School of Engineering and Information Technology
Faculty of Science and Technology
Asiacrypt 2008
Travel Information
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ARRIVING IN MELBOURNE
By Air
Melbourne Airport is 22 km (14 mi) northwest of the central business district. The international terminal is in the center of the airport complex; domestic terminals are found on either side. International airlines flying into Melbourne include Air New Zealand, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines, British Airways, Qantas, and United. The local carriers currently serving Melbourne are Virgin Blue (tel. 13-6789) and Qantas (tel. 13-1313). Flying time from Los Angeles to Melbourne is around 14 hours. Flying time from Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo or Seoul to Melbourne is around 8 hours. From Europe, flights connecting through Singapore would be the most convenient.
Between the Airport and Town
Skybus
Skybus offers a shuttle bus service from the airport to Melbourne CBD and city hotels.
This service operates 24 hours, 7 days.
Buses run every 10-15 minutes throughout the day and every 30-60 minutes overnight.
Skybus Hotel Shuttle operates from the city 0600-2200 Monday to Friday and 0730-1830 Saturday and Sunday.
- Adult one way tickets cost $15/$24 return
- A family ticket (2 adults and 1-4 children) $30 one way / $50 return
- A family flexi ticket (1 adult and 1-4 children) costs $20 one way / $30 return
- A child ticket costs $5 one way
- 10-trip ticket costs $110
- Purchase and print your ticket online.
For more information Skybus can be contacted on (61 3) 9335 2811
Visit www.Skybus.com.au for more information.
The city can be reached easily from the airport on the Tullamarine Freeway. Skybus (tel. 03/9335-2811) is a private bus service that operates between the airport terminals and the city, but for three or more people travelling together, a taxi to the city is a better value. En route from the airport, the bus makes a loop through the city before terminating at Spencer Street station ($15). Taxis are widely available. The cost of a taxi into town is approximately $50. Limousines to the city cost about $90. Three of the larger limousine companies are Astra (tel. 03/9819-7979), Embassy (tel. 03/9326-6033), and Hughes (tel. 03/9427-0533).
Warning: If you rent a car, ask for it to be equipped with an e-tag (electronic tag) which is necessary on many sections of the central freeway, including the section between the airport and the city.
By Bus
Greyhound/Pioneer (tel. 13-1238) links the city with all Australian capital cities and with major towns and cities throughout Victoria. The terminal is on the corner of Swanston and Franklin streets.
By Car
The major route into Melbourne is Hume Highway, which runs northeast to Canberra, 646 km (400 mi) distant, and Sydney, which is 868 km (540 mi). Princes Highway follows the coast to Sydney in one direction and to Adelaide, 728 km (455 mi) northwest of Melbourne, in the other. The Western Highway runs northwest 111 km (70 mi) to Ballarat, and the Calder Highway travels north to Bendigo, a journey of 149 km (93 mi).
Note the warning above regarding the e-tag. You can either plan to avoid e-tag sections of the freeway or purchase a daily pass at Shell stations.
By Train
Spencer Street Railway Station is at Spencer and Little Collins streets. Public transportation is accessible from here, but travellers with cumbersome luggage may want to hire one of the many taxis waiting outside the station. If you have little luggage, catch tram 75 outside the station which will take you directly to the Amora Hotel Riverwalk Melbourne and the hotels. Trams are equipped with machines which take coins and notes and give change. The one way fare is about $3.60.
It’s simple to travel on Melbourne’s extensive public transport network as one ticket – a Metcard – gives you flexible travel between trains, trams and buses (including NightRider and Melbourne’s after midnight bus service). You can also pick up one of Metlink’s Fares and Ticketing Guides from a staffed train station, the MetShop (corner Little Collins and Swanston Streets), Melbourne Visitor’s Centre at Federation Square or by calling 131 638.
OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT MELBOURNE AND AUSTRALIA
Climate
Average maximum and minimum temperatures for Melbourne are as follows: Jan.-Mar., 13-36 deg. C; Apr.-June, 7-20 deg. C; July-Sept., 6-17 deg. C; Oct.-Dec., 19-24 deg. C.
