Melbourne is stylish, artsy and proud to be called the “culture capital of Australia”. This is the birthplace of brunch, chic cafes and hipster trends. Drink coffee, go to a museum or take to the grandstands to watch the Grand Prix - Melbourne has it all and much more.
Accommodation choices in Melbourne are as numerous as its cafes and cater to all budgets and tastes, from luxurious hotels to budget hostels.
To get the best bang for your buck, read reviews on booking sites and take advantage of our hotel deals before making your booking.
While the CBD is compact and rather walkable, if you're going to areas like St Kilda or are arriving by plane at either Tullamarine or Avalon, you'll need to take public transport, a taxi/uber, book an airport shuttle or get a hire car.
The city has an extensive tram network, which is free to use within the designated free tram zone (see the map below). There are also trains and buses to get to areas outside of the city centre.
Paying for transport: An electronic Myki card can be bought for $6 and topped up at train stops or local retailers. Trips are free within the CBD free tram zone or $4.10 per trip for transport outside the free tram zone. The Myki card can be used on all trains, trams and buses.
Best apps for getting around: Public Transport Victoria provides a free app that has countdowns for trains, trams and buses. It shows locations for Myki retail outlets and includes a journey planner.
Taxi: You can hail a taxi from the street or find them at taxi ranks at busy locations throughout the city. Taxis can be called in advance for a booking.
Uber: Uber is available throughout Melbourne. If you're planning on taking an UberX to/from the airport, expect to pay about $49-$63 from Tullamarine Airport or $90-$120 from Avalon Airport. Other rideshare services, including Didi and Ola are also available.
Whether you're looking for the best areas to visit in Melbourne or just a list of the top attractions and things to do, there's plenty to do in the city and its surrounds.
Visit Federation Square, shop on Bourke Street Mall or browse the funky shops in Fitzroy. Culture vultures can pop into the National Gallery of Victoria in between coffees and brunch in DeGraves Street. If you're a sport fan, catch a match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
If you're staying in the city for more than a couple days, head further afield and take a day trip out to Great Ocean Road and see the sea cliffs, beaches and wildlife along the panoramic stretch of Victoria's coast. The Yarra Valley, Victoria's renowned wine region, is within easy reach of the city with vineyards as close as an hour from Melbourne's CBD.
Avis
Free double upgrade on rentals
Available on rentals until 31 August 2020. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and more. Minimum of 2 days rental required. T&Cs apply.
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Avis
Up to $30 off 2+ day rentals
Available on rentals until 31 August 2020. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and more. T&Cs apply.
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Avis
Third day rental free
Available on rentals until 31 August 2020. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and more. Minimum of 3 days rental required. T&Cs apply.
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Avis
Up to 20% off Australia rentals
Available on prepaid bookings from 20 March - 31 August 2020. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and more. T&Cs apply.
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TFE Hotels
Up to 20% off Travelodge Hotels
Available on stays until 11 March 2021 across Melbourne. T&Cs apply.
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I Want That Flight
Melbourne flights from $121 return
Available on select dates from April - July 2020. Sample fare is Adelaide-Melbourne with Jetstar.
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Wotif
Melbourne flights from $119 return
Available on select dates in April and August 2020. Sample fare is Adelaide-Melbourne with Jetstar.
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Aunt Betty
Melbourne flights from $109 return
Available on select flights from July 2020 - February 2021. Sample fare departs from Adelaide with Virgin Australia.
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Adrenaline
Up to 39% off cruises
Available on select 2020 dates. Activities include whale watching, dolphin watching, lunch cruise, sunset cruise and more. T&Cs apply.
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HomeAway
Melbourne homestays from $61
Available for stays from July 2020 onward. Sample price available at a studio apartment in Middle Park.
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Skyscanner
Melbourne flights from $40 each way
Available on flights until December 2020. Sample fare is Adelaide-Avalon with Jetstar.
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Skyscanner
Australia-wide flights from $40 each way
Available on flights until December 2020 to Sydney, Brisbane, Hobart, Perth, Gold Coast and more. Sample fare is Melbourne-Adelaide with Jetstar.
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Kayak
Australia-wide flights from $92 return
Available on select dates from May - September 2020 to Hobart, Melbourne, Gold Coast and more. Sample fare is Sydney-Melbourne with Jetstar.
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Kayak
Melbourne flights from $102 return
Available on select dates from April - October 2020. Sample fare is Sydney-Melbourne with Jetstar.
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G Adventures
Up to 25% off Australia and New Zealand tours
Available on select tours from June - December 2020. Destinations include Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Auckland, Queenstown and more.
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Expedia.com.au
Up to 40% off Australia hotels
Available from April - July2020. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Darwin, Cairns and more.
