Melbourne is around 200 years old and owes much of its original wealth to the gold rush in the nearby towns of Ballarat and Bendigo. It is a beautiful city along the banks of the Yarra River near to the mountains of the Dandenong Ranges spreading out to the east. Its southern suburbs reach down to the coast, and there are many lovely beaches along the shores of the natural inland waters known as Port Phillip Bay. If you are lucky you can see whales, dolphins and seals playing just offshore while you enjoy the idyllic scenery.
A vacation getaway to Melbourne is a delight from beginning to end as you can immerse yourself in this multicultural city that has a passion for all things arty. Like the rest of Australia, sport, food and wine go hand in hand as important pastimes, and a relaxing stay in Melbourne has the best of all worlds for you to discover. If all this sounds appealing, it might be time to book your flight to Melbourne and hotel package with us and experience a great travel deal and all this wonderful city has to offer.
The main airport in Melbourne is 14 miles to the north of the city in an area called Tullamarine. It is the only international airport and will be your destination whether you have a flight from New York to Melbourne, or a flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne.
The visa process is a very simple one for US citizens. You can apply online for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) as long as you are a tourist or are visiting for business purposes for less than 90 days.
The currency in Australia is Australian dollars (AUD), and as a general rule of thumb it is worth about 80c although it is advisable to check current exchange rates when you are departing on your vacation.
It doesn’t matter whether you have taken a last minute vacation package or have planned your vacation in Melbourne for a year, the weather in Melbourne will not disappoint. Many Australian cities are prone to extreme temperatures, but Melbourne is very temperate all year round. The summer months are December to February and the highest temperatures average in the mid to high 70s. And in the winter the mercury doesn’t fall much below the mid 50s so book your dream holiday now as it is an ideal destination at any time of year.
Whatever your passion is, you mustn’t miss the Queen Victoria Market. Open 5 days a week (not including Monday and Wednesday), it sells almost everything you can imagine. From fruit and vegetables to clothes and handbags, this place has it all, just don’t forget to leave room in your suitcase.
If sport is your thing, you should take in an Aussie Rules Football game at the MCG. It is a little like a cross between football, without the helmets and protection, and rugby; a fast-paced game with passionate supporters from all over Victoria. For a quieter life, however, try the Melbourne Zoo as it is excellent fun for the younger ones, or take a tour to experience all the street art that Melbourne has to offer. If you fancy seeing some unusual sights and you also enjoy cheap vacation packages, book your flight and hotel to Melbourne with us as soon as you can.
There are some wonderful opportunities outside the city for trekking, animal watching and even adventure sports if you are brave enough. As an addition to your flight and hotel package in Melbourne, you can hire a convertible car and travel the Great Ocean Road. It is a picturesque highway that runs along the coast from Torquay to Warnambool 150 miles to the west where you can see the 12 Apostles. They are an outcrop of limestone towers visible from the road and best seen at sunset or sunrise, but don't forget to keep your eyes peeled for koalas, experience a wine tour or give parachuting a go. The scenery has never looked more beautiful than when you are at 15,000ft surveying the whole of the Victorian countryside.
Alternatively, there are many hiking opportunities in the Dandenong and Yarra Ranges to suit all abilities. Book your flight and hotel deals with us and you won’t fail to enjoy your vacation in Melbourne and the surrounding area.
One thing you won’t be short of when you are enjoying a vacation getaway in Melbourne is a fabulous place to eat, and there are so many different cuisines on offer it can be hard to make your choice. Lygon Street in the CBD is in the Italian quarter and there are many bars and restaurants to choose from here, including Brunetti which is famous for its coffee and pastries. If you are planning to explore Fitzroy, which is about a mile and a half from the CBD, you might prefer the more eclectic food choices from rustic to ultra-modern cuisine. Book your holiday now and whichever travel packages you choose for your trip to Melbourne, you won’t find it difficult to find somewhere wonderful to eat and have the holiday of a lifetime.
Are you planning your flight to Australia? If the allure of Melbourne for your getaway doesn't quite captivate you, consider delving into the charm of other vibrant cities from this country, and other near countries. Browse through our enticing flight and hotel bundles for your upcoming holiday escapade!