Start planning your next adventure to Australia now with our guide to Melbourne for the budget, moderate, and luxury traveller!
What was the last trip you took before the pandemic hit? For me, it was Melbourne in March of 2019 — right before COVID hit our shores. And while you’d think, based on the number of Facebook check-ins, that every Singaporean, and their mom, has already been to Melbourne at least once in their life, strangely enough, this was my first proper trip here. However, I didn’t plan to explore the city that much. Sure, I’ll grab some coffee and try a croissant, but the intention was clear — I was here for Download Festival to see sludge metal legends, Baroness. But, alas. Life happened. Thanks to COVID, the festival got cancelled just as I boarded the plane. So, after I got over my initial outrage and shock, I spent the next seven hours of the flight mulling over what the heck I was going to do. And thanks to the help of some friends, I still ended up having a blast. If you’ve been to Melbourne countless times, this guide to Melbourne may not be for you. However, if you’re interested in guzzling mind-blowing craft beer, tasting wine and gin, road tripping on the tired but gorgeous Great Ocean Road, then hang tight for a comprehensive cost walkthrough for the budget, moderate, or luxury traveller.
Guide To Melbourne: Travel Expenditure Checklist
| Budget | Moderate | Luxury | |
| Accommodations | S$89/night | S$159/night | S$387/night |
| Dining | S$5/meal | S$30/meal | S$50/meal |
| Attractions | Free | Free | Free |
| Sim Cards | S$30.40 | S$30.40 | S$30.40 |
| Transport | S$6.10 | S$6.10 | S$6.10 |
Guide To Melbourne: Accommodations
Psst! Get an extra 7% off your bookings when you make full use of YouTrip Perks and check out with your YouTrip card. We’ve made sure to only include options that provide free cancellations!
(A) Budget
Great Southern Hotel Melbourne
Photo credits: Agoda
Distance from City Center: 1.4km to Queen Victoria Market
Price: S$89 per night
No. of Reviews: 13.7k
Score: 7.9/10
Oaks Melbourne on Collins Hotel
Photo credits: Agoda
Distance from City Center: 1.1km to Queen Victoria Market
Price: S$99 per night
No. of Reviews: 3.6k
Score: 7.9/10
(B) Moderate
QT Melbourne
Photo credits: Agoda
Distance from City Center: 1.2km from Queen Victoria Market
Price: S$223 per night
No. of Reviews: 2.5k
Score: 9.3/10
Brady Hotels Central Melbourne
Photo credits: Agoda
Distance from City Center: 540m to Queen Victoria Market
Price: S$159 per night
No. of Reviews: 3.2k
Score: 8.7/10
(C) Luxury
The Langham Melbourne Hotel
Photo credits: Agoda
Distance from City Center: 1.6km to Queen Victoria Market
Price: S$387 per night
No. of Reviews: 5.1k
Score: 9.2/10
Crown Towers Melbourne
Photo credits: Agoda
Distance from City Center: 1.8km from Queen Victoria Market
Price: S$419 per night
No. of Reviews: 3.7k
Score: 9.1/10
Guide To Melbourne: Dining
As all savvy travellers do, we sought the help of our travel bible Tripadvisor to sieve out the best food recommendations and reviews to locate the ultimate belly-fillers for every budget.
(A) Cafe
St Ali Coffee Roasters
Where: Yarra Place, Melbourne
What: Traveller’s choice for 2021, amazing service with cool merch
Price range: from S$10
No. of Reviews: 616
Score: 4/5
Find out more.
Faraday’s Cage
Where: Gore St, Fitzroy, Melbourne
What: Great filter coffee, solid nosh
Price range: from S$10
No. of Reviews: 52
Score: 4.5/5
Find out more.
BROWN BAGELS
Where: Collins St, Melbourne
What: Underrated breakfast bagel spot in the heart of Melbourne
Price range: from S$5
No. of Reviews: 25
Score: 4.5/5
Find out more.
(B) Moderate
Hochi Mama
Where: Little Bourke St, Melbourne
What: Travellers’ Choice 2021, modern Vietnamese-inspired street food and cocktails
Price range: from S$43
No. of Reviews: 1,364
Score: 4.5/5
Find out more.
Tipo 00
Where: Little Bourke St, Melbourne
What: Traveller’s Choice 2021, cosy hole-in-the-wall Italian place (remember to book in advance!)
Price range: from S$35
No. of Reviews: 789
Score: 4.5/5
Find out more.
Movida Bar de Tapas
Where: Hosier Lane, Melbourne
What: Traveller’s Choice 2021, explosive flavours and excellent service
Price range: from S$30
No. of Reviews: 2,705
Score: 4.5/5
Find out more.
