Melbourne tips for a great stay

When we talk about Australia, many of you will probably first think of the largest city on the continent, Sydney. But if you give its little brother Melbourne a chance, you will definitely not be disappointed because the vibrant metropolis scores with a first-class range of sports, diverse urban districts and green oases not far from the hustle and bustle of the big city. Join me on my forays through Melbourne and read what you must not miss here. With my tips for Melbourne, you will be prepared for any adventure.

Melbourne introduces itself

Melbourne is located in the southeast of the Australian continent. The city can be reached via the airports in Avalon or Tullamarine.
Melbourne is the second-largest city in Australia, with 4,250,000 inhabitants. Only Sydney, with its almost 4,630,000 inhabitants, has more than the capital of the state of Victoria.
Melbourne is divided into four different suburbs: “North”, “East”, “South-East” and “West” as well as the inner city. Geographically speaking, Melbourne consists of a total of 217 districts.
The different districts are as colourful as the culture of the Australian metropolis. In Melbourne, you will find traces of British, Greek, Italian, Irish, Vietnamese, Chinese and Croatian immigrants.
Melbourne is Australia’s number-one sporting capital. Not only does the Tennis Grand Slam take place here, but also a Formula 1 race, the Motorcycle Grand Prix, American football and cricket. The Melbourne Cricket Ground even hosted the Summer Games in 1956 and 2000.
If you have explored the city extensively, you will find other great destinations in the immediate vicinity, such as Phillip Island, the Mornington Peninsula recreation area or the Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park. This way, you can make the most of your time in Melbourne. We recommend booking a rental car for this.
Melbourne offers a wide variety of accommodations for every budget. Since many backpackers and students come here, numerous cheap hostels and hotels exist.
For seven years, Melbourne has been ranked first among the most livable cities in the world – a study by The Economist. In the most recent study, the Austrian capital, Vienna, replaced the metropolis but remained in second place.

Attractions in Melbourne

The most interesting way to get to know Melbourne’s city centre and its sights is by riding on the City Circle Tram (line 35). Since 1994, the tram has been running clockwise and anti-clockwise through the city centre, and it’s free. You should take your time to enjoy the full 50-minute journey, as this will give you a perfect overview of Melbourne’s sights. You can get on at many well-known locations. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city centre, opt for a sightseeing boat tour on the Yarra River and get to know Melbourne’s skyline this way.

Fantastic views and relaxing oases of peace

If you want to get a slightly different view of Melbourne, you should go to the Eureka Tower and take the elevator to the 88th floor in 40 seconds. The view from 280 meters up is breathtaking and a dream, especially in the evening when the city is lit up. The only thing that can top this is The Edge, the extendable glass box with a transparent floor that gives you a very special view of Melbourne.

Hip neighbourhoods and great beaches

History buffs should visit the Shrine of Remembrance, a major war memorial, while creative types can indulge in the Fitzroy district. Fashion fans in the Prahran and South Yarra districts will be in good hands.

Before you watch the sunset on St. Kilda Beach, you absolutely have to visit the Queen Victoria Market and get some refreshments at the many street food stalls there. For an extensive visit, you should plan an extra day. The best way to end your evening is with a visit to the Docklands, Melbourne’s hip and extravagant port district. Australia’s connection to the United Kingdom is particularly evident here, as the “little sister” of the London Eye, the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel, awaits you. If you don’t want to go quite so high, head to the rooftop bar on the Curtin House and enjoy a good film at lofty heights, as the bar is converted into an open-air cinema every evening.

Sporty Melbourne

To really enjoy the city’s atmosphere, you should not miss out on attending one of the city’s numerous sporting events because Australians are absolute sports fans. You can watch the Tennis Grand Slam in the Rod Laver Arena or the Formula 1 opening race if you’re there at the right time. Two-wheelers can watch fast machines whizz past them at the Motorcycle Grand Prix, while others prefer to watch the local sports, Australian football or cricket.

The hype reaches unimagined heights Only once a year, namely when the so-called Melbourne Cup occurs. The traditional horse race even has its own public holiday so that as many Aussies as possible can watch the spectacle.

