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Geelong Women's Tour - February 21-22, 2008
Travel info
Tourist Information – Travel and Accommodation
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To discover more about things to do and places to see in Victoria please visit www.visitvictoria.com
For information on accommodation and tourism please visit www.greatoceanrd.org.au/geelong/index.html
Getting to Geelong
Travellers cheques and plastic
Goods and Services Tax (GST)
Tourism Refund Scheme (TRS)
Electricity
Climate
Tipping
Smoking rules
Driving
Telephones
More information can also be found here
Getting to Geelong
By Air
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Melbourne Airport is approximately 70 kilometres from Geelong - about a 60-minute drive, depending on traffic. Australia's second busiest airport, it's open 24 hours a day, servicing all the major international airlines. The airport, which affords easy access to connecting interstate and international flights, has baggage lockers in the international terminal, around-the-clock foreign exchange counters, restaurants, bars, a children's playground, information desks, major car rental companies and, for departing travelers, a refund booth to reclaim the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on some goods. There is also ample parking for private vehicles. Departure tax is charged on leaving the country, but it's often incorporated in your airline ticket. If in doubt, ask your travel agent or the airport information desk.
By bus and train
Buses run from Melbourne Airport to Geelong and from Melbourne City to Geelong. Interstate bus lines also operate services to Geelong.
- The Gull
Phone: (03) 5222 4966
Website: www.gull.com.au
The Gull Airport Service operates between Geelong and the Airport and buses leave frequently. - V/Line
Phone: 136 196
Website: www.vlinepassenger.com.au
Interstate buses leave from Bus Port on the corner of Brougham and Gheringhap Streets in Geelong.
Fast commuter services carry passengers by train between the region and Melbourne in less than an hour. Passengers can relax in modern 'country-style' trains that include toilet facilities, and kiosks and dining carriages on mealtime services.
Geelong Station services passengers travelling to, from and between:
- South Geelong, Werribee and greater Melbourne
- Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Mount Gambier
Contact V/Line on 136 196 or www.vlinepassenger.com.au or West Coast Railway on www.wcr.com.au for timetable and fare information.
By car
If you're planning to drive to Geelong, allow at least nine hours from Adelaide, 11 hours from Sydney, 21 hours from Brisbane and up to two days from Perth.
Travellers cheques and plastic
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Travellers cheques are the safest and most convenient way to carry funds. Brands like American Express and Thomas Cook are widely accepted in Victoria, and can be cashed at banks, foreign exchange brokers, larger hotels and restaurants, and for car rental. Passport ID is required when you cash travellers cheques. Fees for changing travellers cheques sometimes vary from bank to bank.
Major credit cards - Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Bankcard, Diners Club and their affiliates - are widely accepted throughout Victoria. Some retailers in larger centres will also accept JCB cards. Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) with around-the-clock access are available in convenient locations like banks, along main shopping streets and in malls.
Goods and Services Tax (GST)
A new tax system was introduced in Australian on 1 July 2000. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a broad-based tax of 10 per cent on most goods and services such as accommodation, day tours, guides, translators, food, transport (including coach, rail and cruise) and other tourism services within Australia. International airfares do not attract GST. For international visitors, all prices quoted for a Victorian holiday will include the 10 per cent GST, payable at the time of ticketing.
Tourism Refund Scheme (TRS)
In some cases, you can claim GST back through the Tourism Refund Scheme (TRS). The TRS allows visitors to claim a refund of the 10 per cent GST and 14.5 per cent Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) paid on goods (costing AUD$300 or more) bought in Australia. It does not apply to goods or services consumed, or partly consumed, in Australia. However, unlike other tourist shopping schemes, you can use the goods before leaving Australia. Other conditions apply and, when you're departing Australia, you must carry goods as hand luggage. Refunds are available from the refund booth at Melbourne Airport.
Electricity
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Australia has 240volt and a three-pin plug. Adaptors are required and can be purchased before travel or in Australia.
Climate
The average temperatures in Geelong in February range from a minimum of 13 degrees Celsius to a maximum of 26 degrees Celsius. An average of 25 millimetres of rain falls in Geelong in February.
Tipping
Tipping is not a general custom in Australia, and is at your discretion.
Smoking rules
Australians are extremely conscious of the effects of passive smoking and as a result laws have been introduced to ban smoking for public venues. The indoor dining areas of restaurants are also non-smoking zones.
Driving
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Your driver's licence from home will suffice for up to three months as long as it has a photo on it and is from a country which uses the roman alphabet. If you are staying more than three months you will need to get a Victorian licence. The most important rule for international travellers is that Australians drive on the left-hand side of the road.
Basic road rules apply throughout Victoria but if you head into Melbourne there is a different way of turning in some city streets. To ensure that the trams get a clear way through some intersections, drivers turning right must do so from the left-hand lane. It is known as a hook turn and will be clearly marked if it applies to an intersection.
The basic road rules are:
- The speed limit in built up or residential areas is 50km/h but can be less so keep an eye out for signage
- Out in the open road the speed limit rises to 100km/h and 110km/h on parts of the Hume Highway
- Speeding is illegal and heavy fines are imposed if you are caught above the limit by police or speed cameras
- Seat belts are compulsory in front and back seats. Children must be harnessed in a safety restraint appropriate for their age
- When you are turning right at an intersection you must always give way to vehicles travelling left and any pedestrians crossing the road
- Pedestrians have right of way at all intersections
- There is a blood alcohol limit of .05. Random breath tests operate around the state and in all metropolitan and country areas
- Drivers are required to carry a license at all times. International driving licenses are acceptable for up to three months however you will require a Victorian one after this period
Telephones
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Pay as you go local SIM cards can be purchased from post offices, mobile provider outlets and some newsagencies. European dual-band mobile phones with international roaming will operate in Australia but if travelling from the USA you will require a tri-band mobile with international roaming or you can rent a phone in Australia.
Public phones in Australia accept coins and/or a Phonecard. Phonecards in a variety of values can be purchased from newsagencies and post offices.
When making an international call you must dial 0011 before your country code and number.
No access code is required if making a call within Victoria although long distance charges apply for calls outside of the Geelong region. Calls within Geelong incur a one off charge regardless of the call duration.
If you are calling other states of Australia you must dial the STD area code for the state you are calling before the number.
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