Melbourne Corporate Traveller Guide

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne surrounds Port Phillip on the southeast coast of Australia. Second in the country only to Sydney in terms of size and population, the two cities have formed a friendly rivalry in business, tourism, culture, and Australian identity. Renowned as the sporting capital of the world, the world’s most ‘liveable city’, and a vibrant artistic centre, Melbourne is alive with personality. Like other major cities in Australia, America, Canada, and South Africa, Melbourne’s economic domination began with the 1800s gold rush and, today, the Victoria state capital is a global financial hub driving major industries such as engineering, education and transportation.

Do you have plans to relocate to Melbourne with your family? Or does your calendar feature some business trips to Melbourne this year? This is what you need to know before you go.

Melbourne Key Information

Weather in Melbourne

A temperate climate, Melbourne has warm summers averaging 21°C in January and February, and cool to mild winters with lows of 10°C in June and July. Enjoy warm sea temperatures year-round and annual low rainfall.

Currency in Melbourne 

Australian Dollar (AUD)

Melbourne uses the Australian dollar - you will be easily able to pay using both cash and debit/credit card at most places, or by Australian EFTPOS (electronic funds transfer at point of sale). Tipping is voluntary but standard tips at restaurants and cafés are usually between 5 and 15%.

Health & Well-being in Melbourne

Melbourne’s temperate climate lends itself ideally to outdoor exercise: choose from a wealth of running, hiking, and cycling routes in the city, along the river and coastline, or throughout the city’s many parks. There are even basketball courts at Carlton Gardens, outdoor ping pong at Docklands and a skateboard park at Alexandra Gardens if you fancy an alternative workout.

Data in Melbourne

Getting connected in Melbourne is easy with e-SIMs or prepaid SIMs. Optus, Boost and Telstra are popular traveller SIMs and can be purchased at Melbourne Airport. Remember to bring ID to purchase and activate your SIM in store.

Free Wi-Fi spots can be found in public libraries, airports and museums, as well as in many CBD train stations.

Plug Type: Type I

Cuisine in Melbourne

Roast lamb is about as Aussie as it gets, find a good one in most pubs on a Sunday. Jaffles – reminiscent of a panini but sealed on every edge – are the epitome of nostalgic home-cooking in Melbourne, and a classic Aussie parma – chicken schnitzel covered in ham, tomato sauce, and melted mozzarella or parmesan – will feature on most Melbourne pub menus.

Green Spaces in Melbourne

Melbourne has such a diverse wealth of green spaces that the city is dedicated to greenprinting – a strategy to conserve and promote nature. Enjoy the Victorian landscaping at Fitzroy Gardens, experience real Aussie bushland at Lerderderg State Park, and tire your dog out at dog-friendly You Yangs Regional Park.

Birrarung Marr is a riverside park complete with children’s art centre, and Docklands Park is an ideal shady spot for a family barbecue.

Language in Melbourne

Aside from the stereotypes like ‘g’day mate’, Melbourne has a dialect of its own featuring both classic and niche phrases to get your head around.

Bonza:  amazing news!

Drongo:  named after an Australian bird, the spangled drongo, you might hear this insult used to describe a fool.

Shark biscuit:  a comical term you may shout across the waves at an incompetent surfer.

Fair dinkum:  fair enough.

Servo:  service/petrol station.

Transport in Melbourne

Driving is still a popular mode of transport and, with most commuters choosing to drive, it may be worth hiring a car during your stay, especially if you plan on heading out of the CBD regularly. If you prefer to take a cab, it’s hard to miss Melbourne’s bright yellow taxis. 

Like most big cities with extensive public transport, both locals and visitors can pay for their travel around the city using contactless or loadable travel card. Melbourne’s myki card must be tapped at the start and end of your journey to pay the fare and can be easily topped up online.

Bus routes in Melbourne cover an impressive amount of ground and The Night Bus even provides ten safe inner-city routes on Friday and Saturday. Tap on and off the bus using your myki card and expect to pay around A$4.60 per trip.

Melbourne’s Metro Train loop features five stations connecting the city centre and run from 5am to midnight Monday-Thursday, and through the night Friday, Saturday and Sunday on the Night Network.

Melbourne is Australia’s only city with a tram network, and Yarra Trams – locally known as trolleys or streetcars – provide 25 routes throughout the city. You can travel for free in the Free Tram Zone, and can use your myki card to pay for other routes. For routes in Zone 2 you will need to touch on and off like normal, but you only need to touch on in other Zones.

Download the Citymapper app for all your public transport needs while in Melbourne. Plan routes, track times and receive top travel tips.

Melbourne Map

Now that you’re armed with all the necessary knowledge for your stay in Melbourne, browse our selection of Melbourne serviced apartments and get in touch to book today.

SilverDoor boasts a large and varied portfolio of serviced apartments in Melbourne. From the top six serviced apartments in Melbourne for business travel, to seven tips you need to know when travelling to Melbourne for business, you’ll be spoilt for choice when planning your next business trip to Melbourne with SilverDoor.