10 Insider tips before travelling to Melbourne
If you’re heading to Melbourne for a new life nursing in Australia, or just temporarily as a base for your working holiday then here are some insider tips that you should know before you go!
Four seasons in one day
And you thought that the UK weather was unpredictable…. Although temperatures never dip too low in Melbourne, you may want to be prepared for some sudden changes in the weather. It could be a blazing 40 degrees in the morning, but half an hour later it could be pouring down with rain and then the sun will break through again. Be prepared with outfits for all eventualities!
If you don’t love coffee now, you will!
Melbourne is all about the coffee culture (a bonus if you’re feeling jetlagged when you arrive!). From the basic lattes to the increasingly popular flat-white, most people working in Melbourne would struggle to start their day without their daily dose of coffee. And on the really hot days? Well, iced coffee of course.
The beautiful game
Australia may be more famous for their Rugby and Cricket teams, but in Melbourne it’s all about the Football. Aussie rules football may be slightly different to the game back home, but the passion for it is just as rife. Need to make small talk in the workplace? Start with football and you can’t go far wrong!
Drive carefully
Australia may seem like a fairly laid-back nation but they’re a stickler for the rules, and they take their road regulations very seriously. The great thing is that they drive on the same side as the UK, but Melbourne has no less than five (yes, five) different types of cameras to enforce the rules of the road so make sure you brush up on Australian road laws before heading out for that drive.
Use public transport like a local
Following the above point, you don’t even need to drive a car if you don’t want to. Melbourne has a fantastic tram network that will get you to most parts of the city, quickly, safely and cheaply. Grab yourself a Myki card (a bit like an Oyster Card), top it up and you can touch on each time you board a tram (or other forms of public transport).
Get on your bike
One of the simplest ways of commuting to work, and a great way of exploring all the back roads of Melbourne that the trams can’t reach. If you’re staying in the city for a while it might be worth investing in a bike, however if you just fancy a quick trip, then you can hire a bike from the Melbourne Bike Share stands for a small fee.
Meet the penguins
You’ll want to check out some of the local sights while you’re in Melbourne and you’ll have probably heard that the Phillip Island is the place to go and see the penguins. However, what a lot of people don’t realise (even those living in Melbourne) is that there is a huge colony of penguins that live in St Kilda. Take the tram to St Kilda Pier in the evening and at sunset you’ll see crowds of Little Penguins emerging from the sea. Just remember not to use flash photography.
Join in the friendly rivalry
Residents of Melbourne are intensely proud of their city, and you’ll no doubt detect a little disdain towards other cities in Australia, not least Sydney. In fact, don’t be surprised if your work colleagues direct contempt towards anywhere that isn’t Melbourne. Don’t take it personally – after living here for a while, you’ll probably join them.
Blend in
Traditionally, Australians don’t really like to stand out too much in the crowd, so if you really want to be a local then avoid drawing unnecessary attention to yourself. Melbourne residents are great at the art of self-deprecation which is a type of humour you may need to get used to! And whilst Melbourne considers itself to be the fashion capital of Australia, don’t expect to see lots of vibrant colours – in Melbourne, black is the new black. Wear something black and you’ll fit in just fine!
Experience the melting-pot of culture
Melbourne is a very cosmopolitan city and from this has grown a love of food from around the world with a particular trend for Asian fusion cuisine. You’ll find restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets, and with Melbourne being a hub for working holiday makers, you’ll be sure to meet plenty of like-minded travellers to share the experience.
To find out more about making the move to Melbourne and finding nursing jobs in Melbourne contact us today at recruitment@australiannursingagency.com.[/fusion_text][/one_full][/fullwidth]
