The City
Melbourne, the second largest city in Australia, is the capital of the south-eastern state of Victoria. The city is regarded as Australia’s cultural capital with a multicultural population of 4 million with large Greek, Italian, Jewish and Vietnamese immigrant communities.
The city’s features include extensive shopping, Victorian-era architecture, many cultural institutions such as galleries, museums, theaters and beautiful parks and gardens.
Tourism
One of the main reasons for tourist to visit Melbourne is to attend some of the major sporting events and then use the opportunity to explore the surrounding regions. Melbourne is known for people with a passion for food and wine, fabulous art scenes and a non-stop program of festivals, art exhibitions and musical extravaganzas.
Airport
Coordinates: 37° 40′ 24″ S, 144° 50′ 36″ E
Melbourne’s Airport (MEL) is situated 22km north-west of the city’s centre. Melbourne Airport has 4 terminals with 56 gates, 40 domestic and 16 international. The airport received 5.54 million international passengers in 2010.
Airlines
The following airlines have flights to Melbourne from Johannesburg, OR Tambo International Airport:
What to see / do
- 12 Apostles – The Shipwreck Coast – one of the many natural wonders of the world
- Atrium – One of Melbourne's nighttime attractions
- City Museum – Trace the history of Melbourne, from the early explorations of John Batman
- Federation Square – Landmark cultural and entertainment destination
- Flinders Street Station – the busiest suburban railway Station in the southern hemisphere
- St Patrick’s Cathedral – Mother Church of the Catholic Archdiocese and an architectural glory
- Royal Exhibition Building – One of the world's oldest remaining exhibition pavilions.
- Public Library – The building was built in 1997.
- Shrine of Remembrance – Victoria’s largest war memorial and Melbourne’s most recognised landmark
- Port Melbourne – One of the most sought-after parts of Melbourne
Events
- Melbourne Food and Wine Festival
- Moomba Waterfest
- Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show
- Melbourne International Comedy Festival
- Melbourne International Film Festival
- St Jerome's Laneway Festival
- Chinese New Year Festival
- Melbourne International Arts Festival
Accommodation
Search over 120 hotels in Melbourne, Australia
General Info
Melbourne Airport’s international terminal has foreign-exchange booths, in the city you can also try American Express or Travelex, both situated in Collin Street for your foreign exchange.
Weather
Melbourne is often said to have “four seasons in one day”. Temperatures during autumn and spring are known to be very pleasant, with daytime highs of around 20 °C. Summers in Melbourne (December to February) are sunny with average temperatures between 26 and 30 °C. Heat-waves and thunderstorms are common during the summer and maximum temperatures might rise to more than 40 °C on such occasions. Winters in Melbourne (June to August) are usually cool with night temperatures of around 2 °C and daytime highs of around 19°C.
