Travel guide · Australia
Melbourne Travel Guide 2026: Great Ocean Road, Penguins, Half-Price Trams and Real Costs
Southbank and the Yarra River, Melbourne Photo: Donaldytong, CC BY-SA 3.0
Melbourne is the capital of Victoria, a grid of laneways, arcades and free galleries on Port Phillip Bay, with the Great Ocean Road and the Phillip Island penguins within a day's reach. The decisions that matter are which of those two big day trips to take if you only have time for one, when to come (January highs average about 27 °C, July about 14 °C), and how to use transport that is half price until 1 January 2027 and now takes bank cards. This guide brings together official 2026 prices, rules and closures, the climate month by month and current prices across 861 bookable tours.
Melbourne at a glance
| Where | South-east Australia, capital of Victoria, on Port Phillip Bay |
|---|---|
| Main airport | Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine), about 22 km north-west of the centre; SkyBus to Southern Cross Station |
| Climate | Average highs from 14.1 °C in July to 26.6 °C in January; 40–58 mm of rain in every month |
| Transport | Trams, trains and buses on myki or a contactless bank card; half price until 1 January 2027 |
| Currency and tipping | Australian dollar; tipping is not expected, about 10% is common in fine dining |
| Payments | Many venues are card-only, including the NGV and the Penguin Parade |
| Entry | Everyone except New Zealanders needs an ETA, eVisitor or visa before flying |
| Emergency | 000 |
Most of what first-time visitors come for in the city sits inside or next to the Free Tram Zone: Flinders Street Station and Federation Square on the river, the laneways and arcades between them and Bourke Street, Queen Victoria Market at the north-west corner and Docklands to the west. The NGV, the Shrine of Remembrance and Southbank lie just across the Yarra, and the MCG is a short walk east through the parks.
Melbourne in pictures
Tap a photo to enlarge it. Photos: Dietmar Rabich, Coekon, Andy McLemore from ...in a little town where everybody wishes they were somewher, Bhullargraphic — Wikimedia Commons.
Great Ocean Road or Phillip Island: which day trip should you choose?
These are the two trips nearly every visitor considers, and they pull in opposite directions. The Great Ocean Road runs west along the coast to the Twelve Apostles, a long day of scenery. Phillip Island lies south-east, about 90 minutes' drive plus 20 minutes from the bridge, and the day is built around one event: little penguins coming ashore at sunset.
| Great Ocean Road | Phillip Island | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from the CBD | 275 km to the Twelve Apostles by the coast (about 4 h), 220 km inland (2 h 45 min) | About 90 minutes' drive plus 20 minutes from the bridge |
| What you see | Surf beaches, cliffs, the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge | The Penguin Parade at sunset, coastal boardwalks |
| Entry cost | Free booking at the Twelve Apostles until April 2027 | Penguin Parade from AUD 34 adult |
| Without a car | V/Line coach to Apollo Bay only; the Apostles need a tour | No public transport after the parade; a tour is the realistic option |
| Typical tour price | $110 | $132 |
| Best for | Landscape, photography, a full day on the road | Wildlife, families, shorter driving days |
Verdict: With one free day, choose the Great Ocean Road if scenery is the point of the visit and you can face a 12-hour day; choose Phillip Island if you are travelling with children or want the one wildlife experience Melbourne is known for. With two free days, do both and put the penguins on the day you are most tired, since most of it is sitting on a bus or a bench.
How do you see the Great Ocean Road and the Twelve Apostles?
You now need a booking to visit the Twelve Apostles Must do· Required since 16 October 2026; free until April 2027
The new Keerray Woorroong Visitor Centre at the Twelve Apostles opened on 16 October 2026, and the Victorian Government now requires a booking before you arrive, which also secures a car park. Bookings are made through twelveapostles.org.au and are free until April 2027, after which a fee applies. Most guides written before October 2026 still say you can simply pull in, so do not rely on them.
The official site lists the centre as open daily from 8:00 to 20:00, and general admission covers both the centre and the clifftop viewing at your own pace. If you are on a coach tour, ask the operator whether the booking is included; the government announcement does not say how tour groups are handled.
A day trip works, but only with the inland shortcut on one leg Must do
The coast road from Melbourne to the Twelve Apostles is 275 km and about four hours without stops; the inland Princes Highway route is 220 km and 2 h 45 min. Driving the coast both ways is too much for one day. The usual plan, and the one many tours follow, is coast one way and inland the other. Reverse-itinerary tours in our catalogue run the same loop the other way round, inland first.
