Life in Melbourne can be quite a fairy tale, and unearthing this mega city’s hidden secrets is best done on foot. Here are a few tips for the globetrotter looking for an Oz-ome dope.
* Book yourself a bed in a youth hostel on any street close to the Melbourne Central metro station. It’s centrally located and well connected. Our pick: Nomads All Nations, Spencer Street.
* Keep a metro guide (available for free at all metro stations) handy. Since the travel pass (also called the MetCard) works in trams and buses too, it’s wiser to get an all-day one made from the station. Cost: Inside of $10.
* Purchase a Global Gossip Internet Card to stay connected. It’s cheap, PIN-based and works at the airport, too.
* Give the ‘commercial’ St Kilda beach a miss and head to unexplored ones such as the Brighton Beach (on the South Yarra metro line). Suburbs such as Carnegie are great for grocery picking. At Carnegie Charcoal Chicken, you can also get a fried full chicken for $12!
* If you wish to hog like a glutton on low budget — opt for a platter at a Korean or Chinese food joints in the heart of the city. For anything between $6 and $8, you can gorge on duckloads of chicken-laden rice or seafood noodles!
* Southbank is perfect for an evening out. Lie down by the Yarra River or dig a slice of cheesecake at a nearby café. Gambling enthusiasts can also try their hand at roulette at the Crowne Plaza casino.
{{/usCountry}}* Southbank is perfect for an evening out. Lie down by the Yarra River or dig a slice of cheesecake at a nearby café. Gambling enthusiasts can also try their hand at roulette at the Crowne Plaza casino.
{{/usCountry}}* Shoppers can head to South Wharf (ahead of Southbank) for heavy discount on branded stuff. Elizabeth and Swanston Streets near Flinders Station are worth a stroll.
* King Street’s a hub of watering holes. Tramp, Inflation and Showgirls Bar 20 bustle manifold over weekends.