Visit Melbourne

Melbourne and Sydney are Australia’s largest cities and have much to offer. It’s no wonder they have been voted the World’s Most Liveable Cities seven times in a row! Melbourne is the cultural and artistic capital of the country. Many consider it a very ‘European’ and multicultural city. The choice between Sydney and Melbourne is often a matter of serious debate. The town is indeed more minor, but the quality of life is improved due to less time spent on transport and a slightly lower cost of living, which is always an excellent level! Discover our complete guide to visit Melbourne and take advantage of all its riches!

How to get to Melbourne?

From another Australian city

If you’re travelling to Australia, you have two options: plane or bus. Forget about the railway network, which is not very well developed in Australia. In general, buses are cheaper (about $60 for an overnight flight from Sydney), but take longer… You can find more affordable flights if you don’t book flights at the last minute. For domestic flights in Australia, the best low-cost airlines to compare are Virgin, Bonza and Jet Star.

Where to stay?

In terms of accommodation budget, Melbourne is still slightly cheaper than Sydney. However, it remains one of the most significant cost items. Accommodation prices depend on many criteria, including the area where you stay. There are several options, depending on the length of your stay and the comfort level you expect.

In the centre, prices are pretty high. Moving to the surrounding areas is best for a more reasonable price.

Youth hostels: The best solution for backpackers and travellers on a budget, youth hostels are the perfect way to start visiting a city. Prices range from single ($50 per night) to double, depending on the type of Room (dormitory Roomingle).

Airbnb: Renting an entire apartment is expensive, but you can also consider renting a room. This will allow you to mingle with Australians when you arrive and discover the best neighbourhoods and activities.

Temporary subletting or sharing: check out expat groups on Facebook. Many of them sublet their homes for short-term stays.

Couchsurfing or HelpX: We often forget about it, but staying with locals is the best way to immerse yourself in a country fully. In exchange for a few hours of work a day or just a cultural exchange, you will be given a sofa or a room for free!

House sitting: Another good way to find free accommodation is through house sitting. In practice, you look after the house or apartment of someone travelling. You may also have to look after pets or plants in the house. Also, you will likely find more accommodation in the suburbs than in the city centre. Make sure public transport is available and close by.

When and for how long?

Best time to visit Melbourne

Melbourne is generally pleasant to visit throughout the year. But be prepared to experience all possible weather conditions in a very short period. People often talk about ‘four seasons in one day‘, and it’s not a myth! The sun is in the morning, rain is at noon, and clouds and wind are in the afternoon.

How much time do you have to plan?

If you are short on time, Melbourne can be visited in two days. The city centre already has a lot to offer, and you can explore many of the main attractions on foot or on the free tram that runs around the city (see below).

However, if you’re lucky enough to stay longer, Melbourne is the perfect city to wander around. You’ll find plenty to do, whether you prefer cultural visits, nightlife or nature walks!

What to see in Melbourne?

You can’t reach Sydney without visiting the Opera House or Bondi Beach? Melbourne also has its must-see places… Here’s what not to miss during your visit:

THE CBD

There is a lot to see in Melbourne’s CBD. You will discover Hosier Lane, one of the most famous streets for street art lovers. There are also many alleys, arcades and hidden lanes where you will find many small restaurants and shops. Don’t forget to stop in Chinatown for lunch! The City Circular Tram is a vintage tram that runs through the centre of Melbourne. It’s the perfect way to explore the city for free!

Federation Square

This large esplanade is a cultural landmark in the city centre. It is located next to Flinders Street Station and St Paul’s Cathedral. With its museums, attractions, restaurants and cafes, it hosts all the city’s main events. It is home to the tourist office, the Ian Potter Centre (the first gallery dedicated to Australian art), the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (the original centre for the moving image in all its forms, not to be missed!) and the National Design Centre, which specialises in Australian design.

Historic buildings and museums

Melbourne is considered the cultural capital of Australia. It has all the glamour of its crown, with numerous museums, year-round cultural events and an influential street art culture. Cultural institutions host famous works and performances in the heart of the city. The Museum of Melbourne is a must-see with its postmodern art and interactive spaces. The Museum of Immigration tells the stories of a cosmopolitan homeland.

Another must-see place in Melbourne is the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV). It is the largest and oldest museum in Australia. It is divided into two centres, one in the city and the other a few hundred metres away, on the other side of the river. The architecture of the buildings makes the art museum very interesting. Aboriginal art, classical Australian art of the 19th and 20th centuries, Asian art, fashion, photography and pop art can all be seen in the galleries of the cultural centres. Temporary exhibitions are always a success, such as the collaboration between NGV and New York’s Moma Museum of Modern Art, which lent its works to the continent in 2018.

Museums are always a great option when it’s raining or cloudy in Melbourne.

The diversity of Melbourne’s architecture is a visual delight. Don’t miss

Flinders Street Central Railway Station,
Parliament House,
St Patrick’s Cathedral,
Melbourne City Hall.

For lovers of old photos, don’t miss Australia’s oldest photo booth at Flinders Street Central Station. The photo booth is over 50 years old and will be removed during the station’s 2018 refurbishment. However, after public support for the photo booth, it was decided to keep it.

Head to the intersection of Flinders, Collins and Bourke Streets to discover Melbourne’s galleries. Here, you will find the Block Arcade with mosaic floors, a glass roof and wrought iron. This is where the nobility of the late 19th century used to walk. Stroll through the Royal Arcade, Melbourne’s oldest arcade.

