all about Mel——有关墨尔本
关于房子The inner suburban areas feature sought after Victorian era houses, ranging from small workers' cottages and two storey terraces to splendid period homes. Many were once the domains of European immigrants whose cultural impact can be felt in the cosmopolitan atmosphere of these areas. Suburbs such as Carlton, Fitzroy, Collingwood, Richmond, North Melbourne, South Melbourne and Prahran although historically the "workers" areas are now valued for their "character" and a small two-bedroom cottage will cost the same as a luxury four-bedroom house in an outer suburb.
Southbank area has many luxury highrise apartments that overlook the Yarra river and city. With its access to the city and Southgate restaurants this is a very popular area.
Southbank and Docklands areas have many luxury highrise apartments that overlook the Yarra River and the city. With its access to the freeways, city and restaurants these are very popular areas.
The suburbs of East Melbourne, Toorak, South Yarra, and Armadale are noted for their beautiful tree-lined streets, lovely homes and very good shopping. The inner-city bayside suburbs such as Albert Park, Middle Park and South Melbourne offer a densely populated, very cosmopolitan, fashionable way of life, favoured by those looking for convenience to the beach, city, restaurants and entertainment.
As you travel further down the Bay towards Brighton the housing becomes more spacious. Past Brighton are the lovely bayside suburbs of Sandringham, Hampton and Beaumaris. They all have a strong community feel and Brighton in particular has very good shopping, entertainment, sporting and education facilities.
Description of Areas
Camberwell: Including Balwyn, Camberwell, Canterbury, Ashburton, Glen Iris and Deepdene. These areas date from mid 1800’s with lovely tree-lined streets being a common feature. Adjacent suburbs of Hawthorn, Kew and Malvern are of similar quality and style, all having prestigious homes on quarter acre garden settings. These areas are approximately six to ten kilometres from the city. The public transport facilities are very good, incorporating buses, trams and trains, providing easy access to the CBD and to all schools. The government schools in these areas have a good reputation and there are numerous private schools to choose from. Shopping needs are very well provided for and a complete range of sporting facilities is available. Each area has a public golf course and a large number of public tennis clubs.
Waverley District: Just beyond Malvern and Glen Iris is the Waverley District, 15 to 20km from the city. Offering good services, reasonable transport and suburban family lifestyle. A train line extends through this area to Glen Waverley making it accessible to the CBD. There is a large shopping mall with David Jones department store and a large cinema complex.
Knox: The area beyond Waverley, parts of it are hilly and picturesque with good road access to the city, and more affordable housing. There is a large shopping centre, Knox City with a large cinema complex.
Doncaster / Templestowe: Bordering Kew and Balwyn, approximately 15km from the city, with the Yarra River winding throughout. The housing standard is high with an emphasis on entertainment and leisure facilities. Public transport is not as readily available as in the suburban areas closer to the city. The Eastern Freeway readily provides access to the city. The area is very undulating, and the sporting facilities good, including the Yarra Valley Country Club and Kew Golf Club.
Bushland Areas: To the North-East of the city are Eltham, Greensborough and Warrandyte approximately 15-20km from town. These areas are more rural with houses that are designed in sympathy with their surroundings. A relaxed, leisurely life style is enjoyed here, with outdoor pursuits being popular. Schooling and shopping facilities are also very good. Eltham has a train line giving direct access to the Central Business District (CBD), and there is an extensive local bus system. Further out is the Yarra Valley, renowned for its vineyards and beautiful scenery.
Croydon and Ringwood: Further to the East past Box Hill approximately 20-25km from the city are suburbs that provide a slightly more rustic lifestyle. The housing is more affordable and again access to the city is good via a direct train line. The Dandenong Ranges are an hour’s drive from the city, in beautiful surroundings, and good access to the CBD is available by train.
Essendon and Tullamarine: Essendon is 10km NW of Melbourne, and has a strong community feel. There is a wide variety of housing available, including lovely period homes as well as new developments. There are a number of primary and secondary schools in the area, and Essendon is well serviced by train, bus and tram.
Tullamarine is 21 km NW of Melbourne, and was developed with the establishment of Melbourne's international airport in the 1960s. Most of the housing in Tullamarine consists of units and single-storey houses, mostly dating back to the 1970s. Trains and buses operate in the area and there is a primary and secondary school.
Brighton: Only 10km south of the CBD, Brighton has been flourishing since the 1840s when city businessmen displayed their wealth by the houses they built. Many of these lovely old houses still exist although many more have been replaced by new townhouses. Brighton's beaches and the wonderful shopping at Church Street add to its attractiveness. The restaurants and bistros here are excellent.
Sandringham: Sandringham is a pretty beachside suburb boasting beautiful beaches, cliff-top walks and lovely parks. It is 16km from the CBD. Sport plays a large part in the community and among the many sport clubs are Sandringham Yacht Club and Royal Melbourne Golf Club. 关于交通
MetlinkTrip (trains, buses & trams) information line
www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au
13 1638
Trains
Operation Hours:
Monday to Saturday
5am to Midnight
Sunday
8am to 11pm
Two fare zones apply. Various types of tickets are available at adult and concession prices. Below is a summary of some of the tickets and their prices. Other tickets include various types of student passes, savers and ones extending beyond zone 2. For more detailed information please see the website given above
2 hour
Daily
Weekly
Monthly
Yearly
Zone 1
$3.20
$6.10
$26.70
$98.90
$1058
Zone 2
$2.40
$4.30
$18.40
$66.30
$709
Zones 1 & 2
$5.20
$9.70
$45.20
$152.60
$1633
Effective March '07 (adult prices)
Buses
Buses operate extensively throughout the Melbourne suburbs you can check the routes in your "Melways" or ore use the contact information given above.
