Melbourne
Melbourne is the city that does coffee, street art, and live music better than almost anywhere else. The laneways are an endless maze of cafés, galleries, and hidden bars. It's less flashy than Sydney but locals will tell you it has more soul. The food scene is staggering — Greek, Vietnamese, Italian, Ethiopian — all within a few tram stops of each other. And the Great Ocean Road starts right at the doorstep.
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Melbourne travel FAQ
How many days should I spend in Melbourne?
3–5 days. Day 1: CBD laneways, street art in Hosier Lane, and the Queen Victoria Market. Day 2: Federation Square, NGV gallery, and the Royal Botanic Gardens, then bar-hop in Fitzroy. Day 3: St Kilda Beach and the Yarra Valley wine region (45 minutes out). Day 4–5: Great Ocean Road drive — you can do it in a long day but two days with an overnight is better. The Twelve Apostles at sunset will melt your brain.
How does Melbourne compare to Sydney?
Sydney has the harbor and beaches. Melbourne has the culture and food. Sydney is more a visual knockout; Melbourne rewards those who explore. Melbourne's coffee culture is globally recognized — flat whites here are the gold standard. The street art, live music venues, and hidden bars are what make it special. Both are worth visiting, but Melbourne tends to grow on you more the longer you stay.
What's the coffee culture like?
Melbourne takes coffee seriously — it's arguably the best coffee city in the world. Forget Starbucks (there basically aren't any — they tried and failed here). Order a flat white at places like Market Lane, Patricia, or Seven Seeds. Every suburb has exceptional independent roasters. Coffee costs around $4.50–5.50 AUD. Cafés open early and close mid-afternoon — don't expect late-night coffee. Brunch culture is huge too.