Living in Melbourne
Discover Melbourne: Australia's Cultural Capital
There’s something about Melbourne that captures the hearts of everyone. Whether you like fashion, art, sports or nature, Melbourne offers experiences that will fill your Instagram feed with unforgettable memories. Explore the city for its hidden street art, architecture, bustling cafes and vibrant arts scene, or even catch a world class event such as the Australian Open.
Top 10 things to do in Melbourne
- Discover Melbourne’s secret laneways
- Take a tram to explore the city
- Check out the cultural hub of Federation Square
- Explore designer boutiques, craft markets and local labels
- Watch a footy game at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground
- Bike ride along the Yarra River
- Chill out at the Botanical Gardens
- Take in the beach scene and spot some penguins at St. Kilda Esplanade
- Catch an arts or music festival
- Take a day trip to explore Melbourne’s wineries, forests and surf beaches
Experience Melbourne
A good place to start when planning your weekend adventures in Melbourne is Visit Victoria. Here you’ll find info about places to eat, things to do and events you can attend. There are lots of free things going on in the city all the time, so make sure you check back regularly.
What’s On Melbourne (run by the City of Melbourne council) has a festival calendar to help you find out what’s happening, and if you’re into nightlife, fashion and the arts (as well as knowing where to get a good coffee) you should take a look at Broadsheet.
You may like to check out some of Melbourne’s biggest events while you’re here, like:
- Australian Open Tennis Championships for two sweltering weeks in January
- Melbourne Food and Wine Festival in March
- Melbourne International Comedy Festival from March – April
- AFL (Australian Football League) from March – September, and AFLW (Australian Football League Women’s League) from August - November
- Melbourne Fringe Festival in October
Cost of living
Living in Australia can be expensive, so it’s a good idea to do your research and prepare a budget before you arrive. Your tuition and study fees do not include personal costs like accommodation, food, and other things you will need while in Australia.
You can learn more about the cost of living in Melbourne to help you prepare a budget. However, these figures are only estimates; costs will vary depending on your location and your lifestyle. Rent, for example, is more expensive in Melbourne than it is in a regional area. You may need to add other items to your budget, like ongoing mobile phone and internet fees. All costs are subject to inflation.
Accommodation
Find out more about finding a place to live on our accommodation page.
Next steps
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