There is a Night Rider bus service that operates between the city and suburbs each hour 12:30-4.30 am on Saturday and Sunday mornings. This service has a mobile phone on board so you can book a Taxi or call a friend to pick you up. Cost: $6:00 for 2 hours.
Trams
Melbournes Tram network is managed by:
Yarra Trams
www.yarratrams.com.au
1800 800 166
For your Tram routes you can also check your "Melways".
Taxis
Available for hire either from the street or can be booked in advance. Below is a list of some suggested companies.
Taxis Combined
13 10 08
Yellow Cabs
13 22 27
City & Suburban Taxis
13 11 19
Embassy Taxis
13 17 55
Silver Top Taxis
8413 7202
Yellow Cabs
9277 3877
Costs:
Flagfall
$3.10
Kilometre Average
$1.45
Booking Fee Via Telephone
$1.30
Waiting Time
52cents/min or $25/hr
Road Toll Charges
$3 or $5
Tullamarine Airport Charge
(paid by arriving passengers)
$2.00
Pre-booked taxis from Melbourne Airport
$3.00
Surcharge At Night From 12midnight – 5.00am
20% surcharge
Country and Interstate Services
V/Line operates a network of trains and coaches throughout country Victoria and Interstate.
V/Line information line
www.viclink.com.au
136 196
Coaches
Several bus companies provide a network of coaches covering the whole of Australia. Following are a few:
Greyhound Pioneer
13 14 99
Firefly Express
1300 730 740
Countrylink
13 22 32 关于公共事业和服务
Domestic electricity in Australia is 230-250 volts, AC, 50 cycles. Plugs are 3 pin although the English 3 pin plugs do not fit Australian socket adaptors can be used.
In Victoria, numerous companies supply the provision of electricity and gas. You are now able to choose your provider.
It is recommended that before you swap your provider that you have an idea of your usage pattern and then shop around for the best plan.
For up to date information on energy retailers visit the Essential Services Commission website www.esc.vic.gov.au.
To look at the guide to choosing your energy supplier click on the tab "For Consumers".
Victorian Energy Retailers
Provider
Phone Fuel
AGL
131 245
Electricity & Gas
Origin
132 463
Electricity & Gas
TRUenergy
133 466
Electricity & Gas
Energy Australia
138 808
Electricity & Gas
Victoria Electricity
1300 136 749
Electricity & Gas
Power Direct
1300 307 966
Electricity
Approximate costing per annum for these utilities are as follows:-
Gas
Electricity
2 bedroom apartment
$200-$400
$500-$800
4 bedroom house
$800-$1000
$1000-$2000
When you apply for connection the companies will need some form of identification or there is a possibility they may ask for a security deposit.
Water Rates
Average household approximately $800 per annum. Renters pay only for water usage – average 4 bedroom house $160 - $240 per annum
Provider
Phone
Website
City West Water
13 1691
www.citywestwater.com.au
South East Water
13 1851
www.southeastwater.com.au
Yarra Valley Water
13 1721
www.yvw.com.au
Council Rates
$700 - $1200 average 4 bedroom homes. Payable by owner
Telephone
Telstra: Telephone – 13 22 00. For connection Telstra will require personal and rental details. Connections made within 48 hours if existing line connected.
Costs for Telstra Homeline Complete plan (as at Feb 2006)
Line rental:
From $26.00 per month
Reconnection fee:
$59
Local calls:
0.20 cents (no time charge)
0.15c for local neighbourhood calls
Local public call box calls
0.40 cents
Installation of new line:
$209 (excluding trenching)
New Telstra telephone
$20.00
Telephone rental
$3.00 per month
Telstra Phonecards: a pre-paid debit card - can be bought from newsagents and other outlets for $5, $10, $20 and $50 and can be used in many public telephone boxes.
Mobile Telephone Services
The principal suppliers are Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. Costs vary widely, and a typical pricing arrangement involves a nominal payment for the handset, and a contract with a minimum monthly charge from $20 - $60 for a contract period of 12 – 24 months. Call charges depend on the pricing arrangement chosen.
There are a number of telephone providers with whom you can choose to subscribe where the international call rates are substantially lower than Telstra. For details on rates and membership call:
AAPT (Smart Chat)
13 8888
www.aapt.com.au
DigiPlus
133 441
www.digiplus.com.au
Primus Telecom
1300 850 000
www.primus.com.au
Optus
1300 133 731
www.optus.com.au
Internet Services Providers
Big Pond - Telstra
131 282
www.bigpond.com
CompuServe Pacific
1300 555 520
www.compuserve.com.au
Optusnet
133 345
www.optusnet.com.au
Primus-AOL
1800 265 265
www.primusonline.com.au
Primus Telecom
1300 850 000
www.primus.com.au
Cable Television
Costs for installation are $29.95. Monthly charges vary from $29.95 - $56.85 depending on the number of channels chosen - up to 31 channels are available. Foxtel – 131 999 – www.foxtel.com.au 关于车子
Obtaining a Licence
For those relocating from interstate and New Zealand you simply hand in your licence and prove your identity. For Australians there is no cost, New Zealanders pay a licence fee.
For overseas licence holders, upon becoming a permanent resident, within 3 months you must undergo a road law knowledge test and a driving test.
