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Melbourne..
Melbourne, a city with huge spirit, along with the cosy feel of a small town. The energetic Australian city oozes artistic charisma at every opportunity. There is constantly something exciting going on in the city and surrounds, from free concerts, performances, food fairs, cultural festivals, not to mention the string of sporting events throughout the year both at a local level and international. Melbourne has a rich passion for good food and a strong coffee addiction, which suits me just fine ...(twitch). You can go on a food world tour down most streets, from sucking your fingers clean with tasty Asian street food to confusing cutlery situations in high end Michelin Star restaurants. Its the city that keeps giving and always wants more.
Whether visiting as a backpacker, holiday maker, expat or even a local, there really is an endless amount of interesting and fun things to check out. Here we will take the lid of this cosmopolitan gem, share tips on travelling and living in this special Aussie city.
Getting in..
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By Air
From Tullarmarine airport catch the Skybus from just outside the terminal. There are specific stops at both the international and domestic terminal. You cant miss them, they are well sign posted, and departures very frequent. Costing $18 one way or $30 for a return(tickets valid for three months), it takes about 30mins to get to the city. Dropping you off at Southern Cross Station. By Train If you happen to be arriving by train you will most likely also arrive in Southern Cross Station. This is the largest train station in Melbourne and it is where all the interstate trains arrive and depart. The station does operate most local services also. So depending on your final destination you may be able to catch tram or train from here onward. |
Once you have arrived go to the nearest 7Eleven and get yourself a MYKI card (pronounced 'My Key')
To use Melbourne's fantastic network of trams, buses and trains you will need one of these cards. The card costs a couple of dollars, once you get one you can top it up with money at any 7 Eleven, there are self service machines at many stations too, you can even top up online
Check out Victoria Public Transport for more info on fares etc
Melbourne city also has a free City Circle tram that loops around the CBD traveling both directions,
To use Melbourne's fantastic network of trams, buses and trains you will need one of these cards. The card costs a couple of dollars, once you get one you can top it up with money at any 7 Eleven, there are self service machines at many stations too, you can even top up online
Check out Victoria Public Transport for more info on fares etc
Melbourne city also has a free City Circle tram that loops around the CBD traveling both directions,
Trams will get you anywhere within the city and inner suburbs. You will need to take a train or bus to get further out. Download the PDF tram map for offline browsing, or better yet, download the public transport free app for your favorite smart phone
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The No. 35 free city Circle trams run around the CBD perimeter, covering Flinders St, Spring St, Nicholson St, Victoria St, La Trobe St and Harbour Esplanade along with the new Docklands Precinct
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A handy downloadable map to save on to your phone to avoid roaming or data fees!
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The free iPhone app lets you view service times, use the journey planner and set your favourite stops throughout Victoria for faster access to public transport information on the go
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Similar to the iPhone version. The free Android app gives you public transport information at your fingertips.
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The free Nokia app gives passengers scheduled departures for trains, trams and buses while they are on the go
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Driving in Melbourne..
Maybe you might be driving in or out of Melbourne, maybe you have rented a little car or an awesome camper. Before you set off a word of warning. Driving in Melbourne like the rest of Australia is on the left and pretty normal. HOWEVER in the city at junctions where the trams are operating things get a little different. Its no big deal once you get used to it, or at least know beforehand!
To turn right at some junctions you must perform whats is called a 'Hook turn'
Basically to turn right you pull up to the junction in the far left lane, stop and keep your indicator flashing. Cars going straight will continue, passing you on your right hand side until the lights change. So the lights straight ahead of you go red, cars stop behind you and the traffic lights where you want to go on your right go green and off you go...
To turn right at some junctions you must perform whats is called a 'Hook turn'
Basically to turn right you pull up to the junction in the far left lane, stop and keep your indicator flashing. Cars going straight will continue, passing you on your right hand side until the lights change. So the lights straight ahead of you go red, cars stop behind you and the traffic lights where you want to go on your right go green and off you go...
- Approach and enter the intersection from the left lane and indicate that you are turning right
- Move forward to the far left side of the intersection, keeping clear of the pedestrian crossings
- Remain stopped until the traffic lights on the road you are turning into have changed to green, then turn right.
Where to stay
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Well i cant tell you that, we are all different and want different things from where we stay, but i can possibly help. There are plenty of top class hotels to chose from, have a browse on Agoda to check it out.
