Arts & Culture
Covered with colourful, graffiti-lined laneways to the majestic National Gallery of Victoria, you can always find a show, exhibition or performance going on in this city of colour.
Melbourne is the coastal capital of the Australian state of Victoria. It’s the second largest city in Australia that relishes in not only being charismatic, but one of the most livable cities in the world. Melbourne is Australia’s Cultural Capital with captivating adventures. Touristic attractions include Melbourne Zoo, the Great Ocean Road and the National Gallery of Victoria.
Cheap flights to Melbourne are available for a limited time period, so fly away to a place of historic yet edgy attractions, for an unforgettable holiday experience. Melbourne is home to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL), which is a 30-minute drive from the city centre. Melbourne Tullamarine Airport serves a multitude of airlines - including Qantas, Singapore Airlines and Emirates. Popular international flights departure from Johannesburg and Cape Town. Flight duration from Johannesburg to Melbourne is approximately 15 hours.
| Flight Route | Airline | Trip Type | Travel Dates | Searched | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Town - Melbourne |
 Cathay Pacific
|
Return | Nov 7 - Nov 21 | 1 day ago | R12,429.00 |
| Johannesburg - Melbourne |
 Qantas
|
Return | Nov 3 - Nov 10 | 1 day ago | R10,909.00 |
| Durban - Melbourne |
Cathay Pacific
|
Return | Nov 22 - Feb 14 | 1 day ago | R11,559.00 |
| East London - Melbourne |
Cathay Pacific
|
Return | Nov 14 - Nov 29 | 1 day ago | R14,489.00 |
| Please note that the prices are subject to availability and block out dates do apply over peak season. | |||||
Covered with colourful, graffiti-lined laneways to the majestic National Gallery of Victoria, you can always find a show, exhibition or performance going on in this city of colour.
From home-made soda bread that goes along well with the traditional pea soup and the hearty meat pies and delectable Pavlova make Melbourne a paradise that appeals to all taste buds.
Eau De Vie is Melbourne’s gem of hidden laneway bars and nightspots nearby. It is a lively place for those who love theatre as much as a good cocktail.
Essential details you need to know before your trip
| Country | Australia |
|---|---|
| Currency | Australian Dollar |
| Exchange Rate | 1 ZAR= 0.10 AUD |
| Language | English |
| Hub Airport | Melbourne Tullamarine Airport |
| Time Zone | GMT +10 |
| Travel Adaptor | Type I |
The best time to visit Melbourne would be between March, May, September and November. During these months, the temperatures are pleasant enough to have the best days out sightseeing and exploring this beautiful place. In the summer months, which fall between December and February, Melbourne gets crowded with tourists, and prices tend to be slightly higher over this time to accommodate the high demand.
Average temperature (°C) & rainfall chance (mm) per month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low °C | 15°C | 16°C | 14°C | 12°C | 10°C | 7°C | 6°C | 7°C | 9°C | 10°C | 12°C | 14°C |
| High °C | 26°C | 26°C | 24°C | 21°C | 17°C | 14°C | 14°C | 15°C | 17°C | 20°C | 22°C | 24°C |
| Rainfall (mm) | 47 | 46 | 44 | 53 | 68 | 43 | 49 | 57 | 53 | 65 | 57 | 58 |
Melbourne is the birthplace of Australian film and television, Aussie-rules football, the Australian impressionist art movement, and several Australian dance styles. Don’t be swayed by stories of
Melbourne’s temperamental weather. They’re all true, but when there’s so much to do both indoors and out, a bit of unpredictable rain won’t be ruining any parades. When the weather is good, take a birds-eye view look over Melbourne’s gorgeous greenery from the Eureka Skydeck – the Southern Hemisphere’s highest manmade viewing platform. Melbourne is home to plenty of museums, galleries and exhibits to check out.
Compare multiple airlines and book your cheap flights to Melbourne online at Travelstart!
South Africans need a visa in order to visit Melbourne, or any other city in the Australia.
Leave plenty of time for Visa processing, and remember to check that your passport is valid for 6 months after your return date, and that you have 2 blank pages available for entry stamps.
Contact the Embassy of Australia (Telephone: 012 423 6000) for more information, in addition to visa applications.
Melbourne is a safe city when you take its size into account. It is advised to keep any valuables hidden and avoid solo night travel as it can be dangerous, especially if you are not too familiar with
the area. Melbourne City Council has established all-night "Safe City" taxi ranks with security guards on King Street, outside Flinders Street Station and on Bourke Street.
| Item | Cape Town | Johannesburg | Melbourne |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | R 90.00 | R 100.00 | R 149.10 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | R 22.00 | R 20.00 | R 79.52 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | R 19.00 | R 20.00 | R 38.96 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | R 10.00 | R 12.00 | R 16.40 |
| Pack of Cigarettes (Marlboro) | R 35.00 | R 35.00 | R 258.43 |
Melbourne is a city that has plenty of options to choose from no matter what it might be. There are various backpackers, high-end and affordable hotels that are available which is so great. The best hotels to stay at for the duration of your holiday include: * Pullman Melbourne on the Park (https://hotels.travelstart.com/hotel/details.html?q-check-out=2017-02-02&q-check-in=2017-02-01&WOE=4&WOD=3&q-room-0-children=0&pa=1&tab=description&hotel-id=113144&q-room-0-adults=1&YGF=2&MGT=1&ZSX=0&SYE=3)
Sofitel Melbourne On Collins (https://hotels.travelstart.com/hotel/details.html?q-check-out=2017-02-02&q-check-in=2017-02-01&WOE=4&WOD=3&q-room-0-children=0&pa=2&tab=description&hotel-id=106006&q-room-0-adults=1&YGF=2&MGT=1&ZSX=0&SYE=3)
Stamford Plaza Melbourne (https://hotels.travelstart.com/hotel/details.html?q-check-out=2017-02-02&q-check-in=2017-02-01&WOE=4&WOD=3&q-room-0-children=0&pa=3&tab=description&hotel-id=122852&q-room-0-adults=1&YGF=2&MGT=1&ZSX=0&SYE=3)
The Langham Melbourne (https://hotels.travelstart.com/hotel/details.html?q-check-out=2017-02-02&q-check-in=2017-02-01&WOE=4&WOD=3&q-room-0-children=0&pa=4&tab=description&hotel-id=227601&q-room-0-adults=1&YGF=2&MGT=1&ZSX=0&SYE=3)
Getting around Melbourne is simple with its impressive network of trains, trams and buses. Trams are the most convenient within the inner city. The City Circle tram is free, and does a full circuit of Melbourne. There’s also a free Tourist Shuttle coach, which visits 15 popular attractions. Don’t ignore the value of good old foot-power, though. Walking tours are a great way to get in touch with the city, and Melbourne is pedestrian and bicycle-friendly.
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