Packing for Melbourne
The wisest approach to dressing Down Under is to wear layered outfits. Frequently, particularly at the change of seasons, weather can turn suddenly. You'll appreciate being able to remove or put on a jacket. A light raincoat and umbrella are worthwhile accessories. July can be cool (10 - 15 degrees C) and rainy.
Dress is fairly casual in Melbourne, though top resorts and restaurants may require a jacket and tie. The younger set tends to be trendy; women might want to take along a cocktail dress for evening dining. The Melbourne winter demands a heavy coat--a raincoat with a zip-out wool lining is ideal.
Electricity
The electrical current is 240 volts, 50Hz. The connection for appliances is a flat 3 pin plug. Hotels provide 110 volts for shavers.
Customs and Duties
New Duty Free Allowances
You can now buy more at Melbourne Airport. As of February 1, 2005, the duty free purchase allowances in Australia have increased. Travellers entering Australia are entitled to the following new allowances;
General Goods
You are now permitted to bring A$900 (for adult travellers, 18 years or over) or A$450 (for travellers under 18 years) worth of general goods (excluding alcohol and cigarettes).
These goods can be obtained overseas or purchased in Australia on a duty/tax free basis before departure, or for which a refund of tax has been approved through the Tourist Refund Scheme.
Alcohol
Adults are permitted to enter Australia with 2.25 litres of alcoholic beverages.
Tobacco Products
Each adult is permitted to enter Australia with 250 cigarettes, or 250 grams of cigars or tobacco products.
Note: Family members are permitted to pool their allowances. For further information about the new allowances please visit the FIRST Duty Free website.
Banks
Banks are open from 9.30am - 4.00pm Monday to Thursday and 9.30am - 5.00pm Friday. Closed Saturday and Sunday. ATMs are everywhere.
Business Hours
As a rule, business hours in Australia are weekdays 9-5; this applies to post offices as well. Shops are normally open weekdays 8:30-5:30, with one late closing at 9 PM. On Saturday shops are open from 8:30 to between noon and 4. Some stores, particularly those in tourist areas and in the city centre, may be open a few hours on Sunday. Supermarkets in many locations open early and close late, including weekends.
Currency
Decimal currency is used in Australia, with the dollar (A$) as the basic unit and 100 cents (¢) equalling $1. Australian notes are $100, $50, $20, $10 and $5. Coins are $2, $1, $0.50, $0.20, $0.10, and $0.05 cents. The cost of any item which is not a multiple of 5 cents is rounded up (or down).
Taxes
Everyone leaving Australia by air pays a departure tax of $38. This is often included in the ticket price. There is a general sales tax (GST) of 10% which is normally included in the displayed price of any item.
Tipping
Tipping has never been a custom in Australia, and many are loath to have it start. Hotels and restaurants do not add service charges, but it is a widely accepted practice to tip a waiter 10%-12% for good service, although many Australians consider it sufficient to leave only $3 or $4. It is not necessary to tip a hotel doorman for carrying suitcases into the lobby, but porters could be given $1 a bag. Room service and housemaids are not tipped except for special service. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip, but you may want to leave any small change. Guides, tour bus drivers, and chauffeurs don't expect tips either, though they are grateful if someone in the group takes up a collection for them. No tipping is necessary in beauty salons or for theatre ushers.
Time Difference
Melbourne operates on Eastern Standard Time (EST), which is calculated by adding 10 hours to GMT.
Travel Insurance
It is recommended that you have the appropriate level of cover required for your travel arrangements. Further information may be obtained from your travel agent.
Health Concerns
Hygiene standards in Australia are high and well monitored, so don't worry about drinking the water or eating fresh produce in Australia. The major health hazard is sunburn or sunstroke: Australians suffer one of the world's highest incidences of skin cancer from overdoses of sun.
You may take a four weeks' supply of prescribed medication into Australia (more with a doctor's certificate).
FOOD AND MOVIE GUIDES
http://www.mdg.com.au/welcome.html
http://www.worldexecutive.com/cityguides/melbourne/restaurants.html
http://www.bcl.com.au/melbourne/wotson/cinema.htm
