Melbourne’s Must Have Travel Tips:
1.Pack for all seasons
Melbourne is renowned for experiencing 4 seasons in one day. So be prepared.
Pack a versatile jacket that will keep you warm on cool nights and dry during the afternoon showers. Our summer is from December to February, Autumn is from March to May, Winter is from June to August and Spring is September to November; but don’t expect 1 season in 1 day. It’s never convenient to travel back to your accommodation to get changed because you didn’t dress according to the weather, or because you weren’t prepared for the afternoon cool change. So I recommend a small jacket that you can easily pop in your bag if you don’t need it. Our motto; it better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. So come prepared and don’t say I didn’t warn you! If all else fails, it can also give you an excuse to visit Melbourne’s shopping destinations to make up for those missing items in your suitcase.
2. Buy a Myki before your travel
The secret to Melbourne’s CBD is that there is free tram travel to get you around. Yet, often you want to explore further than the main grid - but don’t get stranded without a myki card. On Day One of your visit go and grab a myki card from any 7 – Eleven, train station, or Tattersall’s outlet. I recommend going to the closest train station to us which is Southern Cross Station and enquiring into a myki Explorer Pack (https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/tickets/myki/buy-a-myki-and-top-up/myki-explorer-pack/) so that you will always be able to explore further to sites on trams such as St Kilda or artsy Fitzroy. Or hop on the train to Ballarat – the heart of the gold rush or beachside Geelong.
3. You don’t have to pay to be a tourist
With free tram travel, free entry to Melbourne’s biggest sights shows that being a Melbourne tourist doesn’t have to cost you! From Waterfront Melbourne Apartments which is in the free tram zone, you can travel to the NGV, State Library of Victoria and ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image) which all have free entry. You can appreciate the wonders of Federation Square, Hozier Lane and Flinders Street Station without having to spend a cent! Some of the best sites in Melbourne are complimentary, you just have to look in the right places!
4. Entertainment doesn’t have to break the bank
Entertainment in Melbourne doesn’t need to cost an arm and a leg. Small music bars and speakeasys can provide high class entertainment for a fraction of the cost. Paris Cat Jazz Club is an intimate location where you can access some of Melbourne’s most well known artists, similarly Bird’s Basement can give you all you need for a Jazzy night. Keep up with social media to see limited specials for ticket prices. Online outlets such as Lasttix provide cheap tickets few days before the show so that if you arrive, and feel spontaneous, you don’t need to reserve seats months in advance.
5. Lace up those walking shoes and explore
Those boots in your suitcase better be for walking because the best way to explore the secrets of Melbourne are by foot. You can tag along a free walking tour in Melbourne’s pristine gardens or buy a ticket for walking tours on anything from Chocolate, Ghosts or Beer.
6. Tipping is not required
Instead of an add-on to your bill, in Melbourne you’ll happily find tipping jars at registers. Restaurants compete for creative tip jars to entice you to donate your change for good service; but only if you want to. In Melbourne, tipping isn’t necessary but rather your choice if you had memorable service. Don’t get caught though, if you want to indulge on a public holiday, spare some wriggle room in your account because public holiday surcharges are common. Luckily, you’ll know this for next time you would like to head out to celebrate the day off
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