Do I need a visa for Australia?

Most visitors need an eVisitor (free) or ETA (online) unless from New Zealand. Check Australian Home Affairs.

What is the currency?

Australian Dollar (AUD). Cards are widely accepted; small cash useful for markets.

Is English the main language?

Yes. Large Mandarin and Greek communities; signs are in English.

How far is the city centre?

Surrey Hills is about 12 km east of Melbourne CBD – 15 min by train.

Are there good family activities?

Yes: Wattle Park playground, Surrey Park swimming pool, and the Healesville Sanctuary day trip.

Can I drink tap water?

Yes – Melbourne's tap water is clean and safe.

What power plug is used?

Type I (three slanted pins). Voltage 230V. Bring an adapter.

No, tipping is not customary. However, leaving a 10% tip for excellent service is appreciated.

Is smoking allowed in public?

No smoking within 4m of building entrances, in public parks, or at train stations.

Are there public restrooms?

In parks (Surrey Park) and shopping centres. Most cafes allow if you buy something.

What's the best way to get to the airport?

Take train to Southern Cross then SkyBus to Tullamarine (~1 hr). Or Uber ~$60.

Can I visit nearby wineries?

Yes – Yarra Valley is 40 min drive; book a tour for wine tasting.

Surrey Hills

SuburbMelbourne, Victoria

Surrey Hills is a SUB AREA in Melbourne, Victoria.

Surrey Hills offers a tranquil escape from Melbourne's bustle, with leafy streets, Federation-era homes, and local cafes like Little Earth. Stroll through Surrey Park or the Wattle Park bushland, where kangaroos sometimes appear at dawn. The train station connects you to the city in 15 minutes, while the nearby Box Hill precinct buzzes with Asian markets and dumpling houses. This is a suburb of quiet charm where you can kayak on Gardiners Creek, visit the historic Union Church, or join locals for a Saturday farmers market. It's ideal for travellers seeking authentic suburban life: morning walks under oak trees, afternoon chess at the community centre, evenings at a craft brewery. Don't miss the annual Spring Festival in October. Surrey Hills is a leafy, safe haven with easy city access.

Best time to visit Surrey Hills

March to May (autumn) and September to November (spring) offer mild temperatures (15-25°C), fewer tourists, and blooming gardens. Summer (Dec-Feb) can be hot (35°C+) with peak crowds at nearby attractions. Winter (June-Aug) is cool (6-14°C) but cosy for café-hopping.

October

Now

Right now

Condition: Clear
Temperature: 11°
Feels like: 10°
Humidity: 82%
Wind: 5 km/h
Precipitation: 0 mm

Typical for October

Weather: Mild 12-20°C

Travel notes

Crowds: Moderate
Prices: Mid

Spring Festival; flowers in full bloom.

Weather from Open-Meteo

Know before you go

Getting there

MEL

Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine)

International

35 km away

AVV

Avalon Airport

Domestic & International

75 km away

Getting around

"Surrey Hills station on the Lilydale/Belgrave lines connects to Melbourne CBD (15 min). Buses (e.g., Route 285, 612) serve local streets. Trams (Route 70, 75) are a 10-min walk away. Driving is easy with ample street parking; ride-shares (Uber, Didi) cost ~$20 to city. Bicycle paths run through Wattle Park."

Stay connected

WiFi speed

50 Mbps

Mobile data

Excellent

WiFi

Free WiFi at library, cafes; hotel wifi usually free

Local SIM

Prepaid SIMs from Telstra, Optus, Vodafone at airport ~$10

Stay safe

Overall

9/10

Very low crime; usual city smarts apply.

Night safety

8/10

Very low crime; usual city smarts apply.

Transport

9/10

Scam risk

2/10

"Surrey Hills is very safe overall. Petty crime like car break-ins is rare but lock vehicles. Avoid walking alone in remote parks after dark; streets are well-lit. Wild encounters: kangaroos may hop onto roads at dawn/dusk – drive cautiously. Bushfire risk is low in this urban area, but monitor warnings during heatwaves."

Police

000

Ambulance

000

Entry and health

Health information

"Australia has excellent healthcare. For non-emergencies, visit a medical centre (e.g., Surrey Hills Medical Centre, open Mon-Fri) or local pharmacist. Tap water is safe. Sunscreen and insect repellent are advisable, especially in summer. Travel insurance that covers medical evacuation is strongly recommended."

Culture

Local customs

"Australians are casual and friendly. Greet with a smile and a 'hello'. Tipping is not expected, though rounding up at cafes is appreciated. Dress is relaxed – shorts and thongs are common in summer, but smart-casual for dinner. Queuing is taken seriously; always wait your turn. Public drinking is illegal except in licensed venues."

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