Australasia & the South Pacific: Round-the-World Travel Destinations

Budget Scale: 1-5

1-least expensive; 5-most expensive
4– Melbourne isn’t going to be kind on the wallet, but if you use a little ingenuity, you can get by on a near-backpacker budget. You won’t be living the high life, though, that’s for sure.

Indie Travel Scale: 1-5

1-not a good Indie Travel destination; 5-a great Indie Travel destination
3– It can be difficult to have a true indie experience in any large city, but Melbourne is a little different as it’s Australia’s cultural capital.
Indie Travel Tips
Follow these tips to have an indie experience while you’re visiting Melbourne.

• Wander around and take in the Victorian architecture evident around the city. Melbourne has a rich history, much of which can be seen in its architecture.
• If you really want a true Ozzie experience, then go to an Australian rules football match while in Melbourne. There are some seriously passionate fans here.
• There is no shortage of museums, shopping, galleries, theaters, and parks and green space in Melbourne. Take advantage of it all.
• Explore surrounding regions like Grampians National Park.
• Get your own wheels and drive the Great Ocean Road.
• Head out to Phillip Island and check out the ever-popular penguin parade.

Why you should add Melbourne to your RTW travel list

• Learn the rules to Australian Rules football while watching the Bombers beat the Hawks at the MCG
• Or join 90,000 screaming fans at the MCG for the Australian Rules grand final match
• Catch the traditional Boxing Day cricket test match at the MCG
• Experience the 4 seasons in one day that is Melbourne weather
• Discover why Melbourne is called Australia’s cultural capital
• Sip a latte and people watch along trendy Chapel Street
• See the alternative side of Melbourne at the annual Fringe Festival
• Take a ride on one of the historic trams
• Buy a fancy hat and take to the races for Melbourne Cup Day
• Take a flutter at the massive Crown Casino
• Be a kid at the old-fashioned fairground, Luna Park
• Pull out your camera for Phillip Island’s nightly Penguin Parade
• Grab your board and hit the waves at Torquay, Australia’s surfing capital
• Find a designated driver and tour over 30 wineries in the immediate area
• Hit the slopes on Victoria’s renowned snowfields

Why you should not add Melbourne to your RTW travel list

• It’s not going to be nice to your budget and can have you blowing through money quickly.
• The whole four seasons in one day thing we mentioned above. Yeah, that can be rather annoying after a while.
• If you’re traveling here on a RTW trip, then you might have to purchase a new outfit to fit in with the well-dressed of Melbourne. You may even be denied access to a bar or club if you’re not dressed to impress.

Are you heading to Melbourne? What do you need to do?

• Buy a plane ticket to/from Melbourne
• Book a Melbourne hostel
• Book a Melbourne hotel
• Talk to travelers on the Australasia and the Pacific message boards
• Read travel articles on Melbourne

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