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Contiki
Up to 10% off Australia tours
Available on select dates from 1 October 2020 onward. Destinations include Sydney, Byron Bay, Darwin, Noosa, Whitsundays and more. Minimum of 7+ days trip required. T&Cs apply.
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Budget Car Rental
Up to 20% off car hire
Available on pre-pay bookings from 1 April - 31 August 2020 at Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth and more. T&Cs apply.
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Budget Car Rental
4th day free car hire
Available on rentals from 1 April - 31 August 2020 at Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth and more. Minimum rental period of 4 consecutive days. T&Cs apply.
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Budget Car Rental
Free car hire upgrade
Available on rentals from 1 April - 31 August 2020 at Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth and more. Minimum rental of 2 consecutive days. T&Cs apply.
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Budget Car Rental
7th day free car hire
Available on rentals from 1 April - 31 August 2020 at Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth and more. Minimum rental period of 7 consecutive days. T&Cs apply.
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Virgin Australia
Australia-wide flights from $89 each way
Available on select dates until December 2020 to Gold Coast, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and more. Sample fare is Ballina-Sydney. T&Cs apply.
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Trip.com
Melbourne stays from $13/night
Available on select stay dates until December 2020. Sample rate is for Nomads Backpackers. T&Cs apply.
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Hotels.com
Up to 42% off Melbourne stays
Available on select stay dates until December 2021. T&Cs apply.
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Oaks Hotels & Resorts
Up to 20% off long stays
Available on stays from 30 March - 16 June 2020. Destinations include Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Broome, Sunshine Coast and more. Minimum stay of 14 nights required. T&Cs apply.
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TourRadar
Up to 30% off Australia and New Zealand tours
Available on select dates until December 2022. Destinations include Adelaide, Darwin, Byron Bay, Fiji, Auckland and more.
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Hertz
Up to 15% off prestige vehicles in Australia
Available on rentals from 1 March - 31 October 2020. Destinations include Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.
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Hertz
Up to 20% off advance bookings
Available on rentals until 15 December 2020 across Australia including Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide and more. Prepayment required. T&Cs apply.
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Hertz
Up to 20% off Australia rentals
Available on weekend rentals from 1 March - 31 October 2020. Destinations include Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide and more. T&Cs apply.
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Virgin Australia
Melbourne flights from $95 each way
Available on select dates from May - June 2020. Sample fare departs from Launceston. T&Cs apply.
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Luxury Escapes
Up to 37% off Victoria getaway with flights
Available for travel until 18 December 2020. Package includes return economy flights, accommodation at The Mitchelton Hotel Nagambie – MGallery by Sofitel, breakfast and more. Valid for 2 persons. T&Cs apply.
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Expedia.com.au
Hunter Valley stays from $70/night
Available on select stay dates in 2020. Sample rate is for a stay at Hunter Valley Travellers Rest.
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Expedia.com.au
Melbourne stays from $50/night
Available on select stay dates in 2020. Sample rate is for a stay at Great Southern Hotel Melbourne.
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Lastminute.com.au
Melbourne stays from $50/night
Available on select stay dates in 2020. Sample rate is for a stay at Elizabeth Hostel.
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Oaks Hotels & Resorts
Up to 25% off stays + extra 5% off with code
Available on stays from 2 March - 31 August 2020 on a two-bedroom. Destinations include Brisbane, Queenstown, Mackay, Sydney, Gold Coast and more. Minimum of 2 nights stay required. T&Cs apply.
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Adrenaline
Up to 28% off hot air balloon experiences
Available on select dates until December 2020. Fly over Gold Coast, Hunter Valley, Byron Bay, Yarra Valley, Melbourne, Adelaide and more.
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Accor Hotels
Up to 25% off Australia stays
Available for travel until 31 December 2020 when you 2 nights or more. Prepayment required. Destinations include Sydney, Adelaide, Cairns, Canberra and more. T&Cs apply.
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Agoda
Up to 82% off Melbourne hotels
Available on select dates until December 2020. T&Cs apply.
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Wotif
Melbourne stays from $67/night
Available on select stay dates until December 2020. Sample rate is for Great Southern Hotel, Melbourne.
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Wotif
Great Ocean Road stays from $80/night
Available on select stay dates until December 2020. Sample rate is for Mahogany Motel.
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| Last checked | Code description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Apr 2020 | Free double upgrade on rentals | UPD**** |
| 8 Apr 2020 | Up to $30 off 2+ day rentals | MPP**** |
| 8 Apr 2020 | Third day rental free | TPP**** |
| 1 Apr 2020 | 4th day free car hire | TPN**** |
| 1 Apr 2020 | Free car hire upgrade | UPN**** |
