Australian Vacation Tips for Visiting Melbourne

There are many cost effective ways to see Melbourne, Australia. Here are some handy tips for getting around and making day to day life in Aussie much simpler.

1. When booking your flight with Qantas, select your destination as Melbourne without a stopover where possible. Some stopovers can incur additional charges. Check for this when making the initial booking. You will need to enter the country via Sydney’s international Airport on your way to Melbourne. Once you’re through customs a shuttle will transfer you to the domestic departure terminal for free. When you book your seat, ask specifically for the seat near the emergency exit. Leg room can be a problem and here you will have plenty of room to stretch out or even stand up and do some gentle exercise.

2. Book your vacation to arrive in Australia’s summer season. Melbourne weather gets hot, but in comparison to northern states the temperature is pleasant with no humidity whatsoever. Packing light luggage for your vacation is much simpler when you’re taking shorts, t-shirts and flip flops rather than bulky knits and jeans. Pack some shorts and t-shirt into your carry on bag. Dress in a sweat suit when your leave and change before landing. You will absolutely not look out of place being in the city wearing this type of clothing.

3. Melbourne is a shopper’s paradise. If you’re looking for souvenirs, buy clothes. T-shirts with Aussie logos, rolled prints of Australian landscapes and unique jewelry all keep the luggage light. Replace a whole suitcase with smart new attire and donate yours to charity while you’re there. Everyone back home gets a gift and you still have light luggage.

4. Don’t rent a car. Melbourne has plenty of taxis and the tram and train system is outstanding. You can travel anywhere you need to go in Victoria on a Melbourne train. Hop a tram for the city adventures, or a train to travel further to scenic country locations for a whole day-trip.

5. Don’t book a city Motel. Get a city map and ride a train 15 minutes to an out lying area. The price of your classy hotel will drop by as much as 75% for a fully serviced room including breakfast. If you plan to stay for 1 week or more, don’t be shy, ask for a discount before paying and you will probably get it. A shuttle bus runs from Melbourne Airport directly to the train station in the heart of the city. Ask one of the station stewards for directions to your platform and head off to settle into your Motel. If you need to wait, Spencer Street Station is also home to a lovely bar and restaurant upstairs with a view of the city.

6. Melbourne is home to the stunning Botanical Gardens. Check the weather forecast for the hottest day of the upcoming week and pack a picnic before you go. Make enough food to leave some in your Motel room for dinner. When you get back you already have something prepared rather than shower and dine out. Go for a swim and read a book that evening. If you’re not used to dry heat, the day out can be very tiring.

7. Tipping is not necessary. If you feel the level of service has been outstanding, feel free to drop 10%. Our workers are paid a minimum wage and tipping is not standard practice.

8. If you arrive on a weekend, be sure and exchange your currency before leaving the airport. Our banks do not open on Saturdays. Hours are generally from 9.00a.m to 4.pm. Monday through Friday.

9. Our electricity supply is different from the United States. Buy a hairdryer or cheap electric shaver for under $10 after you arrive. Don’t get caught having to buy an adapter you may never use again.

10. Our emergency services can be contacted by dialing 000 from any telephone. Buy a phone card and keep it in your wallet in case you need help, or to call a taxi in case you get lost or miss your train back to your Motel. You can buy Telstra Phone cards in most convenience stores or in the supermarket. If you need medicine or medical treatment look in the Yellow Pages. We do have 24 hour clinics. Our Pharmacies are called Chemists. Directory assistance is 013.

11. Your cell phone from the U.S. won’t work in Australia. You can rent a mobile phone, but it will cost anywhere up to $80 for 10 days. Motorola offers a phone for around $45 for purchase which will work anywhere in the world. If you plan to travel more in the future this would be a better option.

12. Melbourne has a host of tourist sites to visit including Art Galleries, a spectacular Museum, Live Theater, inner city gardens and a Zoo. Outlying areas such as The Dandenong Ranges, 40 minutes to the east of the city, will allow you to explore a more hilly area covered with gigantic native tree ferns and gum trees full of Koalas. Take a train ride on the famous “Puffing Billy”, an old steam train which roams through the gorgeous hill country. To the north of Melbourne you will find some of the best Antique stores in the state. Mt. Macedon, just 30 minutes away is a great spot to spend the day and shop for curious collectibles. Visit tea rooms for scrumptious scones with jam and whipped cream before taking a hike up the local mountainside. Here you will have breathtaking views of Melbourne off in the distance.

13. Don’t forget, Melbourne is also right on the coast and the best beaches within 5 minutes of the heart of the city are Brighton Beach or St.Kilda Beach. Many years ago St. Kilda was a very rundown area. Over recent years however, millions of dollars have been spent and the district is now home to affluent businesses and multi million dollar homes. The “who’s who” hang out here, so people watching can be quite interesting. Keep an eye out, you may see someone famous!