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Know-before-you-go: Plan your Melbourne holiday with ease

Feb 6, 2024

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Melbourne, known as the cultural capital of Australia (sssh don't tell Sydney), is a city that combines modernity, history and a diversity of cultures. So why do tourists visit Melbourne? Lot's of reasons. From its iconic laneways filled with street art to its world-class coffee scene, Melbourne offers a really great blend of experiences for every traveler. When visiting we recommend you spend your time exploring its neighbourhoods, cultural attractions and it's incredible food/ bar scene. We hope the below guide helps you plan your Melbourne holiday with ease.


See our pinned for you map of Melbourne here



 
 

Getting to Melbourne

There are two airports in Melbourne, it is important to know which is the most convenient for you. If spending your time near the CBD we recommend the Tullamarine airport, it is ALOT closer. Be careful when booking and make sure you have the right airport for you.


Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine Airport):

Location: Approximately 23 kilometers (14 miles) northwest of the central business district (CBD).

Terminals: The airport has four terminals - Terminal 1 (International), Terminal 2 (Domestic - Qantas), Terminal 3 (Domestic - Virgin Australia and Regional Express), and Terminal 4 (Domestic - Jetstar).

Facilities:  It is a good airport, it offers a wide range of facilities, including shopping, dining, lounges, and services such as currency exchange and baggage services.

Melbourne Airport transportation: There are plenty of transport options available, including taxis, rideshare services, buses etc. We highly recommend the SkyBus, which brings you directly to the city center. A return ticket will cost $40.00 per adult.

Avalon Airport:

Location:  Approx 15 kilometers (9 miles) northeast of Geelong and 50 kilometers (31 miles) southwest of Melbourne's CBD.

Terminals and facilities: The airport has one passenger terminal. Facilities are extremely limited. You can grab yourself some hot chips and a wine/ beer and that is about it.

Flights: Mainly used for domestic flights.

Airport transportation: Transportation options include car rentals, taxis, and shuttle services. The journey to Melbourne's CBD takes about an hour by road.


 

Getting around Melbourne


Get a Miki card. You can only tap on and off public transport with this and cannot use your credit/ debit card


Melbourne Public Transportation:

  1. Trains: Melbourne's train system is efficient, and the CBD is served by several train stations, including Flinders Street Station and Southern Cross Station. Trains connect the CBD with suburban areas and outer regions.

  2. Trams: Melbourne is famous for its extensive tram network. Trams are a popular and convenient way to travel within the CBD and to surrounding suburbs. Many tram routes pass through key CBD streets like Swanston Street and Bourke Street.

  3. Buses: The CBD is also serviced by a network of buses that connect various parts of the city and its outskirts.

  4. Free Tram Zone: There is a free tram zone in Melbourne. This includes all tram routes within the central business district (CBD) with stops at popular destinations such as Flinders Street Station, Parliament House, Melbourne Aquarium, and the Queen Victoria Market.

  5. Taxis and Rideshare: Uber and other rideshare options are readily available in Melbourne


 

Where to stay/ suburbs to visit in Melbourne?


  • South Yarra: This is where we stayed during our last visit. Slaney stayed here for 3 weeks. It was the perfect location. Everything is at your doorstep. South Yarra is seen as a "fashionable" suburb. It definitely has charm with its tree-lined streets, upscale boutiques, trendy cafes, and proximity to the beautiful Yarra River.

  • See here for available accomodation

 

What to do in Melbourne?

  • National Gallery of Victoria (NGV): Australia's oldest and most visited art museum. Its diverse collection includes Australian, European, Asian, and Indigenous art. The striking architecture of the building itself is pretty incredible and worth a visit alone.

  • Street Art in Hosier Lane: Melbourne is renowned for its vibrant street art scene, and Hosier Lane is the epicenter. Admire the ever-changing murals and graffiti, a testament to the city's creative spirit. Can get pretty busy and there are plenty of people taking some hectic photos but worth the visit and FANTASTIC people watching too.

  • Royal Exhibition Building: A UNESCO World Heritage site, this 19th-century marvel in Carlton Gardens showcases stunning architecture. Check the event calendar; the building hosts various exhibitions and events throughout the year.

  • Royal Botanic Gardens: Find tranquility in the heart of the city at the Royal Botanic Gardens. Wander through themed gardens, enjoy a picnic by the lake, and marvel at the diverse plant collections.

  • Yarra River Cruises: Relax and enjoy Melbourne from a different perspective with a cruise along the Yarra River. Choose from daytime or evening cruises to witness the city lights.


See here to view and book from a range of activities and tours in Melbourne


 

Where to eat in Melbourne?

  • Markets:

    • Queen Victoria Markets: The largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere. Sample fresh produce, gourmet treats, and multicultural cuisines. The famous hot jam doughnuts come highly recommended. We personally don't like doughnuts enough to stand in a 30 min long queue.

    • South Melbourne market: We preferred this market to the Queen Victoria market. A bit less hectic, a really vibey food scene all along the sides of the market with a great variety of food including Mexican, Italian, fresh seafood and more. A perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

  • Café / Coffee Culture: Melbourne takes its coffee seriously. Explore the city's laneways and discover hidden cafes serving artisanal coffee. Degraves Street and Hardware Lane are known for their lively café scenes. Some coffee spots we really enjoyed included:

    • Tom Dick and Harry, South Yarra

    • Brother baba Budan, Bourke Street

    • St Ali, Yarra Place South Melbourne

  • Chinatown: Satisfy your culinary cravings in Melbourne's Chinatown, where you'll find an array of Asian cuisines. Whether it's dumplings, noodles, or Peking duck, there's something to please every palate.

  • Restaurants: So many to choose from. Some of our favourites were:

    • Carlton wine room, Carlton - upscale wine bar with great food. Great place for a long lunch $$$

    • Supernormal, Flinders land - Trendy Asian fusion spot $$$

    • HuTong Dumpling bar, Market lane - Popular amongst the dumpling fans $$

  • Croissants: Slaney is a bit sweet fan, almond croissants to be precise. We wouldn't queue for donuts but we did queue (on multiple occasions) for croissants. The verdict....

    • Lune is good, stick with the plain croissant.

    • Agathe pattiserie was the winner, the panden croissant was INCREDIBLE.

  • Bahn Mhi: We couldn't write this without including our favourite Bahn Mhi. As fans of the delicious rolls, we have tried many and this one is up there with the best we have had. Get yourself to T&L bakery in Cremorne.


Check these venues out on our pinned-for-you-map of Melbourne




Melbourne weather

Melbourne weather is always a topic of conversation. It can be temperamental but in our experience, so can Sydney these days. The winters are colder than Sydney, that is definite. Summers (December to February) are typically warm to hot, with temperatures averaging around 25-30°C, while winters (June to August) are cooler with temperatures averaging around 10-15°C. The city is known for its changeable weather, with conditions often shifting without much warning, including sudden temperature drops, rainfall, and occasional heatwaves during summer months. Our advice, bring a few layers and have a lightweight rain jacket.









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