The road itself runs 243 km from Torquay to Allansford near Warrnambool. It was built by around 3,000 returned servicemen after the First World War, started in 1919 and opened in 1932, and is widely described as the world's largest war memorial.
| Stop | Distance from the CBD | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Torquay | 100 km | 1 h 15 min |
| Lorne | 145 km | 2 h 15 min |
| Apollo Bay | 190 km | 3 h |
| Twelve Apostles (coast) | 275 km | about 4 h |
| Twelve Apostles (inland) | 220 km | 2 h 45 min |
Add about 30 minutes if you start from Melbourne Airport. Times are without stops.
Loch Ard Gorge is the stop not to skip Worth it
Loch Ard Gorge is a few minutes from the Twelve Apostles on the Shipwreck Coast, and the Gibson Steps nearby take you down to the base of the cliffs. Both are in Port Campbell National Park, where dogs are not allowed.
Without a car, take a tour rather than the bus Must do
A V/Line coach runs daily from Melbourne via Geelong to Apollo Bay in about four hours, but beyond Apollo Bay public transport is thin, and the Twelve Apostles usually mean a tour or a car. Small-group day trips in our catalogue typically cost around $110; private tours are a different budget at around $734.
58 Top-rated Great Ocean Road day trips tours on Excurgo · from $17, typical $110 per person · rated 4.8 across 22,596 reviews
Verdict: Book a small-group reverse-itinerary tour if you will not drive. If you rent a car, stay a night in Apollo Bay or Port Campbell instead of driving around 500 km in a day; multi-day tours that add the Grampians typically cost around $578.
Which Penguin Parade ticket should you buy?
The Penguin Parade on Phillip Island is run by Phillip Island Nature Parks. Penguins come ashore at sunset every day of the year, whatever the weather, and bookings are essential. The site is cashless.
| Ticket | Adult | Child (4–15) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Viewing | AUD 34 | AUD 17 | Family (2+2) AUD 85; arrive 1 h before |
| Penguins Premium (12+) | AUD 85 | — | No children under 12 |
| Family Wildlife Tour | AUD 87.50 | AUD 43.75 | Family (2+2) AUD 218.75 |
| Penguins Plus | AUD 93 | AUD 46.50 | Arrive 1 h before |
| Underground Viewing | AUD 103 | AUD 51.50 | Arrive 30 minutes before |
| Guided Penguin Tour (12+) | AUD 108 | — | Set departure time on the ticket |
| Ultimate Adventure Tour (16+) | AUD 129 | — | Adults only |
Verdict: General Viewing is enough for most people. Pay for Penguins Plus or Underground Viewing only in December and January, when General Viewing seating is limited and not guaranteed.
No photos after sunset, and that includes phones Must do
Cameras, camcorders and camera phones may not be used at the Penguin Parade after sunset, because bright light can frighten or disorient the birds. Take your photos of the beach before dark and put the phone away. Bring warm clothes and a raincoat if rain is forecast: the parade is outdoors and goes ahead in any weather.
Get there an hour before the penguins Must do
General Viewing and Penguins Plus holders should arrive at least an hour before penguin arrival, Underground holders 30 minutes before. From mid-December to late January, and on long weekends and school holidays, traffic to the island can be heavy, so allow extra time if you drive. There is no public transport between the parks and the V/Line bus does not run after the parade, so without a car a tour is the practical choice.
The Nobbies Centre and its Antarctic Journey exhibition are closed, but the boardwalks and wildlife viewing platforms at the Nobbies remain open. Penguin day tours in our catalogue typically cost around $132.
46 Top-rated Phillip Island penguin tours tours on Excurgo · from $89, typical $132 per person · rated 4.8 across 11,098 reviews
St Kilda Pier is the free alternative in the city Worth it· Nightly sessions; book online
Little penguins also live on the breakwater at St Kilda. Phillip Island Nature Parks runs free, ticketed viewing sessions from a platform at the end of St Kilda Pier, and online booking is essential. The same rules apply: no flash or bright lights. It is smaller and less of a spectacle than the Penguin Parade, but it costs nothing and takes an evening, not a day.
When is the best time to visit Melbourne?
