Free Melbourne, Australia

Location

Melbourne is the capital city of the state of Victoria, Australia and is located on the south-east coast. Current population estimates are around 3.7 million people, spread over 8,800 sq km of city and suburbs.

Climate

Melbourne has a temperate climate of mild temperatures with four distinct seasons.

Summer (December to February): warm to hot.
Average maximum temperature 25°C (77°F)
Average minimum temperature 14°C (57°F)

Autumn (March to May): mild
Average maximum temperature 20°C (68°F)
Average minimum temperature 11°C (52°F)

Winter (June to August): cool to brisk
Average maximum temperature 14°C (57°F)
Average minimum temperature 7°C (45°F)

Spring (September to november): cool to mild
Average maximum temperature 20°C (68°F)
Average minimum temperature 10°C (50°F)

Average rainfall; 638.8 millimetres.

Victoria is currently in the grip of its longest drought on record, although Melbourne is known for its rapid 'four seasons in one day' weather, and it experienced rain and hail on December 25, 2006. This drought has been attributed to the El Ñino phenomenon, which some meterologists believe to have ended in early 2007.

Time Zone

Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) is GMT plus 10 hours.

Daylight Savings - begins on the last Sunday in October and finishes on the first Sunday in March.

Daylight hours

Winter - 9 hours, 32 minutes (June 21)
Summer - 14 hours, 47 minutes (December 22)

If you have ever been to Melbourne, you will know how easy it is to hop trains. Here are some tips to do it well.

1. Buy a ticket and don't validate it. If an inspector is actually on the train (not bloody likely), tell them you forgot to validate it. As long as you don't get caught (and pre-buy the ticket) this can be used multiple times.

2. If you see an inspector, just get off - no sense in getting a fine when you can just catch the next train to Frankston.

3. There are a few more inspectors in the CBD and the Outskirts than the rest of Victoria.

4. That being said, going to Frankston is the easiest place to train hop to.

5. Pretend you are asleep when an inspector comes and tell them you missed your stop if you crossed zones.

6. Make sure you conceal anything (ie. a wallet) which would identify you. Have a down pat name, date of birth, address and story all worked out in case you do get caught. Because the transport officers are allowed to arrest you if you refuse to give details, pretend to go along with them, give your details, and comply. As long as you can get your story flawless and natural, you'll never get a fine sent to you.

Trams in Melbourne are also easy to use - just keep an eye out for any inspectors hopping on. If you do, calmly leave as they get on (if you look like you're trying to walk fast or run they're more likely to grab you). Buses are basically impossible to cheat, unless you can carefully change the date on the back of your ticket and make it look like the machine is in the wrong.

A new system called myki is supposed to be introduced in late 2007 (similar to the Oyster card in London) and this may change the rules for free transport.