Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

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CHAPTER 11 . MELBOURNE
Trams can be hailed at numbered green-and-gold tram-stop signs. To get off
the tram, press the red button near handrails, or pull the cord above your head.
BY EXPLORER BUS
Melbourne Explorer Gray Line (& 1300/858 687) operates buses that pick
up and drop off at 21 stops around the city, including the Melbourne Aquarium,
Crown Casino, Queen Victoria Markets, Captain Cook’s Cottage, Chinatown,
Melbourne Zoo, and the Botanic Gardens, among others. There’s full
commentary on board. You can hop on and off during the day. A bus returns to
each stop half-hourly. The first bus leaves Town Hall on Swanston Street at
9:30am and the last at 2:30pm. Tickets cost A$32 (US$21) for adults, A$16
(US$10) for children under 14. Buy from the driver or at the little tour booth
outside Melbourne Town Hall.
BY TAXI
Cabs are plentiful in the city, but it may be difficult to hail one in the city center
late Friday and Saturday nights. Taxi companies include Silver Top (& 13 10 08
or 03/9345 3455), Embassy (& 13 17 55 or 03/9277 3444), and Black Cabs
Combined (& 13 22 27). A large, illuminated rooftop light shows a cab is free.
BY CAR
Driving in Melbourne is not always fun. Roads can be confusing, there are trams
and aggressive drivers everywhere, and there is a strange rule about turning right
from the left lane at major intersections in the downtown center (which leaves
the left-hand lane free for oncoming trams and free for through traffic). Here,
you must wait for the lights to turn amber before turning. Also, you must always
stop behind a tram if it stops, as passengers usually step directly into the road.
Add to this the general lack of parking spaces and expensive hotel valet-parking
charges, and you’ll know why it’s better to get on a tram instead. For road rules
pick up a copy of the Victorian Road Traffic handbook from bookshops, or from
a Vic Roads office (& 13 11 71 in Australia for the nearest office).
Major car-rental companies include Avis, 400 Elizabeth St. (& 03/9663
6366); Budget, 398 Elizabeth St. (& 03/9203 4844); Hertz, 97 Franklin St.
(& 03/9698 2555); Delta Europcar, 110 A’beckett St. (& 03/9600 9025);
Thrifty, 390 Elizabeth St. (& 03/9663 5200); and National, corner Franklin
and Elizabeth sts. (& 131045). Expect to pay from A$40 (US$26) a day for a
small car.
FAST FACTS: Melbourne
American Express The main Amex office is at 235 Collins St. (& 03/9633
6333). It’s open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5:30pm, and Saturday
from 9am to noon.
Business Hours In general, stores are open Monday through Thursday
9am to 5:30pm, Friday from 9am to 9pm, Saturday from 9am to 5:30pm,
and Sunday from 10am to 5pm. The larger department stores stay open
on Thursday till 6pm and Friday until 9pm. Banks are open Monday
through Thursday from 9:30am to 4pm, and Friday from 9:30am to 5pm.
Camera Repair Vintech Camera Repairs, 5th Floor, 358 Lonsdale St. (& 03/
9602 1820, or 0418-515 662 mobile ), is well regarded.