Backpack Victoria

VISITOR INFORMATION

Melbourne Visitor Centre
To make your stay in Melbourne run as smoothly and efficiently as possible, make a beeline to the Melbourne Visitor Centre on Federation Square. It has everything you need to get the best out of your stay.

Open seven days from 9am to 6pm, the information centre has multilingual facilities, interpretive multimedia, and along with face to face visitor information on Melbourne and Victoria, offers:

• Free brochures and maps
• Event and 'what's on' information
• Public transport information and metcard/myki ticket sales
• Internet and email facilities
• 'Best of Victoria' - accommodation and tour booking service
• 'Best of Souvenirs' - quality Melbourne souvenirs and gifts

Regional Visitor Information Centres
Regional Visitor Information Centres (look out for the blue and yellow 'i' symbol) are located throughout Victoria. Open seven days a week (except public holidays), they're staffed by friendly and professionally trained people with extensive local knowledge. They can provide reliable information on attractions, activities and events and can help you make reservations for accommodation or tours.

Other Melbourne information sources
Free maps and brochures are available from the Melbourne Visitor Booth on Bourke Street Mall (between Swanston and Elizabeth Streets). Opening hours: (7 days a week) Monday to Saturday 9am - 5pm and Sunday 10am-5pm. (Closed Good Friday and Christmas Day).

Keep an eye out for City of Melbourne Ambassadors in their distinctive red uniforms for assistance with directions, public transport enquiries, events, and general questions about Melbourne. Ambassadors can be mainly found along Swanston Street at corners such as Flinders Street and Bourke Street as well in the central shopping district of the city (area bordered by Elizabeth, Flinders, Russell and La Trobe Streets). Operating Hours: Monday to Saturday - 10am to 4pm (excluding Good Friday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day).

Alternatively let a local show you the real Melbourne. Melbourne Greeter Service is a free 2 - 4 hour walking orientation of the city for visitors. Orientations are available in English, 7 days a week (excluding Good Friday and Christmas Day) and depart from the Melbourne Visitor Centre at Federation Square at 9.30am. Other languages available include French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Spanish, with many others available upon request.
For more information click here:

The Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle is a great way to see Melbourne's attractions, and it's free! This popular service operates daily, every 30 minutes between 9.30am and 4.30pm, excluding Christmas Day. The complete trip takes approximately 1.5 hours and includes an informative on-board commentary as you travel, stopping at 13 key city destinations including:

• Docklands precinct
• Melbourne Museum
• Queen Victoria Market
• Melbourne Aquarium

For more information on The Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle, click here.

Another free and convenient way to get around central Melbourne is on the City Circle Tram. Trams run in both directions every 10 minutes, 7 days a week between 10 am - 6 pm (except Christmas Day and Good Friday), with extended hours during daylight saving.

Hostel noticeboards can also be an excellent source of information – you'll find everything from flatmates to car shares, weekend soccer matches and general advice.