Luxury Travel Guide: Melbourne

Accommodation

$400-800 per night

5-star hotels, luxury boutique properties, premium serviced apartments, penthouse suites

Food & Dining

$120-300 per day

Fine dining restaurants, hatted establishments, premium wine bars, hotel dining, private chef experiences

Transportation

$80-200 per day

Private transfers, luxury car rentals, helicopter transfers, premium rideshares, chauffeur services

Activities

$150-500 per day

Private tours, exclusive experiences, premium wine tours, luxury spa treatments, VIP event access

Use Melbourne's extensive tram network instead of taxis - typically 80-90% cheaper for city travel

Eat in Chinatown, Little Italy, or local suburbs rather than CBD tourist areas for 40-60% food savings

Take advantage of free cultural activities like street art tours, Royal Botanic Gardens, and beach visits

Shop at Queen Victoria Market or local supermarkets for groceries instead of convenience stores - saves 30-50%

Book accommodation in inner suburbs like Fitzroy or St Kilda rather than CBD for 20-40% savings

Visit during autumn or winter months for 25-40% lower accommodation rates

Use happy hour specials at bars and restaurants, typically 20-50% off drinks and food

Relying solely on taxis and rideshares instead of public transport - can triple daily transport costs

Eating only in tourist-heavy areas like this destination or Southbank - typically 100-150% markup over local areas

Booking last-minute accommodation during major events like Australian Open or Melbourne Cup - can increase costs by 200-400%

Not factoring in Australia's high alcohol prices when dining out - drinks can double meal costs