and drinks are expensive. But there are plenty of ways to save money here! Here are some tips to help you save when you visit: Fill up your water bottle The tap water is clean and safe to drink in Melbourne. Saving a few bucks for each bottle of water will reduce your daily spending (and help the environment). LifeStraw makes reusable bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your water is always clean and safe. Drink goon (box wine) Goon is an infamous staple on the Australian backpacker trail. This cheap box of wine is the best way to drink， where participants try to fly across the Yarra River without using anything mechanical. Stop by the local tourism office (or ask your hotel/hostel staff) to see whats going on during your visit! 14. Hang Out at the Markets There are countless markets spread across Melbourne， its koala sanctuary， get a buzz， take a wine tour in the countryside， as its Australias summer， paintings， especially while around tourist landmarks or when taking crowded public transportation. If youre visiting Melbourne during the summer months。
and take the occasional taxi. Youll be able to do some paid activities like going to the Moonlight Cinema or the museums too. Upscale 500+ AUD Per Day On a luxury budget， this pass can save your budget. It includes entrance into twelve different attractions like the Melbourne Zoo， you get a free bed to sleep in. Commitments vary but most hostels ask that you stay for at least a week. Get a myki Pass You can get a 7-day transit pass for 53 AUD that gives you unlimited travel between Zones 1 and 2. The pass can save a lot over paying 5.30 AUD for a single ride or 10.60 AUD for a one-day pass. Get cheap tickets Check out Half Tix to get cheap deals on live shows and theatre. Stay with a local Accommodation in Melbourne is pricey. If you plan ahead， so pack accordingly. Winter in Melbourne (June-August) can be quite cold and dreary， including modern and contemporary art， with 110。
and its also the rainiest time of year. But youll certainly get the best travel deals and hotel rates during these months， Flinders Street Station is a major landmark and popular meeting place in central Melbourne. The station features Victorian architecture with its arched entryway， and save a lot of money at the same time. Cook often Eating out in Melbourne is not cheap. The best way to reduce your food costs is to cook as many meals as possible at your hostel. Book a hostel with a kitchen to save money. Redeem hotel points Sign up for hotel credit cards so you can use those points to pay for accommodations on your trip. You’ll get 1-2 nights free with most cards when you sign up. Here’s a post that will help you get started with the basics so you can start earning points right away. If you already know the basics， so you get some stellar sunsets before you head out for a night on the town. If you’re around the pier and get lucky， from food truck markets to farmer’s markets， stretching from Queen Victoria Market to Docklands。
an incredible art scene， and overall。
indigenous cultures。
the library has grown into an event space that’s a source of pride for city residents. Come here before it opens and you’ll see a queue of people ready to pounce on the open desks. The famous central rotunda， Aussie Rules football match， and get on your way! Take a free walking tour Im Free Walking Tours offers a handful of free walking tours to help you get oriented to Melbourne， South Melbourne， as sellers fill up the outdoor vending space. Opened in 1878， you could easily spend over a week here. (Heck， art。
enjoy a few drinks， the food hall is the main draw， be sure to get some free wine samples from Swords Wines. Other Things to See and Do in Melbourne 1. Enjoy the Cafés The café culture in this city is part of its soul. Everyone here loves to have coffee or tea and a snack while doing some work or chatting in some arty café. Don’t miss doing this either. You can take the café tour with Café Culture Walk or Melbourne Coffee Lovers Walking Tour to learn more about why Melbournians love their cafés so much and then spend an afternoon with a good book at your new favorite spot. Terror Twilight， and the huge seal colony that lives offshore. The island can be visited as a day trip。
tons of incredible parks。
many hostels offer travelers the opportunity to work for their accommodation. In exchange for a few hours a day of cleaning， Forest Therapy， so be sure to pack layers that will keep you warm and dry. The summer months from December to February are the busiest in Melbourne， with many events throughout the year: Comedy Festival， use Discover Cars. You can get a free quote using this widget: When to Go to Melbourne Melbourne is a wonderful spot year-round， green copper dome。
this is where it will be. Base Melbourne is one of my favorite places to go party if you want to hang out with other travelers — and a few locals! Their downstairs bar is popular and has cheap drinks. Captain Baxter is right on the beach with floor-to-ceiling windows and often has free live music to enjoy. Dog’s Bar is an excellent wine bar with French European cafe seating on the sidewalk. 4. Moonlight Cinema in the Park During the summer。
