Melbourne, Australia 

Melbourne is located in Australia's smallest continental state, Victoria. Originally a part of the state of New South Wales, Melbourne was made a separate colony in 1851. A year later gold was discovered and the subsequent gold rushes along with the development of rural industries would propel the city's growth. Gold and industrialization also help explain its reputation as a "melting pot" as people of all nationalities came to Melbourne seeking a better life.

Today, Melbourne's prosperity continues and enjoys a fine reputation based on the quality of life enjoyed there. Living up to Victoria's nickname as the "Garden State," Melbourne has superb parks and gardens including those at the Government House and at Captain Cook's cottage as well as the world-famous Melbourne Zoo.

It is a city of Victorian buildings next to modern skyscrapers joined by safe, pedestrian-friendly streets - all in easy access to its many beaches. It is also a city of sports and the arts epitomized by the Cricket Ground and the new Arts Center.

Your P&O ship docks at Station Pier in the Port of Melbourne.

Taxis are widely available in Melbourne – you can’t miss them, they’re all pale yellow in colour. Pick one up at a rank or hail a vacant one on a street. There is also an excellent public transport system comprising
the city’s famous trams, trains and buses.

Melbourne prides itself on unique shopping experiences. A wander along Chapel Street in South Yarra or a trip to the Queen Victoria Market are ‘very Melbourne’ shopping excursions. However, retail therapy is fantastic throughout the city and, particularly, in the inner suburbs, where you’ll find one-off boutiques offering chic and not-so-chic fashions by up and coming designers. Of course, all the big designer names are here too, as are department stores, including that Melbourne institution, Myer on Bourke Street.

Melbourne is one of the world’s great culinary capitals. Just about every style of cuisine is available. For a unique Melbourne experience, try some of the restaurants, cafes and intimate bars in the small lanes in the heart of the city, or head to Brunswick Street in Fitzroy, Lygon Street in Carlton, Southbank (right by the Yarra River, accessed from St Kilda Road), St Kilda Beach or most of the inner suburbs. Melbourne boasts thousands of restaurants – you certainly won’t starve. As well, the city prides itself on its excellent coffee.

Melbourne is famous for having four seasons in one day, but the truth is the city actually records less rain than its ‘sunny’ rival, Sydney. Wind, drizzle and heavy rain can loom in from the south and across Port Phillip Bay, however the summers can be blazingly hot and dry. Melbourne is a city of parks and gardens, so spring and autumn can be fantastic. In hot weather, please remember to protect yourself from
the sun and stay hydrated.

If you’re pleased with the service you receive in a restaurant, a reasonable tip would be around five to ten percent of the bill.

Major credit cards and charge cards are widely accepted.

Public telephones are widely available.

To make your day ashore as enjoyable as possible, wear comfortable, flat soled shoes, ‘layered’ clothing (to allow for changes in temperature) and a hat, and bring along some sunscreen, and bottled water. It’s also a good idea to bring an umbrella and a warm jacket in case the weather turns cool.

There are a number of tours available for you to really get the most out of your time in and around Melbourne. Subject to availability, tours may be booked onboard at the Shore Tours Desk.

Passengers will meet at a specific location for each shore tour departure. Please refer to the daily onboard newsletter for the correct place and time. Your friendly Shore Tours staff will be at that location to assist you.

In case of emergency while you are ashore please contact the nearest P&O crew member. Alternatively, P&O’s port agent representative in Melbourne is:

Inchcape Shipping Services Ltd
Unit 1, 85 Salmon St,
Port Melbourne, 3207
Tel: (03) 9682 2488