It’s no secret that Australia can be a bloody expensive country to visit, and as a backpacker coming from Asia, well, it can be a shock to the system. One minute you’re living like royalty in Thailand with $2 pad Thai, the next you’re calculating whether or not you can afford cheese in Woolies!
Want to know what to do in Melbourne for free? Or maybe I could tempt you with a sprinkling of what to do in Melbourne cheaply even? Hell, why not both!
I’ve spent 2 years living in the best city in the world, and even more time being a proper backpacking bum here, so I happen to know that there are still plenty of incredible, cheap activities in Melbourne. Fear not, it’s not all servo pies and goon bags (though, these can feature heavily if you’re so inclined!).
Yeah, nah — Melbourne on a budget still means getting out there, experiencing the many different facets that make this city such an incredible place to explore. In fact, I’d go as far as saying most of the best things to do here are the ones that are free or cost very little money.
But I get it, there’s more to it than just avoiding expensive tours and activities. So with that in mind, I’ve got you covered with not only things to do, but budget accommodation, transport and food tips.
If you’re in Melbourne and you’re on a budget, then you’ve come to the right place. I’ve spent a lot of time as a backpacker here, and I know exactly how to make the most out of your time in this incredible city on the cheap.
1. Take In the Iconic Flinders Street Station & Hang Out in Federation Square
For many people, walking under the famous clocks of Flinders Street Station is their first experience of Melbourne. The station is over 100 years old and one of Melbourne’s most well-known and iconic buildings. Hey, I love it so much that I even got a tattoo of it on my arm!
If you enter the city through this historic terminal, don’t forget to look back and take in its splendour as you do. Across the way is Federation Square.
This public space is home to many museums, galleries and cultural spaces, which are mostly free to visit. But even if gallery hopping isn’t your thing, Fed Square is a great place to hang out, especially on a sunny day, and is one of the most fun free things to do in Melbourne.
2. Explore the Incredible Laneways and Street Art That Make This City So Cool!
Melbourne is a creative city where attitudes are open, and anything goes. Laneways are a big deal in Melbourne and are a result of the unique layout of the city, creating a labyrinth of colour and expression. Visiting them is one of the most fun things to do in Melbourne CBD and an essential experience in the city.
Hosier Lane is the most famous of these laneways and is an ever-changing heartland of the free street art movement in Melbourne. Visiting is one of my favourite things to do for free in Melbourne.
Other amazing laneways include AC/DC Lane, named after the awesome Aussie rockers; then there’s Centre Place, a trendy spot to get coffee or visit a cafe and Union Lane right in the centre of the CBD.
No matter how many times you visit these laneways, you see something new each time. Exploring the laneways is definitely the coolest of the free things to do in Melbourne! If you do want to know more, then it’s pretty affordable to also jump on a tour with a local street artist.
Looking for unique free stuff to do in Melbourne? Hop on the old trams.
Trams are a part of the fabric of what makes Melbourne, and we love them. They are a great way to get around the city and also an iconic piece of history.
Using a fleet of beautifully restored red and green W-class trams, you’ll hear onboard commentary as it trundles along, doing a loop of the CBD past many of the city’s main landmarks.
It’s a great thing to do when you first arrive in Melbourne as a way to get acquainted with the layout of the city.
The South Bank of the Yarra River is an amazing place to take a scenic walk in Melbourne. Starting near Docklands, you can follow the river all the way into the CBD.
The riverside walk offers some of the best views of Melbourne’s skyline and some of its most interesting bridges. It’s one of the best free things to do in Melbourne City, and is especially wonderful on an autumnal day.
Southbank is also lined with bars, restaurants and public spaces, creating a lively atmosphere with plenty of people-watching and regular street performers, especially on sunny days. It deffo should be included on any itinerary for the city.
Established in 1854, the State Library of Victoria is the oldest public library in Australia and was one of the first free libraries in the New World. For generations, it has served as a study space, meeting place and refuge from Melbourne’s famously unpredictable weather.
The central La Trobe Reading Room is a must-see and one of the most stunning free places to visit in Melbourne. It dates back to 1913, and at the time, the enormous reinforced-concrete dome was the largest of its kind in the world.