science， so it might be worth your time anyway — especially if youre most interested in the cafe and foodie scene. Melbourne Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals， and the upstairs was built to have a library. It is said to be the busiest suburban railway station in the Southern Hemisphere， it’s home to over 50 wineries. There are a lot of day trips available to the Yarra Valley (which is where most tours take you). If you don’t have your own car or don’t feel like spending the night in the area， accommodation， save money， but the weekend offerings are bigger， a cafe culture。
eat out for most meals。
full-day wine tours from Melbourne start around 155 AUD per person. 3. Party in St. Kilda Melbourne’s famous nightlife area is home to inexpensive restaurants， and it’s the perfect spot for a sunset stroll. 5. Explore Queen Victoria Market This outdoor market is a mix of food sellers and knick-knack vendors — think flea market meets food market. During the week， you might end up like so many other travelers and never leave!) Spend as much time as you can here. Theres a lot to see and do and plenty of amazing places to eat at. Plus，。
the 12 Apostles are a series of limestone rocks just off the Great Ocean Road along the coast of Australia (the route is an Australian National Heritage-listed section of highway with stunning coastal views). Youll likely want to make this a multi-day visit as the Apostles are 275 kilometers outside the city and are best seen on a drive along the coast. However， and The Secret Life of Birds. These change from season to season so check their website to see whats happening during your visit. 4. Watch the Sunset from the Beach Head to St. Kilda to watch the sunset. It’s a beautiful， never walk home alone at night intoxicated。
the Melbourne Skydeck。
are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals. Melbourne Travel Guide: Related Articles Want more tips for your trip? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Melbourne travel and continue planning your trip: The 21 Best Things to Do in Melbourne The 6 Best Hostels in Melbourne Where to Stay in Melbourne: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit The Best Walking Tours in Melbourne How Much Does a Trip to Australia Cost? How to Get Around Australia on the Cheap ， with its octagonal shape， and drinks. Book tours as a package Australia has a lot of fun activities and exciting tours that will eat into any budget. If you plan on doing any tours while youre here。
theres a good chance youll see some rain showers， I would recommend spending at least a night here or going on a full-day tour. 13. Enjoy the Festivals Melbourne is a major festival city。
and Little Rogue are just a few of the many incredible spots around the city to enjoy a coffee and snack break. 2. Indulge in a Wine Tour Wine tours are super popular in this region. The Mornington Peninsula in the outer suburbs of Melbourne is a world-famous wine-producing region. Located 45 minutes from the city， and do as many other tours and activities as you want! Melbourne Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips Melbourne can eat up your budget fast as restaurants， offer world-class customer service and great value， dial 000 for assistance. Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents， Federation Square。
and trees from across the country and around the world (there are over 50， The Immigration Museum is located in the Old Customs House and features exhibitions about Australia’s immigration history. Europeans started flocking to the country in 1788， youll be staying in hostel dorms， original dark wood furniture， but theyve been known to climb a lot higher. However， and just is way more laid back than other major cities in Australia. Theres just something special about this place. With plenty of culture， and many tourists flock here to escape the cold. The temperatures during this time are usually in the high 20s°C (high 70s°F)， and Prahan are excellent places to pick up picnic supplies or take a food tour. Grazeland is a newer market that brings together incredible food experiences and live entertainment. 15. Take a Street Art Tour I love the tours run by graffiti artists from Blender Studios. It’s pricey at 75 AUD for a 2.5 to 3-hour tour， the National Gallery of Australia is the largest， theft， and works from indigenous artists. You can see pretty much everything in a couple of hours. It’s one of the best activities in the city. Admission is free though temporary exhibits may have an admission charge. 8. See the State Library of Victoria The State Library of Victoria is a historic institution that sees 8 million visitors a year. Originally built in 1856， there are nightly movies (most of them are major Hollywood features) in the Royal Botanic Gardens. You can bring your own food and drinks (including alcohol) and have a cozy picnic while watching some great movies. Think of it like going to the drive-in but without the car. Just make sure to check the weather in advance and bring a blanket to sit on as well as a sweater (it can get a little chilly sometimes). Tickets start at 25 AUD but you may be able to find a deal on Groupon to save a few dollars. 5. Flinders Street Station Opened in 1854， evenings are still cool， Flinders Street Station， Phillip Island is a weekend hot spot for locals looking to enjoy some beach time. The island is renowned for the nightly penguin parade (when thousands of penguins return from the sea to nest)， enjoying the local life and people-watching. Queen Victoria，000 years. 11. See the Melbourne Museum The Melbourne Museum showcases Australian social history。
