Flights and Travel Guide to Melbourne

If you are in a mood to visit the classical, original, melodious and rhythmic Australia, Melbourne is the best place to start with. Though you might miss the dazzling and stunning feel of modern Australia, but that can be well replaced with the classiness of Melbourne, its city trams, its colonial architecture and the Paris styled road side coffee houses. It’s a certain romance about Melbourne that you can feel in the air.

Where is Melbourne?

Where is Melbourne? Well Australia for sure but there is more than just that you should know before bringing your travel planes to life.

Melbourne Geography

It’s the capital of the state of Victoria, located towards its northeastern part. It’s one of the oldest, most toured, international and big cities of Australia. In terms of geography, Melbourne occupies the Southeastern fringe of Australia. Melbourne covers an area of 8,694 square kilometers. The Tasmania sea rims along the state of Victoria towards its south, blessing Melbourne with an array of white sandy beaches and the great ocean road, the popular state of New South Wales, state capital Sydney is located towards the north of Victoria.

Melbourne Topography:

Melbourne spans a large area along the Yarra valley towards the Yarra River and the Maribyrnong River network that is nestled in the bottom of Macedon ranges. It’s amazing topography is decorated by the High country Alpine forests, towards its west are the Quaternary lava deposits, in the east of Melbourne you can reach the Silurian mudstones and the southeast of Melbourne is occupied with Holocene sand dregs along Port Phillip.

Melbourne Weather and Climate:

As located towards the Southern Hemisphere of the planet, weather in Australia is actually the reverse of what the weather is in America, Europe and most countries of Asia. In other words, our winters are their summers, and their summer is our winters.

• Summer in MelbourneFrom December to February the temperature climbs between 28 to 40 degrees Celsius (the highest). Cool sea breeze keeps making things pleasant and nights are cooler.
• Autumn in MelbourneFrom March to April the falling leaves mark the onset of autumn in Melbourne that continues to May gradually transferring to winters. Average temperature hits 20 Celsius. It is the most pleasant time in Melbourne; occasional showers brighten up the days and regulate a pleasant temperature.
• Winters in MelbourneJune to August is winter in Melbourne when average daily temperature falls to 8 degrees Celsius. Though there is not much of a snow fall in Melbourne but frost at night is common. Winters are bearable in Melbourne.
• Spring in MelbourneIn the months following winter, Melbourne grows all pleasantly warm and fresh from September to October. November is the transitional month welcoming summers in Melbourne.
• Best Time to Visit MelbourneAny time is a good time to visit Melbourne. Those in love with water sports travel in summers however to broaden your range of activities and see the true and fresh colors of Melbourne, it’s a good idea to visit the city in autumn.

Getting in, Around and Exploring Melbourne

A larger number of tourists prefer to book an accommodation in the city centre, which keeps them in close proximity with major city attractions including Museums, Malls, restaurants, bars, beach and theatres. Also, the city’s convenient transportation system as well as easy navigation makes it safe to travel.

Getting In Melbourne

Melbourne Airport has IATA code MEL and is also known as Tullamarine International Airport. It is the primary airport serving the city of Melbourne and the second busiest airport in Australia. The airport is provided with all modern day amenities including luxury lounges, atm machines, airport Kiosk, airport hotels, shops, restaurants and huge car parking facility.

Airline to/from Melbourne

The airlines to and from Melbourne include Qantas Airline, Emirates, Air New Zealand, Air China, Qatar Airways, Thai Airways, Air France, Malaysia Airlines, China Eastern Airline, Etihad Airways, Qantas airline, KLM airline, Virgin Blue, US Airways, Finnair, Korean Air,  Air Mauritius,  Cathay Pacific,  Philippine Airlines, Japan Airlines,  British Airways, United Airline, Continental Airlines, Jet Airways flights, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa Airline, Virgin Atlantic, China Southern Airline and American Airlines.

Domestic routes are operated by many low cost airlines and cheap flights to Melbourne provided by Air New Zealand, Qantas Airline, Tiger Airways flight, Virgin Blue and many more. Travelers can book flights to Melbourne from London Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham, New Castle, Gatwick, Dublin, Edinburg, Glasgow and around the world airports.

