Last year, I finally had the chance to visit Melbourne, a city I’d always wanted to visit. Although my stay was brief, as Melbourne was just a stopover on my way to Tasmania, the city left a strong impression in just a few days. With no direct flights from Singapore to Tasmania currently available, Melbourne serves as the most convenient gateway, offering easy connections by domestic flight or even ferry to Hobart and beyond.
If you’re curious about how to get to Hobart or what to explore in Tasmania, check out my previous blog post for all the details. Melbourne is also the perfect starting point for the iconic Great Ocean Road, a must-do road trip renowned for its breathtaking coastal views and charming towns. In this post, I’ll share my first impressions of Melbourne and why it’s more than just a transit city.
Getting to Melbourne city from the airport is pretty easy with the Airport Express bus taking us directly to the Southern Cross bus station in 45 minutes. We had booked an Airbnb apartment near the Docklands and conveniently located just across the station. This made traveling hassle free since we didn’t have to take a taxi or tram with our luggage to get to our lodging.
Its quite easy to get around Melbourne with the tram service, which is free if you keep within the Free Tram Zone. This zone covers the Docklands and CBD. Getting on and off stations within the zone entitles you to free tram rides. Most of the city’s attractions are within the zone which makes it one of the most convenient and best ways to explore the city.
From Federation Square, its a short walk to Hosier Lane, Melbourne’s most iconic alleyway for street art. Every inch of wall space is plastered with murals and graffiti by artists from around the world, creating a riot of colour and creativity. As someone from Singapore, where even doodling on a park bench could land you in serious trouble, I found myself torn between cringing at the blatant disregard for public order and secretly enjoying the thrill of all this sanctioned rebellion.
Melbourne is well known for its culture and art scene. If you are really interested in street art, Hosier Lane isn’t the only place where you can find it. There are many locations scattered across the city where artist have turned walls into stunning artistic expressions.
Besides the CBD, historical buildings and street art, we also explored with our limited time Brighton Beach and St Kilda’s Pier.
With just 3 full days in winter, taking into account the short days and closing times of many places, I felt that I had barely scratched the surface of what this city has to offer. There’s a sense that Melbourne reveals itself slowly, rewarding those who linger long enough to explore its hidden lane ways, vibrant arts scene, and rich historical heritage. Next time, I’d love to dedicate a longer trip solely to immersing myself in the city’s culture, museums, and storied past, because Melbourne truly deserves more than just a fleeting visit.
