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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.
March to May.
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.
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).
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.
Adrenaline
Up to 54% off site-wide + Extra $25 off with code
Valid for use on select purchase. Minimum spend of $149 applies. Activities include water sports, driving, skydiving, hot air ballooning and more. T&Cs apply.
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Adrenaline
Up to 54% off experiences + $25 off with code
Valid for use on select activities like whale watching, sailing, jet ski, scuba diving, flying experiences, kayaking and more. Minimum spend of $149 applies. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and all major cities across Australia. T&Cs apply.
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Virgin Australia - Deals
Domestic flights from $75 each way
Valid for travel from January - June 2020. Sample fare is Ballina Byron-Sydney.
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Flight Centre - Domestic
Australia-wide flights from $48 each way
Valid for travel between 1 February and 31 March 2020. Sample fare is Melbourne–Adelaide with Jetstar. Destinations include Sydney, Launceston, Hobart, Gold Coast, Cairns and more with airlines like Tigerair and Virgin Australia.
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Virgin Australia
Extra 15% off Australia-wide business flights with code
Valid for travel on select dates. No advance purchase period required. Discount applies to Business Saver and Business fares. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth and more. T&Cs apply.
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G Adventures
Up to 20% off Australia and New Zealand tours
Valid for travel from 17 December 2019 - 29 January 2020. Destinations include Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch, Adelaide, Alice Springs, Cairns, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and more. T&Cs apply.
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Trip.com
Extra 10% off Australia and New Zealand airport transfers with code
Valid for travel on select dates in 2019. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Auckland, Perth, Brisbane, Christchurch and more. T&Cs apply.
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Trip.com
Extra 3% off Australia and New Zealand hotels with code
Valid for travel on select dates in 2019. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Auckland, Christchurch and more. T&Cs apply.
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Budget Air
Extra $5 off your next booking
Subscribe to BudgetAir enewsletter and receive extra $5 discount of your next booking. Destinations include Europe, Asia, Australia and more. T&Cs apply.
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Otel.com
Extra 9% off hotel bookings
Valid on select hotel stays worldwide like Australia, New Zealand, Bali, Thailand, USA, Europe and more on all dates, including over holidays like Easter, Christmas and New Year's Eve. Some restrictions apply.
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Avis
One way car rentals in Australia from $1/day
Valid for travel on select dates. Destinations include Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Broome, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.
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P&O Cruises
Australia-wide cruises from $348 with room upgrade sale
Valid for travel on select dates in 2019 - 2020 including Christmas season. Sample fare is for a 3-night Pacific Dawn cruise. Destinations include Isle of Pines, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Hobart and more. T&Cs apply.
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TFE Hotels
Up to 20% off your next booking
Valid for travel on select dates in 2019 with Adina Apartment Hotel. Discount applies when you book a minimum of two nights. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne and more. T&Cs apply.
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TFE Hotels
Up to 30% off hotels in Australia
Valid for travel until December 2019. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast or Perth. T&Cs apply.
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Skiddoo
Domestic flights from $184 return
Valid for travel between January 2020. Sample fare is Melbourne-Hobart. Destinations include Canberra, Sydney, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Perth and more.
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Adrenaline
10% off activities and experiences with code
Valid on select dates and activities like whale watching, sailing, jet ski, scuba diving, kayaking, parasailing, fishing and more. Must book two or more people in single order. Destinations are Sydney, Perth, Gold Coast, Brisbane and Melbourne. T&Cs apply.
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Adrenaline
$10 off site-wide with code
Valid for use on select purchase. Minimum spend of $100 applies on activities like whale watching, sailing, jet ski, scuba diving, flying experiences, kayaking and more. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and all major cities across Australia. T&Cs apply.
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Adrenaline
Up to 52% off whale watching activities
Valid for travel on select dates. Destinations include Sydney, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne and more. T&Cs apply.
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Adrenaline
Extra 10% off with code
Valid for travel until 1 January 2020 on experiences like skydiving, scenic flights, hot air ballooning, V8 experiences, rally driving, scuba diving and more. Minimum spend of $179. T&Cs apply.
