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Victoria
MELBOURNE, VA
Melbourne is on the edge of Port Phillip Bay and the main diving operations are based out of Portsea which is about 100Km / 1hr 15 mins away from the city centre. Given its location, a car is needed to effectively get there for diving from the city but fortunately car hire costs in Australia are not too bad.
There is a good variety of diving from drifts to reefs and wrecks . One of the operators is Dive Victoria who operate up to 3 boats, depending on the time of year, Website.
Some of the Wrecks
The Eliza Ramsden is a 3 masted barque built in Glasgow in 1874 which sank in Port Phillip Bay in 1875is a very popular wreck, though its location right by a shipping channel does make it very elusive. It is quite common for trips to this wreck to get cancelled at the last moment due to shipping. If you can get there it is very good and suitable for most qualification levels. More information at Website.
The J Class Submarines - 7 of these were built in 1917 and were the worlds fastest at 19 knots on the surface and 10 submerged. 1 of them was lost at war and the remaining 6 were donated to Australia. In 1924 they were stripped of valuables and scuttled outside Port Phillip Heads. 4 of them are visited by the dive company; the J4 is most frequently on the schedule due to its relatively shallow depth of 26m ( aka 26 m Sub) and the other 3 are at 36, 38 and 39m
From the Dive Victoria site you can also see details of other wrecks such as The Coogee (34m) The Rotomahana (38m) , The Courier (42m) and the wrecks of "The Ships Graveyard" 45-55m.
There are also various cold water reefs inside Port Phillip bay which are in the 10-20m depth range with one that is perfect for inexperienced divers called Popes Eye.
On all dives a delayed SMB is required. Anyone on a dive trip where the depth is 30m+ is required to take redundant air supply ( e.g. pony or twinset.)
Victoria Fact File
To avoid sounding too much like a tourist, remember it is pronounced Mel-bun rather than Mel-born.
Getting there
Flights between Sydney and Melbourne are plentiful, or hop on the Overland Train from Adelaide for a more scenic, leisurely ride. Driving from Sydney is straight forward the journey is 558km and will take approximately a day to drive.
When to go
Melbourne enjoys manageable summers, glorious springs, mild autumns and crisp winters.
With its variable climate, Melbourne is warm to hot in summer 26°C (December to February), mild in autumn, 17°C (March to May), cold and damp in winter, 14°C (June to August), and cool in spring 17°C(September to November). For the city as a whole, the warmest months are generally January and February, which are often dry and prone to hot spells, although some respite is provided by the cooling sea breezes of Port Phillip Bay. June and July are the coldest months, while October is the wettest. The annual average rainfall for Melbourne is around 600mm, which is substantially less rain than Sydney receives.
Diving in the Melbourne area is colder than its compatriots further north in Sydney or Brisbane, in winter the temperature can be as low as 11C and in summer get to about 20C.
During the winter a drysuit and hood is highly recommended, though during the summer months most divers wear a full 5mm full length.
Accommodation
If you want to be based in Melbourne itself, you will find a wide range of accommodation, which can either be booked as part of your package or find something on-line to suit your budget.
Conveniently situated for divers, The Portsea Hotel (Website ) is adjacent to the Dive Victoria shop. A twin room with ensuite facilities are A$160 per night including continental breakfast.
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Non Divers and other things to do
Melbourne is the self proclaimed cultural capital of Australia with its European street café and many theatres and galleries. In Melbourne alone, you'll find over 3,000 restaurants, cafes, bistros and bars.
A great way to see the city is a City Sightseeing Tour which will give you the opportunity to explore Melbourne. Use your ticket to hop on and off at more than 25 stops over a 24 hour period, including the Chinatown, Queen Victoria Market, Docklands, Melbourne Observation Deck, Melbourne Aquarium, Arts Centre, Old Melbourne Gaol, Parliament House, Melbourne Park and MCG. City Sightseeing Website
Alternatively take to the river for a Port and Docklands Cruise, which traces the routes of the early settlers with this historical look at the famous Yarra River and surrounds. Experience the history of the Southern Hemisphere's largest port and relive its involvement in Melbourne's settlement. Cruise highlights include Southgate Arts and Leisure Precinct, Crown Entertainment Complex, World Trade Centre, Port and Docklands, Westgate Bridge and Polly Woodside. Cruises depart every half hour from the Ticket kiosk at Southgate Lower Promenade, Southbank (behind Sheraton Towers Hotel). Melbourne Cruises Website
Some other highlights include the Melbourne Museum is one of Australia's most striking contemporary buildings and an innovative playground of interactive fun and education. Delve into the vibrant history of Melbourne, explore a rain forest, walk onto a set of the TV show Neighbours, and experience aboriginal culture.
Another famous landmark is Captain Cook's cottage, originally built in England in 1755, by the parents of Captain James Cook it was transported and reconstructed in Fitzroy Gardens in 1934.
If you can't keep away from the underwater world for too long, then try Australia's newest and only Southern Ocean Aquarium. The brand new Ocean Down Under exhibit featuring the Shark Conversation Project and Australia's largest fishbowl. Watch the sharks being fed, wiggle with the octopus, enjoy the jellies, bask with the stingrays and go for your life on the Shipwrecked ride.
A visit to Mornington Peninsula wineries can be a pleasant pastime; A map of the area is Winemap. About 20 minutes from Portsea, it is conveniently located for non-diving partners! Drop them off at the quayside and then and pop round the wineries for a gourmet lunch and a look at Arthur's Seat.
That's Melbourne
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