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Melbourne

Melbourne (Australia)

Practical information on Melbourne

  • Beach / Seaside Resort
  • Park and garden
  • River
  • Place or Religious Monument
  • Festivals
  • Music
  • Museums
4 / 5 - 6 reviews
How to get there
1 hour 30 minutes by plane from Sydney
When to go
All year round
Minimum stay
3 to 5 days

Reviews of Melbourne

Timothée D. Seasoned Traveller
285 written opinions

The second city of the country, Melbourne has the reputation of being more European than its rival, Sydney, with a young and trendy atmosphere.

My suggestion:
You will constantly hear references to Melbourne's climate like "four seasons in a day", which is not false. So be prepared for abrupt changes of temperature and weather.
My review

My favourite Australian town and by a long way. It's not surprising that Melbourne is regularly chosen as one of the best cities in the world for its quality of life and well-being. I felt incredibly well there, the centre is pleasant, with an incredible culinary scene, a culture of good coffee, a young and trendy population, a dynamic music scene, a very noticeable focus on sustainable development and numerous sporting events throughout the year.

Only a few problems in my opinion: the size of the city which stretches on for kilometres and kilometres and forces everyone to constantly use their cars. What's more, Melbourne is one of the only Australian cities to not be situated on the ocean and to be more turned towards the centre of the land than the coast, so not many beaches or only those going into the bay and not into the ocean.

All in all, if Sydney is perhaps more picturesque for holidays, I would recommend Melbourne without any hesitation for a longer stay in Australia.

View of Melbourne city centre
Timothée D. Seasoned Traveller
285 written opinions

The second city of the country, Melbourne has the reputation of being more European than its rival, Sydney, with a young and trendy atmosphere.

My suggestion:
You will constantly hear references to Melbourne's climate like "four seasons in a day", which is not false. So be prepared for abrupt changes of temperature and weather.
My review

My favourite Australian town and by a long way. It's not surprising that Melbourne is regularly chosen as one of the best cities in the world for its quality of life and well-being. I felt incredibly well there, the centre is pleasant, with an incredible culinary scene, a culture of good coffee, a young and trendy population, a dynamic music scene, a very noticeable focus on sustainable development and numerous sporting events throughout the year.

Only a few problems in my opinion: the size of the city which stretches on for kilometres and kilometres and forces everyone to constantly use their cars. What's more, Melbourne is one of the only Australian cities to not be situated on the ocean and to be more turned towards the centre of the land than the coast, so not many beaches or only those going into the bay and not into the ocean.

All in all, if Sydney is perhaps more picturesque for holidays, I would recommend Melbourne without any hesitation for a longer stay in Australia.

View of Melbourne city centre
Sophie Liger Seasoned Traveller
53 written opinions

The second largest city in Australia, Melbourne is very cultural and artistic.

My suggestion:
Go to the Skydeck... on the 88th floor of the Eureka Tower to admire the city from above!
My review

Melbourne is a very pleasant city where you don't really feel the stress of big cities (which is the case just about everywhere in Australia). In fact, Melbourne reminded me a little of London at times, very cosmopolitan, with all styles of people from different backgrounds and a lot of artists.

During your stay in Australia, I recommend you to go to St Kilda, where you'll find the beach of Melbourne. OK, it's not a dream beach because it is located in a bay and so the water is not great, but the neighbourhood is very pleasant and even boasts a theme park! Also pay a visit to the 88th floor of the Eureka Tower - it is well worth it! I went at the end of the day to be able to admire the view during the day, watch the sunset and then contemplate the city at night! This tower is one of the highest residential towers in the world.

If you want to see the view from a skyscraper for free, go to the bar of the Mercure hotel, which is located on the 20th floor of the tower and then go to the toilet. The windows go from top to bottom and you can admire the entire city from there!

View from the Melbourne Skydeck
Sophie Liger Seasoned Traveller
53 written opinions

The second largest city in Australia, Melbourne is very cultural and artistic.

My suggestion:
Go to the Skydeck... on the 88th floor of the Eureka Tower to admire the city from above!
My review

Melbourne is a very pleasant city where you don't really feel the stress of big cities (which is the case just about everywhere in Australia). In fact, Melbourne reminded me a little of London at times, very cosmopolitan, with all styles of people from different backgrounds and a lot of artists.

