Editing Melbourne (section)

== How do I get to and from Melbourne ==

=== '''Getting to and from the Airports Cheap!''' ===

Melbourne is served by two airports. Melbourne (Tullamarine) is the largest and most popular, and is home to Melbourne's International terminal. Melbourne (Avalon) is the base for some JetStar flights, as well as being a Qantas maintainence base and training runway. NOTE: You can follow this thread for more illumination on [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=707&post=8547939#gpid8547939 transport from the airport!]

'''Melbourne (Tullamarine Airport)''' 

Several Couch Surfers have been told at Tullamarine Information there is no public bus. THIS IS INCORRECT!

* BUS ROUTE 901! It's possibly the longest metropolitan bus route in the world but the 901 'smart' bus from Frankston to Melbourne Airport runs frequently every day from 5am to midnight. You will need a Zone 2 met ticket (plus Zone 1 if going to city via train) or sufficient funds on your Myki card. Stops regularly at Broadmeadows/ Epping Station, and starts and finishes near the Tiger Terminal 4. While it will take longer depending on where you're travelling from and may require you to use connecting public transport, it will save you $10-$13 each way by not taking skybus. Here's the [http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/route/view/3185 Timetable] and [http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/maps-stations-stops/metropolitan-buses/bus/3185 Route Map].

* Skybus : Approximately 20 min from the city center ($16 one way, $26 return) takes you to Southern Cross Station (on Spencer Street), with free transfers to City hotels & backpackers accommodation. At the Skybus ticket counter you can pick up a free copy of the Melbourne in Spring/ Summer/ Autumn/ Winter magazine that contains a city map, tram & train map and a few vouchers.

* You could catch a taxi, which would usually cost around $40 to $70, depending on the driver, weather, time of day, traffic and other factors.

* There are other bus rotes to consider (478, 479, 500) from the airport. To locate the bus stop: As you leave the airport terminal, go down to the concourse, where all buses leave from and look for the yellow 'VLine' sign indicating both the '477' and the '478' bus numbers. The sign is normal bus sign sized and attached to one of the steel poles holding up the overhead shelter itself. It is furthermost of the two dedicated lanes for buses. The sign itself is about in line with the big blue words that say 'INTERNATIONAL' over the terminal itself. For timetable & route information visit [http://ptv.vic.gov.au/ Public Transport Victoria].

'''Showers'''

For information about showers at the airport, check [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=707&post=10013328 this thread].

'''Melbourne (Avalon Airport)'''
 
* The [http://www.sitacoaches.com.au/avalon/ Sunbus Shuttle] takes approximately 1 hour to get to Melbourne & costs about $19-25 AUD depending on where you want to go on the fixed route, from there you can take public transport to your final destination. 

* A taxi from Melbourne - Avalon is way too much to even consider on the average traveler's budget.

* You can also take the train from Spencer Street Station to Lara Station (on Geelong Vline route), then catch a short taxi ride to Avalon.

=== '''Hitch-hiking''' ===

There is loads of information on hitch hiking in Australia on the [http://hitchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Australia Hitchwiki] site. And though no one ever seems to be prosecuted for hitch hiking (we even rang the police who just laughed) there are laws in different states, here are some we could find:

'''''[http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/wa/consol_reg/rtc2000113/s259.html Western Australia]:''''' A person shall not, while on a carriageway or median strip solicit contributions, employment or a ride from an occupant of a vehicle;

'''''[http://www.police.qld.gov.au/Resources/Internet/services/reportsPublications/documents/bulletin292-22.pdf Queensland]:''''' Hitch hiking from median strips, traffic islands, painted islands and the road shoulder has been banned. Hitch hiking from one of these areas attracts a fine of $30, consistent with the existing fine for hitch hiking from a road.

'''''[http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/Domino/Web_Notes/LDMS/PubLawToday.nsf/7e27929611f1d5c2ca256dac00186f32/3c5d32985cd89439ca2571400081f707/$FILE/99-120sr016.pdf Victoria]:''''' A person must not stand on, or move onto, a road to hitchhike.

