Facts | Shopping | Places of Interest | Eating Out | Bars/Nightclubs | Your Comments

 

 

Some facts about Melbourne:
The capital of Victoria and Australia’s second-largest city. Recently, Melbourne was named in an international poll as the world’s most livable city. The locals (Melbournians) take pride in their city's lifestyle. During your visit you will be overwhelmed with the staggering choice of restaurants, funky boutiques, café-filled laneways, cool bars and unbeatable galleries.

When crew arrives into Melbourne you will have to clear customs. Always remember to declare any food products and don't carry any fruits, if you are caught you will receive a massive fine and possible prosecution.

Customs allowance for airline crew:
Tobacco: 250 cigarettes or 250 gms cigars or tobacco
Liquor: 2.25 litre alcoholic liquor including wine, beer or spirits.
The value of merchandises not exceeding Aus $450.00, this excludes alcohol and tobacco. 

The weather in Melbourne is very changeable. It is possible during the course of one day to experience all four seasons, the cities lifestyle changes to suit these weather conditions. In the summer, most people head out to visit the nearby golden beaches. In the autumn pop out to the nearest park and experience the glorious foliage.  In winter, you will see many Melbournians and tourists all enjoying the warmth inside various cosy cafes and bars. Spring is a time for renewal – time to head back into the parks and marvel at it's fantastic range of flora and fauna.

 

 

All Australia regards Melbourne as a shopping capital—it’s got everything, from fashion houses to major department stores and unusual souvenir shops. Shopping is taken very seriously in Melbourne, this is reflected in the number of shopping arcades and markets dotted throughout the city. Some of the arcades are architectural masterpieces in their own right. For those who like to shop for the latest designer labels and exclusive shops then head along Toorak Road, also on Chapel Street you can find young independent designers outlets. All these are very close to most crew hotels in the city. Swanston Street is the main shopping street in the city. Here you can find everything from bookstores, healthshops, supermarkets, cafes, sushi trains and clothing stores. Definitely check out Emporio it’s a multi story shoe store and The Basement in Myer for trendy fashions.

 

Chapel Street is full of designer stores, cafes and nightclubs, its located in St Kilda so you will need to hop on a tram to get there, or its $15 in a taxi. Once you have shopped to your hearts content pop into The Vineyard for a bite to eat and chill out to the smooth sounds while sipping on a chilled chardonnay. Smith Street and Bridge Road in Richmond have loads of factory outlets where you can pick up the latest fashions really cheap. To get to Bridge Road walk left from The Hilton and carry on straight it’s really close.

 

During your layover, you must visit 'Queen Victoria Market', this is more than just Melbourne’s shopping mecca - it’s an historic landmark, a tourist attraction and an institution for Melbournians. The Vic Market as it is known by Melbournian's is a great place to get a feel for Melbourne's diverse cultures.

At the markets on a Sunday afternoon you can try out Wine tasting. This is a great opportunity to try some of the world-class wines produced in many regions throughout the state.

 

Market Trading Hours

Tuesday: 6am - 2pm
Thursday: 6am - 2pm
Friday: 6am - 6pm ( General merchandise closes at 4pm)
Saturday: 6am - 3pm
Sunday: 9am - 4pm

 

Tram: Catch any tram heading north along Elizabeth or William Streets. Approx 10 mins from the city center. The Closest train station is Flagstaff train station

 

 

During your layover crew will find a large range of activities and attractions. 'AFL Football'. Football season runs from March to September. There are games Friday night Saturday afternoon and some Sundays. All these are played at the MCG located directly opposite the Hilton Hotel. Go and watch a game of aussie rules, have a meat pie and cheer along. Sundays in St Kilda you can indulge in the weekend markets if that’s your thing, here you can find handicrafts, vintage clothes and jewelry and paintings by local artists. Then get yourself into any of the local pubs for the Sunday Session,  a popular way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon.

 

Visit 'Federation Square'. This area has a wonderful collection of buildings combined with plenty of interesting free space. Enjoy the wacky architecture and a large open piazza-type area cobbled with misshapen paving. Here you will find loads of cool places to eat and party during the night. Also in its 450-seat amphitheater, there are free concerts and other events taking place on the Plaza and along areas of the banks of the Yarra River.

