How To Get Around:
- From the airport there is a central bus link which you pay a very small amount for, something like $5 and it takes you to the main station into the CBD (Central Business District).
- The tram system there uses a MYKI card same as an Oyster card in London, you just tap on and tap off whenever you are wanting to go anywhere. You can purchase these from any corner looking shop. Top tip: if you take a tram outside of the rectangle of the CBD you get charged. Anywhere inside the CDB, its free.
- Trams and taxis will take you down to the beach areas as well.
What to do?
- Walking tours
First things first and the best to get your bearings of any city, a walking tour! These are free and start at a few different times of the day, at different locations. You can find more information about these either online or at the Melbourne library – which is full of info.
- Exhibition at the Federation Square
The Federation Square is a very lively place, they were holding live music and dancing throughout the day, but inside the actual buildings there they hold different science, film and music exhibitions. Some are free to walk around and some areas of the inside are paid, such as getting into the movie theatre area.
- Royal Botanical Gardens
These are free to walk around but make sure you get off the stop at the Federation Square, so you don’t get charged for going an extra two stops South. We just took a picnic and wandered about here for the day.
- Remembrance Shrine
This is within the botanic gardens and again just an added feature you can walk around and read about the history.
- Melbourne National Gallery
For the Art Fans out there. Free exhibits, as well as paid, depending on what is on at the time of your travels and whether these would interest you. Tickets I seem to remember start from around twenty-eight dollars for one adult. This gallery is just across the road from the Botanical Gardens so you can do this all in one day.
- Street Art Street
Another free activity, just down the road from the Federation Square and next to St Paul’s Cathedral is graffiti street. It’s basically just loads of street art on the surrounding walls. It’s nice to have a look at for fifteen minutes or so. You can take a couple of cool pictures as well.
- St Paul’s Cathedral
It’s a beautiful Cathedral, you get some great photos, you get the idea.
- Parliament Building and the Treasury Gardens
They provide a free group tour around the building which is pretty interesting if you are into that sort of thing. If you don’t have time to add this to your itinerary, you won’t feel like you have missed anything major.
- St Kilda Beach
Take the tram South of the city and you will get to St Kilda beach. A very lively spot for all travellers and holiday goers. Hostels tend to be in this area so they have lots of nice restaurants and bars but most importantly.. the beach.
- Visit the Penguins at St Kilda (yes, Penguins)
At one end of the beach there is a Pier to a lighthouse and here are lots of Penguins which gather in the evening time. Head there around four or five, when the sun is just going down, to see them.
Recommended Food/Beverage:
Inside the CDB
- Try a Korean BBQ restaurant here, there are many to choose from
- Stalactities Greek Food – take away kebabs
- Goldilocks Bar – rooftop cocktails
- Try some Kangaroo – from Coles (supermarket) you can get Kangaroo to put on a BBQ
(not suitable for vegans or vegetarians)
There are many bars outside of the CBD, for example in St Kilda. Time Out magazine is a great place to start. As Nia and I were travelling we didn’t want to eat/drink out too much here to preserve our money for the East Coast road.
Surrounding Melbourne
These trips below can range from a day trip return from Melbourne city, an overnight stop or if you have a car you can visit them yourself. If you have a motorhome as well you can add these to your Victoria state itinerary. This will all depend on how much time you have.
- The Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road is the road which runs from Melbourne all the way to Port Fairy. You can continue the drive to Adelaide but this is not included as part of the Great Ocean Road. We drove our car as a test run to Port Fairy and then back again to Melbourne, with a few stops in the middle. I will go into detail about this in a separate blog.
- Wine region at Yarra Valley
A great day trip from Melbourne, particularly of course for wine lovers, travellers who like to have a drink at a more civilised location or want to feel booshie for the day. The day trip will take you there from Melbourne centre and bring you back there at the end of the day.
- Phillip Island
Another day trip where you get the chance to experience the Penguin Parade which is always very popular. It’s about ninety minutes from Melbourne and I would say it is predominantly a trip for families.
- Wilsons Promontory National Park
This National Park is actually to the East of Melbourne. You can add it into an itinerary if you are driving between Melbourne and Sydney. It’s not as well-known with lots of outdoor activities and hiking trails. Beautiful for a one or two night stop.
Other Useful Tips
- State Library Victoria
This is the same library I mentioned above, it has so much information and importantly computers. We were in here for many hours of a few days when we were trying to purchase a car. You can get a ticket for an hour slot on one of the computers for free.
- Goon
Goon is basically just wine in a bag in a box, easiest to transport, hidden when on the beach, cheapest for quantity. (I also added this in because when we arrived people thought we were odd when we didn’t know what this word meant).
LEAH HANCOX 