Melbourne
Australia
Travel | Updated September 2025
“G’day! Ya happy to be in Melbs?”
Melbourne, perched on the South-Eastern tip of Australia in the state of Victoria, is a tantalising 545 miles (878kms) south of Sydney, and it’s unapologetically flaunting its status as Australia’s bar capital and the pulsating heart of live music.
This city oozes a distinctly European flair that will make you question your life choices. The Central Business District isn’t just for the nine-to-fivers; it’s a magnet for a young, daring crowd eager to sip in style. Venture into the city’s labyrinth of narrow lanes, and you’ll unearth some of the smartest bars, each tucked away and waiting to ignite your nightlife experience.
Across the Yarra River, the district of Southbank provides the arts precinct with a strip of bars and riverside views. With plenty of culture, activities, art exhibitions, and live music, you could easily spend over a week here and not regret it.
I have been to Australia many times and Melbourne is by far my favourite city in Oz and one of my favourite cities in the world.
TRANSPORT
Transferring from Melbourne airport is pretty easy. The bus to and from the airport with SKYBUS costs AU$25 one way (GB£12/US$16) and takes about 30 minutes.
The most cost effective way to travel around Melbourne is to purchase a Myki Card (it can be purchased practically anywhere and costs AU$6 (GB£3.50)). However, if you hold a travel card or a contactless bank card you can also use this to tap in/out of stations instead. The charge is still the same.
Melbourne’s tram system is not just convenient; it’s almost scandalously easy to navigate. Picture this: a zone-based system so liberating that you hop on and off without a care in the world! Inside the CBD, you can ride those trams for free—yes, FREE! Forget about tapping in and out with your Myki Card; the trams practically beg you to enjoy ungated bliss. And just when you think you can ride forever, an announcement cuts through the air, letting you know you’re about to leave that sweet, sweet free zone.
If you need to get around via taxi you are probably best to give it a miss. Taxi’s cost a minimum of AU$4.20 and fares are AU$1.66 per km. If you have UBER then use this instead as it is far cheaper than the city taxis.
ACCOMMODATION
Doing your homework on hotels in Melbourne is not just a smart move; it’s your golden ticket to saving cash while enjoying top-notch venues. With countless websites at your fingertips, finding that perfect spot tailored to your desired area in the city is a breeze. Here are two venues I’ve experienced firsthand that deliver exceptional value, unbeatable comfort, and a prime location you won’t want to miss.
PEGASUS APART-HOTEL located on A’Beckett Street. This venue offers apartment style room with kitchenette and gym and swimming facilities along with laundry services. I booked this venue basically for the proximity to Queen Victoria Market. However, one block away is Elizabeth Street which is one of the main roads with numerous tram services down the Flinders Street Station all within the free fee zone.
MANTRA ON LITTLE BOURKE – located on Little Bourke Street right in the city centre. This location is ideal for everything! Mantra City Central offers compact boutique style apartments, some on two levels for a very agreeable price.
What Does Melbourne Offer
Melbourne boldly claims its place as one of my top five cities in the world. This city is pure magic, strikingly beautiful both day and night. Its architecture? Absolutely mesmerising. If you’ve ever wandered through the streets of Manchester, England, you’ll feel an electric vibe here that sparks similar memories! Stroll down to the Yarra River at night for an unforgettable experience, as the air is filled with intoxicating aromas and the buildings blaze with a riot of colors.
QUEEN VICTORIA MARKET
With over 600 traders, the Queen Victoria Market is the largest open air market in the Southern Hemisphere and attracts thousands of shoppers. The market is open to trade from 6am then to the public from 9am and closes around 3pm. Catch a tram anywhere on Elizabeth Street and head North to Queen Victoria Station.
There is a little cafe outside the tram stop called ‘Cafe Victoria‘ that offers cheap and wholesome breakfasts and a refreshing reprieve from the more costly venues off Elizabeth Street.
Queen Victoria Market is the ultimate playground for locals who hunt for the freshest produce amidst the raucous shouts of fishmongers and bold fruit and veg vendors. The tantalizing deli hall tempts with a smorgasbord of delights, from velvety cheeses and exquisite wines to succulent Polish sausages, enticing Greek dips, luxurious truffle oil, and even kangaroo – a feast for the adventurous palate.
The market has been on this site for more than 130 years; before that, from 1837 to 1854, it was the old Melbourne Cemetery. There is a small memorial on the corner of Queen Street and Therry Street. A number of tours are run from the market, including heritage, cultural and foodie tours.
American Doughnut Kitchen – adk1950.com.au
If you become weary from all that market shopping I strongly suggest a refuel stop at this venue. It serves the most delicious (if not quite dense) tasting doughnuts – AU$1.30 (GB£0.65) or 5 for AU$6.50 (GB£3.25). Arrive handy as there is often a long queue to be served and often closes early as it sells out quickly.
FEDERATION SQUARE
You either love or hate Federation Square. Locals congregate here to celebrate, protest, watch major sporting events or hang out on its deckchairs. Occupying a whole block of the city, ‘Fed Square’ is far from square. It’s undulating and patterned forecourt is paved with cobblestones with views to Melbourne’s iconic landmarks.
I like to take lunch here and just watch the city go by. Below the square on the river are also a number of restaurants and outdoor bars. Federation Square for me was the best place to sup a few cocktails before evening dinner and people watch.
MELBOURNE OLD JAIL
Walk up Russell Street heading North towards the RMIT University or jump onto the Circular Tram anywhere to La Trobe Street. Tickets cost AU$38 (GB£18/US$24). Tickets can be purchased HERE.