And don’t miss the iconic State Library of Victoria. Here, you will find more than one and a half million books! The three main halls of the library are well worth a visit. The most famous is the Reading Room, illuminated by a light dome, which can accommodate up to 500 people. In the library, you can visit the art galleries, book exhibitions, or research online.

North of Melbourne, we stop at Abbotsford Monastery. We are not talking about visiting nuns but about visiting this beautiful place, a haven for artists and incredible people. In the late 1800s, the brick building served as a monastery, an orphanage and a care centre for the elderly. Today, Abbotsford Priory has a different purpose. It now houses art galleries and a children’s farm with animals. Concerts are sometimes organised here in the evenings. Locals also take advantage of the monastery’s hilltop location to explore its gardens and have picnics.

Street art

A walk around the city is also a chance to discover Melbourne’s street art cult. The cobbled alleyway of Hosier Lane, just off Federation Square, is a central location for artists. It is always crowded with curious onlookers who want to immortalise these giant works of art.

Fitzroy is also worth a visit. If you like quirky, alternative neighbourhoods, you’ll find what you’re looking for on Gertrude Street or Johnston Street. Here, you will find small designer boutiques and artists’ studios. Grab a coffee and stroll through the streets with signs on either side, like an open-air museum.

Royal Botanical Gardens

The Royal Botanic Gardens is one of the city’s must-see tourist attractions. World-famous for its magnificent gardens, the park is just a few steps from the city centre, on the southern bank of the Yarra River. It covers 38 hectares, and its flora includes native and exotic species numbering over 8,500. There are zen lakes, guided tours to learn more about its strange flowers and trees, and a heritage walk dedicated to the history of the Colin Aborigines. Allow at least half a day to enjoy the park entirely.

Don’t forget to stop and see the Shrine of Remembrance, built as a tribute to Australians who died in World War I.

Queen Victoria Market

Located north of the CBD, this is the largest open-air market in the southern hemisphere. This authentic and gigantic market attracts hundreds of tourists and locals every day. Whether they are looking for a good piece of beef, Italian cheese or seasonal vegetables, visitors will be delighted with the atmosphere of this large indoor market. Books, clothes and artwork are also sold here. Numerous food trucks offer dishes from the four corners of the Asian continent. Explore the colourful stalls filled with fresh produce, local specialities and delicious street food. As you can see, this lively place will not be missed during your visit to Melbourne!

Saint Kilda

Located just a 30-minute tram ride from the city centre, get some fresh air in the Saint Kilda area. While the water is usually fine, the beach offers excellent views of the harbour and CBD buildings. Luna Park is a local landmark! And if you’re there on a Sunday, you can even stroll through the small designer market that stretches along the beach.

Stick around St Kilda Pier to watch the penguins returning from the sea. The best time to watch is at sunset.

Brighton Beach and the Bath Box

After St Kilda, you can take a bus to another beach: Brighton Beach! Here, you will find 82 colourful beach houses known as ‘bathing boxes’, often seen in Melbourne photographs. It is also a significant tourist attraction. You may have to wait a while to take a picture in front of the one that caught your attention. The water here is always calm, and the sand is reasonably good.

Pink Lake

There are several pink lakes in Australia, but the advantage of this lake is that it is close to the city and, therefore, very accessible! Just a short drive from the CBD, you can take a bus to get to know this natural phenomenon better. The pink colour is due to a chemical reaction between algae and salt in the lake. Knowing that the warmer it is, the more chances you have to admire the pink colour.

Melbourne Zoo

Melbourne Zoo is the oldest zoo in Australia! In addition to kangaroos and koalas, you can see tigers, orangutans, and more than 320 species of animals worldwide. The zoo is located just a few minutes north of the city centre and is easily accessible by train or tram.

The zoo has recreated tropical rainforests and water spaces for marine species such as little Victoria penguins and seals of the Australian coast. The zoo also focuses on species conservation, holding 21 endangered species, including rock wallabies, allowing them to breed in captivity and releasing them into the wild.

About a 40-minute drive from Melbourne, Werribee Open Range Zoo offers a unique experience. On 225 hectares of savannah, you can admire gorillas, lions, cheetahs, rhinos, and antelopes. You can also feed a giraffe or pet a serval. You can even take a mini safari on a small open-top bus through the savannah.

Sea Life Aquarium

Melbourne Aquarium is a great way to discover marine life on a rainy day! It is easily accessible from the city centre and located on the Yarra Valley’s edge, opposite the Southbank. The entrance costs about $37 per adult.

Eureka Skydeck Tower

Take a look at the view from the top of the 88-storey tower. Eureka Skydeck 88 in the Southbank, Melbourne’s tallest building, offers breathtaking city views. This famous observation deck provides a 360-degree panoramic view of the city. For an additional $12, you can scare yourself in the Room on the EdgeRoomglass cube suspended from the Eureka Skydeck (entrance fee: $28). And for an additional $12, you can scare yourself in the Room on the EdgeRoomglass cube suspended from the Eureka Skydeck tower ($28 entrance fee).

Luna Park: an amusement fair in the city

An amusement park in Melbourne that looks like an amusement fair. A combination of fun and dreams. Welcome to Luna Park! Located in St Kilda, in the southern suburbs of Melbourne. This park is easily accessible by tram (35 minutes from the CBD). Here, you can explore such colourful and exciting rides as the Energy Surge and the Curse of the Pharaoh. Not sure what they mean? Don’t worry, there are still some must-see rides here too: Ghost Train, Mirror Maze, and many others. Although Luna Park was created in 1912, it hasn’t said its last word yet! You can ride the Scenic Railway, the oldest roller coaster in the world, which is still in operation. For fans of wooden horses, the park has the largest carousel in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s sure to be a great day out.