Melbourne City from Southbank

 

Australia’s second largest city, Melbourne, doesn’t have a harbour, nor a bridge or an Opera house but it does rival Sydney as the business, cultural, and artistic heart of the country. And now you will be visiting Melbourne and are in need of accommodation for your stay. Now Melbourne is a sprawling city with many suburbs you could stay in. So how do you choose where to stay?  Firstly, ask yourself why you are coming to Melbourne and once you have answered that, you should be able to choose the best location with the best accommodation option. Here are my suggestions on the best neighbourhoods and the best places to stay in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia no matter what your budget is. 

 

Your Reason For Visiting Melbourne Can Influence Where You Stay

 

There are many reasons to visit Melbourne and only you can answer this one. But if you are coming to Melbourne for a specific reason then there might be an area that would suit you better. For instance, if you are coming to Melbourne for a sporting event at the MCG then you will need accommodation in Melbourne’s CBD or just east of Melbourne in the suburbs of Jolimont or Richmond. Or if you are visiting for the first time and want to explore the major tourist sites then you will probably want to stay in Melbourne’s CBD. And if you are seeking great nightlife with budget accommodation by the beach then the St Kilda area would suit. Read on for more information on the different neighbourhoods to stay in Melbourne and the types of accommodation within them.

 

Types of Accommodation in Melbourne

 

Melbourne has a great array of accommodation available for every budget. From camping sites on the fringes to hostels to budget motels to mid-range and luxury hotels to small apartments. There is simply all sorts of accommodation available for singles, couples and families and for every budget. Read on and find some accommodation in Melbourne for your visit.

 

Best Areas to Stay in Melbourne

 

Melbourne is a sprawling city with many areas you could stay. Each part of Melbourne has its own uniqueness and offer visitors lots of accommodation options. Depending on your reason for visiting Melbourne here are the best areas to stay in Melbourne.

 

Melbourne CBD

 

The centre of Melbourne city is naturally the most popular area to stay as you are within walking distance or a tram ride away from all the main attractions. Melbourne has many architectural delights along with fashionable boutiques and arcades and narrow laneways to explore. You also have the hustle and bustle of the city during the day and the nightlife at night. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants to enjoy as well as all the tourist attractions. The free tram around the city is a must to ride and get to know the city.

 

Attractions in Melbourne CBD

 

  • Flinders Street Station
  • Federation Square
  • State Library Victoria
  • St Paul’s Cathedral
  • Melbourne Central
  • Immigration Museum
  • Queen Victoria Market
  • Old Melbourne Gaol
  • Sealife Melbourne Aquarium

 

Best Accommodation in Melbourne CBD

 

Hostels: Melbourne City Backpackers, All Nationals Backpackers, The Village Melbourne
Budget Hotels: Hotel Grand Chancellor Melbourne, Ibis Melbourne Central
Luxury Hotels: InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto, The Langham, Grand Hyatt Melbourne
Apartments: Melbourne SkyHigh Apartments
Best Camping & Caravan Sites: Crystal Brook Tourist Park, Discovery Park Melbourne

 

Southbank

 

Just south of the CBD on the other side of the Yarra River, a mere walk across a bridge, you will find Southbank. Southbank is regarded as Melbourne’s Art Precinct as you will find the wonderful National Gallery of Victoria, the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, the Arts Centre and a quick tram ride down St Kilda Road to the Shrine of Remembrance. At Southbank you can walk along the waterfront and visit the two tallest buildings in Australia, the Eureka Tower and Australia 108. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes to enjoy as well as the Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex which dominates the area. There are also many swanky areas for shopping, drinking and eating and the CBD is connected by one of the numerous bridges across the Yarra. So if you are interested in the arts and or visiting the two tall buildings then Southbank is an ideal location to stay while in Melbourne. 

 

Attractions in Southbank

 

  • National Gallery of Victoria
  • Arts Centre
  • Shrine of Remembrance
  • Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex
  • Eureka Tower

 

Best Accommodation in Southbank, Melbourne

 

Budget Hotels: Ink Hotel Melbourne Southbank
Mid-range to luxury Hotels: Crown Towers Hotel, Pan Pacific Melbourne, Crown Metropol Melbourne
Apartments: Bella Hotel Apartments, WRAP on Southbank

 

Docklands

 

The Docklands is a recently developed area of Melbourne and has loads of apartments with great views. It is conveniently located for the Skybus which has a terminal at the Southern Cross Railway Station (formerly Spencer Street Station). So if you are arriving by plane for your visit to Melbourne, the Docklands are a very convenient area to stay. Melbourne’s free tram runs within this area making it easy for you to get to the CBD and northern Melbourne suburbs. There aren’t too many touristy things to do in the Docklands but there is the Melbourne Star observation wheel and not too far away is Sealife Melbourne Aquarium. The main reason you would stay in the Docklands is that it is a hop skip and a jump to Marvel Stadium for sporting events.