Melbourne has a mild climate with no wet season: every month averages between 40 and 58 mm of rain. What changes is temperature. Summer highs average 26–27 °C and winter highs about 14–15 °C, so the season decides what you pack more than the rain does.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26.6 °C | 15.6 °C | 43 mm | Australian Open; penguin seats limited |
| February | 26.5 °C | 15.7 °C | 41 mm | Warm and slightly quieter |
| March | 24.5 °C | 14.3 °C | 41 mm | One of the best months |
| April | 21.0 °C | 11.6 °C | 52 mm | Mild autumn days |
| May | 17.5 °C | 9.7 °C | 51 mm | Cooler, fewer visitors |
| June | 14.6 °C | 7.9 °C | 49 mm | Winter; good for galleries |
| July | 14.1 °C | 7.3 °C | 48 mm | Coldest month |
| August | 15.3 °C | 7.9 °C | 51 mm | Still winter |
| September | 17.5 °C | 9.0 °C | 54 mm | Cool, slowly warming |
| October | 19.8 °C | 10.3 °C | 55 mm | Mild; good for walking |
| November | 22.3 °C | 12.2 °C | 54 mm | Melbourne Cup Day public holiday (3 Nov 2026) |
| December | 24.3 °C | 13.9 °C | 58 mm | Summer holidays begin; busy coast and island |
Averages for Melbourne (Olympic Park), 1991–2020, Bureau of Meteorology.
March–April and October–November are the best months for most visitors Must do
Highs of about 20–25 °C suit long days on foot in the city and on the coast, and you avoid the December–January peak when Penguin Parade General Viewing seats are not guaranteed and traffic to Phillip Island is heavy. Note that Melbourne Cup Day (Tuesday 3 November in 2026) is a public holiday in Victoria, and Queen Victoria Market closes on most public holidays.
Summer is warmest but needs planning Worth it
December to February is the warmest and longest-day season, and it is when the Australian Open fills Melbourne Park (11–31 January in 2027). Book the Penguin Parade and accommodation well ahead. In the Grampians, the MacKenzie Falls precinct closes on days of Extreme or Catastrophic Fire Danger, a reminder that hot, windy days can close parks in summer.
You cannot see or feel UV, so SunSmart advises covering up whenever the UV index is 3 or above; its free app shows the daily level.
Verdict: Come in March or April if you can choose freely. Winter (June–August) is fine for a city-and-galleries trip, but cold for the coast and the penguins.
How do you get from the airport and get around Melbourne?
Public transport is half price until 1 January 2027 Must do
From 1 June 2026 until 1 January 2027, all metropolitan trains, trams and buses and regional V/Line trains and coaches in Victoria are half price for everyone. The full-fare daily cap is AUD 5.70 instead of AUD 11.40. Under-18s travel free with a Youth myki and seniors travel free on weekends. SkyBus and ferries are excluded. Travel was free in April and May 2026, so anything you read about fares this year may already be out of date.
Tap a bank card instead of buying a myki Must do
Tap-and-go with a contactless bank card or phone wallet works at every myki-enabled train station and, since 21 June 2026, on every Melbourne tram. Buses were being added in mid-2026. Concession, senior and youth travellers should still use a myki. If you are on a full fare, a bank card saves buying a card on arrival.
Trams in the city centre are free Must do
Trams inside the Free Tram Zone cost nothing and you do not need to touch on. The zone covers the CBD and Docklands, from Queen Victoria Market to Docklands, Spring Street, Flinders Street Station and Federation Square. If a journey starts or ends outside it, touch on as usual.
| Route | How | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport → Southern Cross Station | SkyBus City Express | AUD 25.90 one way; AUD 43.40 return online | Every 10 min, 4:00–1:00; not half price |
| Around the CBD | Tram | Free in the Free Tram Zone | No need to touch on |
| Elsewhere in Melbourne | Train, tram, bus | Half price; daily cap AUD 5.70 | Bank card or myki |
| City → Belgrave (Puffing Billy) | Metro train, Belgrave line | Half-price metro fare | About 1 h 7 min |
| City → Apollo Bay | V/Line coach via Geelong | Half-price regional fare | About 4 h |
There is still no train to Melbourne Airport; construction of the rail link was underway in 2026. SkyBus tickets are sold online, in the app or at card-only kiosks at Southern Cross. In the city, the Metro Tunnel opened on 30 November 2025 with new stations at Arden, Parkville, State Library, Town Hall and Anzac; Town Hall and State Library are handy for the laneways and the library, Anzac for the Shrine and St Kilda Road.
