Melbourne Trip Planning in 7 Easy Steps
How to Plan Your Trip to Melbourne – 7 Tips for First-time Travellers
If you’re planning a trip to Melbourne, Australia in the near future, the first thing to say is congratulations! Melbourne is a fantastic place to visit and relax. At the same time, there are a few things that you might want to look into before you go. Here are some valuable Melbourne travel tips for first-time travelers headed to Melbourne Australia.
Get A Visa!
The first thing that you should know before you travel to Melbourne, or anywhere in Australia for that matter, is that you need a visa. Doesn’t matter how in order your passport is or how short your trip is going to be, Australia requires that you apply for a visa before you can enter. Many travelers have been caught unaware of this and just purchase plane tickets, only to be denied entry when they arrive. Make sure you apply for a tourist visa well in advance of your trip.
Weather Swap
If you’re travelling from anywhere in the northern hemisphere, you need to realize that down under, the weather is flipped. If it’s summertime where you are, it’s going to be the dead of winter in Australia. If you’re celebrating the winter holidays at home, you’ll find yourself in the middle of summer when you arrive. Pay attention and pack accordingly so you aren’t caught without proper attire. Also, north/south seasonal temperatures are reversed. Temperatures are warmer in the north and cooler in the south of the country.
Parking on the Cheap
Melbourne, like many cities, has a definite problem when it comes to parking. If you’re planning a road trip to Melbourne while visiting Australia, you can find cheap parking spots on a sharing community site like Parkhound.
Find Wifi
Australia has a reputation for having shoddy and slow internet service. The good news is that Melbourne has decided to step up the internet game and provide free Wifi access to anyone at certain public locations. Learning to set up web-based chats like WhatsApp can save you a ton of money when you’re trying to keep in touch with your friends and family back home.
Telephone Service
Telephone service in Australia is expensive, which is why we suggested using web-based communications. If you are planning on using telephone service, check with your carrier to see how the travel will affect your rates, and what your international billing plans are. Most people will purchase pre-paid phone cards to use while visiting. Relying on your cell-service may result in shockingly large bills when you return home, so better be safe.
Shopping Hours
Most retail stores in Melbourne are open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm, extending to 9pm on Fridays. On Sundays, many retailers close for the day, but a few will be open from 10am to 5pm. If you’re used to evening shopping while travelling, you’re going to be disappointed, so make sure that you get your shopping done during the day.
Myki System
Make sure that you pick up a Myki card when you first arrive. The Myki System is a reloadable smartcard ticketing system for public transport that allows you to simply wave the card over a reader. One of the best things about Melbourne is that the Myki card works for most public transport services in Melbourne and the surrounding region.
A visit to Melbourne can be a once in a lifetime opportunity, and Australia is a great destination for first-time travelers. It’s just exotic enough to feel like you’re experiencing something new, but familiar enough that you will be comfortable navigating your way through your trip. Following the above tips should help you make the most of your trip.
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About The Author: Sarah Kearns is a hard working mother of three daughters. She is a Senior Communications Manager for BizDb, an online resource with information about businesses in the UK. She loves cooking, reading history books and writing about green living.purchased plane tickets, only to be denied entry when they arrive. Make sure you apply for a tourist visa well in advance of your trip.