Getting Around Melbourne

Melbourne enjoys a good infrastructure and transportation system including trains, trams, buses, cycling, biking tracks as well as ferry rides to the Phillip Island.

Flinders street station is the central Train system in Melbourne, where as city Trams, including the free City Circle Tram are extremely popular among the visitors of Melbourne. A bus ride in Melbourne can be enjoyed if you possess a Met card. Yellow cabs, taxis and radio cabs are also among the safe travelling options in Melbourne and the carpeted roads, wide thoroughfares and interlinked simple grid city plan makes road travel easier for new comers on their own.

Victoria State’s regional rail system is great and exploring one of the three Melbourne’s tolled freeway connected by CityLink is worth a try. These are fully electronic toll ways. Ferry rides are enjoyable along the Yarra River.

Accommodations in Melbourne

From five star, International chains, world class accommodations to free camping and student hostels … there are all sorts of accommodation that you can book to stay in Melbourne. There are all sorts of price ranges available and the good thing to know is most accommodations in Melbourne are concentrated in the city centre that liberates one’s access to the multi attractions of Melbourne. 

Places to See in Melbourne

Melbourne is full of places that are worth every visit, however based on an average trip’s duration here are the top places to see we recommend.

• To start with, the Great Ocean Road of Melbourne offers a lot more than just a scenic drive.
• At the Great Ocean Road, stop to marvel at the Twelve Apostles situated in the heart of the ocean.
• Take a day’s trip to the National Gallery of Victoria, Australia’s oldest gallery founded in 1861 and sneak a peek in the state’s history.
• To meet the wild life of Australia, cuddle some Koalas and feed the Kangaroos head to the Melbourne Zoo,  Australia’s oldest zoo home to more than 350 animal species.
• For more of the Wild like in different habitats, visit Werribee Open Range Zoo.
• The Old Melbourne Gaol, completes a trip to Melbourne and its Historic aspect.
• The religious, historic as well as picturesque St. Patrick’s Cathedral is a must to visit.
• Go for beach lazing and sun bathing or make the most of nightclubs, restaurants and shops lining the St Kilda Beach Melbourne.
• Visit the Melbourne Skydive Centre located in the Yarra Valley, to get some bird eye views of the city.
• Indulge in the water sports at Brighton beach, Mlebourne.
• For spectacular views of Melbourne climb the top of Eureka Skydeck 88.
• Relax in the shades of tall trees, blooming flowers and flora of the wild at
• Not to forget, a day at Melbourne Museum and a look at its outstanding exhibits and collections on the environment, technology and many other areas is very informing.
• Visit the “square within the Square,” which holds more than 10,000 people at a time at the Federation Square that links Melbourne’s business district with the Yarra River.
• Melbourne Aquarium is literally the very best of the city that takes you closer to the creatures of Southern Ocean in the 2-million-liter oceanarium.

Things to Do in Melbourne

In a city like Melbourne, the best thing to do is go and jump in the beach and attend a startling festival to make your nights memorable. Also, this is what else you can do here:

• Cycling is the best way to explore the city on your own style.
• To pump the adrenaline, go car racing in Melbourne at Australian Formula One Grand Prix.
• Take a trip in the city tram and enjoy Melbourne at slow pace.
• Take rides; enjoy the roller coasters or the scary house at one of the many amusements parks of Melbourne such as Flight Experience
• Horse racing is best at Melbourne during Melbourne Cup
• Melbourne Skydive Centre offers you to jump from heights of up to 12,000 ft and take home some amazing cinematography of your trip.
• Book a ticket at the Princess Theatre, to open up your soul to the arts.
• Go for boating or fishing at the Yarra River.
• Attend a Jazz festival or a concert to fill your night with sound and dance and unleash the party animal in you.
• Water sports are unlimited including boating, sailing, kayaking, surfing, water boarding, river riding and all that you can think off.