=== '''Boat Hitch-hiking''' ===

It may be possible to leave Melbourne as crew on a sailing yacht. See the following sites: 
* [http://www.findacrew.net findacrew.net]
* [http://www.floatplan.com floatplan.com]
* [http://www.cruisersforum.com cruisersforum.com]
* [http://www.7knots.com 7knots.com]
* [http://www.sailnet.com sailnet.com]
* [http://www.cruisenews.net/forum/index.php cruisenews.net/forum/index.php]
* [http://www.worldcruising.com worldcruising.com]
* [http://www.sailingnetworks.com/default/welcome sailingnetworks.com]

However, to quote one CSer, ''"It's not just about the free ride, in the same way that CS is not just about the free place to sleep, so it's important to have some common ground other than sailing...It is quite repulsive how many of the skippers on Findacrew and 7knots advertise for romantic partners... at least you can walk out the door when you're on land... we don't have that in the crew networks, which makes it very difficult to filter out personal interests such as non-drinkers, vegans, sailors with solar and turbine generators etc... The situation is not helped by the fact that many of the people owning boats are in general much more conservative than those willing to volunteer as crew."''

The CS group [http://www.couchsurfing.org/groups/4534 Boat Hitch-hiking] is a gold mine of practical information.

=== '''Hiring Vehicles and Vans''' ===

To hire vehicles you can try these companies:
* [http://www.wickedcampers.com.au/ Wicked Campers]
* [http://www.campermanaustralia.com/agents/ Camperman]
* [http://www.travellers-autobarn.com.au/ Travellers-autobarn]
* [http://www.jucy.com.au/ Jucy]
* [http://www.discovery-campervans.com.au/ Discovery Campervans]
* [http://camperchamp.com.au/ Camper Champ]

From Melbourne, CouchSurfers have found the cheapest cars for rent are:
* [http://www.rentabomb.com.au/ Rent a Bomb] (old cars, but the less expansive ones), from $35 AUD/day (manual transmission, with automatic transmission cars are more expansive)
* [http://www.europcar.com/ Europcar], from $39 AUD/day if you take a small car about 3 days in advance. We get one just 1 day in advance for 45 AUD.
* We've rent one with [http://www.thrifty.com/ Thrifty] once, for 2 days, at $139 AUD so that's more expansive.
* [http://www.vroomvroomvroom.com.au VroomVroom] will search all the car rental sites for the best deal.
* [https://www.carrentalbuddy.com.au/ Car Rental Buddy] where you can compare several car rental providers who can offer you the cheapest quote for car hire in Melbourne. 

'''Car Relocations Interstate'''

There is also the possibility of relocation where companies provide a vehicle to be returned to another city, the petrol and a set number of days for completion. You must be flexible with your travel plans, as very occasionally the cars/ campervans are cancelled last-minute. however, if you are able to get one, it is one of the most economical ways to traverse the large distances of Australia, and a lot of fun to boot! 
* [https://www.coseats.com/campervan-relocation Coseats Campervans]
* [http://transfercar.com.au/ Transfercar]
* [http://www.standbycars.com.au Standby Cars]

'''You DO NOT need a 4WD!!!''' 

Australia has an excellent system of paved/ bitumen roads even in the most remote areas. So that a two wheel drive vehicle is cheaper and will use a lot less fuel, which given the distances in Australia means a huge saving. Furthermore, most hire companies have exclusion clauses so you are not allowed off road - being subject to large financial penalty and are also completely UNINSURED! Given the fine red dust that off-road travel generates, which gets into the interior, air-conditioning and body work, it is obvious that you have been off-road. Don't try it. In general a van is the most convenient form of transport. 

For more information see the [http://couchwiki.org/en/Australia#Getting_Around CS Australia Getting Around] wiki.

=== '''Buying a Vehicle''' ===

When looking to buy a car it is important that you check a few things first. Like, what to do if you want to [http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/Registration/BuySellTransferVehicles/ buy, sell or transfer] ownership of a vehicle, and work out [http://www.howsafeisyourcar.com.au/ how safe your car is] or will be. It is also essential that you check the [https://transact.ppsr.gov.au/ppsr/SearchForMotorVehicle?v=Search Personal Property Securities Register] to see if the car has been previously involved in poor credit management, an accident, or is [http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/Registration/WhatHasToBeRegistered/Written-off+Vehicles/ written-off]. You should also [http://vre.vicroads.vic.gov.au/ confirm the ownership of the vehicle's registration] before paying for the vehicle.

