The main tourist office for the City of Melbourne is located beneath the shard in Federation Square opposite the main train station, Flinders Street . The Melbourne Visitors Centre provides comprehensive and up to date information on everything to do with the city. From beneath the clocks of the railway station the shard occupies the eastern corner of the intersection of Flinders Street and Swanston Walk.

www.thatsmelbourne.com.au

Tourist booths are also located throughout the Central Business District. City Amdassadors', recognisable by their eponymous jackets and hats can be approached and asked for information concerning directions, sights, eating, sleeping and events. A team of these ambassadors patrols the CBD.

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au
City of Melbourne website

www.onlymelbourne.com.au
This website provides an excellent view of what is on in Melbourne throughout the year.

www.melbourne.citysearch.com.au

www1.visitmelbourne.com

United States - Consulate General
553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne 3004
Tel: 61 3 9526 5900
Fax: 61 3 9510 4646
General inquiries:  Monday - Friday  9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
American citizen services inquiries:  Monday - Friday  2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

http://usembassy-australia.state.gov

China - Consulate General of the People's Republic of China

75-77 IRVING ROAD , TOORAK, VIC 3142
Passports and visas: Monday-Friday 9:00am-12:00pm (Morning only)

Tel: 61 3 9822 0604 & 9804 3683

www.melbourne.china-consulate.org

Irish Consulate
Room Number: 1.05 
First Floor, Records Office, 295 Queen Street , Melbourne
Postal Address: Professor Jarlath Ronayne
PO Box 14428, Melbourne City MC , Victoria 8001
Tel: 61 3 99191802
jronayne@bigpond.net.au

www.irishconsulate.org.au - website currently under construction. For passport enquiries

contact the embassy in Canberra- 02 6273 3022

Japan - Consulate General

Level 45, Melbourne Central Tower
360 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

www.melbourne.au.emb-japan.go.jp

Switzerland - Consulate General

420 St Kilda Road (7th floor), Melbourne VIC 3004

Tel.: +61 (03) 98 25 4000
Fax: +61 (03) 98 66 5907
E-mail: vertretung@mel.rep.admin.ch

Melbourne is regarded as the cultural mecca of Australian cities. At all times throughout the year there is a cornucopia of events catering for a wide varity of tastes.

The Melbourne International Film Festival

MIFF runs 21st July through till bth August. Films covering all genre are aired in some of the beautiful old theatres of the city such as the Forum Theatre and the Palace Theatre.
www.melbournefilmfestival.com.au
see also www.acmi.net.au

The Melbourne Fringe Festival
A showcase of local and regional music, spoken word, visual arts, comedy, and dance. Runs for three weeks during September and October each year

www.melbournefringe.com.au

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival
23rd March - 17 April 2005
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival one of the three largest comedy festivals in the world.

www.comedyfestival.com.au

Moomba
Moomba celebrates its 50th year in 2005, it is Australia's largest community festival and is one of Melbourne's favourite annual celebrations. Over the four days of the Labour Day weekend in March, Moomba Waterfest highlights Melbourne's Yarra River and parklands with a program of free family fun. Events include a Fire Show, Carnival, Waterskiing, Live Music, Community Programs, Children's Activities and the famous Moomba Parade.

www.moomba.com

The Spring Racing Carnival
Australia's premier racing carnival with the internationally acclaimed Melbourne Cup. The Cup is run on the first Tuesday in November.
www.racingvictoria.net.au

Australian Open Tennis
Grand Slam Tennis
January 17 - 30 2005

www.ausopen.org

Boxing Day Test
Cricket lovers' make there annual pilgrimage to the home of cricket in Australia, the MCG.

Australian Rules Football
Winter sports action.

Bells Easter Classic
World Cup Surfing fixture held in Torquay, an hours West of the city and at the gateway to the Great Ocean Road.

The St. Kilda Festival
The Brunswick Street Festival
The Lygon Street Festival
The Chapel Street Festival

All the above are annual street festivals each characteristic of these different areas of the city of Melbourne.




Thanks to traveller and Melbourne resident Rohan Chiu for compiling this information. If you would like to compile/edit/improve a city guide write to us at oceania@backpackglobe.com