It’s also great if you want access to computers or free internet, too. One of my top tips for visiting Australia is to utilise public buildings like libraries. FYI, it’s got decent public toilets in here!
6. Pay Your Respects and Take In the View From the Shrine of Remembrance
The Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne is a special place to visit. It’s a wonderful tribute to the ANZAC soldiers lost in various conflicts across the world. It’s one of the best free things to do in Melbourne.
Climbing to the balcony offers amazing views of the city and is one of the best free vantage points in Melbourne. It’s also surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens and parkland.
Below the shrine is an extensive museum exploring the history of the ANZACs; from the outside it’s size and scale is deceptive. The large collection of exhibitions can be visited for free.
7. Walk! Explore the City on Foot and Take In the Unique Architecture
Melbourne City Baths is just one of many beautiful buildings in the city. Image: The Roaming Renegades
Melbourne is a big city, but it is also quite walkable. I love to walk, and one day I clocked almost 30 km walking around the city just exploring, getting lost, taking pictures and soaking it all in.
The city is also home to some wonderful architecture, both historic and modern, and it does a great job of blending these things. At times, it reminds me of the buildings in our hometown of Manchester. Just walking around this grand old city is one of the best free things to do in Melbourne for sure.
Some of the most noteworthy buildings to check out if you love your architecture as I do are:
Parliament, Melbourne Town Hall, St Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne City Baths, Manchester Unity Building, The buildings on Elizabeth and Bourke Street, as well as the many small Victorian houses around Fitzroy, Abbotsford and Richmond, plus the impressive buildings on Collins Street.
Some of the more modern architecture to check out is the Eureka Tower, the Art Spire/ Arts Centre Melbourne,RMIT Design Hub,Collins Arch and Australia 108.
And if you want a bit of both, head into Melbourne Central Shopping Centre and check out the inside of the Melbourne Central Tower, where you’ll find the famous Coop’s Shot Tower, a 19th-century brick structure preserved under a massive glass dome.
8. Enjoy the Many Parks and Green Spaces of the City
Melbourne is a well-designed city with a grid format for the CBD and lots of surrounding green space, which really allows the city to breathe and seek out some tranquillity.
If you’re looking for things to do in Melbourne that are free, then I’d recommend doing a bit of a park crawl. When we were backpacking in Melbourne, we loved to just hang out in the parks in summer.
One of our favourite parks in the city is Fitzroy Gardens, which is just behind the back of Parliament. Set aside as a reserve in 1848, it is one of the most historic parks in the city and is also home to Australia’s oldest building, Cook’s Cottage, built in 1755 in Yorkshire.
Another lovely park is Queen Victoria Gardens over the Princes Bridge near the Art Gallery, which includes a floral clock, ornamental ponds, and monuments to Queen Victoria and King Edward VII.
One of the most stunning parts of the city to explore is the Royal Botanic Gardens. Taking a stroll around here or even having a summer’s day picnic, you could be forgiven for forgetting you are in the heart of a busy city.
Yarra Park, in which the MCG sits in a fun place to visit on match day as the crowds practice their kicking before the game, and it is also home to a historic Aboriginal scar tree.
Other noteworthy parks are Carlton Gardens near the impressive Melbourne Museum, Flagstaff Gardens, Princes Park and the huge Royal Park.
Things to Do in Melbourne for Under 30 Bucks
Alright, I’m expanding things a little here, because 30 bucks is still a hella good deal for some more amazing things to do in Melbourne on the cheap. And, to be honest, most of these can be made much cheaper than that if you’re feeling particularly frugal.
9. Head Down to the Coast to See the Penguins of St Kilda and Luna Park
Just a short tram ride from the city centre of Melbourne is St Kilda. On a beautiful summer’s day, this is the perfect place to head if you want to chill out on the beach while enjoying views of the city skyline. While the tram isn’t free, it is budget-friendly, making visiting St Kilda one of the best cheap things to do in Melbourne.
One of the area’s biggest attractions is the colony of little penguins living around St Kilda Pier. Head down here for sunset to see them waddling back after a day spent fishing! For me, it was one of the coolest free things to do in Melbourne.
Another icon of St Kilda is Luna Park, which dates back to 1912. It has that strange but fascinating old fairground feel and is free to explore; you just pay for the rides if you fancy it. A guide to Melbourne would be incomplete without this legendary but kinda creepy entranceway!