There is [http://www.pickles.com.au/damaged/?contentId=1771 Pickles Auction] every week: for cheap ex-Government or legally repossessed vehicles. There are a few things you have to be aware of like registration and getting a temporary driving license but otherwise there's nothing sinister about it other than making sure you do your homework and know how much you should be paying for the car. make sure you read up on the [http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au VicRoads] website.

There is also a [http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Melbourne,+Victoria&daddr=Somerset+Rd&geocode=FRUAv_0dYfajCCkr3gUlyELWajEnlxuczK1Yiw%3BFcYRwf0d5tujCA&hl=en&mra=ls&sll=-37.67876,144.955266&sspn=0.008305,0.013797&ie=UT car yard] directly opposite Somerset Road intersection, next to Mitubishi Motors Sydney Road. This sells cheap cars that have hail damage (hail can be the size of goal balls and fatal) some cars are in pretty bad nick with 50 or more dints, which will attract rust quicker if untreated, so choose wisely. However the cars are cheap and mechanically often in very good condition. Stock number will of course depend on recent weather conditions.

'''Registering a Vehicle Out of State'''

If you have brought your vehicle out of state. To register in another state usually means you need a roadworthy (expensive mechanical) test. However you can can simply re-register online. For instance, if your vehicle is registered in NSW and you are now in Victoria, use [http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registration/index.html NSW Government]. It does not matter if you have NSW plates whilst driving in Victoria or anywhere else in Australia, it just means the car is registered in NSW. For other states you will need to Google search the correct registration authority.

In Victoria, you can [http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/Registration/NewToVictoria/ register through VicRoads].

=== '''Warnings''' ===

The distances in Australia are HUGE. Fuel and even people can be 150km to 3250km between stops. Avoid trouble with simple [http://www.ritas-outback-guide.com/OutbackSafety.html Driving Tips]and [http://www.visitvictoria.com/displayobject.cfm/objectid.00088ACF-1F92-1CF3-850D80C476A903D1/ General Advice]. Don't risk your life and the lives of others!

'''Flat Tyres''' 

In case you need to use a jack to prop the car up you should back it up with extra support in case it fails/ falls; do not go under the car while it is only supported by the jack and make sure it is completely stable and on firm ground. If you are really stuck use the spare tyre jammed under the vehicle as a support.

'''Floods and Cars''' 

Half of deaths in Australian floods occur in vehicles as a result of crossing flooded areas, despite public warnings. The average car is 6-8m (2) in surface area and a displacement of only 10-20cm of water above the chassis (the bottom of the vehicle) will cause the car to be washed away. People underestimate the force of water. Four-wheel drives are even more prone to being washed away as they have a larger surface area, despite their greater weight. The next most common cause of drowning is swimming in flooded areas (sourced from Australian Science 'Floods and Cars' June 2010). Watch this [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12161502 phenomenal footage] of just how dangerous floods are!

'''Heat and Dust''' 

Most of Australia seems to need a good clean, as much is covered in a fine red dust. This will pass inevitably through your vehicle air-conditioning unit into the car's interior. It will also get into the fuel filter and air-cleaner. Check that both are clean in any vehicle you purchase, failure to do this may lead to vehicle failure and poor fuel consumption. Additionally, the extreme heat will evaporate the water in the vehicles battery. Check regularly and refill with distilled water.

'''Dawn/ Dusk Driving & Animals'''

It is extremely dangerous to drive on wide open highways or poorly lit areas from dusk (from sun down) to dawn (sun rise) because it makes it extremely hard to see wild animals movement. Kangaroos, emus, and other wild animals are active and do not stop to check for vehicles approaching. If you hit an animal (road kill) DO NOT stop as you will be causing a hazard to other vehicles. Hitting an animal WILL cause major damage to your vehicle.