13 things to know before going to Melbourne

I’ve lived in Melbourne for over 25 years, so I can confirm the first thing everyone will tell you about Australia’s second-largest city: the weather is variable.

It’s not quite the “four seasons in one day” that inspired the 1992 Crowded House song of that title, but the weather gods certainly spring surprises over the average Melbourne week. But guess what? That unreliable weather is partly why the city is so good at indoor pursuits, including offering up some of Australia’s best cafes, bars, restaurants, live music, theater, art galleries and shopping.

That’s not to say that the outdoors are neglected. In addition to being the nation’s sporting capital, Melbourne is generously supplied with parks and gardens, as well as beaches around the shores of Port Phillip Bay.

From packing to health and safety, here are some tips to get the most out of this multicultural metropolis.

1. A long weekend is good, but a week is much better

OK, you could squeeze a visit to this complex city into four days – with, say, three days exploring its lively central business district (CBD) and suburbs such as bayside St Kilda, with a day left over for an excursion to somewhere more distant such as the winery-packed Yarra Valley or the historic gold rush city of Ballarat. But with such a diverse set of offerings – across food, drink, culture, sport and intriguing neighborhoods – a week is far better. This is not a city of attractions to be checked off a list. It's more a place of layered, hidden charms worth taking the time to discover.

2. Pack layers (and dress in black)

For some reason it has long been the habit of Melburnians to don somber hues, with perhaps a dash of color via jewelry or other accessories. Layers, however, are a necessity, particularly in the cool winter months of May to November. Melbourne is not big on enforcing dress codes, so casual clothing should suit most occasions a traveler is likely to encounter. Having said that, if you want to dress up, this is a city where fashion rules supreme. Check out clothing retailers in the Bourke Street Mall, Collins Street and in the Emporium shopping mall off Lonsdale St for ideas.

3. Buy a Myki card and follow Melbourne's transport etiquette

By Australian standards, Melbourne has good public transportation, especially in the city center and inner neighborhoods. The world’s largest tram (streetcar) system snakes out in all directions, supplemented by suburban trains and buses. To get moving, pick up a Myki card from train stations or convenience stores, among other outlets, and add credit: as a guide, a single trip costs $5.30 and one day’s travel is capped at $10.60 ($7.20 on weekends).

There are some unwritten nuances to using public transit in Melbourne. You’ll need to hail buses to get them to stop for you. On crowded trams, be prepared to step outside the vehicle to let people off, before jumping back on to continue your journey. And don't forget to touch on your Myki card at the train platform validators before you board your train.

4. Transport on statewide day trips only costs $10.60

It’s easy to get out of the city for a day trip, particularly as statewide public transportation fares are capped. That means you can travel anywhere in Victoria and you'll never spend more than $10.60 per day, even if you're going to a destination that's hundreds of kilometers away. As a guideline, by public transit it takes about 90 minutes to reach the Dandenong Ranges, 60 minutes to Geelong, 90 minutes to Ballarat and 2 hours to Bendigo.

5. There's a budget way to get to/from the airport

Melbourne Airport is a fair distance from the city center, so a taxi ride can cost as much as $75. A cheaper option is to catch the Skybus, which operates at 15-minute intervals during the day, for a one-way fare of $23.90 (or $40 for a return). If you’re keen to save more, hunt down a Myki vending machine in the arrival levels of Terminals 2, 3 and 4. Buy a Myki card, add at least $10.60 credit, then catch a 901 bus from the transport interchange next to Terminal 4. Alight at Broadmeadows train station, where you can use the Myki to catch a train to the city center.

6. Skip the international coffee chains

Melbourne is rightly famous for the quality of its coffee and it could fairly be said that locals are fanatical about their favorite baristas and the best brews. This dates back to the 1950s when Italian migrants brought the espresso machine to the city after WWII. By the 1980s, espresso-style coffee had exploded into the mainstream and developed its own local character. As a result, coffee chains are less evident here than in other international cities. Instead, you’ll find plenty of top-notch "third-wave" coffee outlets if you want to indulge in coffee bean geekdom. (I recommend Aunty Peg’s in Collingwood for this angle.) Step into a cool, hipster Melbourne cafe and order a “magic.” I won't spoil it for you, but I guarantee you'll be happy you’ve asked for this in-the-know, off-the-menu caffeinated creation. The coffee mania even extends to alcoholic beverages, with espresso martinis being a mainstay of the bar scene.

7. There's no need to tip, but do expect surcharges

In Melbourne, as in wider Australia, there is no firm tradition of tipping in restaurants, cafes, bars and similar establishments. Instead, Aussies tend to tip only when receiving unusually impressive service – so feel free to follow suit. You may notice small surcharges when paying by credit card, generally 1.5% of the total spend. Many cafes and restaurants also apply surcharges of 10–15% on weekends and public holidays, to cover higher staff wages at those times.