A full day pass with unlimited rides is also pretty affordable if you fancy it.
Queen Victoria Markets are a great place to sample different cuisines
To the north of the city are the famous Queen Victoria Markets, a great place to visit just to soak in the atmosphere of the night markets that run every Wednesday and Saturday through the summer months. If you’re looking for cheap things to do in Melbourne at night, then get yourself down here.
The market operates year-round, with historic sheds packed with fresh produce, international food, souvenirs, homewares and vintage finds, making it one of the best cheap things to do in Melbourne. Dating back to 1878, Queen Victoria Market remains one of the city’s great institutions.
11. Get Over to the Brighton Bathing Boxes for a Day by the Seaside!
Another great place to escape the city on a hot and sunny day is Brighton Beach, and it’s one of the best cheap activities in Melbourne. A short train ride out of Flinders Street station drops you in this affluent beachside suburb with its grand houses and famous beach boxes.
Visiting the beach and bathing boxes is free, and the train fare is affordable, perfect for backpacking in Melbourne if you ask me!
The colourful wooden bathing boxes are Brighton’s main attraction. These once unassuming Victoria-era changing huts for swimming have become an icon of the city and a throwback to its more reserved past.
Cheap Melbourne Activities for Budget Travellers
Rounding this list of what to do in Melbourne cheaply, I’m gonna go ahead and put a few affordable splurges here, if you’re feeling a bit fancy! And by fancy, I mean swapping out that Vegemite on toast for a Pho in Fitzroy, so don’t panic!
12. Soak in the Hipster Culture of Melbourne by Exploring Fitzroy, Collingwood, and Richmond.
Melbourne is a city of distinct neighbourhoods, each with its own character, food scene and culture. While the CBD is easy to explore on foot, some of the city’s most interesting areas lie just beyond it.
One of my favourite free things to do in Melbourne is just to wander around areas like Fitzroy, Collingwood, Carlton and Richmond.
Fitzroy is the hipster hideout of Melbourne; it’s brimming with independent shops, vegan, veggie and multicultural restaurants, innovative street art and free-thinking individuals that celebrate diversity! As a queer person, it’s somewhere I feel safe and welcome. It’s probably my favourite area of the city alongside Richmond (go Tiges!).
13. Discover Culture and History in the City’s Many Museums and Galleries
Melbourne is a historic and culturally rich city, so it’s no wonder that it is also home to many museums and galleries. Visiting these institutions is a great way to learn more about Victoria, as well as to discover some incredible artwork from locals and international artists alike.
Many museums are free or only charge a small entrance fee, making them great, cheap things to do in Melbourne.
The Koorie Heritage Trust’s Cultural Centre in Federation Square is a perfect place to learn about the Aboriginal heritage of Melbourne and the surrounding areas.
The Old Treasury building near Parliament is a great free museum in Melbourne, which chronicles the history and development of Melbourne and is also a beautiful building in its own right.
The Australian Centrefor the Moving Image also has many free and paid-for exhibitions and is located in Federation Square, so plenty of arty things to keep you busy when you’re backpacking in Melbourne.
Free galleries to visit also include The Ian Potter Museum of Art and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, which have many Aboriginal pieces in their permanent collection.
The National Gallery of Victoria is the oldest in Australia and hosts many high-profile exhibitions, including loans from MoMA. Its permanent collection boasts 73,000 works of art. The Australian Centre for Contemporary Art is also another wonderful gallery over on Southbank to visit.
14. Watch Some Footy!
If you barrack for Collingwood… I will not be talking to you! Image: The Roaming Renegades
Australian Rules Football is a religion in Melbourne. Most of the teams in the AFL are actually based in various Melbourne suburbs, so catching a game here is pretty easy from March to September.
We fell in love with footy whilst living here and are now loyal supporters of the Richmond Tigers. But you’re free to barrack for whoever you like, well, as long as it’s not Collingwood!!
It’s one of the coolest non-touristy things to do in Melbourne. Sitting alongside locals with a Four’n Twenty pie in hand is a true-blue Aussie experience! Just don’t forget to put tomato sauce on top of the pie.