 

Outdoor spaces open 24 hr. Free entry (though charges for some special events and
exhibitions). Tram: City Circle. Walk from Hotel approx 10-15 mins

 

 

Next is the 'Crown Casino Complex'. You will be amazed by the complex's choices, from live shows in the Palladium and Showroom, nightclubs, Village and Gold Class Cinema, games, dining, gaming, and live music are just some of the options available any night of the week at Crown. The Crown Entertainment Complex encompasses over 40 restaurants, cafes and bars all in convenient locations. Along the retail strip you will uncover riverfront dining covering 500 metres of the River Promenade. Each venue offers a choice of indoor and outdoor dining.

 

Crown is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week except on the following days Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day. On these days Crown is closed from 4am and re opens 12 noon.

How to get there? It's only a short walk from the center of Melbourne [Federation Square].

 

 

'Melbourne Aquarium'. Prepare to get virtually wet as you are swept over four levels. Travel through billabongs, rock pools, a transparent tunnel surrounded by sharks and giant stingrays, and finally right off the deep end into the 2.2 million litre Oceanarium.

 

Located in the heart of the city of Melbourne, on the banks of the Yarra River.

 

 

 

Melbourne Zoo A must-see. Built in 1862, it’s the oldest zoo in the world, and among the best. There are some 3,000 animals here, including the ever-popular kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, koalas, wombats, and platypuses. Rather than being locked up in cages, most animals are set in almost natural surroundings or well-tended gardens. Don’t miss the butterfly house, with its thousands of colorful butterflies flying around; the free-flight aviary; the lowlandgorilla exhibit; and the tree-top monkey displays.

Free parking. Tram: 55 or 56 going north on William St. to Stop 25, 18, 19, or from Elizabeth
St. to Stop 16 (then it’s a short walk to your left following signposts). Train: Royal Park Station.

 

 

The annual Australian Formula One Grand Prix takes place in early March.

 

If you want to do a day trip hire a car and drive to The Great Ocean Road its absolutely breathtaking and you will see the famous 12 Aposils and you can also go to Phillip Island to see the penguins.

 

 

With such a favourable climate in Melbourne, it would be a complete shame to stay in your hotel room when you can be outside watching the world go by! Melbourne is one of the best cities in the world for eating out, everyone seems so preoccupied with eating food and drinking coffee. With thousands of eating choices you can enjoy every kind of ethnic dish you could ever wish for. During day and night, you will see most of the restaurants, cafes and coffee shops, full to the brim. Most places now have tables and chairs on the footpath, and some of the larger ones have outdoor areas to match those seen in Italy and France.

 

Australia's second biggest city is a wonderful example of how different ethnic groups can enrich a culture, and this is wonderfully reflected in the myriad of small ethnic restaurants and cafes seen throughout the city and suburbs. There are now clearly defined food areas, most of them in the inner suburbs and close to the CBD. Some of them are distinctly ethnic, some are what could be described as "Bohemian", and others are best described as "modern", drawing on the influences from lots of different cultures. people and food all go together to make one big melting pot. Some restaurants and cafes are upmarket, some are quite the opposite. They all sit well together and its fantastic food discovering them.

 

Victoria Street is very close to hotel and you will find a street of small Vietnamese restaurants. Try Little Vietnam it’s renowned for excellent, fresh and cheap food. Their rice noodle soups are delicious and it only costs $7. The Stokehouse Restaurant in St Kilda is set on the beach and is the perfect spot to sit and have a few drinks at sunset then try one of their famous woodfired pizzas. So drag your crew out of their rooms because it is a shame to miss this one.

 

Crown Casino is located in south bank and open 24hrs also in south bank you can find lots of restaurants on the Yarra river.

 

Some of Melbourne's most popular eating out areas are:

Lygon Street, Carlton (Italian)
Brunswick Street, Fitzroy (Bohemian)
Acland Street, St Kilda (Bohemian)
Chapel Street, South Yarra (Modern)
Victoria Street, Abbotsford (Vietnamese)
Southbank (Modern)
Smith Street, Collingwood (Bohemian)
Chinatown, City (Chinese)

 

 

Melbourne’s nightclub scene used to be centered along King Street, and while this area is still known for large dance venues, the city is now awash with hidden bars and clubs each conceived in a unique way by their owners but all catering to the enjoyment of Melbournians and visitors alike. Those seeking will find!
It’s best just to follow the crowds or in some cases that couple slipping down a side lane and disappearing into a dimly lit entrance. Otherwise, the following options are more enduring in their appeal.

 

Closing times in Melbourne are often staggered, with one set of pubs perhaps closing at 11pm, the next set at 1am, and the rest at 3am. A handful of venues have a 5am or even 7am licence.