Travel Channel

Melbourne Airport

On cloud nine

via Tullamarine Freeway
Melbourne, VIC 3045

Phone: +61 3 9297 1600

Fax: +61 3 9292 1886

Melbourne Airport, also known as Tullamarine after the surrounding area, is around 25 kilometres from the city centre. It operates 24 hours a day although many shops keep normal business hours. The building is modern and well designed. The international and two domestic terminals (run by Qantas and Ansett Airlines) are under the same roof, making inter-airline transfers just a short walk away. There is under cover access to the short term parking area and car rental offices, protecting visitors from the vagaries of Melbourne’s weather. A myriad of shopping and dining options will keep you amused while waiting for a flight. Two minute parking is permitted at the front of the terminal for drop offs and pick ups. There are three other parking areas. A multi-storey short term carpark is located opposite the terminal building. Costs start at AUD5 for one hour (maximum AUD28 for 24 hours). Most parking is undercover and there is covered access to the terminal. The long-term carpark is adjacent to the terminal and provides a regular shuttle bus. Costs range from AUD15 for one day to AUD170 for 30 days. A new facility is the Business Parking area, which is conveniently located opposite the Qantas terminal and charges AUD20 for one day. Public transport to the city consists of taxis and shuttle buses. A taxi to the city centre costs around AUD35 and takes approximately 20-30 minutes. The cheapest option is the Skybus service which runs to various points in the city every half hour 24 hours a day. Cost is AUD12 per person. Other bus lines run to Victorian regional towns and Melbourne suburbs. Check Airport web site for details and phone numbers. Melbourne Airport’s domestic and international terminals are under the one roof. The international terminal is in the centre with the Ansett and Qantas (Domestic) terminals on either side. Some moving walkways are provided to the gates. In keeping with Melbourne’s obsession with fine dining, Skyplaza in the international terminal offers good variety and quality of dining choices. In addition to fast food (Burger King), an ice cream stand and coffee shops, there is a pizza/pasta restaurant (Sbarro), an a la carte restaurant (Jenny’s Café), a bistro (Big S) and a bar/cocktail lounge (Medallists Bar). The Qantas and Ansett domestic terminals also have small bars and cafes in the gate lounges. On the whole Melbourne Airport is well designed, efficient and relatively hassle free. Facilities for families are fairly limited. The baby change rooms are clean but austere and apart from a couple of coin-operated rides in the international departure area there is no specific play space for children. If you have time to spare waiting for a flight, the extensive shopping area is worth checking out. As well as the usual range of duty free shops found in most international airports, Tullamarine boasts a microcosm of the shopping experience you will find in the city centre with specialist outlets for jewellery, clothing, luggage, books, music, cosmetics, souvenirs and confectionary, to name a few. Lounges for business travellers are provided by Qantas, Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, United Airlines, Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines.

Disabled Access