in a major sporting event. The city has so many attractions and distractions that it would be a challenge to not find something you wanted to do or see! Take our advice and plan a trip to the majestic metropolis that is Melbourne.

SUPERIOR SERVICES:

Melbourne Greeter Service

The free Melbourne Greeter Service offers first-time visitors the opportunity to experience the city through the eyes of a local and gain an inside perspective of what it is like to live in Melbourne. Whether you are visiting from overseas or within Australia, spending some time with a Greeter will uncover more of Melbourne’s fabulous hidden treasures.
Greeters are enthusiastic, trained volunteers who share their local knowledge of Melbourne by providing free half-day orientations on foot for individuals. Visitors are matched with a volunteer Greeter according to shared interests and languages spoken. You will be made to feel welcome and very much at home in one of the world’s friendliest cities.
This service is available seven days a week and must be booked with a minimum of three working days notice and is available in more than twenty languages. You can book via phone, email or an online booking form.

City Ambassadors

Melbourne’s award-winning City Ambassadors provide a mobile service for visitors, offering city information, directions or simply lending a hand to ensure that your Melbourne experience is an enjoyable one.They can be found roving the centre of the city in their distinctive red uniforms and can help with a huge variety of enquiries:

• “Which tram do I catch to get to the Queen Victoria Market?”
  
• “Where can I find a public toilet?”
  
• “Where is the best place for souvenirs?”

The Ambassadors are approachable, friendly and equipped with extensive local knowledge. You can locate an Ambassador in the retail heart of Melbourne, the area bordered by Elizabeth, Flinders, Russell and LaTrobe Streets. The Ambassadors are also present at many of Melbourne’s major events including Australian Open Tennis, Summer Fun in the Parks and Christmas in the City.

Melbourne Visitor Centre

The Melbourne Visitor Centre (MVC) at Federation Square, located on the corner of Swanston and Flinders Streets opposite Flinders Street Station, is a ‘one-stop shop’ for all visitor information needs. Staff and volunteers at the MVC can provide you with comprehensive information and advice on what to see and do in Melbourne and across Victoria. Lifts from the street level provide access to the MVC, situated on the lower-ground level. The centre is open from nine am to six pm
In addition to providing comprehensive information on Melbourne and Victoria, the centre also offers:

• Free access to brochures and maps
• Event information
• Public transport information and ticket sales
• Internet and email facilities
• Promotion and exhibition displays
• Interactive multimedia screens
• Melbourne souvenirs and gifts
• ATM facilities
• Home to the Melbourne Greeter Service
• ‘Best of Victoria’ accommodation and tour booking service

DON’T MISS:

• The National Gallery on St Kilda Rd
• The Australian art at new Federation Square
• High tea at the Windsor Hotel or at the Hopetoun Tea Rooms in Block Arcade off Collins St
• The Fitzroy Gardens, stroll among the elm trees and visit attractions such as Captain Cook’s cottage and the Fairy Tree.
• The free City Circle Tram around the city - you can get on and off as you please
• The newly restored famous domed Reading Room, among other grand rooms, in the State Library on Swanston St
• The Botanic Gardens
• The Shrine of Remembrance on Swanston St
• The Gold Treasury Building on the corner of Spring and Collins Streets, near the Windsor Hotel
• Old Melbourne Gaol 

Wonderful Websites

That’s Melbourne!

For unbeatable and up to the minute information on what’s on in Melbourne visit www.thatsmelbourne.com.au. This site will help you to iscover Melbourne by offering you facilities to help you plan you trip and arming you with information to go exploring.

Access Melbourne

Melbourne prides itself on being an accessible city that everyone can enjoy and the website www.accessmelbourne.vic.gov.au is an information guide to Melbourne for both the elderly and people with disabilities. It is useful for first time or frequent visitors assisting people to use Melbourne’s services and facilities. The site also includes mobility maps that detail the location of stairs and steep inclines in the city and routes to avoid them.

City of Melbourne

The City of Melbourne’s comprehensive website www.melbourne.vic.gov.au contains a vast amount of information about Melbourne and the services offered by the City of Melbourne. Catering for both visitors and residents the site has everything from a search facility and council information to an events calendar.

CONTACTS

For further information on Melbourne’s great services please contact the following:

City Ambassadors
City of Melbourne
Phone: (03) 9658 9658
Email:enquiries@melbourne.vic.gov.au

Melbourne Greeter Service
Phone: (03) 9658 9658
Email: greeter@melbourne.vic.gov.au

Melbourne Visitor Centre
Phone: (03) 9658 9658
Email: enquiries@melbourne.vic.gov.au