Melbourne is located in Victoria in the southern part of Australia. Melbourne is a one hour flight from Sydney, a two hour flight from the Gold Coast, a two hour flight from Brisbane, and a four hour flight from Perth.
Best time to visit:
- The seasons in Australia are opposite from those in Europe and United States.
- The most popular time to visit Melbourne is December-March, summer in Australia. This is peak tourist season and results in higher prices and larger crowds.
- Shoulder season (March to May and September to November) is a nice time to visit since the weather is still nice but the crowds have dissipated. However, Melbourne is known for having unpredictable weather.
- June is the coldest month in Melbourne.
Activities:
Visit a Coffee Shop: One thing you will learn is that Australians take their coffee very seriously. In fact, Melbourne is often listed as one of the top coffee cities in the world. As Melbourne has earned many accolades related to its coffee, the brewing techniques, etc, it is only fitting that one of the top things you do while in Melbourne is to find a nice coffee shop and enjoy a locally brewed cup of coffee.
Australian Open: The Australian Open is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments that takes place globally each year. Even if you are not a huge fan of tennis, going to the Australian Open (or any Open) is such a fun event. Not only can you watch tennis but there are usually food stands, souvenir shops, etc which make there plenty to do.
Find Street Art: Melbourne is known for murals scattered throughout the city. These are colorful and vibrant pieces of art that show off the culture of the city. It is also a great way to explore and tour the city.
Botanic Gardens: One of the nicest ways to relax in Melbourne is to walk through the Botanic Gardens, a peaceful park located in the heart of Melbourne.
Rent a Boat on the Yarra River: A popular activity on a nice day in Melbourne is to rent a boat on the Yarra River
Degraves Street: A pedestrian only street located in the heart of Melbourne. There are a ton of cafes and restaurants to explore and try while you are in the area. It is centrally located right near Flinder’s Street Station and also located near some of the street art which are considered a highlight of the city.
St. Kilda: St. Kilda is a seaside community in Melbourne. Visit St. Kilda to spend time on the water and enjoy some beach-side activities.
Here are some additional activities while in Melbourne:
- Great Ocean Road to the 12 Apostles: This scenic drive takes about 4.5 hours round trip. While some decide to complete this trip in one day, it makes for a long day of driving. For a more relaxed tour, stay in one of the towns located on along the Great Ocean Road such as Lorne or Tourquay.
- Visit Yarra Valley, which is about an hour drive from Melbourne. There are a number of vineyards and other nature activities to explore while in region. If you are visiting a winery or vineyard, there are a few options for organized tours or you can opt for a driver to safely explore the area.
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