Starting Melbourne with a Perfect Day 1

Pre-Trip Essentials (August Winter)

Winter in Melbourne is a blend of chilly winds and sun-kissed afternoons. Packing for this adventure involved selecting the right essentials to ensure comfort and convenience. Here are some of the things I packed for our 8 Days trip:

• Two HEATTECH sets and the Fluffy Yarn Fleece Full-Zip Jacket - all from Uniqlo

• Stack up on hoodie, sweaters, long pants and jeans

• Smaller bag for daily exploration - got mine from Ivy Bags on FB #8697

• Comfy sneakers/ shoes from Skechers that works for both city walks and countryside tours

• Renting a wifi dongle from ChangiRecommends - costs about $SGD60+

First Day Pre-Bought Tickets

Since we were a lively trio exploring Melbourne, we decided to snag the Klook Pass to bundle up on these amazing attractions and save:

• SkyBus City Express Round Trip

• Melbourne Skydeck Entry Tickets

• Melbourne Zoo Tickets

• Old Melbourne Gaol Tickets

Our total came to just $104.59 per person, a real win for our budget and an amazing start to our adventure!

Here's a table of the ticket prices as single bookings for comparison:

ATTRACTIONS	TICKET PRICE (PER PAX)
SkyBus City Express Round Trip	Adult - S$ 31.39 Child - S$ 5.25
Melbourne Skydeck Entry Ticket	Adult - S$ 26.15 Child - S$ 16.99
Melbourne Zoo Ticket	Adult - S$ 40.09 Child - S$ 20.05
Old Melbourne Gaol Ticket	Adult - S$ 28.79 Child - S$ 17.45
TOTAL (based on adult pricing)	S$126.42

You can even book day tours with this pass, but since we opted not to, I'll leave that adventure up to you. Want to explore more? Check out the Klook Pass here, and let me know what treasures you find!

Arrival and Morning Adventure

Landed in Melbourne at 7:25 AM, and our morning began with the hustle of finding the right SkyBus pickup. Exiting from Terminal 2, our first challenge was finding the SkyBus City Express pickup at Terminal 1, 3, or 4. If you didn't pre-purchase the tickets, don't worry! You can get them at the red kiosks lining the path to the pickup. Easy to spot!

Image: Waiting for the SkyBus at the pickup point

The ride to the Southern Cross Bus Terminal was about 30 to 45 minutes. Check out the picture below to see the layout of the bus terminal. Once we stepped off the bus, it was time to embrace Melbourne's public transport. The myki cards were our next purchase, costing AUD$6 each, plus an extra $10AUD top-up for our Melbourne Zoo adventure the next day. Pro tip: If you're sticking to the CBD area, you might not even need a myki card. Why? Because trams that run in the CBD are free (excluding buses)! How cool is that?

Just to keep you on track, here's a map of the CBD area. Stick to it, and you won't accidentally ride out of the free zone and incur charges.

Our next stop was our home for the next 8 days: the ibis Styles Kingsgate Hotel. This budget-friendly hotel is just a short 5-minute walk from the Southern Cross Railway Station, and it was a perfect fit for our plans.

Now, don't expect extravagance here, but it's got all the essentials! Our room had two twin beds and one double bed, so we were quite comfortable. There was a small pantry area and a mini fridge, plus a spacious desk that quickly became our charging station for all the gadgets. After spending the chilly Melbourne days out and about, it was lovely to come back to a room with heaters.

Image: Our hotel room at ibis Styles Kingsgate Hotel on King Street

The hotel itself also has a cafe, a lounge room/library, and a gym. It's nothing over the top, but it's cozy and efficient. At about S$150 per night and its convenient location near public transport and popular attractions, I'd call it a great deal.

For brunch, we ended up at Henry and the Fox on Little Collins St, lured in by the rave online reviews about their Australian cuisine. Walking in, we were immediately impressed by the spaciousness of the place. It had plenty of seating both inside and out, and we snagged a spot outdoors to really get into the Australian groove.

Here's a little tip if you plan on going: the breakfast menu ends at 11AM, and lunch kicks in at 12PM. Since we found ourselves in between, the friendly staff suggested we kick back with coffee and tea. But honestly? No complaints here. We each grabbed a cuppa, and those few minutes were like a welcome break to just chill and get into the Aussie vibe.

