Why is Melbourne a Great Place to Visit?

Whilst Sydney is Australia’s largest city and arguably most internationally recognized Melbourne is certainly a formidable rival with plenty of international prominence. With a population just shy of 5 million Melbourne is well regarded as Australia’s cultural capital known for its vibrant entertainment, sporting and café culture which is widely regarded to be amongst the best in the world. No matter what time of year you visit you can be assured that there will also be major events happening in Melbourne to suit all tastes. The buzzing Victorian capital is sure never to get boring to the ever returning visitor!

As Australia’s second largest gateway to the world, getting to Melbourne couldn’t be easier with connections to all Australian capital cities and many regional centers and numerous direct flights to New Zealand, the Pacific, North and South America and Asia. Melbourne will be sure to offer something to cater toward any taste whether first time or repeat visitor! Continue reading for our recommended 3 day Melbourne itinerary !

Travelling to Melbourne: What you need to know

Flights

Getting to Melbourne by air couldn’t be easier. As Australia’s second largest airport you can easily reach Melbourne from all Australian capital cities and most major regional centers along Australia’s east coast. Expect flying time to be around 1 hour from Canberra, Adelaide or Sydney, 2 hours from Brisbane or Hobart, 4 hours from Darwin or 5 hours from Perth. Many flight routes into Melbourne operate in a competitive environment so good value fares can be had especially if booking in advance or during quieter periods. Coming from further abroad expect a leisurely 3-4 hour hop from New Zealand, 6-10 hours for flights from Asia and upwards of 14 hours for flights from the Middle East or the Eastern seaboard of North America. From Europe expect total travel time upwards of 24 hours with a stopover in either Perth, Asia or the Middle East. All Australia’s major airlines such as Qantas, Virgin, Jetstar and REX have a strong presence out of Melbourne Airport.

Accommodation 

It is no surprise due to the sheer volume of both business and leisure travel to the Victorian capital that there is no shortage of quality accommodation options in Melbourne that cater to a wide range of traveler clientele. Prices do tend to be on the higher side although there is a range of accommodation options to suit all tastes.

In Melbourne there are numerous hostels both independent and through chain or franchise networks catering towards budget travelers. Expect to pay from $30-$50 per night for an established hostel such one of the two YHA’s located in Melbourne. There are also numerous budget hotels and motels and also university accommodation which may offer short stay arrangements with prices usually starting from around $100 per night. Several holiday parks are also available in Melbourne and even more along its outskirts for those touring by road and perhaps camping or caravanning. Plenty of the mid range and high end hotel chains are also present all up to the most luxurious of properties. Whilst prices tend to be on the higher side than elsewhere in Australia good specials can still be had when booking in advance or during off peak periods.

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Weather

Melbourne generally has a oceanic temperate climate with warm and occasionally hot summers and cool to cold winters . Spring and Autumn can bring changeable conditions but with both a mixture of pleasant and inclement days to be expected. Whilst Melbourne is certainly known for its fair share of dull wintry days during the cooler months, rainfall is spread out fairly equally over the year and whilst not usually heavy occurs year around. That being said Melbourne is well known for its changeable weather conditions any time of the year and as the common saying goes in town that experiencing ‘Four seasons in day’ is quite common. In summer especially scorching hot sunny heatwaves can be changed with a cool southerly change with rain and storms all within a day so it prepares to visit prepared for any conditions!

Ultimately, there is no bad time to visit Melbourne with all its key attractions open year round although those who want to make the most of Melbourne’s beautiful surrounding region and coastlines may prefer to visit during the warmer months. We’d recommend consulting with the Australian Bureau of Metrology website for all the latest weather conditions, warnings and forecasts.

