Searching for Melbourne tips?! Well, know that it, along with Sydney, is one of the most well-known and touristic cities in Australia.
Its foundation dates back to 1835, when the gold rush brought many people to the region. Melbourne became the country's capital in the early 20th century, but despite losing its position, it is one of the cities with the largest population in Australia.
Situated in the south of the country, it's mostly known for its vibrant street art (be sure to check out the graffiti!) and more changeable weather.
The city also has a beautiful coastline that includes Great Ocean Road, the most famous road in the whole country.
Check out our Melbourne tips to plan your trip here.
Melbourne Tips
How to get to Melbourne?
Melbourne is one of the big cities in Australia, so there are airports in the city, what happens is that, being a country far from Brazil, you will never find a direct flight. Be prepared to face a whole day just to get there!
You will need to make a stopover in another country (or even another Australian city, depending on the flight you get).
Once there, Melbourne Airport (MEL) is about 25 km from the city centre.
Documents required for travelling to Melbourne
Australia requires a tourist visa for Brazilians, but it is not complicated at all. Just enter the official website, fill out an online form and follow the instructions, in addition to paying the fee, of course.
Apart from the visa, the yellow fever vaccine is officially required, but very little asked for at immigration. To be on the safe side, get the vaccine and bring proof.
Pay attention to the date of the passport, which must be valid for at least another six months after the expected departure from the country.
What is the weather like in Melbourne?
A little different from Sydney, which draws attention for its beaches and heat, Melbourne is considered one of the coldest cities in the country!
In addition, its fame also includes an unstable climate, which can result in several "seasons" in a single day.
The highest temperatures are found in summer, between December and February, and can reach 26°C.
From March to May, the cold starts to show up and from June to August it is cold, but nothing exaggerated like European winters. The average maximum temperature in winter is 14°C and the minimum is 7°C.
The rains come in October.
Shrine of Remembrance
Best time to visit Melbourne
Summer is usually the best season to enjoy a trip, especially if the destination has beaches and lots of nature.
Melbourne is no different, so unless you really dislike the heat, try to go in the summer or spring to enjoy the warmer days from December to February.
The issue is that this period is high season, so prices can get higher. The tip is to go a little earlier or a little later, with the advantage of not being the height of summer and the most intense heat.
We went in July, in the middle of winter, and I found it very quiet, nothing too cold. We had beautiful sunny days, some rain and wind, a bit of everything.
How much time do you need to visit Melbourne?
Less than two days is impossible to get to know Melbourne, after all, it is a big city with many attractions! Therefore, it is not a city for a day trip, but rather a place to stay for a few days.
Our Melbourne tip is to book at least two or three days in the city to be able to absorb everything it offers and more days if you want to do some sightseeing around the city.
View from the top floor of the State Library of Victoria (free!)
What to do in Melbourne?
Let's start with Federation Square, which acts as the city's meeting point. Many cultural events take place in this square, which is surrounded by shops.
The city has a lot of graffiti art scattered around the city, so one of our Melbourne tips is to take a Street Art Tour. The city centre has several little streets where you can get lost among the drawings!
Hosier Lane graffiti
Still talking about art, check out the Brunswick neighbourhood, famous for vintage shops and thrift shops.
Eureka Skydeck is another notable tourist spot. It is considered the largest tower in the entire southern hemisphere, so you can already imagine the view from up there, right?
You can also visit St. Kilda Beach and the famous colourful bathing houses of the Brighton Beach neighbourhood.
Melbourne is also very well served by museums, such as Immigration Museum, Melbourne Museum, National Sports Museum and National Gallery of Victoria.
Still on the subject of history, visit Flinders Street Station, the oldest train station in Australia, and St Paul's Cathedral, an Anglican church dating from 1852.
Where to stay in Melbourne?
The best place in the sense of practicality and good location is, for sure, the centre of Melbourne, known as the Central Business District or CBD on https://www.hotelsinvictoria.net/. It is a region well served by public transport (which is free in this region!) and is where the main tourist attractions and good options for shopping and nightlife are located. On the downside... naturally higher prices.
