by 7 Amazing Tips on How to Enjoy Your Study in Melbourne
The second largest metropolis and one of Australia’s main financial centers, Melbourne is one of the favorite destinations for international students in the country. In addition to having an excellent educational structure, the city enchants everyone with its natural beauty, its cultural diversity, the excitement of its nightlife and the richness of its cuisine.
Capital of the State of Victoria, Melbourne was elected – for the seventh time in a row – as the best city in the world to live in, according to a ranking published by The Economist, which considers aspects such as education, infrastructure, health, safety and the environment in 140 locations in the world.
A cosmopolitan city whose streets breathe art and culture, that’s Melbourne! And, for you to enjoy all the infinity of attractions that the destination offers, we have prepared a selection of tips that will make your exchange to Melbourne an unforgettable trip!
An hour and a half from Melbourne is Bells Beach, the most famous among surfers. And, just over two hours by car, you can reach Phillip Island, an archipelago where you can see colonies of penguins, kangaroos and seals up close. The Great Ocean Road, a road by the sea with indescribable landscapes, is another must-see! You may also visit some of the best wineries and stay over in the pet-friendly Mornington Peninsula accommodation.
If you are thinking of taking an English course, technical course or even an undergraduate or graduate degree in Melbourne, read on and enjoy your stay in one of Australia’s most enchanting places to the full!
- Breathe in art and culture at Federation Square
Federation Square, Melbourne’s main square, constantly hosts cultural events and artistic performances, and gathers around it a multitude of bars, restaurants, cultural centers and diverse shops. It is certainly one of Melbourne’s most pulsating and lively spots!
There are the main museums and cultural centers of the city, as part of the National Gallery of Victoria (founded in 1861), the Australian Center for the Moving Image (with exhibitions and exhibitions focused on the world of cinema), The Atrium (building with bold design and home to an art gallery), The Edge (amphitheater that hosts theatrical performances), the Ian Potter Center and the National Design Centre.
In the region, there are also Hosier Lane and Rutledge Lane, two alleys that are true outdoor urban art galleries. Its walls and facades, even the garbage cans and sidewalks, are completely taken over by paintings by artists from around the world. As the drawings are constantly renewed, each visit to these streets will provide a different experience.
Opposite the square is St. Paul’s Cathedral, a neo-Gothic Anglican church opened in 1891 and with a charming architecture. Nearby is the Flinders Street Railway Station, the first train station in the country, in operation since 1854. With classic-style architecture, the immense station is one of the main tourist attractions in Melbourne and from where trains leave for the most diverse points of the city.
It’s virtually impossible to see all that Fed Square has to offer – as the locals call it – in one day, so take advantage of your study to visit each space more calmly.
- Enjoy Melbourne culture and leisure
However, it’s not just Fed Square that Melbourne’s cultural tour is concentrated. In addition to the aforementioned museums, other prominent institutions are based in the city, preserving and disseminating the country’s history and culture and bringing together important collections of modern and contemporary art.
Don’t miss the Immigration Museum, the National Sports Museum, the National Gallery of Victoria (whose main block is in the Southbank district) and the Melbourne Museum, the largest in the country and with collections covering natural history, science, technology and culture aboriginal.
In the central region of Melbourne is the State Library of Victoria, opened in 1856 and which has more than 2 million cataloged publications, including books and periodicals. Its octagonal architecture, known as the Landmark Domed Reading Room, is an attraction in itself.
Other important architectural works to be visited are St. Patrick’s Cathedral, neo-Gothic building from the 19th century and considered the largest and tallest church in Australia, and the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens, declared a world heritage site. The building, which once hosted the Australian parliament, is now an important event and exhibition center in the city.
Speaking of events, Melbourne’s cultural calendar is really amazing! Throughout the year, a multitude of festivals occupy the streets, squares and cultural centers of the city. Art, gastronomy, fashion and design, cinema, music, multicultural festivals, linked to spiritual themes, dedicated to children. A plurality of cultures and attractions that will certainly further enrich your exchange in the city.
Melbourne also doesn’t disappoint those looking for a night out. The city is full of nightclubs, bars and pubs with live music for all tastes! Another fun option is the comedy clubs, places where comedy shows and stand-up comedy shows take place.
- Tour the city’s sights
Head to the Southbank district and walk along the Yarra River promenade, which cuts through Melbourne. From there, head to the Eureka Skydeck, an observatory located in the largest tower in the southern hemisphere and from where you can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of the city. In the same neighborhood is the Shrine of Remembrance, a monument erected in honor of Australian soldiers who served during World War I and World War II.
- Shop in the fashion capital
Known as Australia’s fashion capital, Melbourne is a shopper’s paradise in the country, home to numerous international brands and alternative brands.
Top itinerary options are Queen Victoria Market – a 19th-century shopping complex with a modern, solar-paneled façade – Melbourne Central – with 180 stores and breathtaking architecture – and Southgate.
In Southbank is the Crown Entertainment Complex, a huge entertainment complex that houses Australia’s largest casino, as well as numerous international cuisine restaurants and assorted designer stores. In Brunswick, known for its hipster shops and hipster nightlife, there are plenty of vintage establishments, art galleries, restaurants and cafes.
- Discover the charms of the local fauna and flora
You can’t go to Australia and not get to know the exuberance of the local fauna and flora! Take time to visit the Zoo and see a number of native animals up close, such as Tasmania’s famous koalas, kangaroos and demons.
At the Melbourne Aquarium, all the richness of Australian marine life can be seen. In the Royal Botanic Gardens, the city’s botanical garden, more than 10,000 species of plants are spread over an area of 38 hectares. On site, there are also beautiful lakes and hiking options.
- Delight in Melbourne and surrounding beaches
Well known by foreigners and Australians, the beaches in the Melbourne region are of incomparable beauty! One of the darlings of locals, St. Kilda is ideal for sports and outdoor activities, as well as home to Luna Park, an amusement park in operation since 1912.
Brighton Beach is home to the famous colorful houses along the strip of sand. The buildings are, in fact, bathrooms used by their owners to store equipment and various materials for use on the beach.
An hour and a half from Melbourne is Bells Beach, the most famous among surfers. And, just over two hours by car, you can reach Phillip Island, an archipelago where you can see colonies of penguins, kangaroos and seals up close. The Great Ocean Road, a road by the sea with indescribable landscapes, is another must-see!
- Unveil the flavors of good cooking
As a country with a recent history and a very mixed culture, Australia welcomes its foreigners very well. Proof of this is the absurd variety of restaurants with cuisine from around the world. It is possible to taste typical dishes of Vietnamese, Chinese, Greek, French, Italian, Indian and 70 other nationalities.
At the Queen Victoria Market, in addition to the craft and clothing stores, you can sample the variety of local cuisine – and for a good price. Southbank, St Kilda and Federation Square are ideal places for a good coffee, the most popular drink in the city.
With all this cultural, historical and gastronomic wealth, there is no one who is not enchanted by the city’s beauties, which mixes, with great charm, the dynamism of a business center with a light and relaxed lifestyle.
Following these tips we have prepared for you, there is no doubt that your study in Melbourne will be an unforgettable and extremely enriching experience.