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Medina
Subscribe to TFE Hotels eClub and save 10%
Join the TFE eclub now to receive 10% off future bookings in Australia, New Zealand and receive 15% off future European bookings plus bonus extras. T&Cs apply.
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Vibe
Subscribe to TFE Hotels eClub and save 10%
Join the TFE eclub now to receive 10% off future bookings in Australia, New Zealand and receive 15% off future European bookings plus bonus extras. T&Cs apply.
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Travelodge
Subscribe to TFE Hotels eClub and save 10%
Join the TFE eclub now to receive 10% off future bookings in Australia, New Zealand and receive 15% off future European bookings plus bonus extras. T&Cs apply.
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Adina
Subscribe to TFE Hotels eClub and save 10%
Join the TFE eclub now to receive 10% off future bookings in Australia, New Zealand and receive 15% off future European bookings plus bonus extras. T&Cs apply.
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Rendezvous
Subscribe to TFE Hotels eClub and save 10%
Join the TFE eclub now to receive 10% off future bookings in Australia, New Zealand and receive 15% off future European bookings plus bonus extras. T&Cs apply.
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Klook
Melbourne airport transfers from $20
Valid on shared transfers in Melbourne with Skybus. Sample price is from the Avalon airport to Melbourne City. Includes Wi-Fi on board, free city hotel shuttle and more. T&Cs apply.
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Klook
Melbourne airport transfers from $15
Valid on shared transfers in Melbourne with Skybus. Sample price is from the airport to Melbourne City, Southbank Docklands and St. Kilda. Includes Wi-Fi on board, kids travel free and more. T&Cs apply.
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TFE Hotels Collection
Subscribe to TFE Hotels eClub and save 10%
Join the TFE eclub now to receive 10% off future bookings in Australia, New Zealand and receive 15% off future European bookings plus bonus extras. T&Cs apply.
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Ola
$20 off first ride
Valid on all dates in Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Gold Coast and Canberra, enter the promo code into your app to redeem. T&Cs apply.
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Otel.com
Extra 8% off hotel bookings
Valid on hotel stays worldwide on all dates, including over holidays like Easter, Christmas and New Year's Eve.
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RedBalloon
Up to 50% off experiences + extra 10% off with code
Valid on all dates, including over Christmas on activities like skydiving, quad biking, bridge climbing, canyoning, hot air ballooning, helicopter scenic flights, abseiling, scuba diving, cruises, ghost tours and more. Minimum spend of $100. T&Cs apply.
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Rentalcars.com
Up to 20% off car hire
Compare car hire prices on Rentalcars.com and save up to 20% compared to booking direct.
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Skydive Australia
Up to $110 off skydiving
Valid on select 2019 dates. Locations include Byron Bay, Hunter Valley, Sydney, Cairns, Melbourne and more. T&Cs apply.
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Ace Airport Parking
1-day free parking with code
Valid for airport parking in Melbourne. No minimum stay. T&Cs apply.
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Gift It Now
Up to 20% off experiences
Valid on select experiences and activities like skydiving, scenic helicopter flight, kayaking, whale watching and more. Destinations include Sydney, Byron, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Darwin and Perth. T&Cs apply.
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Adrenaline
Up to 40% off water sports activities
Valid on select dates and activities like whale watching, sailing, jet ski, scuba diving, kayaking, parasailing, fishing and more. Destinations are Sydney, Perth, Gold Coast, Brisbane and Melbourne. T&Cs apply.
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Adrenaline
Up to 30% off land adventures
Valid on select dates and adventures like quad biking, sandboarding, bridge climbing, canyoning, horse riding, abseiling and more. T&Cs apply.
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| Last checked | Code description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Nov 2019 | Up to 54% off site-wide + Extra $25 off with code | FRE**** |
| 12 Nov 2019 | Up to 54% off experiences + $25 off with code | FRE**** |
| 5 Nov 2019 | Extra 15% off Australia-wide business flights with code | FMZ**** |
| 4 Nov 2019 | Extra 10% off Australia and New Zealand airport transfers with code | OPN**** |
| 4 Nov 2019 | Extra 3% off Australia and New Zealand hotels with code | GOA**** |