Verdict: Take SkyBus from the airport, then a free tram to your hotel if it is inside the zone. Do not rent a car for city days; rent one only for the Great Ocean Road or the Grampians.
What are the best things to do in Melbourne?
Melbourne's city sights are close together and mostly free. Ranked below by how much they add to a short trip, from the laneways to the MCG.
The laneways and Hosier Lane are the best free introduction Must do· Any day; mornings are quieter
The City of Melbourne calls Hosier Lane the birthplace of the city's street art and keeps it as a free-to-paint zone, so the walls change constantly. Degraves Street, opposite Flinders Street Station, is the classic café lane, and Centre Place is known for cafés, bars and small shops. The council publishes a self-guided street art walk of about 3 km and two hours that includes AC/DC Lane.
A guided laneways walk adds the history and the lanes you would not find alone; the best-rated ones in our catalogue typically cost around $62.
42 Top-rated laneway and street art walks tours on Excurgo · from $3, typical $62 per person · rated 4.8 across 5,164 reviews
NGV is the best free gallery Must do· Daily 10:00–17:00; free general admission
The National Gallery of Victoria has two buildings: NGV International at 180 St Kilda Road and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation Square. Both open daily 10:00–17:00 with free general admission; special exhibitions may charge. Some NGV International spaces may close from 7 September to 13 December for the NGV Triennial. Payment inside is by card only.
Queen Victoria Market is the best place to eat on a short trip Must do· Tue, Thu–Sun; closed Mon and Wed
The heritage-listed market trades Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 6:00–15:00, Saturday 6:00–16:00 and Sunday 9:00–16:00; it is closed on Mondays, Wednesdays and most public holidays. Speciality shops open at 9:00. Go mid-morning on a weekday rather than at closing time, and pair it with the CBD lanes, all inside the Free Tram Zone. Market food tours typically cost around $94.
34 Top-rated Melbourne food tours tours on Excurgo · from $53, typical $94 per person · rated 4.9 across 2,622 reviews
State Library Victoria has the best free interior in the city Must do· Daily 10:00–18:00
The library at 328 Swanston Street opens 10:00–18:00 daily and is closed on New Year's Day, Good Friday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Its domed La Trobe Reading Room is a working reading room, so keep voices down. The State Library station on the Metro Tunnel is underneath.
The MCG tour is worth it even if you do not follow cricket Worth it· Daily; check event days
The Melbourne Cricket Ground tour costs AUD 38 for adults, and the combined tour plus Australian Sports Museum ticket AUD 50 (child AUD 22, family AUD 120); under-fives are free. Hours vary on match and event days, so check the calendar before you go. Guided sports walks that include the MCG typically cost around $98.
15 MCG and sports tours tours on Excurgo · from $27, typical $98 per person · rated 4.7 across 1,190 reviews
The Shrine of Remembrance is worth an hour on the way to the NGV Worth it· Daily 10:00–17:00, last entry 16:30
The Shrine is free (donations welcome) and opens 10:00–17:00 every day except Christmas Day and Good Friday. Free guided tours run on the hour from 10:00 to 16:00, except at 13:00. It is a short walk from Anzac station and the NGV.
Old Melbourne Gaol is the best paid museum in the CBD Worth it· Daily 10:00–17:00
Run by the National Trust at 377 Russell Street, the gaol opens daily 10:00–17:00 (closed Christmas Day and Good Friday). Adult general admission is AUD 38 plus booking fees, and the Ned Kelly's Last Stand tour adds AUD 7 on weekends.
Laneway bars are the best evening plan Worth it
Many of Melbourne's bars are tucked into the same lanes you walk by day. A guided bar walk is a quick way in: they typically cost around $52 in our catalogue.
10 Hidden bar tours tours on Excurgo · from $24, typical $52 per person · rated 4.9 across 1,217 reviews
Worth skipping Worth it
- Skydeck on a cloudy day: the price is the same and the view is not.
- Queen Victoria Market on a Monday or Wednesday: it is closed.
- A paid city sightseeing bus for the CBD: the free trams cover the centre.
- MacKenzie Falls in the Grampians in 2026: the precinct is closed while works continue.
