Destination: Victoria
General Things to Do Weather Time Health Education
Welcome
The Melbourne team
Our Melbourne team extends a warm greeting to you and welcome you to our great nation and in particular, Victoria.
If you intend to relocate to Australia and have not yet arranged for a home visit and customised moving quotation, please complete our online Contact Request Form. Once we receive your completed form, one of Wridgways experienced moving consultants will contact you, and arrange for a representative to visit you in your home, anywhere in the world. You will then receive a firm, customised moving quotation.
Wridgways is uniquely placed to assist you. We have been moving people's treasured household effects since 1892 and are well acquainted with all the challenges of moving house. What's more, we have built a reliable, global network of partners in other countries, tested by time. This means you can be sure you'll receive the same high levels of service throughout all stages of your move.
Wridgways offer comprehensive moving and relocation solutions. Not only can we provide moving, storage, insurance and packing services, we can also help you find a new home, temporary accommodation, deliver cultural transition programs, find suitable schools for your children and introduce you to your new city with our orientation service.. just to name a few. Contact our Melbourne office or our Relocation division to find out more about our extensive services.
General
Hugging the tip of the Australian east coast, Victoria is Australia's second-smallest state, covering approximately 227,600 square kilometres.
Melbourne is the capital city of Victoria and home to 3.2 million citizens from various cultural backgrounds. A multi-dimensional city, Melbourne is sophisticated and cosmopolitan, historic and contemporary. This exciting and vibrant city has something for everyone - the best in fashion and retail, restaurants from the four corners of the globe and top class sporting and cultural events. Come and enjoy our parks and gardens, or explore the treasures hidden in Melbourne's historic laneways. A great city if relocating or just for a visit.
Things to do... Places to visit
Want to explore Melbourne but don't know where to begin? Melbourne's Golden Mile is the ideal way to explore this beautiful city, on foot. The clearly marked 4km walking trail is extremely easy to follow. It takes you past some of the most significant buildings in the city, including Melbourne Town Hall, Parliament House, the Block Arcade and the Royal Exhibition Buildings.
Surrounding Melbourne are many glorious gardens. The infamous Royal Botanic Gardens are a must for all visitors in all seasons. Perhaps quietly read a book under an old tree, or admire the vast array of plants and flowers or enjoy a picnic lunch by the lake. Decisions… decisions.
Looking for a novel experience and to purchase fresh produce? Then The Queen Victoria Market is a must visit. Opening at daybreak, this bustling market is full of everything fresh and interesting. Their wares include fresh fruits and vegetables, a covered deli section and various other produce sold by the lively stall holders. The market houses original stalls and offers regular tours of the old heritage building.
Try a traditional but stylish afternoon tea at the Windsor Hotel. Built in 1883 and superbly refurbished in the mid 1990s, The Windsor is the only truly grand hotel remaining in Australia. The award winning, five star hotel evokes the elegance and grandeur of a glorious past, while boasting the most modern facilities expected of one of the world's leading hotels.
Located at the "Paris end" of Melbourne, The Windsor is adjacent to the Treasury Gardens and within walking distance of some of the city's best known attractions, including the Princess Theatre, the Exhibition Building and the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Is sporting history more your thing? Then a tour of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is in order. On non-event days MCG Tours depart regularly from 10am - 3pm. Highlights of your tour include Aussie Rules Exhibition, The Olympic Exhibition Audio Tour, Australian Cricket Hall of Fame, A walk on the ground and the Extreme Sport Exhibition. Prices for adults are $16.00, concession $10.00 and Family (2 adults 2 children) $40.00. For bookings and inquiries please phone 9657 8864 or email MCG Tours.
Are you a player rather than a spectator? The jogging track at the Royal Botanical Gardens is a popular spot for Melbourne's jogging enthusiasts and certainly worth donning those running shoes. The running track, is affectionately known to locals as 'The Tan'. This picturesque 4km track takes you past the Yarra River, The National Gallery, The Shrine of Remembrance and the Observatory.
