Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, is Australia’s 2nd largest city.
Known for its multicultural demographic and its love for art, Melbourne is an amazing city to visit and live in.
Located on the Southern coast of Australia, Melbourne attracts tourists worldwide who come to check out the arts, culture, and amazing food.
It has become a popular stop for backpackers and digital nomads while they tour around and explore Australia.
Where Is Melbourne Located?
Melbourne is located in the state of Victoria, bordering the state of South Australia. Situated on the Southern coast of Australia along the Tasman Sea, the city has several great beaches to enjoy as well as an amazing city life to explore.
Why Visit Melbourne as a Digital Nomad?
Melbourne has always been a popular tourist destination. Whether digital nomads are coming to conduct business or simply just enjoy the city as a tourist, Melbourne has long been rated as one of the greatest cities in the world.
With a multiculturally diverse population, you will feel right at home no matter where you come from. With modern amenities at your fingertips, the city has everything a digital nomad might need to make it feel like a place they belong.
With hundreds of things to do, we swear, you will never struggle to find something new to explore or enjoy.
As a city with a bustling CBD (central business district) and a relatively safe city to live in, you will most definitely feel welcome when you arrive.
One of the most common visas tourists visit is the Working Holiday Maker.
With an easy online application, your visa should be quickly processed, allowing you to live and work as a digital nomad in Australia for up to 12 months.
And don't worry, you’ll even have the option to extend it by a 2nd or 3rd year if you wish to.
How To Get To The City Center From The Airport
Melbourne has 2 airports, but the most common airport t you'll probably be arriving from internationally is known as Tullamarine Airport.
Located just 45 min from the city center, you have several options available to you:
- A taxi, uber, or private transfer, which takes 45 minutes and costs approx. $60-$100
- The Skybus, which offers regular service to the CBD for $20 one way (or $32 return)
Where To Stay in Melbourne as a Digital Nomad
If you're looking to get the full city experience, look to find accommodation downtown in Melbourne CBD. This will provide easy access to a wide variety of things to do within close proximity.
One of the most popular hostels to stay in downtown is Melbourne City Backpackers. It's great for solo travelers and digital nomads but also nothing wrong with it if you're coming with a group. It has a great location, friendly vibes, and good rates are only a few of the items that make this place so popular.
If you're looking to upscale your stay as a digital nomad, you should check out The Langham Hotel. As a higher-end luxury hotel, this accommodation surely won't disappoint. Nestled along the Yarra River, this hotel offers amazing food, close proximity to amazing attractions, and some amazing staff.
If you’re looking for a longer-term solution, Booking.com, Tripadvisors, Airbnb or any other booking sites are also an option.
We would recommend staying in the following areas:
- Richmond
- South Yarra
- CBD
- Fitzroy
- St. Kilda
- South Melbourne
How To Get Around in Melbourne
Getting around Melbourne is extremely easy. With its amazing public transportation system and the usual big city options, you surely won't struggle in this amazing city. Your options are unlimited, from trams, buses, taxis, Uber, bikes, scooters, and even trains.
With the train you’ll see that a train arrives along the city loop every 15 minutes. It is by far the easiest mode of transportation if you can follow simple train maps and schedules.
If you’re looking for something that offers a few more stops in between but may take a little more time, we will opt for the tram or bus. Filling up a Myki card at your local convenience shop or train station is all you’ll need to hop on and off the local buses, trams, and trains.
Either way you cut it, Melbourne has an option for everyone to get around. The only choice is what you are most comfortable with.
Internet Connectivity in Melbourne
There are several ways digital nomads can connect to the Internet in Melbourne.
With local cafes, restaurants, and bars all offering complimentary wifi to their patrons, this would be the easiest form of finding data/internet.
Your hotel and hostel will also likely offer fast wifi to its guests as a bonus for staying with them.
You can set up a sim with a local provider if you prefer. We personally used Boost Mobile, and it was as easy as purchasing a sim for $30 and then topping up your preferred data depending on your wants and needs.
Best Places To Work From In Melbourne
When it comes to local cafes and coffee shops, Melbourne is the place to be! With its world-class coffee options available on every corner, you will never struggle to find a place to sit down with a coffee and work. Personally, we think it's fantastic for digital nomads.
Below is a list of places we would highly recommend:
Coworking Spaces
Cafes
And so many more!
Cost of Living in Melbourne
The best part about living in Melbourne is that it offers various price points. From high-end luxury to budget accommodations, there's something for everyone.
Below are some examples of prices that you can expect:
- Small 1-bed apartment in the city center: $1,500/month
- Local transport = $3.50 for a one-way ticket
- Decent internet = $50/month
- Domestic Beer = $7.50/pint
- Small coffee = $3.50
If you’re looking to stay on a budget, staying at a local hostel, or eating local takeout might be your best bet.