Which other day trips from Melbourne are worth it?
| Trip | Time from Melbourne | Official price | Tour price | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Ocean Road | About 4 h by the coast | Free booking to April 2027 | $110 | Best scenery |
| Phillip Island penguins | About 1 h 50 min | From AUD 34 | $132 | Best wildlife |
| Yarra Valley wineries | About 1.5 h | Healesville Sanctuary from AUD 58 | $217 | Best easy day |
| Puffing Billy | About 1 h 7 min by train to Belgrave | AUD 66 Belgrave–Lakeside return | $160 | Best with children |
| Mornington Peninsula hot springs | Under 90 min | Check Peninsula Hot Springs | $210 | Best in cool weather |
| Grampians | Long day | — | $139 | For hikers; check closures |
| Wilsons Promontory | About 3 h | — | $153 | For hikers |
Yarra Valley is the easiest wine day Must do
Visit Victoria describes the Yarra Valley as an easy 1.5-hour drive from Melbourne, which makes it the low-effort day trip, and the one where a tour beats driving for obvious reasons. Wine tours are among the most-reviewed in our catalogue and typically cost around $217.
59 Top-rated Yarra Valley wine tours tours on Excurgo · from $25, typical $217 per person · rated 4.9 across 20,058 reviews
Healesville Sanctuary in the valley is the place for Australian animals: platypus, koalas, Tasmanian devils, kangaroos and echidnas. It opens 9:00–17:00 every day of the year. Weekday prices start at AUD 58 for adults, and children aged 4–15 go free on weekends and Victorian school holidays. Sunrise hot air balloon flights over the valley or the city typically cost around $346.
Puffing Billy is the best day out with children Worth it· Pre-book online; no walk-up tickets
Puffing Billy is a heritage steam railway starting at Belgrave, at the end of a Metro train line from the city (about 1 h 7 min on average); its station is a few minutes' walk from the Metro platform. For travel from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027, the Belgrave–Lakeside return costs AUD 66 adult, AUD 33 child (4–15) and AUD 165 for a family of 2+2. Tickets must be booked online.
30 Puffing Billy tours from Melbourne tours on Excurgo · from $89, typical $160 per person · rated 4.7 across 2,037 reviews
Verdict: If you will use public transport anyway, go to Belgrave by train and book the steam train yourself: with half-price fares it costs less than most organised tours.
Mornington Peninsula suits a slow, cold-weather day Worth it
Peninsula Hot Springs at Fingal is less than 90 minutes from Melbourne. Its Bath House is open to all ages; the Spa Dreaming Centre is for guests 16 and over. Tours that combine the springs with wineries typically cost around $210.
The Grampians are for hikers, and some trails are shut Worth it
The Pinnacle lookout is reached by an easy-to-medium walk from Sundial car park or a harder one from Wonderland. But check closures before booking: the MacKenzie Falls precinct is closed from 9 February 2026 until works finish, expected by the end of 2026, and several walks including The Fortress, Red Gum Walk and Billimina rock art shelter remain closed after the 2024/25 bushfires. Boroka Lookout stays open.
10 Grampians day trips tours on Excurgo · from $90, typical $139 per person · rated 4.8 across 1,231 reviews
How many days do you need in Melbourne?
2 days
Day 1: laneways, Hosier Lane, State Library, Queen Victoria Market (if open), NGV. Day 2: MCG, Shrine, St Kilda in the evening. No big day trip.
Tickets ≈ AUD 50 MCG and museum · walking tour ≈ $62
3 days
Add one full day trip: the Great Ocean Road for scenery or Phillip Island for the penguins. The best length for a first visit.
Penguins AUD 34 · Great Ocean Road tour ≈ $110
4–5 days
Do both big trips, plus the Yarra Valley or Puffing Billy, and a food or bar tour on a city evening.
Puffing Billy AUD 66 · wine tour ≈ $217
Verdict: Plan three days if you can only take one trip out of town, four if you want both the coast and the penguins. Melbourne's city sights fit in two unhurried days.
How much do tours and tickets cost in Melbourne?