For a slightly slower pace take a leisurely stroll along the Albert Park Beach foreshore, or hire a bike or a pair of roller blades. There are kiosks and cafes dotted along the promenade and a bluestone wall for pitstops.
Further along the foreshore you will find trendy St Kilda Beach. The St Kilda foreshore has always formed a vital part of the inner-city lifestyle. Now, with the re-opening of the St Kilda Sea Baths, the beach has become a delightfully cosmopolitan waterfront playground.
The sandy shore forms the backdrop to many of St Kilda's drawcards, such as the Sunday Upper Esplanade Craft Market and Luna Park, and famous restaurants including the Stokehouse and Donovans.
St Kilda Pier is a Melbourne landmark, perfect for strolling along, soaking up sea spray. There are penguin tours and ferry tours available from St Kilda, but most people enjoy simply watching the boats in the harbour and the interesting people who don the foreshore. A fish and chips lunch eaten on the edge of the pier will add joy to your visit.
Another waterside must visit spot, is Southgate. Perfectly positioned along the Yarra River, Southgate is the perfect spot for a casual lunch, cruise along the river or an evening meal. This location offers views that will enhance any meal or snack. Watch the antics of the sidewalk entertainers or walk along the river with an ice-cream. A great Sunday afternoon treat for young and old. Southbank is where you can catch a ferry to Williamstown, located on the western side of the bay. Recently transformed into a fashionable port brimming with funky restaurants and bars.
Beyond the City Centre... there is a host of fabulous attractions within an easy drive or train journey from Melbourne and visitors will love getting out of the city to explore the countryside and the amazing diversity of landscapes.
For more suggestions for places to visit in Melbourne visit:
» melbourne.citysearch.com.au
» www.visitvictoria.com
» www.melbourne.vic.gov.au
Weather & Climate
Melbourne enjoys warm summers, beautiful springs, mild autumns and crisp but not too cold, winters. Renowned for its variable climate, Melbourne is said to often experience four seasons in one day!
The average daily temperature in Melbourne during the summer months, is 26 degrees celcius (79 degrees F) and 15 degrees celcious (59 degrees F) during the winter months.
Melbourne's summer extends from December to February and is warm to hot. Autumn is mild and extends from March to May, winter is cool and sometimes cold and extends from June to August and spring is usually variable but mostly mild and extends from September to November.
The warmest Melbourne months are generally January and February, which are often dry and can sometimes rise up to the high 30 degree Celsius range. As compared to the other extreme, June and July are the coldest months and October is the wettest.
Time
Victoria is on Australian Eastern Standard Time (GMT +10 hours).
Daylight Savings Time is in effect in Victoria from early spring to early autumn, during which time clocks are set forward one hour (GMT +11). Australian states and territories have varying policies on Daylight Savings so double-check bookings and so forth when you're crossing state lines.
Health
Australia offers a high standard of medical care and facilities. All cities offer privately funded doctors surgeries, hospitals and clinics as well as Government funded facilities. Most Australians are covered by private health insurance to avoid the long waiting periods associated with certain treatments, but many also enjoy the government funded public health system referred to as Medicare.
Medicare is Australia's universal health insurance scheme and provides access to free treatment in a public hospital and free or subsidised treatment by practitioners such as doctors, including specialists. Australia's public hospital system is funded jointly by the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments and is administered by State or Territory health departments. Contribution to the health care system is made through taxes and a Medicare levy which is based on taxable income.
Are you eligible for Medicare?
People who reside in Australia are eligible if they meet any of the following four criteria:
- they hold Australian citizenship
- they have been issued with a permanent visa
- they hold New Zealand citizenship, or
- they have applied for a permanent visa, restrictions apply to persons who have applied for a parent visa (other requirements apply).
However, for new arrivals to Australia it is interesting to know that The Commonwealth Government has signed Reciprocal Health Care Agreements with some countries. Under these arrangements, residents of these countries are entitled to restricted access to health cover while visiting Australia. For further information,
» visit the Medicare website
Ambulance services are offered Australia-wide and provide emergency services, clinical care, paramedic training and non-emergency transport. It is among the best in the world in providing state-of-the-art emergency care.