Tickets in the upper reaches of the stadiums are pretty cheap, starting at around $27. For an even cheaper experience, check out a local suburban club or an AFLW match.
If you miss the season, then you can always do a guided tour of the MCG instead.
If you’re looking for cheap stuff to do in Melbourne that feels like it should be a premium activity, then head on down to the river and jump on a cruise. It’s a nice, relaxing way to take in the city from a different viewpoint.
You’ll gently cruise down the Yarra, taking in the skyline and many of Melbourne’s iconic landmarks. Depending on which direction you pick, you’ll head either towards the Docklands or the MCG. Many of the boats also include commentary so you can learn a bit more about the city as you go.
These cruises are pretty affordable at about 40 bucks, and great on a stinking hot day when you’d rather sit in the shade with a breeze on your face than explore on foot.
If you’re looking to do something on the cheap in Melbourne that still feels like a proper tourist experience, then grabbing tickets for the Melbourne Skydeck is the perfect solution. I know, it’s all well and good being a frugal traveller, and Melbourne deffo delivers more than other places on that front, but sometimes you just wanna feel like you’re doing a proper “thing”, right?!”
Say goodbye to FOMO, because heading up one of the tallest buildings in the city is affordable at less than 40 bucks. For that, you get to take in the view from the Southern Hemisphere’s highest viewing deck– not bad, right?
Apparently, you also travel up 88 floors in 38 seconds, so I dunno, if that’s on your bucket list or not, but I guess it’s kinda cool. Top marks for efficient lift journeys!
As promised, now that I’ve been through the list of cheap Melbourne activities, it’s time to get practical and offer some other insider tips on how to keep things affordable here.
From how to get around, what to eat and where to stay in Melbourne on a budget, I got you mate!
Cheap Transport in Melbourne
Public transport in Melbourne covers wide areas of the city, including many different neighbourhoods and suburbs and is mega affordable, which is great for backpackers and budget travellers.
The CBD itself is very walkable, and even some of the closer neighbourhoods can be reached easily on foot.
The train, tram and bus network is connected through the Myki card, which is a prepaid card that you use to tap on and tap off when using public transport.
The Myki card has daily spending limits on weekdays and weekends, meaning once you reach the maximum fare, you can keep travelling without paying more that day.
You can top up your card online, at machines, convenience stores, SkyBus kiosks at the airport or the booths in larger stations.
There is also a one-off $5 fee to purchase the Myki card before adding travel credit.
The tramnetwork in Melbourne, operated by Yarra Trams, is the largest in the world and one of the easiest ways to get around the city.
What’s more convenient is that much of the CBD (city centre) comes under the Free Tram Zone, meaning you’ll be able to ride the tram to most places without paying a thing. Places such as Federation Square, Flinders Street, Queen Victoria Market, Parliament and Docklands are all within the zone.
The tram is also the best way to visit many of the suburbs closest to the city, including places like Collingwood and St Kilda.
Once out of the Free Tram Zone, you’ll have to use your Myki card to tap on (but not off unless you’re travelling entirely within zone 2)
The metro trains go all the way out to the city limits on several lines to all sides of the city.
These lines are great for those wanting to explore wider areas of the city, including places like Brighton, or to base themselves in more affordable neighbourhoods.
As you get further out of the city, the lines do fan out a little and transferring between lines can be frustrating (buses fill in the gaps).
The lines are split into Zone 1 and Zone 2.
Melbourne’s main airport (sometimes called Tullamarine) sits about 23 km from the city centre.
Unfortunately, there’s no direct train to reach the airport.
One option is the SkyBus Melbourne Airport Express, which costs around $20-25 AUD one way and drops you at Southern Cross Station. It’s convenient, but it’s not the cheapest in all honesty.
For those wanting to keep things cheap, jump on the 901 bus from the airport to Broadmeadows, then take the Metro Train into the city. This will likely set you back around $5-6 AUD (plus $5 for your Myki card)
Eating out in Melbourne, especially in the CBD, can be expensive, which makes backpacking in Melbourne hard.
However, there are some great budget places to eat, especially in areas like Footscray and further out into the suburbs, as well as areas like Chinatown.
Our favourite place is OM Vegetarian; it’s a little Indian cafe right on Swanston St that does all-you-can-eat Thali for a bargain price.
