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Major city · Australia

MelbourneNaarm

Give Melbourne 3–4 nights: stay in the CBD or Fitzroy for walkable food and trams, and keep one full day for the Great Ocean Road or Phillip Island.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Melbourne is Australia's second-largest city and its food, coffee and live-music capital, built around a compact grid of laneways, trams and Victorian-era streets. It is also the gateway to Victoria: the Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island and the Grampians all start here. Most first trips use it as a 3–4 night city base with one day out of town.

basic guide: no trip line yet
26 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
AUD
Best months
Oct–Apr
avoid Jun–Aug (cool and damp); late Dec–Jan school holidays are the busiest and priciest
Airports
MEL · AVV
Nights
3–4
Rules in force · 7
  • Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
  • Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
  • Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
  • Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
  • Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
  • Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
  • Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Melbourne000 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance000
  • From mobiles112

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Melbourne, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Sit-down mealPub main courseA$25–40 (≈ US$17–30)
  • BeerDraught beer in a pubA$8–14 (≈ US$6–10)
  • Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi or rideshare, 5 km (3.1 mi)A$18–28 (≈ US$12–19)
  • Metro or bus rideTram or train ride (Myki)A$5.50–11 (≈ US$4–8) (check)
  • Museum or sight ticketMuseum or gallery entryFree–A$15 (≈ US$10)
  • Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personA$45 (≈ US$30)
  • Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per roomA$220 (≈ US$150)
  • High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per roomA$420 (≈ US$300)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$90 (≈ US$60) · Mid A$170 (≈ US$120) · High A$300 (≈ US$200)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Laneway street art and coffeeQueen Victoria MarketMelbourne Cricket Ground and the AFLAustralian Open and the Melbourne CupGreat Ocean Road day trips
Airports
MEL Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) (22 km (14 mi) north-west of the CBD; SkyBus to Southern Cross, about 30 min) · AVV Avalon Airport (55 km (34 mi) south-west near Geelong; SkyBus to Southern Cross, about 50 min)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Care

    27°C (81°F)

  2. Feb

    Best

    27°C (81°F)

  3. Mar

    Best

    25°C (77°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    21°C (70°F)

  5. May

    not flagged

    18°C (64°F)

  6. Jun

    Avoid

    15°C (59°F)

  7. Jul

    Avoid

    15°C (59°F)

  8. Aug

    Avoid

    16°C (61°F)

  9. Sep

    not flagged

    18°C (64°F)

  10. Oct

    Best

    21°C (70°F)

  11. Nov

    Best

    23°C (73°F)

  12. Dec

    Care*

    25°C (77°F)

Best: Feb–Apr, Oct–Nov. Mixed: Dec–Jan. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →

Warmest Jan (27°C (81°F)), coolest Jun (8°C (46°F) low), wettest Aug (14 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.

* only part of the month (early, mid or late).

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Melbourne: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

27°C (81°F)

16°C (61°F)

8 rd

Feb

27°C (81°F)

16°C (61°F)

7 rd

Mar

25°C (77°F)

15°C (59°F)

8 rd

Apr

21°C (70°F)

12°C (54°F)

10 rd

May

18°C (64°F)

10°C (50°F)

12 rd

Jun

15°C (59°F)

8°C (46°F)

13 rd

Jul

15°C (59°F)

8°C (46°F)

13 rd

Aug

16°C (61°F)

8°C (46°F)

14 rd

Sep

18°C (64°F)

9°C (48°F)

13 rd

Oct

21°C (70°F)

11°C (52°F)

13 rd

Nov

23°C (73°F)

13°C (55°F)

11 rd

Dec

25°C (77°F)

14°C (57°F)

9 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Trams, trains and buses run on the Myki card; the CBD has a free tram zone, and a daily fare cap applies across the network. Trams are the fastest way around the inner suburbs; trains reach St Kilda's neighbours and the airport is bus-only. Driving is easy outside peak hours but parking in the CBD is expensive.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Great Ocean Road and the Twelve Apostles

overnight

Door to door: 12–14 h by coach; 3 h each way by car

Tour coach or hire car via the Princes Highway and B100

A return day is 6 h of driving; sleep one night in Apollo Bay or Port Campbell.

