Melbourne
Melbourne is a gorgeous student city filled with parks, Victorian architecture and hidden laneways for you to explore. The city is well-known for its creative and psychedelic street art making it even prettier!
You’re also likely to find delicious coffee and food everywhere! Tucked away in cozy street corners are various cafes brewing signature coffee or hot chocolate that go well with a warm hearty breakfast.
Melbourne is also home to Australia’s top universities such as The University of Melbourne (rank 2nd in Australia by QS World University Rankings 2020) and Monash University (rank 6th).
Feeling Hungry?
Here are some affordable food options near the Melbourne city centre.
Cafes:
Cherry & Twigs - Cherry & Twigs is the perfect spot for breakfast or brunch. They serve free range eggs on crispy toast for A$9.5 and runny eggs benedict with bacon for A$17.
Humble Rays - Humble Rays is a popular cafe among students that’s always packed during brunch. Their signature dishes include savory pancakes topped with bacon for A$18 and crab meat scrambled eggs with fried shallots for A$18.
Asian Food:
Juicy Bao - Craving some traditional chinese food? Juicy Bao has fried rice, chili tau fu, stir fry mixed vegetables and other classic dishes you’d expect at Malaysian traditional chinese restaurants. Dishes there can cost between A$11 to A$30.
Hakata Gensuke Ramen - Hakata Gensuke is a japanese-owned restaurant in the heart of Melbourne. They serve authentic ramen with various soup flavours like spicy, black garlic and their signature creamy chicken broth for A$15 to A$20.
Farmer’s Market:
South Melbourne Market - The South Melbourne Market has been a favourite among locals since 1867 for fresh food and groceries. Many of the stalls serve food ready-to-eat such as fresh fish burgers, pasta and buttered oysters.
Queen Victoria Market - The Queen Victoria Market is a busy inner-city market. The market is known for its fresh produce and hot brewed coffee in the morning. It also stays open on Wednesday nights, making it ideal for students craving a late night snack.
Getting Around
Most of the Melbourne city center is accessible by tram, bus or train. For A$6 you can purchase a MyKi card to access all the various public transport systems in Melbourne. They’re available at most 7-Eleven’s and stations.
It’s also FREE to travel via tram within Melbourne’s Central Business District (CBD).
Instagrammable Places in Melbourne
Places to take amazing photos in Melbourne
Hosier Lane
The perfect morning; wander this maze of urban street art while sipping fresh coffee.
Image credit: Instagram @visitmelbourne
Flinders Street Station at Night
Enjoy the magical silence of Flinders Street at midnight.
​Image credit: Instagram @visitmelbourne
Royal Exhibition Building
Take a leisure stroll through Carlton Gardens and admire the soaring dome of the Royal Exhibition’s Building’s Great Hall.
​Image credit: Instagram @convenienceme
State Library Victoria
Get lost in a good book at the State Library Victoria.
​Image credit: Instagram @library_vic
The University of Melbourne
Enjoy the serene University of Melbourne campus, enclosed in lush greenery and castle-like architecture.
​Image credit: Instagram @unimelb
Go on a Road Trip
Travel further outside Melbourne’s city center for graduation trips or mini-vacations
Yarra Valley - The Yarra Valley is ideal for nature-lovers; filled with hiking trails, white foaming waterfalls and reservoir parks. If you’re feeling classy, try the established Oakridge Wines which also serve kangaroo steaks with their fine selection of wines!
The Great Ocean Road - This road is mesmerising to drive on, with miles of coastal road overlooking the roaring ocean and breathtaking rock formations like the 12 Apostles. Pack yourself a picnic to enjoy on white sandy beaches while gazing at the ocean.
Phillip Island - The Island is well known for cuddly penguins that will make your heart swoon! You can also grab a bite at seaside cafes that serve fish and chips, hot pies and burgers. Food trip anyone?