Melbourne is one of the most scenic and beautiful cities in the world. It has a wonderful lineup of art events and is the home of some of the most beautiful new hotels in the world. It is a fascinating city that you would definitely fall in love with. But before you go to Melbourne, you should at least know a few things about the city and how to get around it.
From the Airport
From the airport, it’s best to take the Starbus airport shuttle bus for about $18 per person. You can also try the SkyBus which also costs $18 for a one-way ride and about $30 for a roundtrip ticket.
However, if you want to get to your destination fast, you can take the taxi. If you have an international license, you can also rent a car.
You can buy Telstra, Boost Mobile, Optus, and Vodafone SIM cards at the airport. The Optus mobile pack is only $2 while the Telstra SIM costs about $30.
The Melbourne airport has a luggage storage facility. You can store your luggage for $9 for the first four hours and pay $13 every 24 hours.
You can exchange your money at a Travelex outlet in Melbourne Airport or you can do it at a bank.
How to Get Around Melbourne
Most tourists choose to stay in the busy commercial heart of Melbourne where they could find the best museums, theatres, shops, and bars. Melbourne is relatively easy to navigate so if are staying at the city centre; it’s best just to walk around.
The city also has a free tram zone which is the central part of Melbourne. But if you plan to travel outside of this zone, it’s best to get a Myki visitor value pack and take the train or bus. The Myki is the ticketing system in Melbourne that allows you to have access to its buses, trams, and trains.
Trains are usually available from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. every Sunday, 5 a.m. to 12 a.m. every Monday, and 24 hours every Friday and Saturday.
Culture
Melbourne has a diverse and multi-layered culture. The city is known as the sport and city capital of Australia. It houses many cultural institutions such as galleries, museums, festivals, events, popular music, and fashion. It also has a number of cultural festivals such as the Melbourne Jazz Festival, Melbourne Open House, Midsumma, and St. Kilda Festival. The city celebrates a number of festivals that showcases foreign cultures such as the Melbourne Italian Festival, Greek Antipodes Festival, Australian Chinese New Year, and Asian Food Festival.
Spots for Adventure Seekers and Foodies
You can go surfing or windsurfing in Bells Beach. You can also camp in nearby places such as the Wilsons Promontory, Barmah National Park, Grampians National Park, and Snowy River National Park.
Melbourne is a haven for foodies and wine lovers! When you’re in Melbourne, you should visit Lygron Street, Brunswick Street, Victoria Street, Acland Street, Smithstreet, and Chinatown located along Bourke Street. You can find just about any type of food while strolling in these streets. You can find restaurants that serve Vietnamese, Malaysian, Italian, and Indian cuisine.
Melbourne is a fabulous city. But to ensure that your trip is hassle-free, it’s best to do some research first.
