Be it to the sound of sports fans packing out its inner-city stadiums, speak easy bars hidden down graffiti art-filled cobbled laneways, the best restaurants of Australia scaling across every suburb in the city, arts at every street corner, and showcasing some of the most diverse music in the world, there’s something for everyone. Wake up and smell the coffee. Melbourne is calling.
If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle without ever really leaving the city, we reckon you should head on over Brunswick way for some bohemian feels and cafe hang outs. Some of our favourite spots are catching a night out at The Brunswick Green, which hosts regular live music or check out Bar Oussou for some international music (we promise you won’t stop moving). Long colourful streets packed with excellent eats, amazing treats, and tip top beats. What more do you want?
With world class surf breaks, lush rainforests, beach side paradises, and koala-filled tree canopies, it’s easy to see what makes this trip great. Stretching 243KM from the small surf town of Torquay, to the famous 12 Apostles, passing landmarks such as Cape Otway Lighthouse, Apollo Bay, and Loch Ard Gorge, we can’t think of many other greater adventures than this.
One of the most popular day trips from Melbourne, Phillip Island lies just off Australia’s southern coast. Get out to Summerland Beach and gather around at sunset to watch the famous Penguin Parade, when little penguins come ashore in groups. It’s also home to a large colony of Australian fur seals, so be sure to get out to Seal Rocks to check these spectacular creatures out. This is Victoria’s holiday sweet spot. If you are up for some unique wildlife, captivating coastlines, idyllic beaches, a variety of outdoor activities, and world class events, look no further than Phillip Island.
In beachside St. Kilda (or Ireland by the beach as some call), backpackers, families, and joggers converge on the Esplanade, where yachts and windsurfers can be seen on the bay. Boom-time mansions, historic sea baths and Luna Park’s eye-catching rides are reminders of the strip’s past as a glitzy resort. Fine-dining restaurants and old European cake shops can be found along Acland and Carlisle streets with punters filling the area’s streets, bars, and music venues by night.
Today, St. Maintains its vibrant sense of culture and pride, and is increasingly known for its cosmopolitan inner city lifestyle. Though the grit and grunge continues to gentrify at a rapid pace, the locals don’t mind it, because it’s exactly this contrast of character that defines St. Kilda, making it different from anywhere else in Melbourne.
Reminiscing a cross between Venice Beach and San Francisco and a stone’s throw from the CBD, the 3182 postcode is inexhaustible in its list of all that it has to offer. Home to many famous tourist attractions, including Luna Park, a trip to this quirky Victorian city is not complete without a stop to St. Kilda and its strip of palm tree lined beaches, heritage buildings, and eclectic dining scene.
Chapel Street is known to be one of the best fashion strips (if not the best) in Australia. It provides designer chains, but also unique boutique experiences, as well as, the Chapel St. Bazaar, which is a classic place to visit featuring haberdashery, homewares, fashion, and plenty of Eurotrash culture, with many hidden gems to be found.
Chapel Street is also home to some of the best nightlife that Australia has to offer. It really picks up where Sydney slacks a bit as far as clubs go. Weekends see the streets full of internationals from around the world looking for the most popular spot of the night, where touring artists from overseas can be seen playing every weekend. Expect to find anything from house, techno, hip hop, disco, and the good old cheesy classics.
Capture some unforgettable views of Victoria's stunning countryside with this Melbourne Skydive. Adrenaline pumping and bucket-list worthy.
The best value for money Phillip Island Day Tour with Autopia. Meet the World's smallest penguins, koalas, and catch sunset at The Penguin Parade.
Our popular 3 Day Great Ocean Road Tour stops off at the most popular stops between Melbourne and the Grampians. Experience adventure, wildlife and history.
One of our mot popular experiences in Australia is undoubtably The Great Ocean Road. An action packed day trip that highlights every top location.
Explore one of the most breathtaking coastal drives in the world. The Great Ocean Road.
Home of eccentric creatives, food, drink, international culture, and quality music, Melbourne is one of Australia’s most iconic cities.
Yes, indeed there is! Melbourne has an abundant nightlife and heaps of daytime activities to partake in. It also is the home to a number of annual events and local attractions. You will definitely find yourself easily entertained.
Melbourne definitely has some similarities to other Western countries such as the US and UK, but definitely has a huge European and Asian influence seen through its art and food scenes especially. Luckily, there is a huge international community in Melbourne, so it can definitely cure any homesickness or culture shock.
To make it easier for you, as there are many allocated costs, we’ve put together a tiny list for you…
Hostel Prices: A bed in a dorm room of 6-10 beds usually costs between 18-25AUD, whereas private rooms start at 60AUD, though a lot are closer to 90AUD. Free WIFI and breakfast are also usually included.
Budget Hotel/Hostel Prices: Can be anywhere starting from 100$ per night with Airbnbs hitting 200$+.
Average Cost Of Food: You can find pizza parlors, noodle bars, kebab shops, and cheap cafes on almost every street corner where you can eat on an average price of 10AUD. You should be expecting to pay anywhere between 20-40AUD at most sitdown restaurants, however, and that is not including a drink.
Melbourne is one of those cities that is just rocking all year round, though the winter is quite quite cold. We think the best times to visit are between February and May, and then when the city starts to warm up again from September – November. The summer months from December – March are quite busy and it can be a bit hectic sometimes, so it would be better to hit the end of the silliness.
Bus – Melbourne’s bus system hits all the major hubs in Melbourne, starting from 3AUD.
Free Trams – Melbourne has a free tram zone in the CBD, stretching from Queen Victoria Market to Docklands, Flinders Street Station, Federation Square, and Spring Street.
Bicycle – This is an amazing way to get around Melbourne, and surprisingly very fast.
Taxis and Rideshares – Taxis are so expensive in Melbourne, so we definitely recommend skipping out on this and getting an Uber.