(C) Luxury
Afternoon Tea at The Hotel Windsor
Where: Spring Street, Melbourne
What: Travellers’ Choice 2021, your classic afternoon high tea done right
Price range: from S$50
No. of Reviews: 1,493
Score: 4.5/5
Find out more.
Coda
Where: Flinders Lane, Melbourne
What: Amazing menu, even better wine
Price range: from S$81
No. of Reviews: 1,134
Score: 4.5/5
Find out more.
Steer Dining Room
Where: Claremont St, Melbourne
What: Underrated but excellent steak
Price range: from S$50
No. of Reviews: 73
Score: 4.5/5
Find out more.
(D) Craft Beer Bars
Beermash
Where: Smith Street, Collingwood, Melbourne
What: An IPA galore
Price range: from S$14
Hippo Bottle & Bar
Where: Smith Street, Collingwood, Melbourne
What: Amazing juicy sours here
Price range: from S$12
Find out more.
Carwyn Cellars
Where: High Street, Thornbury, Melbourne
What: A playground for stout enthusiasts
Price range: from S$20
Find out more.
Mr West Bar & Bottle Shop
Where: Nicholson Street, Footscray, Melbourne
What: For vibes and ambience, with craft beer
Price range: from S$13
Guide To Melbourne: Day Trips
All cafe-d out? Rent a car and take a trip out of the city to explore amazing new landscapes!
Yileena Park, Yarra Valley
Photo credits: Tripadvisor
Tons of tourists and locals flock to the wineries at Yarra Valley every year — but out of all the options, which should you choose? Wineries can often feel quite intimidating, especially if you’re new to tastings. However, I adored Yileena Park because of how intimate and homely the space feels — they’ve even got two really friendly donkeys in their front yard. Not to mention, their French oak-smoked goods are bomb.
Pro-tip: Don’t sleep on their Oak Smoked Chilli Sauce that’s amazing when paired with meats or cheese.
Admission: Wine tastings are A$10 (~S$10.10) per person for approx. 45 minutes
Find out more here.
Cape Otway Lightstation
Photo credits: Tripadvisor
The oldest of the lighthouses in all of mainland Australia, Cape Otway was built in 1848 on the edge of where the Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean Sea collide — this was a response to the hundreds of shipwrecks that were happening at that time. You’ll get to climb up the tower, plus explore the surrounding grounds to learn about the history of this beacon of hope.
To Note: Pre-book your spot online before your visit — no walk-up tickets available due to restrictions
Admission: A$19.50 (~S$19.80) per adult
Find out more here.
Twelve Apostles
In my opinion, the Twelve Apostles is one of those rare tourist spots that lives up to its hype. Sure, it’s iconic and popular — but when you’re there watching the sunset behind those seven limestone stacks, you’ll instantly know why. You’ll find these geologic formations on the Great Ocean Road. I would suggest planning your drive with the sunset in mind and giving the entire space about three hours for you to explore the various lookouts (check out the Gibson Steps that take you down to the beach, and Loch Ard Gorge to come face to face with a rock stack). Just bear in mind that it gets dark, real quick.
Admission: Free
Find out more here.
Guide To Melbourne: SIM cards
| 1 Month Plan | |
| Boost Mobile | A$30 (~S$30.40) |
| Telstra | A$30 (~S$30.40) |
Guide To Melbourne: Transport
(A) Metro Trains
Photo credits: Transit maps
The public transport here is pretty convenient and easy to navigate. Essentially, there are 16 Metro train lines that bring you out of the city center and into the suburbs. However, the main stations are Flinders Street and Southern Cross. You’ll be using a myki card to get around — it can be used on trains, trams and buses throughout Melbourne. You can find these cards at 7-Eleven stores or train stations. Simply load the cards up with cash and you’re good to go! Most of the time though, you’ll find yourself walking (which is the most pleasant way to get around IMO).
Prices: from A$6 (~S$6.10),
Find a comprehensive guide here.
(B) Car Rentals
For first-timers, do note that each quotation from the car rental company includes an admin fee, GST, any premium location surcharges plus the vehicle registration recovery fee. You’ll need to present a valid driving license (held for at least a year) and an International Driving Permit.
| For: 2-9 December Pick up and drop off: Melbourne Tullamarine International Airport | |
| Avis | From A$564.60 (~S$572.40) |
| Budget | From A$443.90 (~S$450) |
| Europcar | From A$564.60 (~S$673.20) |
| Hertz | From A$942.30 (~S$955.40) |
Embark On Your OZ Adventures With YouTrip!
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Stay safe, and happy travels!
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*All currency conversion rates are accurate to the nearest 10 cents on 29 Oct 2021 SGT 5:30 PM. Bank card prices are calculated based on 3.25% foreign currency transaction fee.