Phillip Island penguin parade

go

Door to door: 2–2.5 h each way

Tour coach or car via the Bass Highway, about 140 km (87 mi)

Book the penguin parade in advance; it runs after sunset, so you return late.

Yarra Valley wineries

go

Door to door: About 1 h each way

Tour coach or car via the Maroondah Highway, about 50 km (31 mi)

Designate a driver or take a tour; cellar doors close mid-afternoon.

Mornington Peninsula

caution

Door to door: 1.5–2 h each way

Car or train to Frankston then bus

Hot springs and beaches need a car or a booked tour to link up.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

CBD

Trams, Southern Cross Station and the laneways on foot; best for a first visit with no car.

Fitzroy and Collingwood

Inner-east bars, cafés and boutiques; 10–15 min by tram from the CBD.

St Kilda

Beach, cake shops and nightlife; 25 min by tram, quieter for families.

Southbank and Docklands

Riverfront apartments and casino; good for groups, less street life.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
A$90–150 (≈ US$60–100) excl. bed
Mid
A$150–260 (≈ US$100–180) excl. bed
High
A$260 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Hotel double room1 × 3 nights × A$220A$660
Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × A$170A$1,020
SkyBus MEL to Southern Cross, both ways2 × A$48 · checkA$96
Myki daily fare cap, one day2 × A$11 · checkA$22
eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$25A$50
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeA$185
Trip total≈ A$339 per person per day, bed includedA$2,033≈ US$1,400

2026 estimate in Australian dollars; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Flat whiteA$4.50–6 (≈ US$3–4)
Counter lunch or banh miA$12–20 (≈ US$8–14)
Pub main courseA$25–40 (≈ US$17–30)
Draught beer in a pubA$8–14 (≈ US$6–10)
Tram or train ride (Myki)A$5.50–11 (≈ US$4–8) (check)
Taxi or rideshare, 5 kmA$18–28 (≈ US$12–19)
Museum or gallery entryFree–A$15 (≈ US$10)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Melbourne is a safe big city by day and on the tram network. The real risks are pickpockets around Southern Cross and Flinders Street at night, drink-spiking in CBD clubs, and summer heat.
  • Weather changes fast: carry a layer and a light rain jacket even on a warm forecast.
  • Myki must be touched on and off on trains and buses; inspectors fine on-the-spot.
  • Some CBD bars and clubs enforce dress rules (collars, closed shoes) after dark.
  • Summer heatwaves can push past 40°C (104°F): plan indoor stops for the middle of the day.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
000
From mobiles
112

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

MelbourneNaarm

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

Can you take me to this address?To this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance000
  • From mobiles112

Embassy

The US consulate is in St Kilda Road; the UK, Canada and New Zealand have consulates in the CBD (check addresses).

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • SkyBus MEL → Southern Cross: about A$24 (≈ US$16) one way, 30 min (check)
  • Taxi MEL → CBD: A$75–100 (≈ US$50–70)
  • Myki daily cap: A$11 (≈ US$8) weekday, A$7.60 (≈ US$5) weekend (check)

Say or show

  • Thanks — Thank you
  • How much? — How much is it?
  • Card okay? — Can I pay by card?
  • Where's the tram? — Where is the tram stop?

Tipping is not expected; wages are high.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Melbourne. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Oct–Apr · avoid Jun–Aug (cool and damp); late Dec–Jan school holidays are the busiest and priciest · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 4 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for MEL: SkyBus and taxi cutoffs, late-arrival rung.
  2. Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: CBD and laneways, Fitzroy and Collingwood, St Kilda, Southbank.
  3. Place pages with verified cutoffs (MCG, Queen Victoria Market, NGV, Melbourne Museum) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Event fixtures for the Australian Open, AFL season and the Melbourne Cup so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to Australia

Sources