Drivers of less than three years experience will be given a probationary licence, as is customary for native Victorians. The rules and test requirements are explained in the Victorian Traffic Handbook which is available from Vic Roads.
Further information and tests are provided through Vic Roads offices (Ph: 13 11 73)
Some Important Road Rules
(Refer to Vic roads "ROAD TO SOLO DRIVING" for the full set of rules.)
The "drink driving" laws are very strict in Victoria and random breath testing is frequently carried out by the police. Drivers with a blood alcohol level greater than .05% will lose their driving licence for over three months and may be fined as well.
The wearing of seat belts is compulsory for all people in a car. Children and babies need to travel in approved child and infant restraints. Motorcyclists are required to wear a helmet.
The speed limit is generally 100 kph on freeways and 50kph in residential areas. Speed cameras operate randomly throughout the state and large fines (and in some cases licence suspension) are imposed for any infringement of the speed limit.
Melbourne, the only city in Australia with trams as a major form of transport, has unique rules governing safety and car/tram progress.
In general, these rules give right of way to tram and tram passengers. Melbourne's "hook turns" are found at a number of intersections in down town Melbourne. The signs for these can be seen at the side of the road or hung from tram wires.
There are also roads that are designated as fairways. Yellow lines and tram signs along these roads give trams priority at certain times, by prohibiting vehicle access to the tram lane.
Relocatees arriving from the US should take special note of the different driving rules here, in particular the fact that it is not permitted in Victoria to make a left hand turn at a red light when there is no oncoming traffic.
When driving in the country, be aware that native animals may cross the roads, especially at dawn and dusk. Road signs are posted in places where animals are commonly seen. Apart from avoiding injury to Australia's native animals, it is in your car's interest not to hit these animals. Colliding with a kangaroo or wombat can result in considerable damage!
Demerit Points
If you commit a safety-related offence you may incur demerit points that could lead to the loss of your Licence. If you get 12 or more demerit points in a three year period you may have your licence or learner permit suspended for at least three months.
Following are some examples of demerit point offences.
Exceed speed limit by 45 kph or more
6
Exceed speed limit by 30 kph or more but less than 45 kph
4
Exceed speed limit by more than 15 kph but less than 30 kph
3
Fail to give way
3
Disobey traffic control signal, sign or police directing traffic
3
Improper overtaking or passing
2
Turn or stop without signalling
2
Exceed speed limit by 15 kph or less
1
Follow too closely
1
Vehicle Registration
Registration of interstate vehicles in Victoria will cost around $560 for a private car plus $27.80 for number plates. A Victorian Certificate of Roadworthiness will only be required if the vehicle is not currently registered in your home state or you wish to register it in another name. So proof of the previous registration of that vehicle in the applicant's name (to avoid stamp duty and other fees) will be required.
For all enquiries regarding licensing or registration contact:
Vic Roads
www.vicroads.vic.gov.au
13 1171
RACV
Royal Automobile Club of Victoria is an organisation providing a number of services for its members.
· Car insurance
· 24 Hour Roadside Service
· Vehicle Inspections
· Technical advice on vehicles
· Approved repairers list
· Joining fee $40
· Annual Fees - Roadside Care $71
· Extra Care $120
· Total Care $166
For further information regarding any RACV service contact:
The RACV
www.racv.com.au
13 1955
Lessons
For those arriving from countries where driving is on the right hand side of the road, we would recommend taking a special lesson of one hour from a driving school who teach experienced drivers how to handle driving conditions using the left hand side of the road and prepare drivers for the driving test if required.
RACV Drive School
$39/45 minutes
1300 788 229
Excel Drive School
$36/45 minutes
1300 856 857
Car Insurance
Third Party Insurance: Third party insurance is compulsory in Australia. When people are injured in car accidents they are able to claim compensation from the driver responsible for the accident. These claims can run into millions of dollars which is why third party insurance, which protects drivers against this kind of liability, is compulsory.
Comprehensive Car Insurance: Though not compulsory, comprehensive car insurance is highly recommended. It covers the insured car against accidental damage, fire and theft. It also provides liability cover for damage to other vehicles or property.
Most car insurance companies will offer a reduction in the premium if written evidence is produced that a car insurance policy has been held (including from overseas and interstate) and no claim has been made on that car insurance company within the past five years.
Third party and comprehensive car insurance can be obtained from a number of insurance companies, some suggested car insurance companies are listed below.
AAMI
www.aami.com.au
13 2244
AXA
www.axa.com.au
13 1737
AMP
www.amp.com.au
13 1267
GIO
www.gio.com.au
13 1010
HBA
www.hba.com.au
13 1243
RACV
www.racv.com.au
13 1955
Car Hire
There are a number of car hire companies in Melbourne with branches throughout the city and other states. Rates vary according to the type of vehicle and the length of the hire. Listed below are the principal car hire companies:
Avis
13 6333
Budget
1300 362 848
Hertz
13 3039
Thrifty
1300 367 277
Petrol
Prices range from $1.05 - $1.30 per litre for unleaded petrol.