 

Popular Attractions in Docklands

 

  • Docklands Stadium
  • Victoria Police Museum
  • Sealife Melbourne Aquarium
  • Melbourne Star Observation Wheel

 

Best Accommodation in Docklands, Melbourne

Medium-Luxury Hotels: The Sebel Melbourne Docklands, Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands
Apartments: Quest Docklands, Quest NewQuay Docklands

 

North Melbourne Suburbs

 

Just north of Melbourne’s CBD are a number of suburbs, North Melbourne, Carlton, Fitzroy and Collingwood. They are all well serviced by trams to easily get you into the CBD or you could walk if feeling energetic. Staying in this part of Melbourne will mean you are close to the Victoria Market, Carlton Gardens and the 19th-century exhibition buildings of the Royal Exhibition Building which is a UNESCO World Heritage listed site. One of the best things about this area are the funky shops and restaurants. After some Italian culture, wander down Lygon Street in Carlton known as Melbourne’s Little Italy for some classic Italian cuisine. Accommodation is limited in this part of Melbourne but there are still a number of places to stay while in Melbourne.

 

Popular Attractions in Melbourne’s Northern Suburbs

 

  • Victoria Market
  • Carlton Gardens
  • Royal Exhibition Building
  • Melbourne Museum
  • Melbourne Cemetery
  • Lygon Street
  • Melbourne Zoo

 

Best Accommodation in Melbourne’s Northern Suburbs

 

Hostel: Melbourne Metro YHA, Queen Victoria Hostel
Budget Hotels: Best Western Plus Travel Inn, City Edge North Melbourne
Mid-Luxury Hotels: Mercure North Melbourne,
Apartments: Melrose Apartments

 

St Kilda

 

St Kilda is a traditional bay beach tourist resort area. With a wide sandy area St Kilda isn’t the best for swimming, but on a hot day, any body of water is great to cool off in. St Kilda is a drawcard though, apart from the beach on your doorstep there is a pair and a great walking trail along the foreshore. There’s also plenty of cafes, bars, pubs and restaurants. There are two main strips to St Kilda, Fitzroy Street and Ackland Street known for its traditional bakeries. And then you have Luna Park, Melbourne’s iconic amusement park. There is plenty of nightlife available too with live music at The Esplanade Hotel. St Kilda has a lot of accommodation available and it is particularly the first choice for backpackers visiting Melbourne with many short and long-term hostels and budget accommodation available. St Kilda is about 20 minutes from the CBD by tram so it isn’t too far to still be able to head into the city to enjoy all the things Melbourne has to offer. 

 

Popular Attractions in St Kilda

 

  • Luna Park
  • Walk along the St Kilda foreshore and Ackland Street
  • See bands at the Esplanade Hotel

 

Best Accommodation in St Kilda

 

Hostels: Base St Kilda, Barkly Backpackers
Mid-Luxury Hotels: Rydges St Kilda, Cosmopolitan Motel
Apartments: Quest St Kilda Bayside, Crest On Barkly Serviced Apartments

 

East Melbourne

 

If you are in Melbourne to attend a sporting event at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) or want to shop till you drop on Bridge Road in Richmond then staying east of Melbourne might suit. However, they can be reached quite easily by tram.

 

Attractions in East Melbourne

 

  • Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
  • Royal Botanic Gardens with Captain Cook House
  • Shopping on Bridge Road, Richmond
  • Victoria Gardens Shopping Centre

 

Best Accommodation in East Melbourne


Budget-Mid Range Hotels
: Georgian Bed & BreakfastComfort Hotel East Melbourne, Richmond Hill Hotel
Mid-Luxury Hotels: Mantra on Jolimont, Pullman on the Park, Park Hyatt Parliament Square
Apartments: City Edge East Melbourne Apartments Hotel, Knightsbridge Apartments

 

Best of Melbourne at a Glance

Best Hostels: YHA North Melbourne,
Best Budget Hotels: Cosmopolitan Hotel, Crest on Park Hotel Apartments, Hotel Grand Chancellor Melbourne
Best Family Hotels in Melbourne: Crown Metropol Melbourne, Quest NewQuay Docklands, Pan Pacific Melbourne
Best Luxury Hotels in Melbourne: InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto, The Langham, Sofitel Melbourne on Collins, Crown Towers Hotel
Best Camping & Caravan Parks in Melbourne: 
Best Area in Melbourne for Sightseeing: City Centre (CBD)
Best Area in Melbourne for Nightlife: St Kilda and City Centre
Best Area in Melbourne for Food and Restaurants: Southbank
Best Area in Melbourne For Families: Docklands
Best Area in Melbourne for Beaches: St Kilda
Best Area in Melbourne for the Arts: CBD and Southbank
Best Area in Melbourne for watching sports: East Melbourne for the MCG and Docklands for Marvel Stadium
Best Area in Melbourne for transport: The tram system throughout the city is great. To go further afield check out the trains and the buses.

 

Have you Chosen Where to Stay in Melbourne?

 

Thank you for reading this Melbourne accommodation guide! I hope you have been able to choose and book the best Melbourne accommodation for your stay. Let me know about your stay in the comments below and if you have any questions. 

 

RELATED POSTS: 

 

 

  • TRAVELLING AUSTRALIAN SOON? ALREADY ON THE ROAD?

    Here are my favourite sites to get great deals to live, work and travel in Australia. 

     

    LIKE THIS POST – PLEASE PIN IT.

     

  • Melbourne Accommodation Pin. Melbourne City Has Lots Of Accommodation Options.