Stay safe in Melborne while travelling

Melbourne is a relatively safe city, but the usual precautions still apply as for any large city, including keeping valuables hidden, and travelling with a friend or companion on the street or a train late at night, if possible. Certain areas which are fine during the day can be unsafe at night if you are alone, including the Collingwood and Footscray areas.

Melbourne’s red-light districts include King Street in the CBD and Grey Street, St Kilda, but you’re more likely to face drunken revelers and unwelcome approaches from street walkers than any major threat. Melbourne City Council has also recently established all-night “Safe City” taxi ranks with security guards on King Street, outside Flinders Street Station and on Bourke Street.

Photographer DAVID ILIFF. Melbourne Docklands at Twilight

If traveling by train at night, travel in the front carriage close to the driver’s area and note emergency buttons. If a problem occurs, push emergency buttons on the train or railway station to attract attention. Stay in Safety Zones while on stations at night. These are marked with yellow lines and are usually well lit and have emergency buttons as well as about 4 cameras pointed at the area. Robbery does happen on the train system, especially at night, though, no more frequently than expected with most big cities. Railway police patrol most services.

If you are driving your own car or rented automobile, car theft or break-in is possible. Avoid temptation by hiding valuables out of sight, and always lock the car and leave the windows up before you leave. If you are waiting in your car, it is only sensible to lock the car as well. A police officer will always show ID before asking you to open your door or window.

Pickpocketing is uncommon in Melbourne, but be aware of your belongings out the front of Flinders Street station and the first block of Swanston Street (between Flinders and Collins Streets).

Beggars frequent the southern ends of Elizabeth and Swanston Streets, Bourke Street Mall, and the intersection of Bourke and Russell Streets. Very rarely are they threatening or aggressive however.

Although scams are rare in Melbourne, be wary of real estate agents (especially if you have newly arrived and plan to stay only for the short term). There have been many cases of real estate agents preying upon overseas students in particular. Common scams include charging tenants for costs that don’t exist (eg. charges for ‘advertising’ when tenants move out) and deducting costs for non-existent reparations and cleaning from the bond. Be sure to consult the [Tenants Union of Victoria www.tuv.org.au and know your rights when you are charged for anything and move in and out.

As with any large metropolis, be vigilant but not paranoid, as Melbourne is generally a very safe city.