Surfing at St. Kilda Beach

Do you want to get active yourself? Then I can recommend St. Kilda Beach. Wind and kite surfers will find ideal conditions here. So, if you are passionate about surfing or just want to book a taster course, then you have come to the right place. After spending long hours in the water, you can sit back and relax on the beach and watch the pros dance on the waves.

My tip: rent a bike!

Whenever you get the chance, you should rent a bike to explore the most beautiful sights and highlights. This way, you can be active, discover the city at your own pace and stop wherever you want. The best tip for this is Melbourne Bike Share because you can rent bikes at various stations all over the city centre and return them anytime. A day pass costs you $3 if you use the bike for less than 45 minutes and then return it to the station. If you exceed the time, there are extra costs, which are reasonable. If you would rather be led through Melbourne by an experienced guide, you can take a guided tour with Real Melbourne Bike Tours.

Discover Victoria

Anyone who thinks Melbourne is the only highlight of the state of Victoria is seriously mistaken. The region has real treasures in the immediate vicinity or within a maximum of one or two hours’ drive.

Pure nature and wild animals

The ultimate excursion tip is the small island of Phillip Island. In the evening, whole flocks of little penguins move across the beach to their homes—a really cool and unique sight. Ecotourism is a big topic here, and sustainable and animal welfare-promoting visits make the island a favorite excursion destination in the region. By visiting, you help support the island’s research facilities and preserve the island in its natural and original state.

Another animal highlight can be found in the well-known Mornington Peninsula recreation area and the Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park. Here you can take part in day and night tours and get to know koalas, Tasmanian devils and other exciting animal species.

The peninsula in front of Melbourne offers its visitors the best variety. The colourful wooden houses on the beautiful sandy beach are particularly beautiful to look at, as are Melbourne’s only natural thermal bath, the Peninsula Hot Springs. You can relax there after a strenuous diving excursion or a round of golf.

Charming Goldfields

If you want to get closer to Victoria’s history, you should consider a trip to Goldfields. The name says it all because this beautiful place with its charming Victorian buildings was where the first gold discoveries in Victoria were recorded. Apparently, the “golden times” are long gone, but maybe one or two of you will still find a nugget. A trip on a paddle steamer along the Murray River is also highly recommended. It reminds you of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, don’t you think?

Culinary tips for Melbourne

Australia is known for its incredible variety of different restaurants. Especially in modern metropolises like Melbourne, you will hardly be able to decide which culinary highlight to try next. Whether you like to try local delicacies at markets or are looking for the perfect brunch hotspot – here are some tips that will certainly help you.

Street food and markets

There is nothing better than strolling through street food and regional markets, trying out the different products and just watching the hustle and bustle. The Dandenong Market on the corner of Clow & Cleeland Street is particularly recommended for this. Here you can find a fantastic selection of great products and food on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The market is quite large, so make sure you bring enough time and, if you can, take a Food Discovery Tour, which you can book on the market’s website. You can also find a similarly large selection at the Prahran Market and Queen Victoria Market (both closed on Mondays).

Brunch & Lunch

If you’re on holiday, you should eat out regularly and try the menus of hip and trendy cafes and restaurants. I’ve picked out five trendy spots for brunch and lunch for you – but you can be sure that there are many more to discover.

Top Paddock Café : Acai bowls, avocado toast and various unusual dishes
CRU: Egg Benedict, Rösti and pancakes for the perfect brunch
Auction Rooms: Brioche, a breakfast board with various options and great coffee in a wonderful ambience
Rice Paper Scissors: A selection of modern Asian dishes and fresh salads for a light lunch
Sezar: Modern oriental dishes and fresh fish in a perfect combination

If you are looking for more restaurant tips or the perfect bar for the evening, you should talk to a few of the locals on the street and ask for tips. I am sure they will be happy to help you with good tips.

Melbourne is waiting for you

If you are planning a trip to Australia, you should not only have Sydney on your agenda but also look at beautiful Melbourne. Sports fans, in particular, should plan their visit so that they are in the city for one of the big events and can experience the metropolis in a party mood. Do you have any tips for my next visit to Melbourne? Then please let me know!