Stay awhile in the world's most liveable city
Repeatedly voted to be the world's most liveable city, Melbourne operates as Australia's sporting and cultural capital. From the "Paris End" on Collins Street to a splash of New York-esque art deco high-rises in the business district, Melbourne manages to be warm and inviting while also decidedly cosmopolitan. Brush up on your AFL football (footy), cricket, and horse racing if you have any hopes of carrying on a conversation at the pub. Consider a Melbourne vacation rental with a view over downtown, or head out for a spot on the water, with views across Port Phillip Bay.
See the city from above and the koalas up close
To get a true feel for Melbourne's size, head to the Eureka Skydeck and admire the expansive views from the 88th floor. Once you're back at ground level, visit the stunning reading room at the State Library of Victoria, or the Melbourne Museum for a look at through the city's natural and cultural histories. Take the animal lovers in your crew to Healesville Sanctuary for the day to get up close and personal with the koalas, dingoes, wallabies, and kangaroos, or take a day trip to Phillip Island, where you can watch the daily penguin parade at dusk.
Learn the ins and outs of the laneway scene
With over 230 laneways (back alleys), the best way to explore Melbourne is on foot, discovering local shops, restaurants, and street art. Visit Queen Victoria Market, the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere, or catch a show at the historic Astor Theatre. Take a walking tour, or align your trip with 1 of the city's many festivals and cultural events, celebrating Australian jazz, comedy, and film. Opt for a Melbourne vacation rental in any of the city's diverse array of neighborhoods, from the ritzier South Yarra to the hipster Fitzroy, and you'll feel like a true local in no time.
Every day is opposite day! Or at least opposite season...
March through May means fall in Melbourne, complete with changing leaves and crisp, cool weather. This makes September through November Oz's spring months—and these are the best times to visit Melbourne, thanks to moderate temps and smaller crowds. Visiting in the shoulder seasons also means lower prices, while Australia's summer months of December through February tend to be sunny, hot, and crowded. This means that Melbourne's winter falls in June through August, when the city quiets down but the rainy, cold weather picks up.
The locals are fun, but the neighbors are wild!
The city of Melbourne wraps around Port Phillip Bay, with the low-lying Dandenong Range serving as the backdrop to the east. Some of the city's neighborhoods even feature their own sandy beaches, with a few surf spots available, too. Penty of wildlife is easily found just outside the city, with the penguins at Phillip Island among the most famous. A drive along the Great Ocean Road will introduce you to kangaroos and koalas along the way, if a true escape from your Melbourne vacation rental tickles your fancy.
Traveling to and around Melbourne
Fly into Melbourne Airport (MEL), the closest airport, located 11.7 mi (18.9 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that works for your travel itinerary, you might consider flying into Melbourne, VIC (MEB-Essendon), which is 7 mi (11.2 km) away.
If you're traveling by train, Flinders Street Station, Southern Cross Station and Showgrounds Station are the main stations in the city. You can get around Melbourne by jumping on the metro at Flagstaff Station, Melbourne Central Station or Parliament Station.
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