Living in Melbourne
Modern City
Melbourne is Australia’s second largest city and home to approximately 100,000 international students. It has a cosmopolitan feel and modern architecture feel (e.g. Federation Square). There are a variety of fun locations, such as St Kilda Beach, South Bank and The Great Ocean Road.
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Melbourne is renowned for its safe environment and friendly lifestyle. Discover what makes Melbourne a great place to live and study by visiting Study Melbourne and Insider Guides.
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Multi-cultural City
Multi-cultural population of more than 3 million, with people from more than 100 countries and local communities from many cultural backgrounds. There is a large international student population. You will be able to find ethnic food, grocery stores, restaurants, and community. Along with newspapers and magazines in many different languages.
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Melbourne Attractions
Queen Victoria Market (known as ‘Vic Market’), Melbourne Cricket Ground (the MCG), St Kilda esplanade, Royal Botanic Gardens, and much more.
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Temperate Climate
Melbourne has a comfortable temperate climate with 4 seasons. Summer is generally hot and dry, and winter is cool with occasional rain. It is a good idea to bring a woollen sweater or windproof jacket for the winter months. In summer, light cotton clothing is best.
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On campus, most students dress casually: T-shirts, jeans, sweaters, shorts, windcheaters and comfortable shoes.
Please note: The seasons in Australia are opposite to the northern hemisphere. Summer occurs at the start and end of the year, and winter is in the middle of the year.
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Melbourne Transport
Trams, buses and trains are a cheap and easy way to get around Melbourne. The Journey Planner available on the Public Transport Victoria Website (PTV) can assist you with planning your travel and getting around Melbourne. Public transport travel tickets (myki) entitle you to transport on all trains, buses and trams.
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Further information on the public transport system (fares, tickets, timetables) please visit PTV.
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Please note: International students are not entitled to concession fares, so you must pay the full adult fare. The transport system does not operate from Melbourne to the Airport.
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Shopping in Melbourne
OPENING HOURS
Many large shopping centres follow these general opening hours, please always refer to their websites to find their actual trading hours, especially during public holidays and over the Christmas period.
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Monday: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Tuesday: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Wednesday: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Thursday: 9.00am -9.00pm
Friday: 9.00am -9.00pm
Saturday: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Sunday: 10.00am – 5.00pm
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Credit Cards and Debit Cards
Almost all shops accept major credit cards and debit (EFTPOS) cards, stores that are cash only, such as some food outlets will have this stated on their cash register.
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Pricing
In Australia, most shops sell items at a fixed, marked price. However, you might be able to get a lower price on some items (for example, furniture or electrical goods), if:
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They price match (i.e. Another store is offering the same item for a lower price)
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Items are second-hand
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You are shopping at markets
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You are paying cash
Department Stores
Department stores sell clothing, shoes, furniture, computers, electrical goods, kitchenware, and gifts. Compare price and quality, and look out for discount sales.
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Large Shopping Centres
Large shopping centres are located in Melbourne’s Central Business District, in Melbourne suburbs and in larger regional cities and towns.
Large shopping centres usually contain:
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Major department stores (David Jones, Myer, Target, K-Mart, Big-W)
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Supermarkets (Coles, Woolworths, Franklins)
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Specialist stores selling books, clothing, computers and software, telephones, sportswear and music
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Banks
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Cafes and fast-food outlets
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Movie theatres
Local Markets
Markets sell new and second-hand goods. There are a number of weekend markets. You can bargain at some stalls. Some well-known food and clothing markets in Melbourne are:
Some prominent art and craft markets of this type are the St Kilda Esplanade Market and the Arts Centre Sunday Market.
Online Markets
Second-hand goods, from household items to motor vehicles, are advertised on sites such as Trading Post, Gumtree and eBay.