Top Experiences for Visitors
Melbourne Museum
No matter what type of museum experience you prefer, the Melbourne Museum has a bit of something for everyone. There are exhibits focusing on natural history, Victorian culture, astronomy, and Aboriginal people of Victoria. If you’re visiting the museum with children, they can enjoy a variety of kids’ activities that are sprinkled throughout the museum. Other highlights of Melbourne Museum include the IMAX theatre that shows a rotating selection of films and the gorgeous Milarri Garden Trail.
Queen Victoria Market
The Queen Victoria Market holds the title as the Southern Hemisphere’s largest open-air market. Hundreds of small business owners have shops and market stalls there where you can shop everything from fresh produce and baked goods to clothing and jewellery to homewares and plants. The market is open during the day five days a week, and depending on when you’ll be travelling from Dunedin to Melbourne, you may be able to head there at night to eat delicious food and do some shopping. The Night Market takes place on Wednesday nights during the summer and winter months.
St Kilda
St Kilda is Melbourne’s bohemian coastal suburb. It’s a must-visit area of the city, especially if you book flights from Dunedin to Melbourne for a summer trip. Lounge on the beach, stroll along the boardwalk, get a thrill at Luna Park, and hit the bars and restaurants along Acland Street and Fitzroy Street. If you’re in the neighbourhood around sunset time, head to the end of the St Kilda Breakwater to see little blue penguins return to their nests after a day of swimming and fishing.
Public Transport and How to Get Around from the Airport
The SkyBus offers an easy transport option from both Melbourne Airport and Avalon Airport. Each one shuttles passengers to Southern Cross Station in the CBD. The Melbourne City Express departs about every 20 minutes and the Avalon City Express is scheduled to meet each arriving and departing flight.
Melbourne has an excellent network of public transportation that consists of trams, trains, and buses. There are 24 tram routes and a free tram zone within the CBD. Tram 35 is the City Circle tram and perfect for visitors – it’s a heritage tram that loops around the CBD, is free to ride, and includes commentary along the way. The train network is made up of 16 routes, most of which go through the City Loop. Melbourne also has more than 300 bus routes that are available all through the city and suburbs.
Hiring a car is often the best option if you’d like to take any day trips while holidaying on flights from Dunedin to Melbourne. Popular day trips include Great Ocean Road, the Mornington Peninsula, and Wilsons Promontory.
The Cost of Visiting
There’s a huge selection of hotels and hostels available to book with Webjet. The average nightly rate is $150 to $200 NZD, but you can find budget options from about $55 NZD. Rental cars can also be booked with Webjet and picked up from locations in the city or from the airport. Rates start from about $65 NZD per day.
The SkyBus is the easiest and most affordable way to get from the airport to central Melbourne. The Melbourne City Express costs $15 AUD ($15.65 NZD) one way, and tickets for the Avalon City Express are $24 AUD ($25.05 NZD). Once you’re in the city, most of the public transport is split between two zones – although it extends all the way to 13 zones in regional areas. Zone 1+2 fare costs $4.50 AUD ($4.70 NZD), and you’ll pay $3 AUD ($3.15 NZD) if you’re only travelling within Zone 2. This doesn’t include trams within the CBD as they’re completely free to ride.
There are dozens of fun and free attractions to enjoy if you’re travelling from Dunedin to Melbourne with a budget in mind. Explore the various laneways and unique neighbourhoods, visit the beaches, stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens, see Flinders Street Station, wander through Queen Victoria Market, and walk along the Southbank.
Other attractions include the Melbourne Museum and Old Melbourne Gaol. Entrance to the museum costs $15 AUD ($15.65 NZD) for adults and is free for kids, and general admission to the Gaol is $30 AUD ($31.35 NZD) for adults and $17 AUD ($17.75 NZD) for children. The Yarra Valley is a fun day trip from the city, and booking a guided tour allows you to fully enjoy the experience without worrying about driving. Prices vary by tour operator but often cost between $130 and $160 AUD ($135.80 and $167.15 NZD) for a full-day tour with transportation from the city.
FAQ
What airlines offer flights from Dunedin to Melbourne?
Webjet has flights from Dunedin to Melbourne on Qantas, Air New Zealand, and Jetstar. Each of the flights includes a stopover along the way in Christchurch, Auckland, or Wellington.
What is the best way to get around Melbourne from the airport?
The easiest way to reach the CBD is to catch the SkyBus to Southern Cross Station. The SkyBus operates routes from both Melbourne Airport and Avalon Airport. Once you reach the city, there’s an extensive network of trams, trains, and buses to help you get around.
How long does it take to fly from Dunedin to Melbourne?
Dunedin to Melbourne flights include a stopover and are available from seven and a half hours for the complete journey.
What is the closest airport to the Melbourne CBD?
Melbourne Airport (sometimes called Tullamarine) is the closest airport to the city centre. It’s located 23 kilometres northwest of the CBD. Without traffic, a car journey from the airport to the city takes about 25 minutes.
How much does it cost to travel from Dunedin to Melbourne?
Flights to Melbourne from Dunedin range from about $200 to $350 NZD. Jetstar typically has lower fares than the other airlines, and you can also score a deal by travelling during off-peak times.