Built in 1841, this forbidding blue stone prison was in operation until 1929. It is now one of Melbourne’s most popular museums, where you can tour the tiny, bleak cells. Around 135 people were hanged here, including Ned Kelly, Australia’s most infamous bush ranger, in 1880; one of his death masks is on display.
The dire social conditions that motivated criminals in 19th Century Melbourne are also highlighted. If you are curious to see how it would feel to be an inmate here, sign up for the City Watch House experience , were you get ‘arrested’ and thrown in the slammer (more fun than it sounds).
FLINDERS STREET STATION
is a major landmark and popular meeting place in central Melbourne. Built in the late 19th century, the station features Victorian architecture and large clock faces. It is said to be the busiest suburban railway station in the Southern Hemisphere, and it is a lovely imposing building to admire.
CITY CIRCLE TRAM
More than just a means of free transportation, the City Circle Tram provides a “hop on, hop off” service between Melbourne’s sightseeing attractions, including Federation Square, the Old Treasury Building, Parliament House, and the Princess Theatre. There is recorded commentary as you pass or stop at a place of historical, cultural, or architectural significance.
BRIGHTON BEACH HUTS
If you have enough time make an afternoon for Brighton Beach. Its most iconic feature are the several dozen brightly decorated beach huts. From Flinders Street Station take the train on the Sandringham Line and get off at ‘Middle Brighton’ station. I made the error of going to ‘Brighton Beach’ station and although it isn’t exactly wrong I discovered Middle Brighton Station is closer. Train journey is roughly 20-25 minutes and costs just AU$5 (GB£2.80).
ST KILDA
Like Brighton Beach if you want to get away from the city and explore another great district of Melbourne hop onto a tram towards St Kilda Beach. Catch tram 3/3A outside Federation Square and head South over the Yarra River towards Argyl/St Kilda Station. You will need to walk about 5 minutes from this stop. The journey takes about 30 minutes and you past the Botanical Gardens, Shrine of Remembrance and Police Memorial.
St Kilda is a stretch of beach with a promenade, pier and Luna theme Park.
Where to Eat And Drink
The social scene in Melbourne, for me, is probably one of the best in the world. The city is sprawled with cafes, bars and bistros. One of the most vibrant streets is Central Place. It’s a street fringed on both sides by small independent bistros and cafes. Part of the street is wide with parasols shading the tables underneath, and, part of it is a narrow laneway. A little on the expensive side but very much worth soaking up the Melbourne atmosphere.
If you like Mediterranean, Middle-Eastern or Australian food then make your way to Kaikeys Lane. This narrow laneway is packed with little bistros offering anything from breakfast to social lunches with friends, to romantic evening dinner. Located down a tiny lane off Little Collins Street.
BEER DE LUX – beerdeluxefedsquare.com.au
Located at Federation Square it is a simple Sports Bar that serves typical bar food and beer. It’s cheaper than most places at Federation Square. If you enjoy local independent beers then this is the place to sample them.
LUDLOW BAR AND DINING ROOM – ludlowbar.com.au
Located across the Yarra River along the South Bank is a pretty cool venue that offers craft beers and bar food along with live entertainment all served in a rustic feeling establishment of copper piping and mismatched wooden tables. It’s one of the most wallet friendly venues along the South bank.
TRANSIT ROOFTOP BAR – transporthotel.com.au/venues/transit-bar
Again located at Federation Square offers sweeping views across the Yarra river and across the CBD. The terraces have heating, if required, and live music on certain days. Make time for at least a cocktail or beer here before leaving Melbourne.
LOOKING FOR SOMETHING MORE…?
MELBOURNE’S STREET ART
Melbourne displays some incredible street art. You can book a walking tour of all this street art but if you are like me just glancing down alleyways and catching a glimpse of the artwork is more than enough. Some people have asked me where is the best street art found. In a sentence it is throughout the city. There is a website dedicated to all this art and can be found HERE
CASINO (at Crown Towers)
Located inside a sprawling entertainment complex on the South Bank is a great place to watch how others lose thousands of dollars in the turn of a card, all from the comfort of standing behind the tables with a cocktail. It makes my eyes water the nonchalant habits of serious gamblers who hop from one table to another willing to lose thousands. I witnessed one Chinese lady lose AU$13,000 with the spin of a card, then walked away seemingly unscathed! Of course I had a little flutter on the slot machines and won an impressive 10c!
There are various bars peppered throughout the casino but make for The Atrium bar – its the most friendly to your wallet.
SHRINE OF REMEMBRANCE
is a war memorial dedicated to Australian Men and Woman who fought predominantly in the two World Wars, but now in any war. Totally free to explore and very much worth the time. Walk towards the Botanical Gardens South Side of the river Yarra along St Kilda Road, or, hop onto the tram outside Flinders Street Station and hop off again at ‘Stop 19’ for the Shrine of Remembrance.
Lining the walkway towards the shrine you will discover handfuls of knitted red poppies laid under shrubbery to honour the war horses throughout Australian battles. Towards the Shrine you will find a Cenotaph with a burning flame commemorating the Country’s war dead.
If you can manage heights walk inside the entrance to the shrine and to the right-hand side there is a staircase. If you are able to climb stairs walk to the top of the shrine were you will be rewarded beautiful views of Melbourne’s skyline
At 1700 (5pm) the venue closes with the lowering of two national flags outside the Cenotaph. It’s a very solemn experience.
and finally, NEIGHBOURS STUDIO TOUR
Now nothing more than a cruel figment of imagination, this tour has been tragically snuffed out, leaving fans in anguish since the final show in July 2022.
Anyone who dares to call themselves British or Australian must be painfully aware of the TV spectacle known as ‘Neighbours‘—the soap opera that’s intruded into our lives and our living rooms since the 1980s, gripping us with a mix of drama and nostalgia that we can’t seem to shake off.
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