Cheap flights to Melbourne (MEL)

When is the best time of year to fly to Melbourne?

They say the best times to visit Melbourne are the shoulder seasons between March and May, and September to November, as the temperatures are moderate, less tourists, and lower airfare prices. But in our opinion, it’s always a good time to fly to Melbourne, it’s a fabulous year-round destination, and besides, Virgin Australia offers special fares to Melbourne all year-round.

What to pack for your trip to Melbourne?

The best packing advice we have is, well, layers. Melbourne weather is notoriously known for its “four seasons in a day” so pack to dress like a Melbourne local who has adapted to dressing this way for every single day of the year. Prepare for your flight to Melbourne by packing lots of layers in the same colour scheme that will all work together and aren’t too bulky to carry around on your day trips (that may just lead to a night out!). Bring comfortable walking shoes, or even better buy some there. And a big, comfortable, yet oh-so-stylish, over-the-shoulder bag (for that shopping).

What are Melbourne's top attractions?

Kick-start your urban exploration with a crawl of Melbourne’s top attractions. Whether you’re an avid sports fan or a self-confessed art aficionado, Melbourne has activities and attractions to suit every traveller.

National Gallery Victoria (NGV)

The oldest, largest and most-visited museum in Australia, the National Gallery of Victoria easily takes the title of the most noteworthy art gallery in Melbourne. Specialising in Australian and indigenous artworks, this comprehensive collection of paintings, sculptures, ceramics and textiles is one not to be missed on your trip to Melbourne. NGV hosts an eclectic mix of year-round exhibitions, events, self-guided experiences, virtual tours, plus seasonal events like NGV X Melbourne Music week ex-tended featuring Melbourne musicians, bands and DJs to the stage.

Arts Centre Melbourne

If you’d rather see art come to life, plan to see a live performance at the Arts Centre Melbourne. Showcasing everything from opera and music to theatre and dance, this inspiring venue is the premier location to catch a Melbourne show. For an extra special experience, opt for a performance held in the complex’s Hamer Hall – a spectacular concert venue and home of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Seasonal events include Piknic Electronik Melbourne, featuring some of Australia’s finest DJs, at the Music Myer Bowl throughout summer; and one-off events run by Australian Vault Sessions as part of Melbourne Music week.

Melbourne Museum

Discover Australia’s heritage through a different lens at the Melbourne Museum. Displaying natural history exhibits in lieu of contemporary artworks, this entertaining and educational outing covers all areas of Australian life with exhibits like the living Forest Gallery, the Science and Life Gallery and the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre, just to name a few. Seasonal exhibitions include Melbourne Museum Summer Sessions featuring live music, comedy performances, food and outdoor films.

Melbourne Cricket Ground

Better known by the sports mad as MCG or ‘the G’, this famous stadium sets the stage for Australia’s largest sporting events, from the Aussie Rules to the Ashes Test Cricket Series. Experience the inner sanctum as a spectator or explore the grounds on a guided tour, where you can follow in the footsteps of sporting legends atop the grass of the main arena.

Federation Square

Perched between the Yarra River and the iconic Flinders Street Railway Station, “Fed Square” houses modern restaurants, bars and shops with a continually rotating roster of events. “Fed Summer” event features Summer movie nights, plus Fed live summer series featuring a smattering of artists, from hip hop to thrash pop to indie ballads – a venue perfectly suited to solo travellers and families.

Hosier Lane

Located in the heart of the CBD, this inner-city alleyway is amongst the most famed thoroughfares in town, acting as an ever-changing canvas for Melbourne’s most prominent graffiti artists.

Looking to flesh out your Melbourne itinerary? Check out our guide on the top things to do in Melbourne.

Where to eat in Melbourne?

While Melbourne’s laneways may be a feast for the eyes, the city’s boldest sensory experiences can be found amidst its collection of world-class restaurants and bars, which continually push the envelope to stay ahead of – and determine – the latest trends in food and drink.

Experience dining like a local, neighbourhood pockets of ethnic food reflect the multicultural communities that inhabit them: Middle Eastern in Brunswick; Victoria St in Richmond for Vietnamese; Balaclava for Jewish bakeries; Carlton's old-school Italian; Footscray for Ethiopian; and Chinatown for Asian food matched only by its country of origin.

Where to find the best cafes?

We’re witnessing the trickle-down effect in action as Melbourne chefs turn their attention to the most important meal of the day - breakfast has become the new dinner. Smashed avo still appears on the menu, but now being superseded by new creations such as the breakfast panna cotta. There are cafes all over Melbourne, whatever city pocket you’re in – from the CBD, Richmond, South Yarra, Clifton Hill, Hawthorn, Footscray, North Melbourne, Fitzroy, Richmond and more.

Where to find the best fine dining?

It’s no secret that Melbourne hosts the finest of dining spots in Australia, with a vast range of award-winning fine dining and degustation restaurants, across the city to choose from. For a real treat try Heston’s meat fruit (the world’s most instagrammed dish) at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal in Southbank; or dine at Stokehouse at St Kilda – for a bit of Australian beach luxe.

Where to find the best food markets?

Street food in Melbourne takes you on a cultural cuisine tapestry, allowing you to try something native and unique. Food markets have popped up all over the city – from the long-standing Queen Victoria Market, to The Food Truck Park, Night Noodle Markets, Prahran Market and Camberwell Fresh Food Market - to name just a few.

Where to find the best cheap eats?

With so many cheap eats in Melbourne it’s easy to go out and not break the bank. You can eat under $20 at eateries all over Melbourne. Try the award-winning Marios cafe in Fitzroy, the first café that opened on Brunswick Street in 1986, its lasagna’s reputation keeps it packed every night!

Where to shop in Melbourne?

With things like food, drink, arts and entertainment making up the fundamental elements of the city’s DNA, it comes as no surprise that Melbourne has also found itself at the forefront of Australia’s fashion scene. And with every eclectic neighbourhood comes an entirely new way to experience shopping in Melbourne.

For bargain hunters

Melbourne is home to an array of factory outlets across the city including DFO South Wharf and Spencer Outlet Centre. For Nike and other sporting goods try the outlet stores along Smith Street in Collingwood, for quirky fashion hit Brunswick Street Fitzroy (you simply must fall into Clear iT for brands such as Dangerfield hugely discounted), and to a lesser extent now give the outlets along Bridge Road Richmond a spin.

For fashionistas

From South Yarra end all the way to Windsor, Chapel Street still holds the crown when it comes to local designers, international brands and vintage treasures. For unique finds trawl through Gertrude Street in Fitzroy. If labels are more your thing head to Chadstone, with over 30 luxury brands and pop up stalls to boot.

For the lovers of vintage

Oh Melbourne. You take the stakes for vintage heaven. Explore the famous Chapel Street Bazaar in Prahran, RetroStar Vintage Shopping (Australia’s largest vintage store) on Swanston Street, Secondo on Toorak Road for luxury vintage, and the smattering of vintage shops along Smith Street including Vintage Garage.

For everything in between

For all your other retail needs, Melbourne’s central shopping centre, Emporium Melbourne, brings the nation’s more familiar department stores to the heart of Bourke Street in the CBD.