If you're looking to live a more average life with an apartment, cook your own food, and take public transport. This way, you could spend about $2,000/month.
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It might be even wise to look for a roommate as several websites cater to this.
The option is really up to you regarding what kind of lifestyle you want to enjoy as a digital nomad.
Culture and Food in Melbourne
Because of its multicultural and diverse population, Melbourne has a whole whack load of food options. If you're looking for European food, they’ve got Greek, Italian, Ukrainian, Spanish, and more.
With Australia being so close to Asia, Asian food influence is everywhere. They've got everything from Japanese to Vietnamese, Chinese, and Thai.
Or maybe you're looking to experience some true local Australian food? Check out the local pub; they will have great options for you.
Some cool and unique restaurants we would recommend for digital nomads are:
- Sals Authentic New York pizza
- Marios
- Asado
- Red Sparrow Pizza
- Laksa King
- La Pinta
- Easey’s
- Butchers Diner
- The Fitz
Melbourne is the perfect palace for any foodie. You name it, they've got it.
Best Time To Visit Melbourne as a Digital Nomad
There is never a bad time to visit Melbourne. If you're looking to soak up the hot sun and enjoy the amazing beaches, visit during the summer months of December-February. If you're looking for some cooler temperatures and don't mind the rain, winter might be the season for you.
The weather in Melbourne is hard to monitor. Summers can get as high as 40°C (104°F), and winters can get as low as 5°C (41°F). You just never know what you're going to expect on any given day.
Something to think about is to watch out for that Aussie sun if you tend to burn easily. Be sure to apply that sunscreen if you're visiting during the summer, as you can burn in as quickly as 15 minutes. And if you're visiting during the winter months, be sure you have an umbrella as the rain can really settle in.
If you're looking to visit during the summer, know that it's probably high season for tourists as the beaches are among Australia's most popular attractions.
If you're looking for a little quieter of a season but still decent weather, visit during the fall (March-April) or spring (September -November).
Things to do in Melbourne as a Digital Nomad
As a digital nomad, there are plenty of things to see and do throughout this amazing city.
Here are some of the things that we recommend:
1. Explore the city
With its amazing laneways and street art, there is so much to see by just simply walking the streets of Melbourne. From Hosier Lane to ACDC Lane, be sure to check out some of the world's most amazing street art talents.
2. Coffee and Food
As already mentioned, there are hundreds of different cafes and restaurants to choose from. Be sure to take a stroll down DeGraves, as you'll be sure to find some amazing cafes and food choices.
3. Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
Melbourne is the iconic home of cricket and Melbourne's AFL games, so take a tour of this enormous stadium. Welcoming approx. 100,000 people at some of its events, you definitely don't want to miss the opportunity to see this amazing structure.
4. Royal Botanical Gardens
If nature is more your thing, take a walk through these amazing gardens.
5. Yarra River
Book a river tour down the Yarra River. With amazing sightlines of the city, sit back and enjoy the views while someone else tours you down the river that splits Melbourne in half.
6. Formula 1
If you're into car racing, check out Formula 1 as it visits the city every year for its iconic Melbourne, Australia race week.
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Is Melbourne Safe To Visit?
As any big city endures, there is always a risk of running into some unkind people. But for the most part, Melbourne is a safe place to visit.
Walking the streets of downtown, whether night or day, we always felt safe.
And sometimes, we felt even safer here than in other smaller cities in North America. But, of course, you must take that with a grain of salt as you always need to be cautious of your surroundings.
Overall, we'd rate it as a fairly safe city to live in and/or visit. Just be mindful of where you are and respectful to those around you.
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Is There A Digital Nomad Visa in Australia?
As mentioned earlier, the Working Holiday Maker visa is one of the most popular visas for people to visit Australia.
The 417 is open to anyone under the age of 31 (under 35 for Canadians) and allows you to work and live in the country for up to 12 months.
The only restriction is that you must not work for any employer for more than 6 months.
It's fairly simple to apply for and quick to obtain. Be sure to have:
- a valid passport
- sufficient funds in your account before you apply
- be a resident of an eligible country
If you want to extend your stay, there are 2nd and 3rd-year options with additional requirements. To be approved for the 2nd year, you must complete 88 days of regional farm work before your 1st year visa expires and apply through the government website.
You never know, you may enjoy it just as much as we did!
Are You Ready To Visit Melbourne?
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We'll see you there, Freaking Nomads!
About The Authors of This Guide
We’re Aly and Mike, the storytellers and travel bloggers behind AM Travel Life. Join us on our adventures and follow us for tips, tricks, and lots of laughs as we share our journey across this planet with you. Say hello to us on social media @AMTravelLife or visit our website at www.AMTravelLife.com. We can't wait to meet you!
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