During your stay in Australia, I recommend you to go to St Kilda, where you'll find the beach of Melbourne. OK, it's not a dream beach because it is located in a bay and so the water is not great, but the neighbourhood is very pleasant and even boasts a theme park! Also pay a visit to the 88th floor of the Eureka Tower - it is well worth it! I went at the end of the day to be able to admire the view during the day, watch the sunset and then contemplate the city at night! This tower is one of the highest residential towers in the world.

If you want to see the view from a skyscraper for free, go to the bar of the Mercure hotel, which is located on the 20th floor of the tower and then go to the toilet. The windows go from top to bottom and you can admire the entire city from there!

View from the Melbourne Skydeck
Lisa Gaillard Seasoned Traveller
49 written opinions

On the banks of the Yarra River, Melbourne, the great rival of Sydney, is known as the sporting and cultural capital of Australia. Located in the south-east, it is the second largest metropolitan area of Australia.

My suggestion:
Take the free City Circle Tram to get a preview of this vast city.
My review

Melbourne or Sydney? This was the first question I asked myself before going to Australia. After some hesitation, I chose Sydney for the mildness of its climate, but also for the omnipresence of the sea and its chic side. I had been told that Melbourne is the most European of the cities in Australia. So it is less exotic than Sydney, even if it is relatively trendier. I was able to check all this out by staying there for several days during my trip. In fact, some small streets, the "lanes", such as Hardware Lane and Degraves Street, which characterise the city centre of Melbourne and give it an underground atmosphere, in my view resemble some of the streets of Barcelona; the alternative neighbourhood of Fitzroy with Brunswick Street, a bohemian neighbourhood with old facades, bookshops, pubs, live music and art galleries, reminded me of some cities in England.

Melbourne is an artistically and culturally dynamic city: museums, concerts and streets like Hosier Lane that are filled with street art. Cosmopolitan Melbourne is also the gastronomic place to be, where you can sample dishes from around the globe. Among some of the places that I enjoyed the most: Federation Square, the original and very photographed neighbourhood of the station and museums, with its peculiar architecture; Queen Victoria Market, a huge covered market where you can easily get lost and which is ideal for souvenir shopping; the botanical gardens, a large green area where you can get away from the hustle and bustle of the city; and Chinatown, with its typical welcome arches.

If it is not raining in Melbourne, because the weather really is unstable there, you can go to St Kilda, the city's only beach! Finally, if you want to see the surrounding area, go to see the penguins on Phillip Island, or - a must during a trip to Australia - drive the Great Ocean Road: you won't be disappointed!

Flinder Street train station
Lisa Gaillard Seasoned Traveller
49 written opinions

On the banks of the Yarra River, Melbourne, the great rival of Sydney, is known as the sporting and cultural capital of Australia. Located in the south-east, it is the second largest metropolitan area of Australia.

My suggestion:
Take the free City Circle Tram to get a preview of this vast city.
My review

Melbourne or Sydney? This was the first question I asked myself before going to Australia. After some hesitation, I chose Sydney for the mildness of its climate, but also for the omnipresence of the sea and its chic side. I had been told that Melbourne is the most European of the cities in Australia. So it is less exotic than Sydney, even if it is relatively trendier. I was able to check all this out by staying there for several days during my trip. In fact, some small streets, the "lanes", such as Hardware Lane and Degraves Street, which characterise the city centre of Melbourne and give it an underground atmosphere, in my view resemble some of the streets of Barcelona; the alternative neighbourhood of Fitzroy with Brunswick Street, a bohemian neighbourhood with old facades, bookshops, pubs, live music and art galleries, reminded me of some cities in England.

Melbourne is an artistically and culturally dynamic city: museums, concerts and streets like Hosier Lane that are filled with street art. Cosmopolitan Melbourne is also the gastronomic place to be, where you can sample dishes from around the globe. Among some of the places that I enjoyed the most: Federation Square, the original and very photographed neighbourhood of the station and museums, with its peculiar architecture; Queen Victoria Market, a huge covered market where you can easily get lost and which is ideal for souvenir shopping; the botanical gardens, a large green area where you can get away from the hustle and bustle of the city; and Chinatown, with its typical welcome arches.

If it is not raining in Melbourne, because the weather really is unstable there, you can go to St Kilda, the city's only beach! Finally, if you want to see the surrounding area, go to see the penguins on Phillip Island, or - a must during a trip to Australia - drive the Great Ocean Road: you won't be disappointed!

Flinder Street train station