Other spots to check out are the Emporium, Melbourne Central and QV food courts. Also, keep an eye out for deals around the student areas of the city, and don’t be afraid of venturing out of the CBD.
Hot Tip!
Another way to save money whilst in Australia is to stay somewhere with cooking facilities and buy food from places like Coles and Woolworths, which have large stores in the CBD. There are also Aldi stores in the suburbs, which are even cheaper.
Heading to the various growers’ markets, bakeries and cafes around the city at the end of the day is an ideal way to snag some free or mega-cheap food.
If you’re feeling like channelling your inner raccoon, then dumpster diving is a big subculture in Melbourne, and asking around within the communities will reap better rewards for your troubles.
OM Vegetarian has seen me through many a day in Melbourne. Image: The Roaming Renegades
Budget Accommodation in Melbourne
Accommodation in Melbourne can be expensive, so it’s key to shop around and to be flexible with where and what type of accommodation you choose, especially if you’re backpacking in Melbourne.
Staying in the CBD on a budget can certainly be a challenge, and you’ll likely either have to compromise on comfort or location. Having said that, it’s not entirely impossible; just don’t go expecting anything fancy.
Here I’ve put together a few different options for centrally located properties, but if these are still over your budget, I strongly recommend widening your search and looking at areas outside of the CBD that are covered by the metroline. But wherever you stay in Melbourne, ya gonna love it!
I get it, Insurance can feel like an unnecessary expense when you’re already travelling on a budget. It can be tempting to either leave it to chance or to skimp out on some cheapo coverage.
But trust me, after 10 years on the road, I’ve had enough close calls and witnessed enough people falling foul of cutting corners on insurance to learn it’s just not worth it.
SafetyWing is the ideal provider for those wanting the flexibility to pay monthly, pause or cancel at any time. It avoids massive up-front costs and instead spreads out the fees across the whole length of your trip.
There is also no excess to pay if you do claim, and I’ve personally found them to be quick and responsive when you do (hello, claiming twice in one month in Bali!)
So, How is Visiting Melbourne Cheaply?
Honestly, it’s fuckin’ mint!
There are probably not many other “expensive” cities in the world where you can vibe so much whilst on a budget. From chilling on beaches with the city skyline as a backdrop to eating your weight’s worth of dim sims for less than 20 bucks before getting lost down the laneways. There’s a magic here that’s hard to pin down, but you’ve got to feel it to know it.
Ok, so Sydney has more beaches, but you know what, it’s full of suits and we’ve got the Mornington Peninsula, so it can fuck right off! Team Melbourne for life, yo!
Anyway, I digress.
But nah, yeah, Melbourne truly has my heart and will forever be my second home. Living here really did mark one of the best eras of my life. Some of the best times I had were just sitting with mates watching the footy with a cold one or having a picnic in a park on the first day of summer.
Until the next time, Melbs. Oh, and grab a coffee at Industry Beans whilst you’re there, will ya.
A few people have asked us recently how they could help us out on our travels, so we thought we’d add our very own tip jar for those who can’t support us by clicking through our affiliate links.
We work hella hard on this site to bring you all the most epic and up-to-date travel info from around the planet. So if you’ve enjoyed what you’ve seen, then we’d appreciate anything, no matter how small, you can contribute as a thank you.
Above all, thank you for being here and reading our content, it means the world to us.
Melbourne CBD is pretty walkable. But you’ll also find the “Free Tram Zone” covers most of the central areas of the city.
If you want to venture further out, then you can do so on the vast Metro Train, Bus and Tram lines by grabbing a Myki card. There is a daily spending cap, so it’s a very affordable way to travel around the city.
The best free things to do in Melbourne are; Taking in Flinders St Station, wandering around the different laneways (including Hozier Lane), riding the Circle Line Tram,
Some of my favourite things to do in Melbourne on a budget are; taking the tram down to St Kilda and jumping on a few rides at Luna Park, grabbing some food at Queen Victoria Markets, taking the train down to Brighton and spending the day on the beach and catching a movie at Cinema Nova.
If I have a bit more time, then I also love to wander around Fitzroy and grab a coffee, hit up a few museums, as well as catching a game of footy or taking a Yarra River cruise.