Cyclists
It is compulsory in Victoria for a cyclist to wear a securely fitted and approved safety bike helmet at all times (except on private property). There is a $50 fine for failing to wear a helmet. 其他一些联系电话以及购物
www.thatsmelbourne.com.au
Emergency Service
Phone
Fire, Police and Ambulance
000
Dental Emergencies
9341 0222
Utility Emergency Numbers:
AGL – Electricity
131 626
Citipower – Electricity
131 280
TRUenergy – Electricity
131 799
Powercor - Electricity
132 412
Gas (Emergency Only)
132 771
City West Water
132 642
South East Water
132 812
Yarra Valley Water
132 762
Life Line
131 114
Maternal & Child Health Line
132 229
Poisons Information Centre
131 126
Wildline (Wildlife Rescue)
0500 540 000
RSPCA (Shelter & Ambulance)
9224 2222
Telephone Directory Assistance (Local & National)
12 455
Telephone Directory Assistance (International)
12 25
Call Connect (Connected straight through)
12 456
Shopping Centres:
City:
Australia on Collins
260 Collin St
Block Arcade (Historical Building)
282 Collins & 100 Elizabeth St
Melbourne Central
Lonsdale St
Sportsgirl Centre
Collins St
Southgate
Southbank
Suburbs:
Box Hill Central
Main St, Box Hill
Chadstone
Dandenong Rd, Chadstone
Doncaster
Doncaster Rd, Doncaster
Eastland
Maroondah Hwy, Ringwood
Knox City
Cnr Stud Rd & Burwood Hwy, Wantirna
Northland
Murray Rd, Preston
Southland
Nepean Hwy, Cheltenham
The Glen
Springvale Rd, Glen Waverley
Victoria Gardens
Cnr Victoria & Burnley St, Richmond
Apart from these large suburban malls and shopping centres, there are a number of shopping precincts nearer the city, each with its own particular identity. These include:
Chapel Street
(Bold and Different)
South Yarra & Prahran
Toorak Road
(elegant and chic)
Toorak
Bridge Road
(Factory outlets for label brands)
Richmond
Lygon Street
(Italian influence)
Carlton
Brunswick Street
(alternative)
Fitzroy
High Street
(exclusive boutiques, antiques and Persian rugs)
Armadale
Maling Road
(Historical Interest)
Canterbury
Shopping Hours
Store hours vary but in general: 9.00 am – 5.30pm Monday to Saturday.
9.00am – 9.00pm Thursdays & Fridays for most large shopping centres.
10.00am – 5.00pm Sundays in the city and some areas.
The local corner store is usually open 8 am to 8 pm.
Convenience stores are open 24 hours, (e.g. 7-Eleven, Food Plus).
An increasing number of supermarkets are also open 24 hours a day.
Supermarkets
There are a number of chains of supermarkets that stock a wide range of standard household products, including food. The largest of these chains are:
Coles – www.coles.com.au
Safeway – www.woolwoths.com.au
IGA Supermarkets
For household products not including food:
Target – www.target.com.au
Kmart – www.kmart.com.au
Check your "Yellow Pages" for your nearest store.
Liquor Stores
Liquor shops are known as Bottle shops. Liquor may be purchased in licensed supermarkets, bottle shops or hotels during the hours these establishments are open. You must be over 18 to buy or consume alcohol in public.
Markets
Melbourne has six major markets which offer excellent quality fresh produce at a reasonable price. They are at the following locations:
Queen Victoria market:
Cnr Elizabeth and Victoria Streets, Melbourne
www.qvm.com.au - 9320 5822
Tuesday & Thursday – 6am to 2pm
Friday – 6am to 6pm
Saturday – 6am to 3pm
Sunday – 9am to 4pm
Dandenong market:
Cnr Cleeland & Clow Streets, Dandenong
www.dandenongmarket.com.au - 9701 3850
Tuesday & Friday – 7am to 4pm
Saturday – 7am to 2pm
Footscray market:
Cnr Hopkins & Leeds Streets, Footscray
9687 1205
Wednesday – 7am to 3pm
Thursday – 7am to 6pm
Friday – 7am to 8pm
Saturday – 7am to 4pm
Prahran market:
163-185 Commercial Road, South Yarra
www.prahrammarket.com.au
Tuesday & Thursday – Dawn to 5pm
Friday – Dawn to 6pm
Saturday – Dawn to 5pm
Sunday – 10am to 3pm
Preston market:
Murray Road, Preston
9478 3130
Wednesday – 8am to 3pm
Thursday – 8am to 6pm
Friday – 8am to 8pm
Saturday – 8am to 3pm
South Melbourne market:
Cecil Street, South Melbourne
Wednesday – 8am to 2pm
Friday – 8am to 6pm
Saturday – 8am to 4pm
Sunday – 8am to 4pm
Many other markets are held in suburban and rural locations, and are listed in the "Entertainment Guide" which accompanies "The Age" daily newspaper on Fridays. In addition:
The Sunday Market: In front of the Victorian Arts Centre, City. Sunday from 10am to 4pm.
The Esplanade Market: The Esplanade, St Kilda. Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Selling art, crafts and bric-a-brac.
To check for markets in your area on any given day go to www.whitehat.com.au
Imported Food
A wide variety of imported foodstuffs are available throughout Melbourne. Shops which stock imported foods include:
Asian Groceries: Victoria Street, Richmond has many Vietnamese grocery stores that cater for Asian cooking.
U.S.A. Food Store: 11 Nicholson St, Bentleigh - 9576 5655. www.usafoods.com.au
Indian foodstuffs: Walker Street, Dandenong.
Hindustan Imports - 50 Greens Road, Dandenong South.
Arora Spices - 21 Nicholson Street, Brunswick East
Truspice - 145 Carinish Road, Clayton
Arasan Imports & Exports - 23 Koornang Road, Carnegie and a number of Indian food store clustered near Dandenong Station
Italian foodstuffs: Lygon Street, Carlton has many delicatessens that specialise in Italian groceries.
