Melbourne Travel Guide: All You Need to Know
Everyone knows about Sydney’s many tourist attractions, which means they often overlook Melbourne. Did you know that it is the backpacking city of Australia? Yes!
Melbourne is well-known for its European vibe, which allows travelers to have a pleasant and relaxing vacation.
The city of Melbourne brims with activities, culture, live music, and art exhibitions. You could spend a week or more here and not regret it. Most people end up wanting to live in this beautiful and happening location. After all, there is a lot to eat, see, and do.
So, let’s get down to it and explore Melbourne together.
Top 5 Things to Do and See in Melbourne
1. Appreciate the 12 Apostles
The 12 Apostles are popularly known for being one of the best iconic sights in Australia. Lucky for you, they are located in the city you consider visiting!
These are a couple of limestone rocks located along the country’s coast. The best thing about this attraction is that you can make more than a day out of it. It will take you at least a couple of days to cover them entirely, and the drive is long. But in the end, the view is worth it.
2. Admire the Fitzroy Gardens
If you want to see a historic and gorgeous tourist attraction in Melbourne, you cannot miss out on the Fitzroy Gardens. They were created back in 1848 when the land was merely a swamp. Today, this 64-acre garden is designed to showcase the beauty of a typical English garden.
When you set foot in the place, you will be reminded of a Victorian garden. Moreover, it will allow you to take a lovely stroll and soak in the greenery. You can also take a book with you, enjoy the tree-lined paths, and feel the tension drain away from your body.
3. Head to the Royal Botanic Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens cover an area of approximately 34 hectares and have thousands of shrubs, trees, and flowers from many cities across Australia and the world!
You are bound to have a great time hanging out at this place and wandering around, admiring the vast varieties of plants as you go. In addition, a popular café nearby, namely, The Terrace, will serve you piping hot coffee to enjoy during your walk through the gardens.
4. Enjoy the Sunset
Are you a sunset kind of person? Then, what better place to admire the beauty of the sun than from St. Kilda? It is a vast and beautiful beach with cold water throughout the year. It faces toward the west, which allows you to admire some of the most mesmerizing sunsets you have ever seen.
5. Explore the Market
Queen Victoria Market is an outdoor market you cannot miss. It has a mix of knick-knack sellers and food vendors waiting to serve you. But the best part about this place is the free wine samples they give out to evoke the taste buds of everyone who visits.
The Best Restaurants in Melbourne
You must try out its local cuisine before visiting a city. Here are some of the top restaurants that are quite popular with tourists.
1. Cutler & Co
Cutler & Co is located at Fitzroy in the city and has a bar and a dining room. It is well-known to have come up with a menu showcasing the area’s delicious local produce. In addition, the restaurant serves impressive wine and is just the place to be if you want to fill up on three-course meals and try modern dishes.
2. Vue de Monde
Have you ever heard about Chef Shannon Bennett? If you have not, she is one of the most famous chefs in the country, and the good news is that you can taste her cooking at Vue de Monde! There is no shortage of variety of modern and classical dishes at this Melbourne restaurant, which also boasts an extensive wine list.
3. MoVida
There is no denying that Melbourne is home to numerous cultures, with people residing after traveling from across the globe. You may not be aware of this, but the city’s populace also consists of many people of Spanish origins.
Thus, it stands to reason why a popular Spanish restaurant is one where you should indeed dine in. It has various traditional dishes, great champagne, and a slew of best-selling Spanish desserts. Many tourists dream of devouring Spanish cuisine, and MoVida is your chance!
4. Attica
Another popular chef from Australia, Chef Ben Shewry, brings many customers through the doors of the Attica restaurant. It is a fine dining restaurant, so you can dress up for a night out and enjoy foie gras, caviar, and lobster.
5. Rockpool Bar & Grill
A well-known dining room, the Rockpool Bar & Grill has outlets all over the city. If you want a taste of good old Australian cuisine, this restaurant will provide you with a beautiful experience. From burgers to caviar, it serves something for everyone!
When Should You Visit Melbourne?
One of the best traits of the city of Melbourne is that it is a great spot throughout the year, offering season-appropriate activities. However, it is suggested that you visit the city between March and May or in September or October.
During these months, the temperatures are comfortable, not too cold or hot. From December to February, various tourists flock to Melbourne to enjoy the summer at the start of the new year. Winter comes around in June, July, and August when the hotel rates go down, and travel deals become pretty enticing.
How to Get Around in Melbourne?
Cycling and walking are two excellent ways to travel throughout the city. Another good feature of Melbourne is that it has loads of cycle paths, so you can easily travel to any location.
You can also use Metlink, the public transport system with trains, trams, and buses. If you are only going to be in the city for a day or two, you should take a ride on the tram. It will allow you to take in the city at a relaxed pace.
A Few Tips to Help You Save Money in Melbourne
Melbourne has many fun things to do, which can eat your budget up quickly. From accommodations to wines and restaurants, things can become expensive. But if you follow these tips, you can make your life easier and save your hard-earned money!
1. Drink Box Wine
Box wine, or goon, is a popular staple known in the backpacker trail in Australia. This wine comes cheap, gives you a buzz, and allows you to save simultaneously. It is the best of all the worlds combined!
2. Cook More Often
Remember that food is costly in Melbourne, especially regarding fine dining. If you want to cut down on the cost of eating, you will want to cook food if you have private accommodation or live at a hostel.
3. Book Packaged-Tours
Remember that Australia has numerous fun activities for everyone, which makes Melbourne all the more exciting. It is a fun and happening place that offers exciting tours for all.
So, if you plan to take tours in the city, be sure to book activities through a tour agency. It will help you reap the rewards of discounts and save money to spend on something else.
4. Work for Accommodation
If you stay in Australia for more than a few weeks, you can take up some side work to help pay for accommodation. You may not know this, but hostels offer work opportunities to travelers so that they can have a comfortable and warm bed to sleep in.
5. Use the Tram
A tram is an easy way to admire the beautiful city of Melbourne and a cheap way to travel. The hop-on-and-off tram stops near some of the best tourist attractions you will want to see so that you can also have the best time on a budget.
Having an Adventure
Melbourne is a fun and happening city, and you may not have enough time for it all. If you need help figuring out how to take in the best of Melbourne during your limited stay, please visit Crowdsourced Explorer to learn helpful tips.
We ensure that you have an adventure of a lifetime by providing detailed guides for your following travel location. Are you ready to have the vacation of your dreams?