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Last Updated: November 2020
Listed second on the top 10 most liveable cities, Melbourne is not only a sought-after place to reside in, but it's also a tourist magnet for many good reasons. Every year, more than 10 million visitors come all the way down to Melbourne to find out the things that make Victoria's capital stand out. Melbourne has earned the title and the recognition of being the cultural capital of the country thanks to its vibrant art scene, numerous museums and galleries, and its multicultural character with a strong European flair. Its trendsetting power expands to gastronomy, and it's also reputed for having the best coffee not only in Australia but in the world!
Melbourne is located on the South East tip of Australia. It's around 1 to 1.5 hours away by plane from Sydney, Canberra, and Adelaide. Many people choose to rent a car and visit the big cities, but this means, for instance, that driving from Melbourne to Sydney takes around 9 hours.
If you enjoy driving and you get even more fascinated by the idea of ​​a road trip, then you're in the right country. The most popular road trips in Australia are the ones between Melbourne and Sydney. These include the Coastal Drive (1,032 km / 642 miles) and the Inland Heritage Drive (1,031 / 640 miles).
Hundreds of domestic and international flights arrive in and depart from Melbourne Airport every day. Domestic flights last up to a few hours. For example, Brisbane is only 2.5 hours away. International travelers usually have to take two to three connecting flights to reach Melbourne. Although a long journey that requires to spend a day or so from one airport to another, it is worth the hassle. Upon landing, you can hire a car, take a bus or a taxi to the city center.
There are many bus services available, public and private, that connect Melbourne with other major cities, such as Sydney that takes around 12.5 hours. The travel time is always longer by bus than by car.
If you wish for a more idyllic journey, you can take the train. There are also night lines, in case you want to sleep on the train and wake up at your destination the next morning.
Melbourne is a massive and populous city, so deciding where to stay can be overwhelming. Most first-time visitors prefer to limit their choices in the city center area because of its proximity to attractions, public transport, shops, and a handful of restaurants and cafes. That's reasonable, but it'd also be a pity to only roam around within the city center limits, let alone the overpriced hotels. Other popular areas to stay are:
We bet that every local will recommend you different spots to visit, which makes sense as there are plenty of options when it comes to food, shopping, culture, outdoor activities, sports events and many other areas of interest. Some of the must things to see in Melbourne are:
Escape the city and head to one of these amazing destinations. Each of them is unique in its own way and offers different experiences to the visitor.
Hi there!
We are Jacob and Taylor. Travel is our passion and we love sharing our experiences here at The Travelling Souk. Our hope is that you would be inspired by this little blog to try something new, embrace an adventure, and live life to the fullest.