Melbourne is one of Australia’s most vibrant cities and this vast metropolis has a lot to offer people from all walks of life. Flights to Melbourne are easy to acquire and are affordably priced to cater to individuals who are going to visit the said city for leisure or business purposes. Although the cost of living in this city is notoriously expensive, Melbourne features a number of free attractions and with a little research and forward planning having fun in this exciting city can be reasonably affordable.
Take a guided tour of the city
Guided tours cover many of Melbourne’s main attractions such as the Royal Botanic Gardens, Federation Square and Fitzroy Gardens. In addition to allowing visitors to cover much of the city’s highlights in a single day, these tours are also offered for a set rate, which makes them easy to budget for.
Take advantage of free attractions
Melbourne also features several free attractions that can be enjoyed throughout the year. Visitors can spend several hours learning about the evolution of various technologies and playing games at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image before taking a stroll along the banks of the Yarra River.
Enjoy free events
Free events are held throughout the year at Federation Square, while Melbourne also boasts a number of annual free festivals and events that are free to join. A special free fireworks display is held at the Docklands Waterfront every Friday night in July, while many of the city’s historical buildings are open to the public to explore free of charge at the end of July.
Meet the locals
Meeting local people is a great way to gain an insight into the city while making new friends. Several social networking sites such as Couch surfing offer visitors the chance to connect with local people and get ideas for cheap and fun activities in Melbourne. Alternatively, it is also possible to connect with people at a local cafe or hostel.
Of course, this is just a small selection of the ways to have fun in Melbourne without breaking the bank. Budget conscious travellers can save money by opting for self-catering accommodation and purchasing supplies from local supermarkets to make meals at their room or enjoy in local parks. Melbourne is blessed with an excellent transportation system and making use of local trams and buses is also a good way to save money while exploring the city.
Ferdz Decena is an award-winning travel photographer, writer and blogger. His works has found print in publications such as Singapore Airlines’s Silver Kris, Philippine Airlines’ Mabuhay, Cebu Pacific’s Smile and Seair InFlight. He has also lent his expertise to various organizations like the Oceana Philippines, Lopez Group Foundation, Save the Children and World Vision, contributing quality images for their marketing materials.