The state government provides free services to some pensioners and Senior Card holders, however, this service is generally not free of charge in Australia. It is suggested you contact your state ambulance authority and discuss the option of membership subscription with them as soon as possible. You can find out more at
» Ambulance Victoria
Dental services are extensive in Australia and dentists operate within private practices in most communities throughout the country. Dental services are not free, but can be partly or completely covered within a private health fund membership or dental protection plan.
To obtain details of your closest dentist, visit:
» www.dentist.com.au or
» Dental Services Australia.
Further information about Health in Australia, is available on the Internet at the following related links:
» Public Health System in Australia
» Medicare public health system
» Private Health Insurance Administration Council of Australia
» Kidsafe Australia
Education
The school system in Australia is divided into two sectors; government-run or "free-of-charge" public, education system and the independent or "private" education system.
Victoria's state schools are coeducational. Children may begin their education with kindergarten and/or preschool, in preparation for primary school. Preschool provides a year of non-compulsory education, for four and five year olds.
By law, children must attend school between the ages of 6 and 15. Primary school is the first compulsory stage and covers Years 1 to 7. Children in Victoria, enrol in Primary school for a 'preparatory' year, better knows as their 'prep' year, starting in the year they turn five years old. However, that is if their birthday is before April 30th in the same year, as children who turn five after April 30th, will start school in the following year.
After completing Primary school, children the go on to attend secondary or commonly referred to as High school. High school offers years from Years 8 through to 10, children often commence their High school education aged between 12 and 13 years. On completing Year 10, students have the option of continuing to Years 11 and 12 or leaving school.
The school year usually runs from late January to mid-December. It is divided into two semesters, with two terms in each and holiday (vacation) breaks for Easter, winter, spring and summer.
Secondary Schools
Choosing a secondary school for your child can be a daunting task, particularly if you are moving from an overseas country. For parents who are new to Australia, it may be difficult to know what questions to ask to make an informed decision.
If you require assistance with school searches, please contact our Melbourne office or our Relocation Division. We also suggest you visit the numerous education websites available for further details, please see links provided below. We hope it will help you as parents, make the important decision your child's secondary education.
We suggest that before you begin your school search, you clearly establish what your educational priorities and educational requirements, for your child are. Consider the individual personality, strengths, weaknesses, skills, likes, dislikes and needs of your child. This will enable you to create a clear picture of the kind of school that will reflect your educational values and will best suit your son or daughter.
The Victoria secondary school year is broken into two semesters and four terms. Semester 1 commences in January and concludes in June and ), Semester 2 commences in July and concludes in December. The Victoria Certificate of Education (VCE) comprises a two-year course of study which comprises four semesters, over Years 11 and 12. This is followed by formal examinations. The VCE signifies successful completion of secondary school and is used for entry into universities and often for entry to TAFE's and other tertiary education.
If you are planning to transfer to Victoria from interstate or overseas you, or your school, will be required to provide the school principal with all school reports and certificates, as evidence of your child's previous schooling and level achieved.
Further information about the full range of Victoria's education services, is available on the Internet at the following related links:
» Department of Education & Training Victoria
» Victorian Curriculum & Assessment Authority
» Catholic Education of Victoria
» Association of Independent Schools of Victoria
» Technical & Further Education Directory
» School Search
What does education cost?
Victoria State schools do not charge annual tuition fees. The parents and citizens' associations of most schools, however, do request that parents/caregivers donate a financial contribution. The amount varies from school to school.
In most schools, parents are responsible for providing such items as stationery and uniforms. Parents also bear the costs of sending their children on school excursions and to camps and for participating in extracurricular activities.
Private school fees vary from approximately AUD$1,000-$6,000 per year for Catholic and smaller private schools and up to AUD$5,000-12,000 for the larger private schools.