8. Don't miss the artwork in Melbourne’s laneways

Melbourne’s jewel in the crown is its city center or CBD. Aside from office buildings, the CBD is home to a broad array of dining at all budgets, along with boutiques and entertainment venues. Many bars, cafes and shops are located down alleyways – known locally as laneways – giving them an intimate, secret vibe. These laneways also display street art, from huge, commissioned murals to tiny unauthorized gems. Start at graffitied Hosier Lane, then duck into almost any other laneway to find more. Local artist heroes whose work you may spot include Adnate, Meggs and Rone. To see the art from a creator’s perspective, join one of the walks staged by Melbourne Street Art Tours, which are led by local artists.

9. Melbourne is a city of villages

If there’s one thing that really stands out about Melbourne, it’s the fact that its various neighborhoods have an identity all their own. Laid out in the 19th century, these neighborhoods are highly walkable, each centered along a main strip. Check out Swan Street in Richmond, Brunswick Street in Fitzroy, or Smith Street in Collingwood. All have quirky, distinctive dining and shopping options, which could keep you occupied for hours. Chapel Street’s retail zone, for example, stretches 4km (2.5 miles) from South Yarra to Windsor, with hundreds of stores along the way.

One of my personal favorites is Lygon Street in Carlton. It still has aspects that reflect its Italian migrant roots, but there’s a relaxed cool in its current iteration. For me, a perfect sunny Saturday there involves coffee and cake at Italian icon Brunetti, followed by a movie at the indie Cinema Nova, then lunch at DOC Pizza. Afterwards, I enjoy a refreshing cocktail at the Carlton Yacht Club and stop for a casual browse at Readings bookstore on the way home.

10. The city's Indigenous name is Naarm

For tens of thousands of years before white settlers arrived in 1835, the area now known as Melbourne was occupied by the Wurundjeri and Boonwurrung people of the Kulin nation. Their language supplies the Indigenous name for the city: Naarm. Learn about their history and living culture with visits to the Koorie Heritage Trust and the Bunjilaka section of Melbourne Museum. There’s also a regular tour of the Royal Botanic Gardens with a First Nations guide.

11. Melbourne’s indie theater scene is not to be missed

Melbourne is famous for its performing arts scene, with an impressive cultural precinct in the Southbank district and several 19th-century venues. While the biggest global productions usually make a stop in town, it’s also worth taking in an independent show, via venues such as Red Stitch Actors Theatre, Fortyfivedownstairs or the legendary La Mama Theatre. These indie operators are often where the star directors and actors of tomorrow cut their teeth. On their programs, you’ll find plays by local and international playwrights that perhaps haven't been given a run elsewhere in Australia, with some venues specializing in particular genres. For example, if you love cabaret, the place to head is the intimate backstreet Butterfly Club.

To score discounted tickets to theatrical productions big and small, check out Halftix. (Note that some shows aren’t listed on its website, but only available in person.) Ticketing app and website TodayTix also offers last-minute deals, especially when shows have empty seats to fill.

12. Melburnians are sports fanatics

Melbourne is often referred to as Australia's sporting capital. The winter game of choice is Australian Rules football (also known as AFL), which was invented in Melbourne in the mid-19th century when the turbulent gold rush era threw together migrants with knowledge of different ball games. The result was a fast-moving, high-leaping, long-kicking game that’s followed like a religion in Melbourne, eclipsing other football codes such as rugby or soccer.

If you’re visiting from March to September, you can take in a game at the vast Melbourne Cricket Ground. Supporters of both sides sit together. The atmosphere involves tens of thousands of fans typically suppressing their excitement as the play ripples up and down the ground, punctuated by the occasional lusty shout of “ball!” when spectators believe an opposition player has been holding the ball too long (a no-no in Aussie Rules).

Other key sporting events include the Australian Open tennis tournament in January, the motorsports Grand Prix in March, and the Melbourne Cup in November. The last of those, a 1,600m (5,250ft) horse race, is such a hallowed event that it has its own public holiday in Melbourne. In recent years, however, the deaths of several horses have cast a shadow over the race, leading many to reassess its appeal.

13. Melbourne is generally a safe city for travelers

Melbourne is a very safe place for solo visitors, with a relatively low level of violent crime for its population of five million. As always in any big city, keep an eye on your belongings and be alert when walking in quiet or dimly lit places after dark. Note that the emergency number in Australia is 000.

When traveling by train, look for Safety Zones at suburban railway stations. With distinct yellow ground markings, these are well-lit areas near emergency assistance buttons and help phones, and monitored by CCTV cameras. There are also emergency assist buttons inside train carriages and aboard trams.

Visitors from around the world live in fear of Australia’s allegedly plentiful deadly wildlife. Take a deep breath and relax; you're incredibly unlikely to encounter any of these critters in a built-up urban area such as Melbourne.