Hello Melbourne

Foreign Exchange

Nationwide Foreign Exchange.

If you are looking for excellent rates on your foreign exchange, look no further than Nationwide Foreign Exchange. With shops in three convenient city locations, at 97 Swanston Street, 142 Elizabeth Street and Shop 139a Melbourne Central, 211 LaTrobe Street - Nationwide are easy to find, and as an added convenience they are open 7 days a week. Nationwide also offers an instant money transfer service as an agent for Moneygram International, and with a policy of no commission fees - buying and selling your cash and travellers cheques has never been easier.

OPEN 7 DAYS

Contact: PH: 9663 2077

Website: http://www.nationwidefx.com.au

Hospitals

Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville - Ph: 9345 5522.

Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville. - Ph: 9342 7000.

Royal Women's Hospital, Carlton. - Ph:9344 2000

St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy - Ph 9288 2211

Travellers Aid

Tired & hungry travellers in need of a shower, accommodation, food, tourist advice or in a crisis, you can be helped by the Society. The Travellers Aid Disability Access Service, Level 2, 169 Swanston St ,

Contact: Tel: 9654 7690,

Consulates/Embassies

British Consulate-General, Melbourne

17th Floor, 90 Collins Street, Melbourne 3000. Consular enquiries 03 9652 1600

Consulate General of The United States

553 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004 Tel: 9526 5900.

The Embassy of United Arab Emirates

36 Culgoa Circuit, O'MALLEY ACT 2606Tel: (02) 6286 8802.

South African High Commission

Canberra, Cnr Rhodes Place & State Circle Yarralumla, Canberra, Ph 02 6273 2424

Delegation of the European Commission to Australia & New Zealand

18 Arkana Street, Yarralumla ACT 2600Tel: (02) 6271 2777

CityLink Info / Road Toll

CityLink is an easy to use toll system that has no tollbooths, it is all done electronically, so as not to affect the flow of traffic in any way. In order to travel on CityLink you must purchase a CityLink Pass, which can be purchased in advance or no later than midnight the day after you have travelled. CityLink Passes can be purchased from http://www.citylink.com.au, through Touch Kiosks in selected Shell Shops or call 13 26 29.

Contact: Call 13 26 29

Website: www.citylink.com.au

Hook Turns in the City

To accommodate trams and lots of through traffic in the city we have a somewhat unique method for accomplishing a right hand turn at selected intersections. At these intersections, you turn right from the left hand lane, leaving the right hand lane free for through traffic and the tram tracks clear for trams. Some people hate them, other people love them. The trickiest part of the hook turn is getting everyone to cooperate Hook turn signs are found at some intersections in Melbourne's City Centre. These signs are found either at the side of the road or hung from tram wires above the intersection. Make sure you check for these signs when driving in Melbourne's city centre. If you approach an intersection with this sign and you want to make a right hand turn makesure you follow these instructions:

1. A hook turn involves turning right from the left lane. When you enter the intersection stay as far left as possible avoiding any marked pedestrian crossings. Make sure you are indicating right.

2. Once in the intersection, opposite the street you are entering, wait here until the lights of the street you are entering have turned green. Once clear proceed with your right hand turn.

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Melbourne Visitor Centre at Federation Square

Located opposite Flinders Street railway station, the Melbourne Visitor Centre is a one stop shop for visitors and tourists. The centre offers information on Melbourne and Victoria including brochures and maps; "what's on" listings; internet and email facilities; souvenirs; and an accommodation, car and tour booking service. Open daily from 9am to 6pm (closed Good Friday and Christmas Day). Street-level lifts provide access for people with disabilities.

Melbourne Visitor Booth in the Bourke Street Mall

Located in the heart of the Bourke Street Mall, friendly volunteers at the Melbourne Visitor Booth provide maps and information on shopping, attractions and events. Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm, and Sunday 10am to 5pm (closed Good Friday and Christmas Day).

City Ambassadors

For assistance with directions, public transport enquiries, events, and general questions about Melbourne, keep an eye out for our roving City Ambassadors in their distinctive red uniforms. Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm, Saturday 11am to 2pm (excluding public holidays).

Emergency Numbers

The Municipal Emergency Management Information Team (MEMIT) is a working party led by the City of Melbourne of key emergency services agencies who aim to ensure all residents, businesses, visitors and special needs groups are aware of and prepared to deal with any emergency.

The team comprises the City of Melbourne, Victoria Police; Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board; State Emergency Service; Department of Human Services; and Red Cross.

The team meets regularly to form a unified approach to emergency management preparedness within the City of Melbourne.

City of Melbourne conducted extensive market research to ascertain the community?s views on emergency management in the city of Melbourne. The findings point to a clear recognition that the emergency management climate has changed and this has implications for individuals and business. People (individuals and businesses) indicated they were prepared to take the next step from simply being aware to taking action that will help them minimise the impact of an emergency. They indicated the best help would come from Council to assist them by providing information that is simple, relevant and easy to access. To engage the community and achieve this behaviour change Council is required to develop a long-term strategy of partnerships with the emergency agencies. This has lead to the formation of the MEMIT (Municipal Emergency Management Information Team).

Contact: Dial 000 FREE CALL

Website: www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Shopping hours

In Melbourne, opening hours are varied. Most fast food outlets and supermarkets are open 24 hours. Generally city shops and designated suburban tourist areas are open Mon-Wed, 9am-6pm. Thurs & Fri, 9am-9pm. Sat, 9am-5pm. Sundays most shopping centres, city areas and department stores are open 10am-5pm.

Taxis

Arrow - 132 211

Black Cabs - 132 227

Embassy - 131 755

N.Suburbs - 131 119

Silver Top - 131 008

Lockers

Secure lockers are available at Spencer St. Station, Flinders St. Station, Melbourne Central Retail Cnr. Myer (Lonsdale St. Store), Travellers Aid

Australian Search and Rescue (AusSAR)

Australian Search and Rescue(AusSAR)Level 2, Building 3, 6 Riverside Quay, South Melbourne

Contact: (03) 9674 3000

Trams

City: By using the tram services in conjunction with the free City Circle Tram you will be able to traverse the city and get much closer to many of the attractions and shopping venues in the centre. Trams inside the city grid run with such frequency that you hardly have to wait. Catch any tram (you don't have to worry about tram numbers) if you want to travel within the city grid provided you get off before the perimeter points (La Trobe, Spencer, Flinders and Spring Streets).

City Surrounds: The tram service offers a safe and leisurely way of seeing the city surrounds as well. Just board a tram, get off wherever you choose to take in some sightseeing and continue to your chosen destination. A Daily Zone 1 ticket (good choice for visitors) allows you an unlimited number of trips in a day. This ticket will permit you to travel the entire tram network unless you are going further than Reservoir on Route 86 to Bundoora RMIT, Camberwell on Route 75 to Vermont South or Mont Albert on Route 109 which will rarely be the case.

Call 131 638 for information about metropolitan and regional train, tram, bus and coach services and bookings. There is also a TTY facilityfor passengers with hearing difficulties. Call (03) 9619 2727