Everyone travelling to Australia will require a valid passport. If you are not travelling on a New Zealand passport please advise us immediately as different requirements may apply. Australia requires that your passport must be valid only for the period of your intended travel in and out of Australia. There is no requirement for your passport to be valid for six months after your travel.

 If you are travelling to another country as part of this travel, then different passport validities may apply, with some countries requiring your passport to be valid for at least 6 months beyond the expected date of your departure from that country.

Melbourne is an easy and inexpensive city to get around, with the metropolitan area servicing a great network of public transport. Melbourne offers free tram rides within the city centre, but to use public transport outside of the free tram zone, you need to purchase a myki card. You can purchase a myki card from retail outlets displaying the myki sign, visitor centres, and at train stations. To read more about Myki cards please see here –

The trains are a great way to visit attractions across the city and reach the surrounding suburbs, with services running daily from early morning to late at night. Major stations in the city include Central, Flinders and Southern Cross Station. The bus network is another efficient way of hopping around metro Melbourne and popular neighbourhoods.

Uber or a taxi are also viable options. Uber is a lot cheaper but you will need to download the app to order taxi service. The other option is renting a car. House of Travel Events can arrange this prior to departure from New Zealand.

For additional information about public transport around Melbourne please see - www.australia.com/en/places/melbourne-and-surrounds/getting-around-melbourne

The level of serious crime is generally low, but incidents of petty theft are fairly common. Like any other part of the world, be particularly careful with personal possessions and travel documents. Keep your valuables and passport in a safe place. Use hotel safes where possible and do not leave your belongings unattended. Remember to keep photo ID on you at all times. You may be asked to produce this when paying for items with your credit card. 

We request that all travellers overseas register their travel with MFAT at www.safetravel.govt.nz

What is the time difference between New Zealand and Melbourne?

When travelling, New Zealand is 2 hours ahead of Melbourne.

Using your mobile phone overseas depends on your phone type, plan and provider; please check with your provider prior to travel that it is set up for roaming.  

Costs do depend on your provider and the supplier in Australia, so visit the provider's website for a guideline on costs. HOT Events recommends that if your iPhone or android phone is automatically syncing online, to turn this off prior to departing New Zealand or you will come home to a shocking bill!

How can I avoid getting ill in Australia?

Around 25% of travellers will get diarrhoea. We recommend packing Imodium tablets (available over the counter at your local pharmacy) into your toilet bag before leaving.

The air that you breathe on the plane is drier than normal, so it will increase your risk of dehydration. Drink at least 200ml of water for every hour you are in the air. Keeping yourself hydrated also reduces the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). 

HOT Events also recommends purchasing a pair of flight compression socks from your local pharmacy if you are a regular traveller. 

Stop Prickly Heat - some people find that taking a supplement of quercetin, a natural antihistamine, helps prevent prickly heat by dulling the allergic reaction that causes it. Apples, broad beans, cherry tomatoes, green beans and peas are naturally rich in quercetin.

How much Duty Free can I take in and out of New Zealand?

The following items and amounts can be brought into Australia by persons over 18 years of age without incurring duty.  

·         Going into Australia your allowance is:

·         50 cigarettes or 50g of loose tobacco or cigars

·         2.25 litres of liquor

·         A reasonable quantity of perfume

·         Goods to the value of AUD$450 per person  

When returning to New Zealand your allowance is:

·         50 cigarettes or 50g of tobacco or cigars, or a mixture of all three weighing not more than 50gms

·         No more than 3 bottles of spirits (up to a maximum of 1125ml each)

·         4.5 litres of wine, port, sherry, champagne (six bottles) or beer (12 cans)

·         Goods to the value of NZ$700 purchased Duty Free or overseas

The above are all subject to change. Please check at time of purchasing items.

What to do about money? 

NZ$1 is approx AU$0.96 approx

For the latest exchange rates check out www.xe.com. We do recommend that you exchange money at the airport prior to departing to ensure you have cash upon arrival. ATM machines are also readily available throughout Melbourne.

Are taxes included in pricing?

GST is 10% in Australia and is included in general published prices (eg food and beverages).

What will the weather be like?

During November, the temperature in Melbourne can range from 12° to 22°c. Melbourne is famous for its four seasons in a day, so be prepared for all weather conditions.

What to wear?

Details on what to wear will come out closer to the time for you to start planning your Melbourne Cup outfit.

What To Pack?

We often get asked what general items to pack – along with any medication you take, we recommend packing:

·         Tablets for – heart burn, diarrhoea, pain relief, allergies

·         Travel size first aid kit

·         Personal Medication

·         Lip balm

·         Phone charger