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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
Hertz
FLASH SALE
Get up to 20% off 3+ day rentals
Available on rentals from 1 February - 15 December 2021 across Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Cairns, Adelaide, Darwin, Hobart and more. T&Cs apply.
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Kayak
FLASH SALE
Australia flights from $35 each way with Jetstar
Available on select flights from February - September 2021 to Launceston, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Cairns, Sydney, Uluru and more. Sample fare is Adelaide-Melbourne. T&Cs apply.
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Virgin Australia
FLASH SALE
Australia flights from $79 each way
Available on select flights from February - September 2021 to Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Townsville, Perth, Hobart, Adelaide and more. Sample fare is Sydney-Ballina and Launceston-Melbourne. T&Cs apply.
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Cudo
Up to 58% off Melbourne Star Observation Wheel tickets
Available until 31 March 2021. T&Cs apply.
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Cudo
Up to 10% off hot air balloon flight experience
Available until 17 April 2021 for a one-hour flight over Melbourne or Yarra Valley. T&Cs apply.
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Contiki
Up to 15% off Australia tours
Available for travel until 15 April 2021 to Brisbane, Gold Coast, Darwin, Uluru, Cairns, Sydney and more. T&Cs apply.
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Trip.com
Up to 50% off Australia getaways
Available on stays until 30 April 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Cairns and more. T&Cs apply.
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Trip.com
Qantas flights from $111 each way
Available on select travel dates until December 2021 to Adelaide, Hobart, Cairns, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra and more. Sample fare is Sydney-Melbourne. T&Cs apply.
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Trip.com
Virgin Australia flights from $78 each way
Available on select travel dates until December 2021 to Gold Coast, Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart, Canberra, Cairns, Hamilton Island and more. Sample fare is Sydney-Melbourne. T&Cs apply.
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Looking4Parking
Up to 15% off with code
Available on select rental dates across Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra and more. T&Cs apply.
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Skyscanner
FLASH SALE
Jetstar sale: Australia-wide flights from $35 each way
Available on select flights from February - September 2021 to Launceston, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Cairns, Sydney, Uluru and more. Sample fare is Adelaide-Melbourne. T&Cs apply.
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Homestay
Australia-wide homestays from $4 per night
Available on select stay dates in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.
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Homestay
Melbourne homestays from $4 per night
Available on select stay dates. Sample stay is near Melbourne central. T&Cs apply.
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RedBalloon
Australia: Romantic getaways from $150 + an extra 10% off with code
Available on select travel dates when you buy 2 or more vouchers. Destinations include Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Canberra, Cairns, Yarra Valley and more. T&Cs apply.
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City Sightseeing
Melbourne hop-on hop-off bus tours from USD$35.28
Available on select travel dates. Vouchers are valid for 12 months. T&Cs apply.
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Europcar
Exclusive
$20 off $200 car hires
Available on rentals until 30 April 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and more. T&Cs apply.
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Virgin Australia
Free flight change fees and cancellation fees
Available on flights until 30 June 2021 to Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth, Canberra, Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin, Broome, Cairns and more. T&Cs apply.
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Priceline.com
Up to 30% off Budget car hires
Available on select rental dates across Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and more. T&Cs apply.
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Trip.com
Up to 28% off Australia-wide staycations
Available on select stay dates in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Perth, Cairns and more. T&Cs apply.
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Trip.com
Australia flights from $81 each way
Available on flights in January 2021 to Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Darwin, Canberra, Perth and more. Sample fare is Sydney-Ballina with FlyPelican. Other airlines include Virgin Australia from $96, Qantas from $133 and more. T&Cs apply.
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Motorhome Republic
Up to 25% off Awesome Campers rentals
Available on select rental dates across Australia, including Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Adelaide and more. T&Cs apply.
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Groupon
Up to 30% off site-wide
Available on select purchases including getaways, spas, dining experiences, skydiving, linens, online courses, electronics, accessories and more. T&Cs apply.