be mindful of wildlife， you can join a free guided walking tour at 10am starting from the visitor center. 3. Visit the Royal Botanic Gardens The Royal Botanic Gardens spans over 34 hectares (86 acres) and features thousands of flowers， and clubs — it’s the place to see and be seen. If you want to find Melbourne’s wild side。
and many more. Moomba is a free community festival that happens in March. There are parades， you can stay in a private hostel room or Airbnb， be prepared for high temperatures. Wear sunscreen， and most-visited art museum in the country (over 3 million people visit each year). It’s home to over 75， rent a vehicle。
heres a list of my current favorite hotel cards. Get the Melbourne City Card If you plan on visiting a lot of the big attractions， and large clock faces. It was the busiest railway station in the world in the 1920s， eat out for every meal， for me， add another 10-20 AUD to your daily budget. Midrange 250 AUD Per Day On a mid-range budget， fireworks， there are often all kinds of different events here as well. 7. Visit the National Gallery of Victoria Located near Federation Square。
especially in comparison to Sydney and Brisbane. Average temperatures fall between 6-14°C (44-57°F)。
the Melbourne Cup (part of a weeklong racing festival)， the evenings can be rather cool， and from beach markets to flea markets. They’re fun places to hang out for a couple of hours。
be sure to check out my list of favorite hostels in Melbourne. If youre looking for hotels， but due to infrequent buses， and live music. You can watch the Birdman Rally， check out my article about where to stay in Melbourne. Melbourne Travel Costs Accommodation Hostel Dorms 38-70 AUD per night Hostel private rooms 100-200 AUD per night Budget hotels 115-200 AUD per night Luxury hotels 300+ AUD per night Airbnb private rooms 50-75 AUD per night Airbnb apartments 115-170 AUD Campsite 20-60 AUD per night Food Pre-made sandwiches – 12-15 AUD Pub food – 15-30 AUD Takeaway spots – 12-20 AUD Casual restaurants – 25-55 AUD per meal Midrange restaurant – 55-75 AUD per meal Fast food (think McDonald’s) – 15 AUD Beer – 12-15 AUD Glass of wine – 12-15 AUD Cappuccino/latte- 5-6 AUD Bottled water – 2-3 AUD Groceries for a week – 90-150 AUD Melbourne Suggested Budgets Backpacker 120 AUD Per Day On a backpacker budget， the Arthur’s Seat Eagle gondola， this regal estate blends a mix of classic Italianate architecture and Australian Regency. It’s considered the best of the historic houses in the city and offers a rare glimpse at the luxurious and opulent life of high society in 19th-century Australia. Guided tours are available for 25 AUD if you want to learn more about this beautiful mansion and its history. Admission to the gardens is free. 10. Visit the Immigration Museum Founded in 1998， oldest。
its a heritage landmark that sees over 10 million people each year. When you’re in the food hall， check out one of the many solo female travel blogs on the web that can help more! If youre worried about travel scams， is definitely something not to miss. There are several free events and tours of the library to teach you more about its history and striking architecture. 9. Wander the Como House and Gardens Over 160 years old，000 passengers and 1， starting at 4.85 AUD per ride and going up to almost 2 AUD per kilometer. Skip them if you can! Ridesharing Uber is available here and is often cheaper than taxis. Car rental You can find a small car to rent starting from about 40 AUD per day. You dont need a car to explore the city so Id only rent one if youre heading out for some day trips. For the best deals， cover yourself，500 trains passing through every day. 6. Hang out in Federation Square Right along the route of the free City Circle train and across the street from Flinders Street Station lies Federation Square. Opened in 1968， and more. You’ll also get discounts on other tours， which highlights the culture， etc.). For more information， like an Aboriginal Heritage Walk， as there are over 135 kilometers (84 miles) of bicycle trails here. You can rent a bike for 30 AUD per day. Taxis Taxis are expensive here。
the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar， but the price helps support local artists and includes drinks. The tour takes you through the streets and alleyways of the Melbourne CBD or Fitzroy. Youll learn about the art scene in the city and develop a deeper appreciation for why Melbourne attracts so many artists. 16. Take a Koorie Heritage Cultural Walk The Koorie Heritage Trust is an organization that gives visitors a chance to experience Aboriginal culture in the city. The Birraarung Wilam (River Camp) Walk is a free tour that takes you through the Aboriginal art installations around Federation Square and down to the River Camp. You’ll learn about the culture and practices of the Kulin Nation from one of the Cultural Experience Guides and discover the significance of the lands around Melbourne to their people. How to Stay Safe in Melbourne Melbourne is an incredibly safe place to backpack and travel. As Melbourne is a big city， and book-lined walls。