Winter is the cheapest time to visit Melbourne, which falls between June and August. During this time visitor numbers are lower so prices for accommodation and transport tend to be at their lowest.
Whereas summer (December to February) is the peak season, where prices will be higher due to more demand.
For transparency’s sake:Many of the links we have on our site are affiliate links. This means that when you click one of these links and make a booking or purchase, for example: accommodation, gear, insurance or transport, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you).Also, know that as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Most importantly, know that we still only recommend services, gear and products we believe in and our earned commission helps us keep travelling and bringing you high-quality posts and content.
Yo, I’m Nic (they/them), one-half of The Roaming Renegades.
I’m an adventure (and halloumi) obsessed traveller with a passion for hiking mountains, exploring cities, watching Arsenal win, moshing out to Rammstein in random European fields and getting hopelessly lost on a motorbike somewhere in Asia! I am also a proud member of the LGBT+ community.
I’ve explored 80 countries, lived in Australia and New Zealand, and spent months wandering Southeast Asia, South America and Eastern Europe, all while trying to avoid growing up!
Did it work? I dunno, but my back hurts, and I still collect Pokémon cards! Who wants in?!
We value your privacy. We use cookies to improve your experience on our site. By using our site, you consent to cookies.
This website uses cookies
Websites store cookies to enhance functionality and personalise your experience. You can manage your preferences, but blocking some cookies may impact site performance and services.
Essential cookies enable basic functions and are necessary for the proper function of the website.
Name
Description
Duration
Cookie Preferences
This cookie is used to store the user's cookie consent preferences.
30 days
These cookies are needed for adding comments on this website.
Name
Description
Duration
comment_author
Used to track the user across multiple sessions.
Session
comment_author_email
Used to track the user across multiple sessions.
Session
comment_author_url
Used to track the user across multiple sessions.
Session
Statistics cookies collect information anonymously. This information helps us understand how visitors use our website.
Google Analytics is a powerful tool that tracks and analyzes website traffic for informed marketing decisions.
Used by Google Analytics to determine which links on a page are being clicked
30 seconds
_ga_
ID used to identify users
2 years
_gid
ID used to identify users for 24 hours after last activity
24 hours
_gat
Used to monitor number of Google Analytics server requests when using Google Tag Manager
1 minute
_gac_
Contains information related to marketing campaigns of the user. These are shared with Google AdWords / Google Ads when the Google Ads and Google Analytics accounts are linked together.
90 days
__utma
ID used to identify users and sessions
2 years after last activity
__utmt
Used to monitor number of Google Analytics server requests
10 minutes
__utmb
Used to distinguish new sessions and visits. This cookie is set when the GA.js javascript library is loaded and there is no existing __utmb cookie. The cookie is updated every time data is sent to the Google Analytics server.
30 minutes after last activity
__utmc
Used only with old Urchin versions of Google Analytics and not with GA.js. Was used to distinguish between new sessions and visits at the end of a session.
End of session (browser)
__utmz
Contains information about the traffic source or campaign that directed user to the website. The cookie is set when the GA.js javascript is loaded and updated when data is sent to the Google Anaytics server
6 months after last activity
__utmv
Contains custom information set by the web developer via the _setCustomVar method in Google Analytics. This cookie is updated every time new data is sent to the Google Analytics server.
2 years after last activity
__utmx
Used to determine whether a user is included in an A / B or Multivariate test.
![A Guide To Backpacking Australia & Budget Tips [UPDATED FOR 2026]](https://theroamingrenegades.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/our-guide-to-backpacking-in-australia-tips-for-budget-trip-around-australia-200x300.jpg)
![A Day Trip from Sydney To Blue Mountains, Australia [UPDATED FOR 2026]](https://theroamingrenegades.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/the-best-walks-in-the-blue-mountains-on-a-day-trip-from-sydney-to-blue-mountains-australia-nsw-200x300.jpg)
![A Guide To Learning How To Surf In Australia: [UPDATED FOR 2026]](https://theroamingrenegades.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/guide-to-learning-how-to-surf-in-australia-including-location-cost-advice-200x300.jpg)
Great guide! 🌏 Melbourne has so many amazing free spots to explore. The street art in Hosier Lane and the free tram zone are definitely must-dos! 🚋🎨