Many visitors stay close to the city center, and there are a range of accommodation options in both the central business district and around the nearby suburb of St. Kilda. From either of these locations, public transport is definitely the way to see the sights of Melbourne.
You can buy tickets at most train stations and in many news agencies, convenience stores and at self serve vending machines at the station. Tickets are for full day or two hour time blocks, and are bought for Zone 1 (closer to the city) or Zone 2 (suburbs further out). Tickets work on trains, trams and buses. There are maps at the station to help you plan your trip. Be warned though - like all good systems, if you wait a while someone will decide it is a good idea to change it just when everyone has got the hang of it! And the same is true of Melbourne's public transport system. In Melbourne, the system is due for change over the next year or so. New infrastructure is being installed at train stations and commuters are being offered wonderful packages of information spruiked by friendly folk in bright blue T shirts (a sure sign the system is going to require a lot of explaining to everyone!) So be preared for some confusion and puzzled locals if you plan a visit in 2010.
There is a free city circle tram which runs around the Central section of the city, along Flinders St, Spencer St and Latrobe St, and is a great way of getting your bearings when you first arrive in Melbourne. This tram operates between 10am and 6pm, every day of the year except for the public holidays such as Christmas Day and Good Friday. The city circle tram runs past the four main city train stations of Flagstaff, Parliament, Melbourne Central and Flinders Street. It is a 'hop on and hop off' style of transport, so you can take a spin around the city center to get your bearings and not worry about whether or not you cna catch the next one - just wait a few minutes and it will be along.
