Your life in
cultural Melbourne

In the CBD, travel for free by tram within the Free Tram Zone, making it easy to get around. It is also the only city in Australia to offer 24/7 public transport on the weekend. Melbourne is also a cycle-friendly city with dedicated bike tracks, an impressive network of on-road bike lanes and a Bike Share program which enables you to make short trips across the city at a low cost.

You will need a Myki pass to travel on trains, buses and trams in Melbourne.

Homestay allows you to live with an Australian host family - usually within 30 minutes of the CBD. You’ll pay a fee that covers accommodation, breakfast and dinner and Greenwich College can make the arrangements on your behalf.

Alternatively, you can rent (or ‘lease’) a house or apartment - either alone or with others, which is a popular choice for international students.

Despite this, moving to a new country where you may not know anyone can feel incredibly daunting - so here are our tips to help you make friends and settle in when you arrive:

• Be open-minded - making friends can be as simple as saying 'hello' and seeing where the conversation will take you.
• Participate in Greenwich College’s social functions
• Get a job and participate in social occasions with fellow workers, such as Friday night drinks
• Join clubs and take-up other social activities as they are great chances to meet and make new friends, including locals
• Join a sporting club
• Don’t turn down social invitations
• Meetup - for people looking to meet others in the same city with similar interests.
• The Couch - located in Carlton, a safe and free lounge space in Melbourne run by a non-profit organisation. Open in the evenings for international students to socialise, relax, study, and seek assistance.

Explore historic arcades and laneways lined with fantastic restaurants, chic cafes, hidden bars and fashion boutiques or head to one of the many lush gardens throughout the city. Many bars become a hive of activity at nighttime with venues hosting live music and comedy to keep you entertained.

Discover Melbourne's obsession with football, cricket, soccer, attend an art, comedy or pop culture exhibition. In Melbourne, virtually everything has its own festival. From food, film, art and music festivals to celebrations of writing, design and projections – get involved and experience the city through the arts.

If you love to experience the great outdoors, hire a bike and cycle around the Royal Botanic Gardens, Port Melbourne harbourside, and down to St Kilda Beach - you will not be disappointed.

General safety tips:

• Ask local friends about places to avoid, especially at night
• Keep valuable possessions out of sight and be aware of surroundings on public transport
• Travel in the front carriage near the driver when the train is almost empty
• Check transport timetables in advance, to help avoid long waits. Stand in well lit areas
• Walk in well lit areas, even if this means you must walk a longer distance
• Avoid short cuts through dark, isolated areas
• If you feel threatened in any way when walking, go to a shop or house (with lights on at night) – and ask a person to phone police
• Avoid using cash machines when you're in an isolated area at night.
  
  

Help available at Greenwich:
Business hours: Monday to Friday 8.00 am to 8.00 pm
Phone: +61 3 8609 0000                 
Email: info@greenwichcollege.com.au

Emergency assistance: Dial triple zero ‘000’ , or ‘112’ from a mobile phone for police, ambulance and fire brigade.

Discover Melbourne streets and laneways peppered with nightspots. Whether you're after a cocktail with a million dollar view, bar-hop like a local, dance to world class DJs, or a late night snack, you're bound to find something that suits your mood and budget.

Melbourne heats up in December to February (summer), is mild from March to May (autumn), cools down during winter (June to August) and warms up again from September to November (spring). Temperatures average 25°C in summer and 14°C in winter. Rainfall is highest from May to October.

Given the changeable weather, a good tip is to be prepared for anything - take an umbrella and wear layers that can be worn as needed.