Chinese Groceries: Little Bourke Street, Melbourne also known as Chinatown, has many stores and restaurants.
Mexican: Aztec Products - 1/5 Adina Court, Tullamarine, 9330 1733.
Middle Eastern: Sydney Rd, Brunswick has many stores that specialise in Middle Eastern products. Halal food. Bas Foods, 423 Victoria St, Brunswick, 9381 1444. A1 Bakery, 643 Sydney Road, Brunswick, 9386 0440.
Casa Iberica: 25 Johnson Street, Fitzroy, Tel: 9417 7106, stocks Spanish, Portuguese and South American culinary produce.
Kosher Products: Melbourne Kosher Butchers, 251 Inkerman St, St. Kilda - 9525 5077. Bessa Foods, 57 Kooyong Rd Caulfield - 9500 0000. Coles Supermarkets, Elsternwick, Balaclava & Caulfield.
Netherlands: The Dutch Shop, 1 Alfred Street, Blackburn - 9894 0288.
Kiwi Munchies: Order products from New Zealand online www.kiwimunchies.com
Tokyo Deli: 418 Glenhuntley Rd, Elsternwick - 9523 6200. Japanese Grocery and Take- Away.
Health Food Shops
There are a number of health food shops in Melbourne. To list just a few:
Prahran Health Foods
201 Commercial Road, South Yarra
9827 5983
Discount Health Foods
South Melbourne Market
9690 6093
Brighton Health Place
15a Church St, Brighton
9592 6692
[ 本帖最后由 lookaround 于 11-7-2007 13:57 编辑 ] 关于教育
Schools
Victoria offers both government and non-government schools, to cater for a full range of public requirements. School attendance is compulsory between the ages of six and fifteen, with most children starting school at around five years of age. There are three types of schools in Victoria.
State or Government Schools: The state or government school is run by the Victorian Department of Education, Employment & Training which is funded by the Victorian state government.
A small yearly fee is charged at government schools to supply the school with extra equipment and amenities.
Primary schools are co-educational and are usually on separate sites to secondary colleges. Secondary colleges are generally co-educational, though some are single sex.
There are selective or specialist government schools which cater for gifted and talented students. To gain admission to these schools children need to sit for the school's examination and meet the school's requirements (usually academic).
To gain admission to government schools you need to live within the boundaries of the school's designated area. This information may be obtained through the Department of Education or the school itself. If you wish your child to attend a school outside your area an application may be made to that school and if there is a vacancy your child may be accepted.
Private Schools: Private schools are typically run by independent boards of management. Very often private schools are aligned with a religious faith or Christian denomination. Fees at private schools are high, though extensive on-site facilities and low student-teacher ratios are the norm.
Fees range from $5,000 - $19,000 per annum.
An application must be completed for private schools and a deposit paid. These schools are heavily booked though there is usually some allowance made for transfers from overseas and interstate.
Catholic Schools: Catholic Schools are administered by the Catholic Education Office of the diocese to which the school belongs. These schools are designed to serve the Catholic community though a percentage of non-Catholics are accepted.
Catholic primary schools are co-educational. Children usually attend the school in their own area.
Secondary schools are either co-educational or single sex. Students do not need to attend the Catholic secondary school in their immediate area, rather the choice is made by the parent and child.
Fees are charged to attend Catholic schools, though they are not usually as high as private school fees. Fees for single sex Catholic secondary schools may match those of private schools.
Pre-School Education
Non-compulsory pre-school education is universally available at kindergarten only for children in the year prior to primary school entry. Children must be four years old by April 30 to qualify for pre-school funding.
Kindergartens are run on the basis of two to three sessions per day for two to five days per week depending on the availability of facilities and teachers. Children usually attend a total of about 10 hours per week.
Cost: $200 to $250 per term at government kindergartens.
Availability of places in kindergarten varies with the area. Kindergarten places are usually allocated in September of the preceding year.
Kindergarten is also available for three-year-olds at a price, through either privately - or government-run centres.
For general enquiries, contact Kindergarten parents in Victoria on 9489 3500 or kpv@kpv.org.au
Contact Children's Services in local government for specific information in your area.
Primary Schools
Primary school covers a seven-year span from Preparatory to Year Six, after which children move on to secondary education.
School Hours
Usually 9am to 3:30pm
School Uniform
Usually compulsory in government schools, compulsory in private schools
Class Sizes
20 - 30 pupils in government schools
Smaller classes in private schools
School Sizes
200 - 400 pupils
Secondary Schools
Secondary schooling covers Years 7 to 12. Most schools favour the wearing of school uniforms. Students are required to purchase their own textbooks.
At the end of Year 12 students endeavour to have completed their Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) and gain entry into tertiary institutions.
The VCE is undertaken over Years 11 and 12 and requires passes in at least 16 units, including passes in four separate categories of subjects, as follows:
English
passes in at least three units
Group A (Arts and Humanities)
passes in at least two units
Group B (Maths, Science and Technology)
passes in at least two units
Unit level 3 & 4
passes in at least three subjects
All VCE studies have three graded assessments in units 3 and 4. These will include at least one examination, which is externally marked. The other graded assessments are marked by the school.
Students are also required to sit the General Achievement Test (GAT). This is a test of general knowledge and skills in writing, mathematics, science and technology, humanities, arts and social sciences. It is not part of the VCE graduation requirements but is used in checking that all schools are marking to the same standard.