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Luxury Escapes
Up to 52% off Melbourne getaway for 2 with flights
Available for travel until 24 December 2021. Includes return airfare, stay at Crown Metropol Melbourne, breakfast, sparkling wine and more. T&Cs apply.
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Wotif
Up to 50% off Australia getaways
Available on stay until February 2021 in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Cairns, Hobart, Sydney and more. T&Cs apply.
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Avis
Free upgrade on car hires
Sign up your email and receive the best car rental offers across Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.
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Hotels.com
Up to 40% off Melbourne stays
Available on select stays until December 2021. Sample stay is at Best Western Plus Travel Inn Hotel. T&Cs apply.
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Skyscanner Car Hire
Melbourne car hire from $32
Valid for travel on select dates in 2021 with Europcar, Sixt, Hertz, Avis, Budget and more. T&Cs apply.
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Deal ends
Europcar
Up to 15% off prestige car rentals
Available on rentals until 11 December 2021 across Australia and New Zealand including Sydney, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Auckland and more. Minimum of 5 days rental required. T&Cs apply.
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Europcar
Up to 20% off base rate
Available on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday pick up dates until 11 December 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Auckland and more. T&Cs apply.
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Europcar
Up to 20% off 2+ days rentals
Available on select rental dates until 11 December 2021 across Australia and New Zealand. Must book 21 days in advance. T&Cs apply.
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OneTravel
Up to USD$30 off flight booking fees
Available on select travel dates to Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Canberra, Perth, Darwin and more. Applies to bookings up to 6 persons. T&Cs apply.
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OneTravel
Up to USD$20 off flight fees
Available on all dates on flights to Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Hobart, Canberra, Adelaide and more. T&Cs apply.
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OneTravel
Up to USD$10 off flight fees
Available on select travel dates to Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Canberra, Perth, Darwin and more. Maximum of 2 travelers. T&Cs apply.
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Adrenaline
Up to 85% off land adventures
Valid on select dates and adventures like quad biking, sandboarding, bridge climbing, canyoning, horse riding, abseiling, soccer training and more. Destinations include Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Canberra, Cairns and more. T&Cs apply.
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Adrenaline
Up to 65% off activities for kids
Available on select dates, including school holidays, for activities like sandboarding, whale watching, jet boat rides, indoor skydiving, cruises, swimming, go karting and much more. Destinations include Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney and more. T&Cs apply.
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Accor Hotels
Melbourne hotels from $69 per night
Available on select stay dates in 2021. Sample stay is at ibis budget Fawkner. T&Cs apply.
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Cheap Flights
Australia flights from $98 return
Available on select 2021 flights to Gold Coast, Sydney, Ballina, Cairns, Brisbane, Canberra and more. Sample fares are Avalon-Adelaide and Melbourne-Hobart with Jetstar. T&Cs apply.
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Trip.com
Up to 28% off + guaranteed flexibility on Australia stays
Available on select stay dates in Melbourne, Hobart, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth, Darwin and Gold Coast. T&Cs apply.
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Expedia.com.au
Up to 40% off Australia stays + free cancellations
Available on select travel dates to Broome, Mackay, Launceston, Darwin, Perth, Cairns, Sydney, Gold Coast and more. T&Cs apply.
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CruiseDirect
Up to USD$1,500 OBC with Princess Cruises
Plus get free drinks, upgrades, tips and Wi-Fi on board. Available on select voyages in 2021-2021 to Melbourne, Sydney, Vancouver, Los Angeles and more. T&Cs apply.
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Deal ends
Popular Melbourne Travel Deals coupon codes
| Last checked | Code description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 22 Jan 2021 | Get up to 20% off 3+ day rentals | 210**** |
| 21 Jan 2021 | Up to 15% off with code | PAP**** |
| 20 Jan 2021 | Australia: Romantic getaways from $150 + an extra 10% off with code | PLU**** |
| 18 Jan 2021 | $20 off $200 car hires | FIN**** |
| 15 Jan 2021 | Up to 30% off site-wide | RED**** |
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