We stayed at Collins Street Residences right in the centre and did almost everything on foot, using the free tram and eventually an Uber. Nestled in the heart of Melbourne's bustling metropolis, Collins Street Residences By Apartments Of Melbourne offer a refined urban escape that caters to both leisure and business travelers. These thoughtfully designed residences provide an elevated living experience, combining contemporary aesthetics with modern comforts. Whether you're a solo explorer or a group of friends seeking adventure, these residences offer a range of apartment sizes to suit your needs.
On the other side of the Yarra River bridge is Southbank, which is still considered the centre, but outside the hype, it is quieter, with better prices and is still close to the CBD and, besides everything, has the best view of the city!
Docklands also fits these characteristics. It is a new and modern area of the city close to the centre, but with less commerce, which makes it much quieter.
Southern Cross is an option and is where the largest train station in the city is located, meaning it is easy to get around to other places! With the advantage of being quieter and cheaper than the centre.
St Kilda can also be interesting, especially for those who enjoy the beach, since the neighbourhood is close to it. The shops there are also very complete.
Other interesting places you can choose where to stay in Melbourne, but that are further away from the centre are Carlton, Fitzroy, Collingwood (old city districts), Richmond (more residential, but with good commerce) and South Yarra (fashion and shopping).
Melbourne tips: what and where to eat
Melbourne is very mixed and this reflects on the city's gastronomy. You will find places with typical dishes from many countries! Chinese, Greek, Italian and so on!
But the highlight goes to the coffee culture in the city, so be sure to go to one of the many coffee shops that are scattered throughout Melbourne.
British gastronomy is also a highlight, due to the colonisation issue.
Two markets are interesting places to eat in the city, one is the Queen Victoria Market, which is like the well-known "mercadões" in Brazil, where you can find both fresh food to buy and restaurants to eat right there. The other is the Prahran Market.
Prices and best way to get around Melbourne
Well served by public transport, Melbourne offers buses, trains and trams for getting around. But if you're going to walk around the city centre, use your feet for a good walk!
One of the highlights of public transport in Melbourne is the tram. And here's another one of our Melbourne tips: it's free if you ride only in the city centre! On the other hand, it is charged by distance, so the further you go, the more expensive it is.
To use the transport, it is good to have the Myki, which is Melbourne's rechargeable card. It costs $6 and can be found and loaded at stations, in shops around the city or online. You put the amount you want and use it when you get on and off the transport (yes, you have to validate it at the exit too).
If you don't have a card, you can pay the driver in cash, but it's a bit tricky, as they may not have change.
There are two types, the Myki Money, which is good for those who will use the transport little, and the Myki Pass, which works per day, which is worth it for those who use the transport several times a day.
In addition to transport, you can rent bicycles at various points in the city (and return them at any point too), just remember that traffic works on the English hand!
Use RentCars and find the best car hire price by comparing more than 100 rental companies at once. Pay in real up to 12x without interest, with IOF exemption and with service in Portuguese.
Which day trips from Melbourne are worth doing?
Great Ocean RoadGreat Ocean Road: a road that follows the sea and has beautiful landscapes of beaches, viewpoints, rocks and small towns. The rock formation called the 12 Apostles is one of the highlights of this round trip, which can be extended and last more than a day.
Mornington PeninsulaMornington Peninsula: south of Melbourne, this peninsula is a great option for those who want to get out of the city and explore the coastline and nature.
Hanging Rock: how about spotting wild kangaroos? In this reserve, which is located in Macedon Ranges, it is possible. The tour is in direct contact with nature, with trails and walks through the rock formations.
Trentham Falls: is a waterfall of more than 30 metres that can be an interesting day trip from Melbourne. It is close to Daylesford, which is a small town that can be included in the tour.
Cathedral Range State ParkCathedral Range State Park : located about 100 km from Melbourne, the park offers the possibility of intense contact with nature in its various trails of varying levels of difficulty.
Werribee Gorge State Park: for those who like extreme sports, this round trip can be very interesting! Inside the park is Falcons Lookout, a place known for being a climbing peak.
Phillip IslandPhillip Island: is an island about 120 km from Melbourne where the Penguin Parade takes place, which is nothing more than a "parade" of penguins. The show takes place at dusk on Summerland Beach when the animals leave the sea to return to their nests.
I believe that with these first tips from Melbourne you can start organising your itinerary, right?!
Have a good trip!
Read also:
Sydney tips
What to do in Sydney
3 days itinerary in Sydney
