Melbourne - Australia 2004 - page 530

Williamstown A lack of extensive
development has left this outer
waterfront suburb with a rich archi-
tectural heritage centered on Fergu-
son Street and Nelson Place—both
reminiscent of old England. On the

Strand overlooking the sea are a line
of bistros and restaurants, and a
World War II warship museum.
Ferry: from Southgate, the World
Trade Center, or St. Kilda Pier.

2 Getting Around
BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Trams, trains, and buses are operated by several private companies including the
National Bus Company, Yarra Trams, and Connex to name a few. Generally,
both tourists and locals travel around the city and inner suburbs by tram.
BY TRAM Melbourne has the oldest tram network in the world. Trams are still
an essential part of the city, and a major cultural icon. There are several hundred
trams running over 325km (202 miles) of track. Instead of phasing this non-
smoggy method of transport out, Melbourne is busily expanding the network.
Tram travel within the city and to all suburbs mentioned in this chapter costs
A$1.80 (US$1.20) for adults, A90¢ (US52¢) for children for a single journey.
Or you can buy a 2-Hour Metcard good for unlimited transport on buses or
trains for up to 2 hours. The 2-Hour Metcards cost A$2.70 (US$1.75) for adults
and A$1.50 (US$1) for children. If you plan to pack in the sightseeing, try the
Zone 1 Metcard Daily ticket, which allows travel on all transport (trams and
trains) within the city and close surrounding suburbs mentioned in this chapter
from 5:30am to midnight (when transportation stops). It costs A$5.20 for
adults and A$2.70 (US$1.75) for children. Metcard Weekly tickets cost A$23
(US$15) for adults and A$11 (US$7.40) for children.
Buy single-trip and 2-hour tram tickets at ticket machines on trams, special
ticket offices (such as at the tram terminal on Elizabeth St., near the corner of
Flinders St.), at most newsdealers, and at Metcard vending machines at many
railway stations. A Metcard needs to be validated by the Metcard Validator
machine on the tram, station platforms, or on board buses before each journey;
the only exception to this is the 2-hour Metcard ticket purchased from a vend-
ing machine on a tram, which is automatically validated starting from that jour-
ney only. Vending machines on trams only accept coins—but give change—
whereas larger vending machines at train stations give change up to A$10
(US$6.50).
You can pick up a free route map from the Melbourne Visitors Centre, at Fed-
eration Square, or at the Met Information Centre, 103 Elizabeth St., at the cor-
ner of Collins Street ( & 13 16 38 in Australia; www.victrip.com.au), which
is open Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, and Saturday from
9am to 1pm.
The City Circle Tram is the best way to get around the center of Melbourne—
and it's free. These burgundy-and-cream trams travel a circular route between all

Money-Saving Transit Pass
The Getabout Travelcard, which can be used by two adults and up to four
children, is good 1 day of travel on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holi-
days only. The card costs A$11 (US$7). Buy it at newsdealers.

Value