Page 416 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Australia

414  VIC T ORIA
ENTERTAINMENT IN

MELBOURNE

Melbourne could be defined as Australia’s Hamer Hall (see p404), stages productions
city of the arts. All year round there is a by the state’s theatrical companies and hosts
wealth of cultural events and entertainment both national and international groups.
on offer. The city’s major festivals include the Large concerts are held at Rod Laver Arena
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival and in Melbourne Park Entertainment Centre or
Moomba (see pp45–8). There are also fringe the Melbourne Cricket Ground (see p401).
festivals and many other independent events. Cinema chains are supplemented by
Arts Centre Melbourne, which includes smaller, arthouse cinemas.

Centre has a range of
publications listing events.
There are also a number of
websites that provide good
events coverage, as well as
other information helpful to
visitors: www.theurbanlist.com/
melbourne, www.visitvictoria.
com and www.thatsmelbourne.
com.au are worth a look. To
find out what’s showing and
Evening concert at the Sidney Myer Music coming up at the Arts Centre
Bowl (see p402) Melbourne (see p404), visit
the venue’s website (www.
Information
artscentremelbourne.com.au). Grand 1930s foyer of the Regent Theatre
The Age newspaper publishes a Most ticket agencies and (see p394)
comprehensive entertainment some venues also provide
guide in its Saturday edition information on events taking venues which handle their
and on its website. This has place in the city. own bookings independently,
listings, along with more but these are rare and tickets
information on all the Ticket Booking Agencies for most major events are
up-coming highlights. The more easily purchased at
tabloid newspaper Herald Buying tickets in Melbourne these agencies.
Sun’s Saturday edition and is reasonably straightforward. Bookings can either be made
website are also good sources There are two major ticket in person at the various outlets,
of information and reviews. booking agencies in Victoria, or with a credit card by phone.
There is an array of free Ticketmaster (with more than Alternatively, bookings can be
publications covering arts, 50 outlets) and Ticketek made online. The agencies also
entertainment and the (with more than 30 outlets). accept bookings from overseas.
nightclub scene. Visitors can Both agencies offer ticketing If not bought directly over the
obtain these from retailers for all major sporting events, counter, tickets can be mailed
and cafés in main inner-city concerts, theatre performances out to customers for a small
precincts such as Fitzroy and festivals, as well as for handling fee. If the event is
(see p407) and St Kilda. The theme parks and other impending, tickets can usually
Melbourne Visitor Information attractions. There are some be picked up at the venue half-
an-hour before the booked
performance starts.
The hours for outlets vary
according to their location,
but almost all are open
Monday through to Saturday,
and some are open on Sundays.
Neither Ticketmaster nor
Ticketek offer refunds or
exchanges, unless a show is
cancelled. Remember that a
nominal booking fee will be
added to all ticket prices
Façade of the Princess Theatre, opposite the Parliamentary Precinct (see p396) bought via a ticket agency.