activitiesAustraliaGuideMelbourneOceaniaTravelTravel Tips

Your Guide To Visiting Melbourne In 2023

After the whole of Australia finally reopened to international tourists last February 2022, top cities like Melbourne have quickly picked up.

Melbourne has been one of the country’s well-loved city destinations, dubbed so many nicknames that attest to its many charms — from a garden city to the coffee capital, sports capital, and cultural capital. Feeling wanderlust yet? 

We’re sure many jet-setters are already itching to board a plane to Melbourne. But first — take note of these travel guidelines and all you need to know from where to stay to where to eat and what to do in the city!

 

 

Fast Facts

via Weyne Yew on Unsplash
  • Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD)
  • Language: English
  • Airport: Melbourne Airport/Tullamarine Airport (MEL)

 

Where to Stay in Melbourne

Here are the best accommodations that keep you close to the best that Melbourne has to offer!

 

Novotel Melbourne Central

via Melbourne Central Hotels

Melbourne CBD is a great place to be, especially for first-timers, and Novotel Melbourne Central is right at the heart of it. Out of the hotel, you’ll find yourself surrounded by shopping outlets and lots of museums. 

Location: 399 Little Lonsdale St., Melbourne, VIC
Website: melbournecentralhotels.com.au

 

The Victoria Hotel

via Rydges

Also located in Melbourne CBD, The Victoria Hotel is worth staying at not only for its budget-friendly rates but also — for its part in over 140 years of Melbourne history! This quaint historic hotel sits a short walk from Federation Square and the iconic Flinders Street Station.

Location: 215 Little Collins St, Melbourne, VIC
Website: rydges.com

 

The Prince Hotel

via The Prince Hotel

The Prince is a mid-range option located at the beach destination St. Kilda. The hotel is a great jump-off point to beachside attractions, parks, and the famous Luna Park.

Location: 2 Acland Street, St Kilda, VIC
Website: theprince.com.au

 

 

 

Where to Eat in Melbourne

Melbourne is indeed a cultural capital, with cuisines from all over the world steeping the city in every corner including the suburbs.

 

Melbourne’s Laneways

via Unsplash

For dining like a local, there’s so much adventure to be had in Melbourne’s laneways, lined with amazing restaurants with different specialties. 

To start, indulge in San Telmo’s Argentinian steak specialties on Meyers Place. Then, check out the Asian specialties and bars of Chin Chin and Supernormal on Flinders Lane. Be sure to also explore the exciting laneways around Melbourne’s Chinatown as well!

 

 

Cafes Around Centre Place

via Visit Melbourne

You can’t be in the “coffee capital” without exploring its cafe scene! And the best place to be is the bustling Centre Place, with its mix of hole-in-the-wall cafes, graffiti art, and quirky shops. 

Check out Cafe Vicolino for brunch or Aix Cafe Creperie for its Vietnamese-inspired treats. Or, cross toward the adjacent Degraves Street for the well-loved Tulip Coffee. 

 

 

Vietnamese Restaurants in Richmond and Footscray

via Visit Melbourne

Vietnamese cuisine is a huge part of the local palate, and many such restaurants are concentrated around Victoria Street in Richmond (known as Melbourne’s Little Saigon) and Hopkins Street in Footscray. 

Nhu Lan Bakery and To’s Bakery and Cafe are the best for banh mi in Footscray, while I Love Pho is highly rated for noodle soup in Richmond.

 

 

What to Do in Melbourne

Here are KKday’s top recommendations for exciting things to do in Melbourne!

 

See the City from a Hot Air Balloon

via KKday Supplier

Looking for untapped spots you may have missed while on the ground? Jump on a hot air balloon and appreciate the amazing entirety of Melbourne, from famous landmarks to hidden gems worth exploring. 

 

 

Defy Fear of Heights at Melbourne Skydeck

via KKday Supplier

Another way to see the city from a high vantage point is by taking an elevator up the Melbourne Skydeck. Dare yourself to step on the Edge, a transparent glass cube that lets you see the city right beneath your feet!

 

 

Catch a Show at Arts Centre Melbourne

via Arts Centre Melbourne

As the cultural capital, Melbourne is home to Arts Centre Melbourne, renowned for its world-class theatre performances and exhibitions. Its architecture is also a sight to behold from the outside.

 

 

Take the Kids to LEGOLAND Discovery Centre

via KKday Supplier

From Lego exhibits to play areas and 4D shows — LEGOLAND Discovery Centre houses exciting and immersive attractions that both kids and kids at heart will enjoy!

 

 

Local Market Shopping

via Visit Melbourne

Whether you’re looking for souvenirs or just some retail therapy, Melbourne’s various local markets are worth splurging on. There are crafts and farmers’ markets, night markets, and fashion markets, but Queen Victoria Market rules them all.

 

 

Book your travel essentials and find more local experiences in Australia on KKday!

 

Tags: