Living in Melbourne
Melbourne is the second largest city in Australia. It is home to almost 4 million people, and is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world. To learn more about Melbourne and Victoria, go to the City of Melbourne website or the Visit Victoria website.
Reading online newspapers such as The Age or Herald Sun is a good way to learn about current affairs in Melbourne and Australia.
Setting up
Student life
Getting involved
clubs, societies, volunteering
Weather, seasons & clothing
Weather
If you are accustomed to a different climate, it could take awhile to adjust to the weather in Melbourne. Melbourne's weather can be unpredictable and is sometimes described as "four seasons in one day". For more information about the weather in Melbourne, go to the Bureau of Meteorology website or any Australian news or weather website.
Seasons
Summer: December to February (summer can get extremely hot. The SunSmart website has information on protecting yourself.)
Autumn: March to May
Winter: June to August
Spring: September to November
Daylight savings begins in October (clocks are moved forward one hour) and ends in April (clocks are moved back one hour).
Clothing
Depending on where you come from, it may be hard to find suitable clothing from your home country. Buying them in Melbourne will give you a wider selection and is most likely cheaper. Bring the necessary clothes (for classes, sleeping, at home) and set aside some money to purchase warm clothing when you arrive.
Dress in layers so you can adjust to the unpredictable weather, especially during the colder months. You do not need to bring very thick jackets (snow jackets) unless you plan to take a trip to the mountains.
Transportation
Public transport
As a student, you will probably be using public transport to get around. Most places are accessible by trains, buses and/or trams. The same ticket (called a Metcard) is used to travel on all three. Regional Victoria is serviced by V/Line.
The Metlink website has a beginner's guide to using public transport and information in multiple languages.
Do I get concession fares?
Unfortunately, international students do not get concession fares in Melbourne (except Exchange students). However, you do get concessions on other things such as movie tickets and entrance fees to zoos, museums and other places of interest. Many food outlets (especially near campus) also offer student discounts.
More information about public transport
There are two travel zones. Zone 1 includes the inner city and Parkville campus. Zone 2 includes suburbs that are further away. Depending on where you plan to stay, you may need buy a Zone 1 + 2 ticket. For information on fares and routes, go to the Metlink website.
Make sure you have a proper and validated ticket. Random inspections are conducted, and you can be fined if you travel without a ticket/incorrect ticket.
Bicycles
You do not need a licence to ride a bicycle in Melbourne, but you must wear a bicycle helmet at all times and abide by traffic rules or risk getting fined. When cycling at night, make sure you have the necessary lights and safety gear. Information on road safety and rules are published by VicRoads.
Cars and motorcycles
If you plan to drive in Melbourne and Victoria, you can use your licence from your home country under certain conditions. Go to the VicRoads website for information about driving with an overseas licence and International Driving Permits. Road rules and conditions may be different from what you are used to, so be extra careful when you first arrive.
If you will be purchasing a vehicle, read the Motor Cars section and the Better Car Deals guide on the Consumer Affairs Victoria website. It has information on buying new and used cars and the costs involved, as well as other useful details.
Cars can be expensive to run (registration costs, insurance, maintainence).
Food
You won't have any trouble finding a place to eat in Melbourne. There are eateries and restaurants that cater to everyone, with cuisines from around the world. Union House in the Parkville campus is a small example of the variety you can expect in Melbourne.
Supermarkets
There are several major supermarkets in Melbourne, including Coles, Woolworths (Safeway), and ALDI. There are also many smaller stores that sell specific items such as Asian foods or organic products.
Markets
Queen Victoria Market is well-known for souvenirs, but the market also sells fresh produce, meat and seafood. Other markets include Camberwell Market, Preston Market, Prahran Market, South Melbourne Market and Footscray Market.
Specific dietary requirements
Some of you may need to find specially-prepared food for religious or personal reasons. While Melbourne does have vegetarian, gluten-free, halal and kosher eateries and restaurants, they may not always be close to University or your accommodation. It is sometimes easier to buy food from specialist grocers/butchers and prepare your meals at home.
Saving on food and grocery costs
- Cook your own meals instead of buying out
- Bring your own lunch to University
Shopping
Shopping is a good way to familiarise yourself with the streets and city of Melbourne. Exploring the laneways and small streets is a great way to discover new shops. The That's Melbourne website has an extensive list of shops in the city.
Larger stores include Myer, Target, David Jones, Kmart and Big W. You will also find a few factory outlets, which sell branded items at reduced prices. There are several shopping centres in the city (Melbourne Central, QV) and a few closer to the suburbs such as Westfield and Chadstone.
Electronics stores include JB Hi Fi, Dick Smith and Harvey Norman (also sells electrical items). La Trobe Street and the surrounding areas have many computer stores; and most department stores also have dedicated electrical and electronics sections.