When lunchtime rolled around, we dived into the menu: a chicken burger, a classic steak sandwich, and a vegan bolognese pasta. How was it? Well, it was good, nothing mind-blowing, but satisfying. The coffee, though? Oh, that was something to write home about! Price-wise, it's a bit up there, but the portions were big, so we all left happy and filled up. If you're curious to taste it for yourself, here's the menu. Whether you're a local flavor lover or on a vegan adventure, Henry and the Fox is worth a visit!

Image: Lunch at Henry and the Fox on Little Collins Street

Afternoon Exploration

Our first stop began with a visit to the Old Melbourne Gaol, and I was instantly taken aback by the grim history behind this former prison. Built in 1845, it's now transformed into a museum, open daily from 10AM to 5PM. As we wandered through the corridors, we learned about Australia's most infamous citizens, including the legendary Ned Kelly. It was both chilling and captivating to uncover how the gaol once housed not only dangerous felons but also petty offenders, the homeless, and the mentally ill before closing in 1929.

Then we did a challenge that really brought the history to life: stepping into one of the cells and closing the heavy metal door behind us. Feeling the walls close in, we couldn't help but imagine being locked up for years with no sense of time. It was an unsettling, claustrophobic experience that truly brought home the reality of life in the gaol. This visit was both a haunting reminder of the past and an incredible look into Melbourne's history.

Image: First and second level of the Old Melbourne Gaol

After that, we popped across the street to the State Library of Victoria. To be honest, I didn't know what to expect from a library, but this place was incredible. Established over 168 years ago, it's not just a library but a symbol of Melbourne's history. And the best part? It's free to enter! We tiptoed around, mindful of our voices, while soaking in the grand architecture. And here's a little secret we learned: this is one of the first free public libraries in the world. We couldn't resist heading to the top floor to experience the majestic domed La Trobe Reading Room. Snapping a photo there felt like capturing a piece of Melbourne's soul. The entire visit was like stepping back in time, and the library quickly became one of the highlights of our day.

Image: La Trobe Reading Room - The Dome

Shopping and Sunset Watching

The afternoon had flown by, and as evening rolled in, our adventures took us to the Docklands. First up was Central Pier, a place I had read about but never imagined would be so stunning. Though it's permanently closed and scheduled for slow demolition, it offered a surreal spot for sunset watching. It was a moment to pause and soak in the beauty of the day.

Image: Sunset at the Central Pier, Docklands

Just a short walk down the docks, we stumbled upon The District, a huge shopping center bustling with energy. I couldn't resist grabbing some extra warm clothes and picking up souvenirs for family and friends. But what caught my eye were the table tennis facilities sprinkled throughout the mall. A quick game was just the thing for those less interested in shopping, and we laughed and played, feeling the camaraderie of the day.

Image: A quick game of table tennis with my boyfriend

As the sun began to dip, we made our way over to the Marvel Stadium, right across from Central Pier. Even though there were no games that day and the building was locked, the towering stadium offered an unexpected surprise: an overlook of the entire Docklands pier. We climbed to a higher level, and the view took our breath away. There we were, snapping photos with the sunset, the perfect backdrop for a perfect day.

International Food at Queen Victoria's Night Market

As the final hues of the sunset faded, our appetites were piqued, and we were ready for dinner. The day's adventures had been thrilling, but there was one more experience we had planned: a visit to Queen Victoria's Winter Night Market. We'd timed our trip just right to catch this unique event, open only on Wednesday nights during the winter season (June to August).

Image: Huge salami, anyone?

Upon entering the market, we were immediately greeted by the intoxicating scents of international cuisine. From Greek to Spanish to Indian, the variety of food had us spoilt for choices. We indulged in BBQ, Kritharoto - Seafood Orzo, salami and chips, and so much more. Each bite was a new flavor sensation, and our taste buds danced with delight.

Image: FOOOODDDDD!

But the Winter Night Market was about more than just food. The lively atmosphere was filled with entertainment that kept us mesmerized. The silent disco tour had people laughing and dancing their way around the market, while entertainers walking on stilts and juggling knives added a dash of excitement and awe. The sights, the sounds, the flavors - it was a sensory extravaganza!

End of Day One

As the night wore on, we reflected on our first day in Melbourne. We had experienced history at the Old Melbourne Gaol, marvelled at the architecture of the State Library, enjoyed shopping and the sunset at Docklands, and ended with a feast at the Winter Night Market. Our hearts were full, our bellies were satisfied, and we were left with the warmth of shared memories. With one last look at the twinkling lights of the market, we headed back to our hotel, eager for the adventures the next day would bring. But for now, it was time to rest and dream of the experiences yet to come. Melbourne, we'll see you in the morning!