Official prices for the main sights are fixed and listed below. Tour prices vary by operator, so the first table shows the current typical price in our catalogue for each type, updated automatically.
| Activity | Tours | From | Typical | Top end |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Ocean Road day trips | 58 | $17 | $110 | $455 |
| Private Great Ocean Road tours | 65 | $82 | $734 | $1,188 |
| Multi-day Great Ocean Road and Grampians tours | 25 | $55 | $578 | $1,188 |
| Phillip Island penguin tours | 46 | $89 | $132 | $234 |
| Yarra Valley wine tours | 59 | $25 | $217 | $839 |
| Mornington Peninsula and hot springs | 50 | $62 | $210 | $1,356 |
| Hot air balloon flights | 11 | $311 | $346 | $433 |
| Puffing Billy and Dandenong Ranges | 30 | $89 | $160 | $679 |
| Grampians day trips | 10 | $90 | $139 | $472 |
| Wilsons Promontory day trips | 5 | $111 | $153 | $354 |
| Laneway and walking tours | 42 | $3 | $62 | $189 |
| Food tours | 34 | $53 | $94 | $174 |
| Bar and pub tours | 10 | $24 | $52 | $119 |
| Bike tours | 7 | $90 | $122 | $245 |
| Yarra River kayak tours | 6 | $42 | $63 | $77 |
| River and bay cruises | 15 | $24 | $94 | $147 |
| MCG and sports tours | 15 | $27 | $98 | $190 |
| Official ticket | Adult price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Penguin Parade General Viewing | AUD 34 | Child AUD 17; family AUD 85 |
| Twelve Apostles visit | Free | Booking required; fee from April 2027 |
| Puffing Billy Belgrave–Lakeside return | AUD 66 | To 31 March 2027; pre-book |
| Healesville Sanctuary | From AUD 58 | Weekday; children free on weekends |
| MCG tour + Sports Museum | AUD 50 | Tour only AUD 38 |
| Old Melbourne Gaol | AUD 38 | Plus booking fees |
| NGV, Shrine of Remembrance | Free | Special exhibitions may charge |
| SkyBus airport–city | AUD 25.90 one way | AUD 43.40 return online |
| Public transport day | AUD 5.70 cap | Half price until 1 January 2027 |
90% of Melbourne tours in our catalogue offer free cancellation. Official prices are in Australian dollars.
Where should you stay in Melbourne?
| Area | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| CBD | First visits, free trams, the laneways and the market on the doorstep | Busy and built-up |
| Southbank | River views, the NGV and Shrine on foot, near Skydeck | Across the river from the lanes and the market |
| St Kilda | The bay, the pier and its penguins, the Esplanade | Tram ride to the centre |
| Fitzroy and Carlton | Food and bars; Carlton is Melbourne's Little Italy | About 10 minutes by tram from the centre |
Verdict: Stay in the CBD or Southbank for a first trip of three days or fewer: you will walk or ride free trams to most sights. Choose St Kilda for a longer stay by the water, Fitzroy if eating out is the main point.
What rules, safety and entry details should you know?
- Entry: everyone except New Zealand citizens needs a visa or electronic authority before flying. US, Canadian and Japanese passport holders, among others, apply for an ETA in the Australian ETA app; many Europeans can use the free eVisitor. Both allow stays of up to three months per visit.
- ETA fee: the official ETA site shows a service charge of AUD 20; another government fee table lists AUD 40, so check when you apply. British citizens can choose the free eVisitor instead.
- Tipping: not customary and at your discretion; restaurants do not add service charges, though about 10% is usual in fine dining.
- Card-only venues: the NGV, the Penguin Parade and SkyBus kiosks do not take cash.
- GST refund: spend at least AUD 300 with one business within 60 days of leaving and you can claim the GST back at the airport TRS facility, at least 30 minutes before departure, with the goods in your cabin bag.
- Sun: cover up when the UV index is 3 or above.
- Penguins: no cameras or phones after sunset at the Penguin Parade; no flash at St Kilda.
- Parks: dogs are not allowed in Port Campbell National Park; some Grampians sites close on Extreme or Catastrophic Fire Danger days.
- Emergency: dial 000.
Mistakes visitors regret in Melbourne
- Turning up at the Twelve Apostles without a booking: since 16 October 2026 it is required, even though it is free.
- Trying to drive the coast road to the Apostles and back in a day: take the inland highway one way, or stay a night.
- Photographing the penguins after sunset: cameras and phones are not allowed then.
- Booking Penguin Parade General Viewing for January and expecting a seat: seating is not guaranteed in December and January.
- Planning Queen Victoria Market for a Monday, Wednesday or public holiday: it is closed.
- Showing up at Belgrave for Puffing Billy without a ticket: there are no walk-up sales.
- Putting MacKenzie Falls on a 2026 Grampians itinerary: the precinct is closed.
