Melbourne Accommodation

Located on Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne is Australia's second largest city and reigns as the country's cultural capital, despite not being the capital or even the biggest urban area.

Whether at an inner-city apartment hotel in the CBD or a classic Italian-inspired townhouse in Carlton, Melbourne accommodation comes in all shapes, sizes, and price ranges. You'll find plenty of cheap serviced apartments in Melbourne, or more luxurious apartment hotels - whatever suits you! You could also find a holiday house in the more suburban areas, which are particularly good if you're looking for pet friendly accommodation - there are even some beach houses on the coast.

Whatever kind of accommodation you choose, renting your own Melbourne holiday home will let you feel at home while you discover the best of the city.

How to Get to Your Melbourne Accommodation

Getting to your Melbourne accommodation couldn't be easier. Melbourne Tullamarine Airport is Australia's second-busiest airport, with regular flights arriving throughout the day from all major Australian airports. There's also regular trans-Tasman services from New Zealand, and a wide range of long-haul international flights from numerous airlines. The airport is 23km from the city centre, and you can take the SkyBus from right outside arrivals to Southern Cross Station, on the edge of the CBD, in under 40 minutes.

From there, use Melbourne's excellent tram and suburban train network to reach your Melbourne accommodation. Regular-service 96 and 86 trams run from Bourke Street, just opposite Southern Cross, to St Kilda Beach and Docklands, respectively. Nearby Swanston Street is a hub for trams heading to the northern suburbs.

What to eat in Melbourne

Melbourne is one of the world's great food cities, with culinary delights from all over the globe. Restaurants for all budgets can be found in the city centre and in the trendy suburbs, but there are a few specific districts to look out for. Choose a holiday house or apartment hotel in one of these parts of Melbourne and you'll be in foodie heaven!

Richmond's Victoria Street is a hub of cheap and authentic Asian eateries, while Coburg is the neighbourhood to pick up some delicious Middle Eastern grub. Carlton is the most popular place for visitors eating out, and therefore, is also the area where you're most likely to overpay—stopping for a coffee or sandwich is fine, but you'll be assured of better quality elsewhere in the city.

Melbourne has a long history of Chinese immigration and is therefore home to the country's oldest Chinatown, which is located on Little Bourke Street in the centre of the city. Most of the food is Cantonese-style and if you're on a budget - or even if you aren't - Camy's Dumpling House is a casual Chinese cafe which wonderfully captures the authentic tastes of Hong Kong.

What to Do on Your Melbourne Holiday

Melbourne is an expansive city, with a huge range of attractions and activities to suit all kinds. If you've come to sample Melbourne's famous coffee and cafe scene, head to crowded Degraves Street. It's wedged amongst a web of busy streets in the CBD, just a few minutes' walk from Flinders Street Station's iconic facade. Through the laneways here you can find some of Melbourne's famous street art, which is a great idea for a walking tour.

For a breath of fresh air, a walking and cycling path runs along the Yarra River past Crown Casino and glitzy Southbank. You can head out to the beach at St Kilda, South Melbourne, or the famous bathing huts at Brighton. Or visit Melbourne's trendy inner northern suburbs of Brunswick, Fitzroy, and Collingwood for a live gig or comedy show, visit a boutique art gallery, or taste some delicious cheap eats.

Art and culture in Melbourne

Melbourne is widely considered the more creative and alternative of Australia's two main cities, and so cultural pursuits are not in short supply. Once you've taken in the major sights, including Queen Victoria Market and Federation Square, you can start to explore the beating heart of Melbourne's artistic spaces.

Birrarung Gallery At Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre gives a fascinating insight into the lives of the Aboriginal people. You can continue learning about Australia's First Nations peoples at Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre, just outside of the city.

Melbourne has a large collection of museums covering a vast array of subjects. More typical offerings include the Jewish Museum of Australia and the Medical History Museum. However, there are plenty more niche and quirky options. The Chinese Museum and the Australian Music Vault are just a few of the choices open to visitors.

For fantastic theatre, check the listings at venues such as Shirley Burke Theatre and the Melbourne Arts Centre.

Holidays with Kids in Melbourne

Take the kids to a rousing footy game or cricket match at the famed Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). If you've got budding tennis players in your family, Rod Laver Arena and Melbourne Park, the home of the Australian Open, are just next door. Both sports complexes have fantastic museums and family-focused activities, and are open all-year round.

Just north of the city centre in Carlton is the fantastic Melbourne Museum, with plenty of interactive kids' displays and a gigantic 4D IMAX theatre. A bit further north-west is the Melbourne Zoo, another great family destination. The zoo is also known for its night-time events and activities, that are geared at adults as much as children.

Nightlife in Melbourne

Melbourne's scene is a diverse affair and offers much more than just bars and clubs, though of course, there are plenty of these. See the city by night with a dinner cruise from the harbour or just grab a casual drink along the twinkling waterfront. There are also plenty of booze-free and family-friendly activities to enjoy, including bowling at Strike, heading to Pidapipó for a scoop of late night ice cream in the summer, or catching some live music at Curtin in Carlton (or any of the numerous music venues across town)./p>

If you do fancy a tipple, then head to the City Centre (CBD) and explore its maze of atmospheric alleyways. You'll find plenty of subterranean drinking dens where the locals hang out until the small hours.

Day trips from Melbourne

Within an hour's drive of Melbourne, visitors have the possibility to explore a number of attractions in the state of Victoria. To the east of the city is the majestic Dandenong Range. This verdant mountain range has trekking and hiking opportunities aplenty, or if you prefer, you can see the area by taking the famous Puffin Billy steam train. The scenic lookout has panoramic views and is the perfect place to watch the dazzling sunset.

The Yarra Valley is a top wine producing region and within easy reach of the city. You can take an organised tour of the numerous vineyards or rent a car and head out to explore the area yourself. On Sundays there is a traditional farmers' market here, where you can feast on fresh pastries and sample the best of the region's produce. Hot air balloon rides also operate over the rolling hills, with spectacular views across the valley.

Frequently Asked Questions