Bus to Melbourne

Discovering Melbourne with FlixBus 

Melbourne, the cultural capital of Australia, is a city that thrives on creativity, food, and atmosphere. With its eclectic laneways, dynamic arts scene, leafy parks, and legendary sporting culture, it’s a place that blends heritage with modern style. From the grand facades of Flinders Street Station to the colourful Brighton Beach boxes and leafy gardens, Melbourne is a city that constantly surprises. 

Thanks to FlixBus, travelling to Melbourne is simple and affordable, with frequent connections from across Victoria and interstate. Once you arrive, the city’s transport system and walkable central districts make it easy to discover the neighbourhoods, markets, and attractions that give Melbourne its unique character. 

Getting Around Melbourne

Melbourne is well connected by a comprehensive public transport network, with plenty of options for moving around the city: 

• Trains – Metro trains link outer suburbs to the city, with most services passing through Flinders Street Station. The underground City Loop connects five key CBD stations: Southern Cross, Flagstaff, Melbourne Central, Parliament, and Flinders Street. For regional and interstate connections, Southern Cross is the main hub. 
• Trams – The world’s largest tram network is Melbourne’s pride. Within the CBD, you can travel for free in the Free Tram Zone, but outside it you’ll need a myki card. This reusable smartcard is required for trains, trams, and buses outside the Free Tram Zone. You can top it up online, at stations, or in shops displaying the myki sign. Routes and timetables are clearly signposted at each stop. 
• Buses – Buses fill in the gaps between trains and trams, reaching schools, hospitals, shopping hubs, and outer suburbs. V/Line coaches also connect Melbourne to regional Victoria. 
• Taxis and rideshare – Easily hailed from taxi ranks or booked via apps, Melbourne’s taxis are yellow, silver, or white and display a rooftop lamp. Rideshare services such as Uber, DiDi, and Taxify are widely available. 

Things to See and Do in Melbourne 

From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, Melbourne offers countless attractions that reflect its history, culture, and lifestyle. Here are ten highlights to include on your visit: 

1. Old Melbourne Gaol: Built in 1842, this atmospheric former prison once housed some of Australia’s most notorious criminals, including Ned Kelly. With its cold stone walls and dimly lit cells, the gaol is as eerie as it is fascinating, and ghost stories only add to its mystique. 
2. State Library of Victoria: A Melbourne institution, the State Library combines stunning 19th-century architecture with a vibrant cultural program. The La Trobe Reading Room, with its soaring domed ceiling, is one of the most photographed interiors in the city. Exhibitions and displays showcase the library’s role as the country’s oldest public library. 
3. Queen Victoria Market: More than just a marketplace, this is the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere. Since 1878, it has been a place to shop for fresh produce, gourmet treats, fashion, and artisan crafts. Arrive early to enjoy the atmosphere before the crowds build. 
4. Eureka Skydeck: On the 88th floor of the Eureka Tower, this is the highest observation deck in the Southern Hemisphere. Floor-to-ceiling windows and powerful binoculars reveal everything from the Yarra River and Royal Botanic Gardens to the Dandenong Ranges and Port Phillip Bay. For a thrill, try “The Edge,” a glass cube that extends out from the building. 
5. Royal Exhibition Building: Australia’s first World Heritage-listed building, the Royal Exhibition Building has hosted world fairs, exhibitions, and even the nation’s first Parliament. Built in 1880, it remains one of Melbourne’s grandest historic sites. Entry is usually via ticketed exhibitions or tours. 
6. Royal Botanic Gardens: Just outside the CBD, these gardens are a lush retreat with more than 8,500 plant species. Visitors can picnic by the lake, explore fern gullies, or climb to the Temple of the Winds lookout. A quirky highlight is “Guilfoyle’s Volcano,” a cone-shaped water reservoir that doubles as a striking landscape feature. 
7. Puffing Billy Railway: One of the world’s best-preserved steam railways, Puffing Billy has been running through the Dandenong Ranges since 1900. The open carriages let you dangle your legs as the train winds through forested hills and across historic wooden bridges—a nostalgic and scenic journey. 
8. Brighton Beach Boxes: These colourful bathing huts have lined Brighton Beach since the 1800s and remain one of Melbourne’s most photographed landmarks. Each box is uniquely painted, making them a vibrant backdrop to the bay. 
9. Albert Park Lake: A local favourite for walking, jogging, and picnicking, Albert Park Lake offers tranquil water views with the city skyline in the background. Once a year, it transforms into the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix circuit, adding a dose of adrenaline to its otherwise laid-back vibe. 
10. Flinders Street Station: An unmistakable Melbourne icon, this mustard-yellow station with its domed clock tower is the oldest in Australia and once the busiest in the world. The steps beneath its famous row of clocks are a classic meeting spot, while stories of a hidden ballroom upstairs add to its allure.