- Paying full fare or buying a myki you do not need: fares are half price until 1 January 2027, trams in the centre are free, and bank cards work on trains and trams.
- Forgetting the ETA or eVisitor: there is no visa-free entry to Australia.
Melbourne FAQ
Do I need to book to visit the Twelve Apostles?
Yes. Since the new visitor centre opened on 16 October 2026, a booking is required before you arrive, and it also secures a car park. Bookings are free until April 2027, after which a fee will apply. If you are on a tour, ask the operator whether it is included.
Is the Great Ocean Road doable as a day trip from Melbourne?
Yes, but it is a long day. The coast road to the Twelve Apostles is 275 km and about four hours without stops, so most people drive the coast one way and the faster 220 km inland route the other, or join a tour that does the same.
Can you take photos at the Penguin Parade?
Not after sunset. Cameras, camcorders and camera phones are not allowed at the Penguin Parade after sunset, because bright light can frighten or disorient the penguins. Daytime photos of the beach are fine.
Are trams free in Melbourne?
Inside the Free Tram Zone, yes: it covers the CBD and Docklands, and you do not need to touch on. Outside the zone you pay, but all Victorian public transport is half price until 1 January 2027, with a full-fare daily cap of AUD 5.70.
Can I use my credit card on Melbourne public transport?
Yes, on a full fare. Contactless bank cards and phone wallets work at every myki-enabled train station and on every tram since 21 June 2026; buses were being added in mid-2026. Concession, senior and youth travellers still need a myki.
How do I get from Melbourne Airport to the city?
Take SkyBus to Southern Cross Station: it runs every 10 minutes from 4:00 to 1:00, and an adult one-way ticket costs AUD 25.90 (AUD 43.40 return online). There is no airport train yet, and SkyBus is not part of the half-price fares.
When is the best time to visit Melbourne?
March–April and October–November, when average highs are about 20–25 °C and the summer crowds have not arrived. January is warmest (about 27 °C) and busiest; July is coldest, with highs around 14 °C.
Do I need to book Puffing Billy in advance?
Yes. Tickets must be booked online and are not sold at the station. For 2026–27, a Belgrave–Lakeside return costs AUD 66 for adults and AUD 165 for a family of four.
Do I need a visa for Australia?
Everyone except New Zealand citizens needs one before flying. Many nationalities, including US and Canadian citizens, apply for an ETA in the Australian ETA app; many Europeans, including British citizens, can use the free eVisitor. Both allow stays of up to three months per visit.
Sources and how this guide is made
Written by the Excurgo editorial team with AI assistance. We are a tour comparison site, not a tour operator, and we have not personally tested every tour. Every fact was researched in official and specialist sources and checked against them before publication; prices, ratings and tour counts come from our live catalogue of 861 Melbourne tours. Ratings and review counts are collected by Viator and Tripadvisor. Tours are picked by rating weighted by number of reviews (at least 20); we earn a commission from Viator when you book, and it does not affect the order.
- Premier of Victoria — Twelve Apostles visitor centre opening and booking requirement (Oct 2026)
- Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre — opening hours and admission (Oct 2026)
- Phillip Island Nature Parks — Penguin Parade tickets and booking (Oct 2026)
- Phillip Island Nature Parks — FAQ: arrival times, photography, transport (Oct 2026)
- Victorian Government — half-price public transport 2026 (Oct 2026)
- Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism — distances and drive times from Melbourne (Oct 2026)
- Puffing Billy Railway — fares and timetables 2026–27 (Oct 2026)
- SkyBus — Melbourne City Express fares (Oct 2026)
- Melbourne Cricket Ground — tour and museum prices (Oct 2026)
- National Gallery of Victoria — hours and admission (Oct 2026)
- City of Melbourne — Queen Victoria Market hours (Oct 2026)
- Parks Victoria — Grampians National Park closures (Oct 2026)
- Transport Victoria — Metro Tunnel opening (Dec 2025)
- Department of Home Affairs — ETA eligibility and app (Oct 2026)
- Bureau of Meteorology data via Wikipedia — Melbourne (Olympic Park) climate averages 1991–2020 (Oct 2026)
Photos come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences (CC BY, CC BY-SA, CC0 or public domain); the author and licence are shown under each one. They show the places described, not the exact tours listed.
Changelog. 30 October 2026: guide written with prices, rules and closures checked against official sources.
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