How to get around

Getting around Melbourne should pose no real probelms for any visitors tors to Melbourne. Despite being a large city those staying within the cbd should be able to visit most of the central city’s key attractions, sporting and cultural precints on foot. For those staying further away from the CBD or wishing to venture out into the suburbs, Melbourne has an extensive and well integrated public transport system based train, tram, bus systems in addition to taxi and ride share options. Melbourne public transport no longer accepts cash fares so the use of a Myki or digital Myki card is requried which can be purcashed for a small feee (with included credit) from stations and hundreds of other locations in Melbourne.

Using a Myki card is easy as tagging on and off and the cheapest possible fare will be deducted. Also you will bennefit from not having to worry about paying any more once you have reached the daily cap

Recommended 4 Day Melbourne Itinerary

Day 1: Explore Melbourne’s bustling Central Business District

Any especially first time visitor to Melbourne should take great care to explore all the best that Melbourne’s vibrant and bustling central business district has to offer. Melbourne’s busiest commercial and financial streets include Elizabeth Street, Collins Street Swanston Street and Bourke Street which are full of no shortage of dining, entertainment and shopping options. Head to the Bourke Street Mall in particular if shopping is your thing! China Town and the numerous little laneways known for their artwork and cafes also add to the unique Melbourne vibe which makes this city so cosmopolitan!

Meanwhile across the other side of the Yarra River you’ll find SouthBank which is one of Melbourne’s premier dining and entertainment precincts with numerous mid to high end establishments along with the massive Crown Casino Complex which is the largest of its kind in Australia. Southbank is also a great place to see a fantastic vantage point of the Melbourne’s expansive skyline especially if you can visit the spectacular Eureka Skydeck!

Day 2: Explore Melbourne’s vibrant sporting precincts and beautiful parklands

MCG

There is absolutely no doubt that the Melbourne Cricket Ground is Australia’s oldest, largest and most iconic sporting venue. Seating over 100,000 people the MCG as its known is widely regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious and famous sporting venues. Whether it summer (cricket) or winter (Australian Rules Football) or an in-between time which hosts other sporting codes and concerts a visit to the MCG is a must! For those into sporting history it is well worth visiting the National Sporting Museum which houses some fo the most priceless Australian sporting memorabilia.

Melbourne & Olympic Parks

Located adjacent to to the MCG as the name suggests Melbourne Olmpic Park provided curcial support to 1956 Melbourne Olympics particularly the track and field events hosted at the neighboring stadium. Fast forward to more recent times this expansive sporting precincts hosts the grounds and arenas for the Australian Open Tennis Grand Slam and other stadiums such as the Melbourne Recangular Stadium which plays host to NRL and Association Football matches.

Shrine of Remembrance

Located amongst beautiful gardens the Shrine of Remembrance is well worth visiting that honours the service and sacrifice of Australians in war and peacekeeping.

Royal Botanical Gardens

A central feature of the Melbourne city for over 150 years, The Royal Botanical Gardens is one of the most beautiful botanic gardens in the country and is an inner city oasis of beautiful gardens, sweeping lawns and tranquil lakes.

Federation Square

Federation Square of simple ‘Fed Square as its known locally is the civic heart of Melbourne. Hosting over 2000 yearly events and over 8 million victor’s a year there will always be plenty going on here day and night!

Day 3: Exploring Melbourne seaside hotspot of St Kilda

Located just 8km from the Melbourne CBD St Kilda is the city’s most famous and beachside locality. With its rich and vibrant history and range of different ‘scenes’ including aritstis and muscians St Kilda is sure to have lots to appeal to many tastes. Starting with the iconic St Kilda Beach and Foreshore you’ll find a palm fringed promenade, sandy beach and eclectic architecture which reflect the suburb’s international vibes (think part Venice Beach, Part Brighton Beach etc) Here you’ll also find the old and historic Luna Park theme park home of an inconic wooden roller coaster!

Away from the shorelines you’ll find the vibrant Accland Street with its relexaded daytime vibes and dining and shopping scenes. At night you’ll find plenty of nightlife options ranging from small bars to the bigger pubs making St Kilda one of Melbourne’s favourite nightime destinations!

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