For information on VCE - Telephone: 9651 4300 www.vcaa.vic.edu.au
A number of schools offer studies leading to the International Baccalaureate:
Auburn South Primary School www.auburnsthps.vic.edu.au
Carey Baptist Grammar www.carey.com.au
Geelong Grammar www.ggscorio.vic.edu.au
Kardinia International College www.kardinia.vic.edu.au
Kilmore International School www.kilmore.vic.edu.au
King Khalid Islamic School www.kkic.vic.edu.au
Lauriston Girls School www.lauriston.vic.edu.au
Macedon Grammar School
Methodist Ladies College www.mlc.vic.edu.au
Presbyterian Ladies College www.plc.vic.edu.au
Ruthven Primary School www.ruthvenps.vic.edu.au
St. Leonards College www.stleonards.vic.edu.au
Ivanhoe Grammar School www.igs.vic.edu.au
Tintern Anglican Girls Grammar www.tintern.vic.edu.au
Wesley College www.wesleycollege.net
School Terms - 2007
The school years are divided into four terms.
Term
2007
2008
1
30st January - 30th March
29th January - 20th March
2
16th April - 29th June
7th April - 27th June
3
16th July - 21st September
14th July - 19th September
4
8th October - 21st December
6th October - 19th December
For general information on primary and secondary schooling, please contact:
The Education Line
www.education.vic.gov.au
9637 2222
Catholic Schools
www.cecv.melb.catholic.edu.au
Independent Schools
www.ais.vic.edu.au
Tertiary Education
Until recently, Melbourne had just three Universities (with a fourth one, Deakin, outside Melbourne at Geelong), but under federal government directives, many of the old Colleges of Advanced Education have now been granted University status.
Deakin University
9244 6100
www.deakin.edu.au
Latrobe University
9479 1993
www.latrobe.edu.au
Monash University
9902 6000
www.monash.edu.au
RMIT University
9925 2000
www.rmit.edu.au
Swinburne University of Technology
9214 8000
www.swin.edu.au
Australian Catholic University
9563 3000
www.acu.edu.au
Victorian University
9688 4000
www.vu.edu.au
University of Melbourne
8344 4000
www.unimelb.edu.au
Quotas on enrolments make entry to the universities far from automatic. Selection is usually based on marks achieved in the VCE or its equivalent. Applications for university entrance by prospective students are received in September of the preceding year. The university year is March to November and in most instances is comprised of two semesters.
Prospective students without permanent residency should apply directly to the university they would like to attend.
Technical and Further Education Colleges (TAFE)
These are Government institutions that offer a wide range of vocational and non-vocational courses, often resulting in the award of a diploma, associate diploma or certificate.
TAFE Course Information line
13 1823
www.education.vic.gov.au/tafecourses
Adult Learning Courses
The Council of Adult Education (CAE) provides a large variety of short and accredited adult courses, run in various locations. Courses are available during the day, evening or weekends. The CAE also produce and mail out seasonal programmes.
CAE
256 Flinders Street, Melbourne
9652 0611
www.cae.edu.au
Summer Programs
A number of the universities run summer school programmes, which are available to the general public. Available courses range from general interest to academic courses, and are run over the months of January and February. Courses are usually advertised in November of the preceding year. In addition, some community centres offer adult courses, as do some schools. 很全面--- 顶 可玩的地方以及运动休闲
Melbourne Visitor Centre
Federation Square, cnr Swanston & Flinders St.
www.thatsmelbourne.com.au
(03) 9568 9658
Open:
November – March
7.30am – 8.30pm
April, Sept & Aug
7.30am – 6.00pm
May - August
7.30am – 5.30pm
Melbourne Aquarium
Located on the banks of the Yarra River, the aquarium showcases a large variety of creatures that inhabit our Southern Ocean. There are numerous interactive exhibits and amazing displays.
King Street (Cnr Queens Wharf Rd), Melbourne
www.melbourneaquarium.com.au
9620 0999
Open:
January
9.30am – 9.00pm
February - December
9.30am – 6.00pm
Melbourne Zoo
Featuring more than 350 wildlife species from around the world. There is a magnificent butterfly house which you can walk through and have the butterflies land on you. Open 365 days of the year. In summer you can take a picnic and sit in the gardens whilst Jazz music is played.
Elliot Avenue, Royal Park
www.zoo.org.au
9285 9300
Open:
January - March
Fri, Sat & Sun:
9.00am – 9.30pm
April - December
9.00am – 5.00pm
Royal Botanic Gardens
Only minutes from the city centre a vast array of Botanical species. Beautiful landscaped gardens with stunning vistas across sweeping lawns, lakes with swans and other bird life. Have afternoon tea in one of the tea rooms. There are also guided walks daily.
Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra
www.rbg.vic.gov.au
9252 2300 or 9252 2364
Open:
November - March
7.30am – 8.30pm
April
7.30am – 6.00pm
May - August
7.30am – 5.30pm
September
7.30am – 6.00pm
Fitzroy Gardens
These beautiful gardens contain The Conservatory, Cook's Cottage, Sinclair's Cottage, The Fairy Tree and a model village.
Wellington Parade, Melbourne
www.fitzroygardens.com
9419 4677
Open:
Daily
9.00am – 5.30pm
Polly Woodside
Step back in history when you visit the Polly Woodside (c1885). Explore all her nook's and cranny's - said to be the prettiest boat ever built in Belfast.
CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS – EXPECTED TO REOPEN IN 2008.