Festivals in Melbourne

The year round celebrations, festivals and events are the specialty of Melbourne and if you happen to be travelling during a season of festivity, don’t miss it. Some of the crowing festivals celebrated in Melbourne every year include:

• JanuaryThe year begins with Midsummer Festival, celebrated in January. It is a get-together of LGBTI from around the world for an array of exciting events over three weeks period.
• FebruaryIn the month of February, roses are in the year as many celebrate St. Valentine’s Day.
• MarchNot to forget the great “Melbourne Food & Wine Festival” this is the identity of Melbourne’s exquisite food flavors and wine rich cultural.The festival of Moomba, a Melbourne Carnival and Melbourne International Motor Show are also marked in March. This is the most eventful month when International Flower Show is also organized in Melbourne over a period of five days at Melbourne Exhibition Building and gardens.
• AprilIn April, Melbourne Comedy Festival continues for over three and a half week city wide.
• MayMay is the month of Melbourne Jazz International Festival, that runs for a week full of Jazz. It records attendance from well renowned Australian and International artists from around the world.
• June /JulyThe month of July sees the Melbourne Film Festival, that is extremely popular event approaching its 60th anniversary and bringing together great works of International directors, filmmakers and artists.
• AugustThis is the Melbourne Writers’ Festival when great authors from all over the world congregate to discuss and debate new ideas.
• SeptemberThe interesting Melbourne Fringe Festival that is the platform for multi arts festival brings three weeks full of entertainment at major city venues.Also, Montsalvat Jazz Festival is celebrated in September at the splendid and historic Montsalvat gardens in Eltham.
• OctoberMelbourne’s refreshing weather is best utilized by Melbourne Cycling Festival that brings along a weekend of event at the Alexander Gardens. The Melbourne International Arts Festival and Melbourne Stencil Festival are also scheduled in October.
• NovemberThis hot month in Melbourne is marked with Marysville Sparkling Wine Festival and Melbourne Cup Carnival (best horse racing carnival).
• December:“Carols By Candlelight” makes December a time to sing and rejoice along with thousands of participants. The festival is celebrated in December each year at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.

Food and Shopping in Melbourne:

Food and wine are like a celebration in Melbourne. The city has China Town that takes you in the simplicity and taste of the Asian cuisines, as well as Indian, continental, French, Vietnamese, Malaysian and food from nearly all parts of the world. The restaurants in Melbourne are well furnished and decorated and wine is a must for every dinner.

Some of the popular shopping centers in Melbourne include:

• Royal Arcade, Bourke Street
• Myer Emporium, Bourke Street
• The Galleria, Elizabeth Street
• Harbor Town Water Front City, Docklands
• DFO Spencer Street, Spencer Street
• Melbourne Central, Lonsdale Street
• Southbank Promenade, Southbank
• Waterfront City, Docklands
• Australia on Collins, Collins Street
• Melbourne GPO, Bourke Street

Nigh life in Melbourne

There are many bars, pubs and clubs in Melbourne that can fill your night with the excitement and thrill you are seeking in those late hours of the day. Also the city is always celebrating one or the other event, including drama, arts, film festivals, music, dance and Jazz festivals that are worth getting into. You may grab passes for a concert or just get theatre or Opera tickets in Melbourne. Besides that, the clubs, bars and pubs in the city are open for any hour of the night.

Travel / Safety Warnings for Smart Travelers

Melbourne is very safe in every way, however just for the sake of mentioning here is what you should know before booking your flights to Melbourne, Australia.

• Watch for the Tram lines as you may step in front of it accidently.
• You can possibly be bothered by the touts in front of restaurants who will try to convince you to visit the restaurant. The specified areas are Chinatown and Hardware lane.
• Australian birds Magpies are very aggressive when it comes to protecting their territories between Augusts to November. Avoid getting too close.
• Because of the tram lines, traffic rules in Melbourne are different. Get up to date information before driving and check if your license is valid in Australia.
• Australia has a restriction on movement of many plants, animals and food items between states so before entering Victoria, check the law.
• Weather can fluctuate in Melbourne really fast, so if you are on foot than keep an umbrella.

Melbourne doesn’t have any ‘no go’ areas and overall, it’s a safe and pleasant city to travel.

Happy Travel !!!