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Melbourne
Travel Guides
When is the best time to visit Melbourne?
Weather, price and peak seasons considered, we’ve got the goss on when to travel to Melbourne for the perfect balance of all three.
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The cosmopolitan city of Melbourne was voted the second best destination in Australia at this year’s TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Awards, so naturally you shouldn’t pass up a chance to spend some time shopping its markets, indulging in its world-class fare and digging its underground music scene.
When it comes to the best time to visit though, weather and price might play a part in the decision making process. If you want all the glory without the rain or peak price tag, we’ve uncovered the best time to visit. Read on to find out when and why.
Best time to visit Melbourne
March to May.
Why
March to May is an ideal time to visit Melbourne as it’s after the city’s hottest and wettest months. By travelling during autumn you’ll miss the sweltering 40℃ summer temperatures and sporadic rain showers and instead experience drier and slightly cooler temperatures with average highs of between 18℃ and 25℃.
The city is busy with tourists year-round but gets particularly crowded in December and January, when families and students flock to the city for their summer holiday.
Overview
Melbourne generally has a mild climate. Its summers are hot with average highs in excess of 25℃ in January and its winters are cold with average highs of 13℃. While rain falls year-round, the city experiences its most intense showers from September to February.
Regarded as one of Australia’s most cosmopolitan cities, Melbourne plays host to many annual cultural events, including the world-renowned Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Such events, in addition to its sprawling zoo, lush botanical gardens and vibrant bar and restaurant scene, keep the city busy year-round.
You’ll also need to be mindful of major sporting occasions that take place in the city if you want to avoid the crowds and peak prices. Each year, tens of thousands of sports fans flock to see the Australian Grand Prix (March), Australian Open (January) and Melbourne Cup (November), in addition to the AFL Grand Final (September) and international cricket, rugby league and rugby union matches.
Melbourne is a popular destination for Australian and international tourists and is best avoided during school holiday periods (December and January).
Weather and prices
Best time to visit Melbourne, weatherwise: November to May.
Cheapest time to visit Melbourne: Look for flight and hotel deals in August and September as there are fewer major events taking place in the city.
Best time to visit Melbourne for…
- Shopping: March to May is the best time to visit Melbourne’s shopping centres, luxury boutiques and charming food and flea markets.
- Lavender farm tours: Taking a lavender farm tour in October or November gives you the best chance to see flowers in full bloom.
- Sightseeing: Melbourne is well known for its sprawling zoo and leafy botanical gardens, as well as art galleries, theatres and opulent Victorian-era buildings. All are best explored from March to May.
- Seeing penguins on Phillip Island: If you want to see Phillip Island’s famous penguin colony try doing so from March to May. These are much quieter months than the peaks of December and January.
- Snow sports: Less than a three-hour drive from Melbourne, Mount Baw Baw and Mount Buller are two of Australia’s premier ski resorts. Both are best visited during the July to September snow season.
- Wineries: October and November are the best months to pay a visit to the five diverse wine regions little more than an hour’s drive from Melbourne CBD. Many wineries hold annual festivals during these months, including Geelong’s “Toast to the Coast”.
- Hot air ballooning: You can go hot air ballooning year-round in Melbourne although the best months are from March to May and September to November when the weather is a bit more predictable.
Latest Melbourne travel deals
Luxury Escapes
Up to 41% off Melbourne getaway + flights
Available for travel until 5 September 2022. Package includes return airfare, stay at Shadow Play by Peppers, breakfast, welcome drinks and more. Valid for 2 persons.
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Rex Airlines flights from $81 return
Available on flights from April - July 2021 to Melbourne and more. Sample fare is Sydney-Gold Coast.
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Up to 20% off Victoria country escape for 2 with flights
Available on select travel dates until 1 March 2022. Includes return airfare, stay at The White Shack and bottle of wine.
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Melbourne: Legoland Discovery Centre tickets from $35
Available on select dates until 22 October 2021.
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Melbourne: 5% off Puffing Billy Railway Steam Train tickets
Available on select dates until 30 April 2021 for a return trip between Belgrave and Lakeside station.
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Up to 13% off iVenture Melbourne unlimited attractions passes
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Expedia.com.au
Up to 16% off Australia stays
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Melbourne: Eureka Skydeck 88 admission tickets from $20
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Victoria: Up to 38% off romantic retreat with breakfast and flights
Available for travel from 18 April 2021 - 31 March 2022. Includes return airfare, stay at Hotel Frangos, welcome drink, shared entrée and more. Valid for 2 persons. T&Cs apply.
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Avis
Sixth day free + free upgrade on car hires
Available on 6+ day rentals from 15 July - 15 September 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Cairns, Perth, Adelaide and Hobart. T&Cs apply.
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Avis
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Campervans from $99/day or less
Pick up a campervan in Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland, Christchurch or Queenstown before until 20 September 2021.
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Parkos
Melbourne Airport parking from $5.47 per day
Available on select dates. T&Cs apply.
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Europcar
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Extra $24 off domestic car hire with code
Available on rentals until 31 July 2021 when you spend a minimum of $240. Destinations include Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Cairns, Sydney and more. T&Cs apply.
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Jetstar sale: Australia-wide flights from $32 each way
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Virgin Australia
Up to 50% off: Flights from $55 each way
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Melbourne car hires from $30
Valid for travel on select dates in 2021 with Europcar, Sixt, Hertz, Avis, Budget and more. T&Cs apply.
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Available on activities including hot air balloon flights, helicopter scenic flights and luxury car hire. Must purchase two or more vouchers. Destinations include Gold Coast, Whitsundays, Cairns, Melbourne and more. T&Cs apply.
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Available on select travel dates. Destinations include Brisbane, Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Uluru, Hobart and more. T&Cs apply.
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Adrenaline
Victoria whale watching cruises from $110
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RedBalloon
Get $5 off Victoria whale watching cruises
Available on select travel dates when you spend a minimum of $250. T&Cs apply.
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Up to 10% off + free cancellation on Australia rentals
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Groupon
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Indoor skydiving experiences from $79
Available on select dates with iFly. Destinations include Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Sydney. T&Cs apply.
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Free romantic picnic experience for 2 on stays
Available on stays until 30 June 2021 at Melbourne Marriott Hotel. Package includes accommodation, bottle of wine and chocolates, Romance Hamper, breakfast and more. T&Cs apply.
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