Flights from Queenstown to Melbourne

The Cost of Visiting Melbourne

Transportation

For budget travellers buying cheap flights to Melbourne, you can explore the city centre for free aboard the City Circle Tram. The loop takes 48 minutes to complete, and it runs past some of the top attractions in the city. If you want to explore further afield, buy the Myki Explorer pack when your flights to Melbourne arrive. For $15 AUD ($15.71 NZD) you'll get one day of unlimited travel on Melbourne's public transportation system and special offers at attractions such as the Melbourne Museum and Queen Victoria Market.

Food

Travellers purchasing return flights to Melbourne can expect to spend on average $34 AUD ($35.61 NZD) on food. It's also a good idea to book accommodation where you'll get breakfast included or a self-catering apartment with a kitchen. The restaurants in Melbourne can be expensive, and you'll save a lot of money by going to supermarkets like Coles and cooking at least one meal a day at home.

Drinks

If you're searching for drinks on a budget, visit Section 8 or The Joint Bar. You can get a beer for $5 AUD ($5.24), and both bars are excellent for meeting other young travellers.

Tips for First-Time Travellers to Melbourne

Choose your accommodation wisely

If you want to keep your commute time down, book a hotel or hostel in a central location that's close to public transportation. One of the best places to stay for travellers buying return flights to Melbourne is the Central Business District. You'll be a short walk away from the Yarra River and the Arts Centre Melbourne.

Go souvenir shopping at Queen Victoria Market

Queen Victoria Market is a flea and food market in the heart of Melbourne's CBD. For first-time visitors buying flights to Melbourne, it's the best place to shop for souvenirs and try a range of cuisines at the food hall.

Transportation from Melbourne Airport (MEL)

Once your flights to Melbourne arrive at Melbourne Airport (MEL), the most convenient way to get to your hotel is with an Uber or taxi. Depending on the time of flight, you can expect to pay around $45 to $60 AUD ($47.17 to $62.85 NZD) for a trip to the CBD. For those wanting a more affordable option, you can use the SkyBus. It runs directly from Melbourne Airport (MEL) to Southern Cross Station in the CBD. A one-way trip costs $16 AUD ($16.76 NZD), and the journey takes 30 to 40 minutes.

Alternatively, you can hire a car. It's a good idea to reserve your vehicle of choice with Webjet, ahead of departing on flights to Melbourne. You can book your vehicle and your flights to Melbourne at the same time. It will save you the hassle of sorting everything out at the airport and get you to your final destination faster.

Top Experiences For Visitors in Melbourne

Yarra Valley

For wine lovers buying cheap flights to Melbourne, you can't go wrong with a day trip to Yarra Valley. It's the creme-de-la-creme of Australia's wine scene, and you can pair your wine tasting with trips to chocolate and ice cream shops.

Royal Exhibition Hall

The Royal Exhibition Hall holds the title of Australia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. The building dates back to 1879 and is surrounded by the beautiful Carlton Gardens. Before buying flights to Melbourne, check to see what events are being held at the hall and try to plan your trip around one. You won't regret it!

National Gallery of Victoria

The National Gallery of Victoria is home to an impressive display of world-class art. It's made up of two venues, and you could easily spend an entire day exploring each one. NGV International is where travellers buying tickets to Melbourne will find pieces from Rembrandt and Bonnard. While the Ian Potter Centre houses artworks from Indigenous Australian artists.

Visit St Kilda

St Kilda Beach is a straightforward 40-minute tram ride from Melbourne's CBD. As well as the neighbourhood’s beach, visitors will find a good array of shops, fine dining restaurants and delicious bakeries. If you're buying airfare to Melbourne and you have a sweet tooth, don't miss out on sampling the desserts at Europa Cake Shop and Monarch!

Explore Melbourne's street art scene

The city’s street art galleries are one of the best things to see for travellers buying tickets to Melbourne. The easiest spot to see some of the murals is Hosier Lane. It's considered the hub of street art and almost every brick and patch of wall has something painted on it. If you're booking flights to Melbourne and you love rock music, stop by the AC/DC Lane. The street art is a mix of traditional art forms with music themes.