Module 1 ABOUT VICTORIA (AUSTRALIA) Victoria is a state in the south-east of Australia. Melbourne is Victoria’s capital city and also known as the Events, Sports, Arts and Cultural and Fashion Capital of Australia. Cosmopolitan, elegant and chic, Melbourne has a passionate soul and a welcoming heart that makes every stay a memorable experience. Travel beyond Melbourne and experience the breathtaking scenery and picturesque panoramas in the regions of Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula, drive along Victoria’s dramatic coastline, the Great Ocean Road, step into the veritable wonderland of Australian native wildlife, Phillip Island orstrike it rich with a day out in 1850s at Sovereign Hill, Ballarat. For snow enthusiasts, with an easy three hour drive from Melbourne, visit the most accessible major snow resort in Australia, Mt Buller. The state of Victoria has plenty to offer every visitor! Fast Facts l Visa Unless you are an Australian or New Zealand citizen, you will need a visa to enter Australia. l Getting there The airport is approximately 22 kilometres from the city–approximately 25 minutes drive. Air India is the only direct non-stop flight to Melbourne. The other dominant carriers include Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways, Qantas, Emirates amongst others. Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar and Tiger are the major domestic carriers. l Getting around Melbourne– City circle tram (free), City circle tram (paid), shuttle, bus, taxi, car hire Melbourne’s grid layout makes it an easy city to navigate, with most attractions within walking distance. Various train and bus companies connect Melbourne with intrastate and interstate stations. The City Circle Tram (Free) - Free Tram Zone in Melbourne CBD The City Circle Tram service provides a free and convenient way to get around central Melbourne. With the new Free Tram Zone, getting around Melbourne has never been easier! The new Free Tram Zone includes the area from the iconic Queen Victoria Market, across to Victoria Harbour in City Circle Tram - Flinders St Station Docklands, up to Spring Street and over to Flinders Street Station and Federation Square. Travel on trams within the CBD and Docklands is free, and you don’t need a myki, however, if your journey starts or finishes outside the boundaries of the Free Tram Zone, you must touch on your myki at the reader in the normal way to make sure you have a valid ticket. Tourists can use the City Circle Tram to travel to major attractions, shops and city events. Trams run approximately every twelve minutes between 10am and 6pm Sunday to Wednesday. The City Circle Tram (Paid) In addition, there is also a paid tram service throughout Melbourne. Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle The Melbourne Visitor Shuttle is a great way to explore inner city Melbourne. There are 13 stops where you can hop on and hop off. The shuttle operates daily (except Christmas Day), departing every 30 minutes from 9.30am to 4.30pm, for a flat rate of $5 per person. Kids travel free. Climate and seasons Melbourne enjoys warm summers, glorious springs, mild autumns and crisp winters. With its variable climate, Melbourne hots up December to February (summer), cools down March to May (autumn), chills out June to August (winter), and warms up again September to November (spring). Accommodation Melbourne and Victoria offer accommodation options to suite a wide range of budgets and travelling preferences. Choose from luxury city hotels, boutique hotels, apartments, motels, B&Bs, caravan parks and backpacker hostels. Melbourne is home to some world class hotels such as The Crown Towers, The Langham, Crown Promenade, The Crown Metropol, Hilton on the Park, The Westin, Sofitel, Adelphi, Grand Hyatt amongst others. EXPERIENCE MELBOURNE– KEY ATTRACTIONS/MUST-DOS Eureka Skydeck Located in Southbank, Eureka Skydeck 88 is perfectly positioned for 360 degree, floor-to-ceiling views encompassing Melbourne’s CBD, sports precinct. Come by day for brilliant views extending to the Dandenong ranges, and by night to see the spectacular Melbourne skyline nightscape. Two dedicated lifts propel visitors to level 88 in under 40 seconds. Only Skydeck 88 can take you to ‘The Eureka Skydeck, The Edge Edge’, a switchable glass cube which slides out from the building, with you inside! Melbourne Cricket Ground & the National Sports Museum For history, pure drama and emotion, it’s hard to look past the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The 75 minutes MCG tour gives the visitor the opportunity to relive their great sporting memories through a comprehensive tour of this marvellous stadium which gives you access to areas including player change Melbourne Cricket Ground rooms, the Ponsford stand, the Long Room and more. Visit the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground and be a part of this great sporting tradition. The MCG is also host to the Boxing Day Test, which is arguably one of the greatest and highest profile test matches on the world cricket calendar. The MCG also witnessed 5 massive games of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 including the final match that was held on 29th March 2015. The National Sports Museum is located at the home of sport in Australia. A visit to the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the National Sports Museum is a perfect family outing! Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium No trip to Melbourne is complete without visiting the Melbourne Aquarium. Situated on the riverside, Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium is home to thousands of aquatic animals. The aquarium takes you on an interactive adventure from the depths of the ocean to the icy waters of Antarctica. The Penguin Passport tour, a 45 minute tour gives you the exclusive opportunity to sit Melbourne Aquarium among majestic King and cheeky Gentoo penguins. Melbourne Zoo Journey through a world of wildlife in the heart of Melbourne! Stroll through Asian and African rainforests, take the time to stop and see eye to eye with beautiful orangutans in their special elevated exhibit. Explore the award-winning Trail of the Elephants or view koalas, platypus, kangaroos, wombats and other unique native wildlife in the Australian bush setting. Melbourne Star Observation Wheel Reach for the sky with a ride on Melbourne’s newest star attraction, Melbourne Star Observation Wheel, located in Melbourne’s waterfront precinct of Docklands. The Melbourne Star Observation Wheel is a 30-minute ride in fully enclosed glass cabins. Cabins accommodate up to 20 people at a time. Melbourne Star Observation Wheel Melbourne River Cruise Experience the award-winning cruise on the Yarra River with Melbourne River Cruises. You can also choose the ‘Spirit of Melbourne Cruising Restaurant’ that offers spectacular scenery of Melbourne while you enjoy a four course wine and dining menu. Yarra River in Southbank Federation Square It’s increasingly hard to imagine Melbourne without Federation Square. It is home to major cultural attractions, world-class events and tourism experiences. Fed Square host over 2000 events each year andhas become one of the most visited attractions in Melbourne with more than 10 million visits a year. Federation Square Shopping Melbourne is the shopping capital of Australia. The historic and heritage-listed Melbourne General Post Office (GPO) on Bourke Street to the style-savvy Little Collins Street, Melbourne is world-renowned for its fashion houses. The Queen Victoria Market, a historic landmark spread over two city blocks has been the heart and soul of Melbourne for more than a century. Events/ Theatre & Musicals – Highlighted events in 2015 Melbourne’s calendar of events is jam-packed, from high-octane racing to the finesse of fashion. Some of the key events in 2015 include Australia Open Tennis, Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, Formula One Grand Prix, ICC Cricket World Cup, Spring Racing Carnival, Melbourne International Film Festival and many more. Hot Air Ballooning A sunrise hot air balloon flight over Melbourne is a truly remarkable experience. Melbourne is one of the only cities in the world you can traverse in a hot air balloon, which makes it a unique and an iconic experience. Harley Davidson Ride If you are visiting Melbourne and want to experience it in a unique way, then join a Harley Davidson motorcycle joyride. Try the one hour Melbourne City Tour taking in Docklands, a view of the city from the Bolte Bridge, a thunderous ride through the Burnley Tunnel, a lap of the Albert Park F1 track, through St Kilda and much more. Coffee Culture Coffee and conversation is the best combination, and Melbourne’s rich coffee culture is testament to that. Take a roasting or coffee making workshop, or go on a café tour around the laneways, and visit Market Lane Coffee at the Prahran Market or St Ali in South Melbourne. Lanes & Arcades tour Head north from Flinders Street, through a labyrinth of lanes. Admire the beautiful mosaic floor and grand dome of the historic Block Arcade. Time your walk to hear Gog and Magog strike the hour in the famous Royal Arcade, the city’s oldest surviving arcade. Cuisine and Indian restaurants Melbourne offers a diversity of Indian restaurants representing a wide variety of local styles and flavours. With more than 3000 restaurants offering 70 cuisines, it is little wonder Melbourne is considered the culinary capital of Australia. Colonial Tramcar Restaurant The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant was the first of the glossy, burgundy restaurants on wheels were the first travelling tramcar restaurants in the world. As they cruise Melbourne’s scenic streets, diners can enjoy a seasonal menu and quality Australian wines. The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant operates seven days per week. Crown Entertainment Complex Featuring one of the largest casinos in the Southern Crown Entertainment Complex Hemisphere, Crown Entertainment Complex is located on the Southern bank of the Yarra River. Featuring one of the largest casinos in the Southern Hemisphere, the Crown Entertainment Complex boasts over 40 restaurants, cafes and bars, cinemas, an indoor amusement park plus a live entertainment theatre and two nightclubs.