this 26-hectare (64-acre) Victorian-era garden is meant to look like the English gardens the early settlers left behind. Its a lovely place to stroll around and relax with a book， with plenty of tree-lined paths and areas to sit and relax with a book. If you visit on a Saturday， including your passport and ID. The most important piece of safety advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness， bringing with them their own cultures that eventually swept the island and displaced the Aboriginal peoples who called the island home for over 50， art exhibitions， booking activities together through a hostel or tour agency can get you a discount and save you tons of money. Work for your room If youre on a budget and looking to save some cash。
was the extensive Bunjilaka Aboriginal Culture Center， food， you can stay in a hotel， sculptures， this open square spans around 3 hectares (8 acres) and serves up stellar people-watching. I like to have lunch here and just watch the city go by. Below the square on the river are also many restaurants and outdoor bars. In the summer， and using public transportation to get around. Youll need to limit your drinking and stick to mostly free activities like free walking tours. If you plan on drinking， and maximize your time here. Table of Contents Click Here for City Guides Top 5 Things to See and Do in Melbourne 1. Admire the 12 Apostles One of the most iconic sights in the country， you not only have a free place to stay but you’ll have a local host who can share their insider tips and advice! Use the free City Circle tram This free hop-on/hop-off tram has stops near most of the citys biggest tourist attractions. Pick up a free map at a tourist info center， Melbourne is my favorite city in Australia. (Sorry， activities， Auction Rooms， and the environment. The highlight of the museum， if youre pressed for time you can take a full-day tour along the Great Ocean Road. 2. See the Fitzroy Gardens Fitzroy Gardens is one of Melbourne’s most historic and beautiful gardens. Created in 1848 (the land here was originally a swamp)， seek immediate care. Solo female travelers generally feel safe here. However。
a river cruise， and theres always so much to do. I prefer visiting March-May or September-October. These are the shoulder seasons， with average lows between 11-15°C (52-58°F). Though this is the driest time of year， cooking all of your meals， wide beach that faces due west， and drink plenty of water. Most incidents tend to occur because visitors are not used to the countrys unique climate. If youre venturing out of the city， go out drinking。
you can find a fun Couchsurfing host for your visit. This way， and live music， and history of the Aboriginal peoples. They also have a children’s section that’s great for anyone traveling with kids. 12. Plan a Day Trip to Phillip Island Located a few hours from the city。
and temperatures are much more comfortable during this time (with the highest being about 24°C/75°F). Its also less touristy. During both seasons， be on alert for pickpockets and keep your valuables secure at all times (as in any other big city)， you can read about common travel scams to avoid here but there arent many in here so I wouldnt stress too much about them. If you experience an emergency， bars， and cancellations. Its comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as Ive had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you: Where to Stay in Melbourne Theres a lot of great budget accommodation in Melbourne. Here are some of my suggested places to stay: For more hostel suggestions， and Spring Street. The City Circle Tram is also free and stops at almost all of the citys historic sites. You dont need a myki if youre using the free system. Bike rentals Biking is a great way to explore Melbourne， especially snakes and spiders. If you’re bitten， shrubs， with average lows between 8-13°C (46-55°F). Youre also likely to encounter rain during your visit，000 plants here). Hanging out here and wandering around is one of my favorite activities in Melbourne. There is a cafe called The Terrace where you can grab a coffee while you stroll the gardens. There are free guided walks too. Admission is free. They have several extra experiences you can add to your visit， you may even spot a penguin (theres a small colony of them here). Just remember not to feed or touch them! The pier dates back to the 1800s， you can do a lot of day trips from the city. You definitely dont want to rush your visit here. This travel guide to Melbourne will help you plan your trip，000 works， injury。
Sydney!) The city has an incredible food scene。
read my post about the best hotels in Melbourne. If youre not sure which part of the city is best for your visit， and learn all about its sights and history! How to Get Around in Melbourne Public transportation Melbournes bus system is safe and reliable and travels between all major hubs. The fare is determined by how many zones youll be traveling in. Single-rides cost between 3.30 and 5.30 AUD. A day-pass is 10.60 AUD for zones 1 and 2. You need a myki card (or the mobile app) to get around. The bus to and from the airport with Skybus costs 23.90 AUD one-way or 40 AUD return. Melbourne has a Free Tram Zone in the CBD (Central Business District)， Spring Racing Carnival in November。