Melbourne

Melbourne’s weather is seriously unpredictable. The locals joke that you can experience all four seasons in a single day — and they’re not wrong.

During the Australian summer (November to March), it can get scorching hot, with temperatures around 104°F. But even then, cooler days pop up out of nowhere where it barely climbs above 68°F.

That said, summer is when Melbourne is at its best — and it makes a great travel destination in February.

Winter (May to August) can get pretty chilly. Daytime temperatures are usually manageable, but evenings often drop well below 50°F — so pack a warm layer.

Melbourne is a city made for wandering, not checking off landmarks. There aren’t many major sights here in the traditional sense.

If you just want to hit the highlights, one to two days will do — but you’ll probably leave feeling like you only scratched the surface.

The real charm of Melbourne reveals itself when you slow down and explore the different neighborhoods at your own pace.

We think one week is the sweet spot for that.

In Australia, the currency is the Australian Dollar (AUD). One AUD is roughly equivalent to 65 cents.

In Melbourne, you can pay by credit card pretty much everywhere — and that’s exactly what most people do. In three weeks there, we never once paid with cash.

If you do want cash on hand, you’ll find ATMs throughout the city. Just be aware that your bank may charge a small withdrawal fee.

One thing worth knowing: some hotels, restaurants, and stores don’t accept cash at all. So always have a credit card with you.

Melbourne is definitely not a budget destination — but it’s also not as pricey as many people expect.

Alcohol can be expensive, and food costs vary a lot depending on where you eat. Casual spots and food courts are surprisingly affordable.

Here’s a quick overview of typical costs in Melbourne:

• Flight to Melbourne: $900 to $1,500 USD (varies widely by origin)
• One night in a decent mid-range hotel: $160–220 USD
• 1.5-liter bottle of water: around $1–3 AUD
• Coffee: $4–6 AUD
• Public transit ticket: around $4 AUD (free in the city center)
• Dinner at a casual restaurant: $15–25 AUD
• Food court or food truck meal: $10–15 AUD

Pack clothes for intense heat — but also a few layers for when the temperature drops unexpectedly. This is non-negotiable in Melbourne.

Sunscreen is absolutely essential. The UV index in Australia is no joke.

If you’re visiting outside of summer, bring warm clothing for the evenings too — it can get genuinely cold.

You’ll also need a power adapter for Australian outlets. A universal travel adapter is your safest bet.

Australia is generally a very safe country to travel in. Crime levels are comparable to other Western cities.

You can walk around Melbourne feeling completely at ease — just keep the usual eye on your valuables, especially in busy areas.

Tap water in Melbourne is safe to drink, but it has a pretty noticeable chlorine taste that takes some getting used to.

You’ll find water refill stations in many public places. The water there is sometimes filtered and tastes better — though not always. Worth trying before you buy a bottle.