Melbourne

Avalon Airport, an international hub located in Avalon, is part of the Greater Geelong area in Victoria. It holds the title of the second busiest airport serving Melbourne, despite not being located in the city's metropolitan area. Positioned 15 kilometres (9.3 miles) from Geelong's city centre and 50 kilometres (31 miles) from Melbourne's heart, it's easily accessible. SkyBus manages the Avalon City Express, providing regular airport transfers to Melbourne CBD and Werribee, in line with major flight schedules. The taxi pick-up and drop-off area is conveniently situated right outside the terminal, making your journey hassle-free. Avalon Airport is served by the Geelong Taxi Network, Black & White Cabs, and 13 CABS.

Unless you are a New Zealand citizen granted visa exemption on arrival (in most cases), you will need to obtain a visa prior to visiting Australia. Citizens of all European Union countries, as well as Andorra, Norway, Iceland, San Marino, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, and Vatican City are eligible for an eVisitor visa, which can be applied for online. For citizens of the United States, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Brunei, South Korea and Malaysia, the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) entry permit is available, which can be applied for online and grants holders the right to enter Australia an unlimited amount of times for stays of no longer than 3 months per visit. Citizens of all other world countries (with the exception of Somalia) are also able to apply for a visitor visa online. For more information, visit the official website of the Australian government's department of home affairs.

Time your visit to Melbourne for autumn (March to May) or spring (September to November). These are the sweet spots when the city's weather is at its finest. Ideal for sauntering about on foot or pedalling around on a bike, you'll revel in the abundance of outdoor activities Melbourne has to offer.

Tram travel is free throughout all of Melbourne's city centre, with "free zone" limits clearly marked at tram stops and indicated on board the trams themselves. Fare payment is required outside the free tram zone, which is done by a chargeable "myki" travel card (works on trains, trams and buses). Metro trains cover the city centre and suburban areas with Flinders Street Station as the main hub and run from around 5am to midnight. There are 5 central stations: Flinders Street, Southern Cross, Flagstaff, Melbourne Central and Parliament. Buses cover the whole city and suburbia, and run from 5:30 am to 11:30 pm, with several routes operating throughout the night. Bike Share service is also available for those eager to explore the city by bicycle, first 30 minutes of use are free of charge but a small deposit is required. You can also use the Yarra River as a means of transportation, where boat cruises, water taxis and even gondolas will take you on board.

Australia operates on a 230/240V supply voltage and 50Hz frequency. The country uses Type I power plugs, which feature two flat pins forming a 'V' shape, along with a grounding pin. This standard is also commonly used in New Zealand, Argentina, China, and several Pacific island nations. Remember to pack a universal adapter if your devices use a different plug type to ensure hassle-free charging.

Country code: +61 Area code: (0)3