Most hostels are located in the CBD or around St Kilda which are the best areas to stay in for backpackers. Staying in the CBD you have immediate access to cheap transport, theres plenty of cheap eats with loads of great Asian places around and snacks available. St Kilda is a fun loving beach side suburb, great in summer, and a nice area to stay and live in. Doesnt do well on the cheap eats scale as it is quite touristy, and a lot of posh cafes haunt the hungry there, great if you have the money but still a nice place to stay. Do check out the reviews of the hostels before you book, quality and value for money vary quite a lot for hostels in Australia. Also many hostels either have a bar in them, or are located over a bar, so if you intend on sleeping in your bed just have a quick look at the reviews beforehand. Lying inches away from a live band's pounding drum kit at 2am after arriving from a long flight isn't awesome. So do check out Hostelworld beforehand! If you are staying in Melbourne for a while, like a month or more you should look into getting an apartment with friends or shared accommodation, a lot cheaper and better than living in a hostel. Check out Gumtree for peoples property rental advertisements. I would recommend anywhere near or around the CBD, But South Yarra, St Kilda, South Gate and Port Melbourne are all quite nice and very popular, Heading further south are leafy coastal suburbs of Brighton and Beaumaris areas, all nice but further from the city |
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Melbourne Central Business District along the river Yarra
Where to go..? What to see?
FlindersFlinders St train station
 Flinders St brightly colored during Melbourne's White Night Festival
'Meet you under the clocks at 5..'
This iconic, defining landmark building of Melbourne. The beating heart of Melbourne. Flinders Street Station is the busiest train station in Melbourne's rail network serving the entire metropolitan area. First a single platform terminus opened in 1854 It was the first railway station in an Australian city and soon became the world's busiest passenger station in the late 1920s. The design of the Flinders St building owes itself to a design competition held in the late 1890s. You will often see people waiting outside under the clocks for their friends, which has become quite the Melbourne catchphrase. The building itself always gets a make over for popular celebrations pictured above during the Melbourne White Night Festival. Fed Square
Federation Square, located just across the road from Flinders Street Station is home to many major cultural attractions, music events and performances, food fairs, tourism experiences and an endless string of fun goings on right through the year. There is always something happening here. The square also has free Wifi and a number of top class bars and restaurants for you to sample. Melbourne's tourist center is here too, where you can get hundreds of leaflets, book tours, accomodation and find out whats going on!
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Botanic Gardens
Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens provide a great free day out, a place to relax, take a walk, see some beautiful birds, flowers and trees
Melbourne Town Hall illuminated at Christmas
Exploding hot flames every hour along the Yarra at night
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The Yarra
Melbourne CBD backs onto the beautiful Yarra river. A peaceful oasis on the cusp of the city. Taking a walk along the river provides an instant escape from the buzzing busyness of the city. Walking along towards the Botanic Gardens there are plenty of walking and cycle tracks. There is a bunch of free to use electronic BBQ's along the riverside, so just bring your food for a great picnic spot. The river is home to a number of beautiful birds, you might even be lucky enough to spot the wonderful Kookaburra or some black swans.
The CBD from the Yarra
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A Laughing Kookaburra
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Free BBQ's along the Yarra
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Eureka Skydeck
 Views from the Skydeck
Located on the 88th floor of the uniquely designed Eureka Tower. The tower reaches almost 300 meters into the Melbourne skyline and offers amazing 360 degree panoramic views. On a clear day you can see right down the coast oneside, and right out to the Dandenong Mountains on the other. You can get single or double entry tickets which are great for seeing the view during both the day and the twinkling CBD at night. There is a small coffee shop up here too. For an additional few dollars you can experience 'The EDGE' (visit toilet before) This is where you enter a big glass cube inside the Skydeck, the door closes and the cube is slowly moved outside of the building, amazing views both up, down, left and right, not for the height sensitive, an enjoyable experience
Tickets Prices and info Eureka Skydeck |
The Eureka Tower
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Art Scene
Where to eat Hardware Lane
Melbourne is the cultural melting pot of Australia. Almost every nation is well represented through their food offerings along every street. A gastronomic world tour presents itself with every few steps. Melbourne has many many food alleys, fine dining and tasty treats all over the city. A few areas that are always tossed around are
Hardware Lane A small street located off Bourke St. Hardware lane really takes off in the evening, the small lively street has many quality restaurants, bars and cafes, with live music in the evenings Chinatown Just off Swanston St you will find China town. The whole area is crammed with Asian restaurants. All budgets deliciously catered for Acland Street Located near the beach in St Kilda, Acland St has numerous cafes, restaurants and bakeries. Go for the bakeries alone! so many deliciously delicate awesome cakes, tarts, eclairs... om om om.. |
