Melbourne is Australia’s cultural capital and second largest city. Popular for its thriving arts scene, fascinating architecture and huge love of sports, many travellers grab cheap flights to Melbourne to see what all the fuss is about. Being a fun and vibrant city, it is also an expensive one, and basic costs like food and accommodation can pile up. Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities to save if you’re travelling on a budget.
Free attractions
- Vermin Inc / Water Photos / CC BY-NC-SAMelbourne
Melbourne is an interesting city with plenty of attractions that don’t cost a penny. Get to know the city on foot and explore its historic houses and beautiful architecture. Visit the popular area St Kilda, the city’s waterfront. Home to one of Melbourne’s only beaches, it is a great place to walk, relax or even fish. There are also stunning botanical gardens that offer tranquil respite from the hot city. The lively beachfront hosts a weekly market for browsing for bargains.
Federation Square is the cultural hub of Melbourne, and is often home of free events and entertainment as well as being a great place to hang out, meet a few locals and ask them for tips and advice. In the centre of Federation Square is the Australian Centre for the Moving Museum, a fun interactive museum that is completely free.
Food
Melbourne’s numerous markets aren’t just buzzing places to wander through; they are also a great way of picking up cheap, fresh food. Eating out and even fast food can start to take its toll on your wallet, let alone your health. Prahran Market is a top pick, full of delicious local produce held in a bustling market square, which is a lovely place to sit out and watch the world go by. You may even get the odd free sample, and if you hang around until the very end, you might find the market vendors are keen to get rid of some goods cheaply.
Travel
Getting cheap flights to Melbourne is just the start. It is the second largest city in Australia, and just getting around it can be pricey. With so many interesting districts and neighbourhoods to explore, walking may not always be an option. The good news is that Melbourne is very bicycle friendly, with plenty of bike paths to get you around. You can also save on buses and taxis by taking the superb City Circle, an old tram that runs regularly all over the city completely free. If you’re after a proper tour, the free Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle visits popular attractions and even has on board commentaries.
Accommodation
It’s easy to stay cheaply in Australia thanks to the affordable hostel association. Melbourne has several YHA places to stay on a budget, and if you plan carefully before you go, you can book one that has decent extras. For instance, Nomads Melbourne Backpackers Hostel offers a free meal in the evening, and Melbourne Metro YHA is centrally located that will cut down time spent travelling. Worth looking out for are hostels with free internet cafes and Wi-Fi, which can be invaluable when you realise you’ve got a plane ticket to print!