Lorimer St East, Southbank
9699 9760
Open:
Daily
10.00am – 4.00pm
Closed
Christmas day & Good Friday
Old Melbourne Gaol
Visit the infamous "2nd cell block" (c1862) site of 136 hangings. The most famous of these being that of outlaw, Ned Kelly.
Russell Street, Melbourne
9669 7228
Open:
Daily
9.30am – 4.30pm
Closed
Christmas day & Good Friday
Melbourne Observation Deck
The tallest office building in the Southern hemisphere, the Rialto Towers, is a great place to enjoy spectacular 360 degree views.
525 Collins Street, Melbourne
www.melbournedeck.com.au
9629 8222
Open:
Daily
10.00am – 10.00pm
Friday & Saturday
10.00am – 11.00pm
Shrine of Remembrance
Victoria's memorial to the service of it's men and women in times of war. This monument and its 13 hectare surrounds, represents one of the largest memorials in the world.
St Kilda Road, Melbourne
www.shrine.org.au
9654 8415
Melbourne Museum
Carlton Melbourne's world class cultural attraction which features real, hands on, virtual and innovative displays.
Carlton Gardens
www.melbourne.museum.vic.gov.au
131 102
Open:
Daily
10.00am – 5.00pm
Weekends Away
There are many natural and man-made attractions in Melbourne and Victoria. Comprehensive brochures are available from:
Victoria Visitor Information Centre
Corner Flinders Street and St Kilda Road
Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia.
Tel: (+61) 3 9658 9658
Web: www.visitvictoria.com.au
Popular destinations include:
Sovereign Hill: Is in Ballarat, situated 113 km west of Melbourne. An open air museum which is a recreated gold mining town of the 1850s. This is a fun place for children.
Hepburn Springs: Hepburn Springs is located 114 km north west of Melbourne. Is a little township with natural mineral springs developed in the tradition of a European spa town.
Yarra Glen: Yarra Glen is 50 km north east of Melbourne. Is a picturesque region, which offers a host of wineries open for cellar door sales and sampling, and often include a restaurant.
Philip Island: Phillip Island is 135 km south east of Melbourne. Has developed an international reputation for its Fairy Penguin Parade at one of its beaches. Visitors can watch the penguins returning to their burrows at dusk. Koalas and other native wildlife can also be seen on the island.
The Twelve Apostles: The Twelve Apostles are 230km from Melbourne. Are huge stone pillars that soar out of the roaring surf; creating spectacular coastal scenery. They are situated on the Great Ocean Road, which hugs the coastline west of Geelong.
Victorian Alpine Country: In winter, (late June through to September), many Melbournians head for the snowfields. Down hill skiing is available at Mt Buller, Falls Creek or Mt Hotham, some 4 to 6 hours drive from Melbourne. Cross country skiing is available at other snowfields. During the other seasons, the alpine country offers beautiful bushwalking opportunities.
Melbourne is a sport-loving community. For information on individual sporting clubs and organisations check the “Yellow Pages”. Major events in the sporting calendar include:
o International Test matches at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
o Australian Rules football over the winter months
o Australian Open Tennis in January the first leg of the international Grand Slam
o Australian Grand Prix
o Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse the first Tuesday in November
Basketball
This is an extremely popular sport and can be played at all levels. Adult competitions are held most nights of the week in various sports centres around Melbourne. School age competitions tend to be held on Saturdays.
Victorian Basketball Association: 9927 6666 - www.basketballvictoria.com.au
Netball
This sport has one of the highest participation rates in Victoria, with girls playing from the age of eight.
Netball Victoria: 9321 2222 - www.netballvic.com.au
Golf
The southern sand belt suburbs (eg. Brighton, Sandringham) are famous for their excellent golf clubs, although there are many more scattered throughout the suburbs.
Victorian Golf Association: 9889 6731 - www.golfvic.org.au
Tennis
There is an abundance of council-owned tennis clubs in all suburbs.
Tennis Victoria: 9914 4000 - www.tennisvic.com.au
Swimming
Major heated swimming pool centres are located in the following suburbs:
Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre
9926 1555
www.msac.com.au
Harold Holt Swim Centre
8290 1678
www.stonnington.vic.gov.au
Kew Recreation Centre
9853 6177
www.kew.ymca.org.au
Whitehorse Aquatic Centre
9898 2099
www.aqualink.com.au
East Keilor Leisure Centre
9336 3711
www.mvcc.vic.gov.au
For information on Swimming Programmes:
Vicswim: 8843 2000 - www.vicswim.com
Swimming Victoria: 9686 5222 - www.swimmingvictoria.org.au
Sailing
Sailing is a popular summer activity with many sailing clubs located around the bay.
Yatching Victoria: 9597 0066 - www.vic.yachting.org.au
Rowing and Canoeing
Rowing and Canoeing are popular due to the close proximity of both the Yarra and Maribyrnong Rivers. Many private schools offer Rowing as part of the sporting syllabus.
Victorian Rowing Association: 9820 8888 - www.rowingvictoria.asn.au
Victorian Canoe Association: 9459 4251 - www.canoevic.org.au
In fact the Yarra is well used generally, with one of Melbourne’s many bike tracks winding beside it and barbecue facilities available on the grassy banks that stretch along Alexandra Avenue.
Walking and Jogging
Facilities are extremely good in Melbourne, there is a path along the Yarra from Kew to the city and another along the outer circle railway. The Botanical Gardens has a track around its circumference and one can walk along the coast through many of the Bayside suburbs.
With so many beautiful parks and gardens in and around the city there is an endless choice of walking and jogging tracks.
Cycling
This is a popular mode of transport in Melbourne and fairly extensive bike paths have been developed as a result.
Cyclesport Victoria: 8480 3000 - www.vic.cycling.org.au
Bushwalking
There are many areas to enjoy bushwalking throughout Victoria.
Tourism Victoria: 13 2842 - www.visitvictoria.com
Skiing
The major ski areas of Victoria: www.visitvictoria.com/ski
Mountain
Hours drive from Melbourne
Mt Buller
3.5
Mt Hotham
5
Falls Creek
5
Inline Skating
‘Rollerblading’ and skateboarding have become increasingly popular in Melbourne in recent years. The popularity of inline skating and skateboarding is enhanced by the relatively flat topography of Melbourne.
There are paths along the Yarra River, Southbank, and the St Kilda foreshore all suitable for rollerblading. There are also skate ramps at St Kilda and Prahran, a skate bowl in Fitzroy and a street-style skate park in Queen Victoria Place in the city centre.
[ 本帖最后由 lookaround 于 11-7-2007 14:05 编辑 ] 看演出看电影
Theatre
Name:
Address:
Website:
Victorian Arts Centre
St Kilda Rd, Melbourne
www.theartscentre.net.au
Regent Theatre
191 Collins Street, Melbourne
www.marrinertheatres.com.au
Princess Theatre
163 Spring Street, Melbourne
www.marrinertheatres.com.au
Her Majesty's Theatre
219 Exhibition St, Melbourne
www.hermajestystheatre.com.au
CUB Malthouse
117 Sturt St, South Melbourne
www.malthousetheatre.com.au
Comedy Theatre
240 Exhibition St, Melbourne
www.marrinertheatres.com.au
Athenaeum Theatre
188 Collins St, Melbourne
In addition, there are a number of "fringe" playhouses offering alternative theatre.
Theatre buffs may be interested in subscribing to a season of theatre with the
Melbourne Theatre Company (MTC)
9686 4500
Outdoor theatre performances in the Botanical Gardens and other gardens in Melbourne are a feature of summer in Melbourne and are designed to be enjoyed with a picnic dinner.
Museums and Galleries
Name:
Address:
Australian Centre for Contemporary Art
111 Sturt St, Southbank
National Gallery of Victoria
St Kilda Road, Southbank
National Gallery of Victoria Ian Potter Centre
Federation Square, Flinders Street
Museum of Modern Art at Heidi (MOMA)
7 Templestowe Road, Bulleen
Australian Gallery of Sport & Olympic Museum
Melbourne Cricket Ground, Jolimont
Fire Service Museum
39 Gisborne St, East Melbourne
Melbourne Maritime Museum Polly Woodside
Lorimer St (East), SouthBank
RAAF Museum
Point Cook Rd, Point Cook
Victorian Racing Museum
Station St, Caulfield
Cinema
There are many cinemas in Melbourne. Mainstream cinema is widely available both in the city and in the suburbs.
Cimema Info Line for all cinemas
1902 263 456
Hoyts Cinemas
www.hoyts.com.au
Village Cinemas
www.village.com.au
Check your daily papers for listings.
Independant Cinemas
For those interested in art house movies, the following independent cinemas may be of interest:
Name:
Address:
Phone:
The Astor 1
Chapel St, St Kilda
9510 1414
Brighton Bay
294 Bay St, Brighton
9596 3590
Kino
Collins Place, Melbourne
9650 2100
George
133-137 Fitzroy St, St Kilda
9534 6922
Classic
9 Gordon St, Elsternwick
9524 7900
Westgarth
89 High St, Northcote
9482 2001
Check the daily papers for movies currently showing at all cinemas.
Music
Name:
Phone:
Website:
Melbourne Symphony
9626 1111
www.mos.com.au
Musica Viva (Chamber Misic)
9645 5088
www.misicviva.com.au
Opera Australia
9685 3700
www.opera-australia.com.au
Local bands play regularly in pubs and pop concerts and extravaganzas usually take place at the Entertainment Centre or the National Tennis Centre.
"The Age" daily newspaper and others provide full information on entertainment, particularly the Friday "Entertainment Guide" supplement and the Saturday Age.
Tickets
Tickets to most of the theatres and the arts, as well as many sporting events, can be purchased by telephone, internet or personally at an outlet from the following major ticket vendors.
Credit cards will be accepted in both cases.
Ticketmaster
www.ticketmaster.com.au
136 100
Ticketek
www.ticketec.com.au
132 849
Half Tix
www.halftix.com.au
9650 9420 真是好贴.先收藏了.:handshake :handshake 楼主好人，呵呵:lol LZ的all about系列值得珍藏:lol ，强烈建议置顶收藏 原帖由 ELF 于 11-7-2007 18:30 发表
LZ的all about系列值得珍藏:lol ，强烈建议置顶收藏
Thanks for the encouragement. I'm working on "all about Perth" and "all about Adelaide" :handshake xiexie. 强贴，值得收藏！
谢谢！:handshake :victory: :victory: :victory: :victory: :handshake :handshake :handshake 谢谢 :handshake many thanks 收藏起来慢慢看，占个位置 many many and many many thanks:handshake :lol
thx
Thank u so much for excellent work:handshake[ 本帖最后由 chrisyr 于 13-7-2007 02:54 编辑 ] 支持下!:good 收藏帮顶了！ 顶起来啊顶起来啊～～～～～～～～:yct_1 :yct_1 考人啊！！！！ 谢谢分享:good :good 做个记号，谢谢楼主。
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