Melbourne: Overview

Multi-cultured, highly cultured, marvellously arty Melbourne.

Melbourne is dubbed marvellous for a reason. Healthy hedonism masquerades as high art: Melburnians are equally passionate about football and ballet, fashion and restaurants. They are ravenous for music and hot for theatre. It's a smorgasbord of a city that you'll want to sink your teeth into.

A leafy bayside community on the 'upside-down' Yarra River, Melbourne is, by turns, cosmopolitan, suburban, cultivated, conservative and an avant-garde haven. Visitors come for its shopping, restaurants, nightlife and sporting calendar; most agree that it's one of the world's most liveable cities.

Travel Warning: Carry-on Baggage Requirements

As of March 31, 2007 all passengers flying to and from Australia on international flights will only be permitted to carry small quantities of liquids, gels or aerosols in their cabin or carry-on luggage. Small containers of 100 mls (3.5 fl oz) are permitted and must be sealed in a transparent plastic bag. Details of the new security measures can be found at the Department of Transport website.

Domestic travel is not affected by these regulations.

severity: Mid-level alert

Fast Facts

Population

3,800,000

Currency

Name: Australian Dollar
Code: AUD
Symbol: A$

Electrical Plugs

Australian-style plug with two flat angled blades and one vertical grounding blade
220-240V 50Hz

Languages Spoken

Official: English

Time Zones

GMT/UTC +10 (Eastern Standard Time)

Country Dialing Code

+61

Weights & Measures

Metric

Related Travel Stories

  1. Place To Be - The party that stops a nation, Melbourne

    Place To Be - The party that stops a nation, Melbourne

    article by Katie Falkiner, November 2005

    At 3.20pm, on the first Tuesday in November, Melbourne is silent; there's not a car on the road and the streets are deserted. Read the full article ›

    Tags: Sports • Festivals & Events • Melbourne

  2. Commonwealth Games 2006

    Commonwealth Games 2006

    podcast by Katie Falkiner, March 2006

    Melbourne broke out in a rash of Commonwealth Games fever. So what's the word on the street? Tourists and locals are itching to tell all. Read the full article ›

    Tags: Melbourne

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