Where to Stay in Melbourne

The grid between Flinders Street and La Trobe Street puts everything on foot. Federation Square is two minutes down Swanston Street. Queen Victoria Market is 15 minutes north on Elizabeth Street. Southern Cross Station, connecting the airport and regional trains, is 10 minutes west on Collins Street. The Westin and InterContinental sit a block apart on Collins, which is the best street for hotels. Bourke Street Mall covers retail. Trams are free inside the city loop. The trade-off is noise: King Street and the lower end of Swanston Street are loud until 3am on weekends.

Best for

First-time visitorsbusiness travellersanyone with early flights or late arrivals

Walk times

Federation Square 2 min
Queen Victoria Market 15 min
Southern Cross Station 10 min

Skip if: You want neighbourhood character or quiet evenings. The CBD empties fast after 6pm on weekdays.

Local tip: Stay on the south side of Collins Street between Swanston and Spring Street. Quieter nights, the Botanic Gardens on foot and the free tram loop two streets away.

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Fitzroy

Brunswick Street at 9pm is reason enough

Budget $0-$0/night

Fitzroy sits 2km north of the CBD and runs on coffee, vinyl and natural wine. Brunswick Street is the main drag: Tipo 00 for pasta, Naked for Satan for rooftop spritzes and Record Paradise if you still own a turntable. Smith Street one block east is louder and cheaper. Gertrude Street between them is the most interesting 500 metres in Melbourne, with galleries, concept stores and Cutler and Co for a serious dinner. Tram 86 runs from Smith Street to Bourke Street in 12 minutes. Edinburgh Gardens is a 10-minute walk north-east for weekend sport and morning runs.

Best for

Design-conscious travellerssolo visitors aged 25 to 45anyone who plans to eat and drink seriously

Walk times

CBD via tram 86 12 min
Gertrude Street cafes 5 min
Edinburgh Gardens 10 min

Skip if: You need a pool, a concierge or easy airport access. Fitzroy has almost no large hotels.

Local tip: Book on George Street or Gore Street rather than Brunswick Street itself. You get the atmosphere without the 2am noise from the bars.

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St Kilda

Beach, bagels and a hint of grit

Budget $0-$0/night

St Kilda is Melbourne's only real beach suburb. Acland Street handles Sunday breakfast crowds with Jewish bakeries that have operated since the 1950s. Fitzroy Street connects the tram stop to the Esplanade and passes the Prince of Wales Hotel, a Melbourne institution. Luna Park is five minutes from the main strip along the Esplanade. St Kilda Beach is swimmable October through April. Tram 96 from Bourke Street takes 30 minutes and runs until midnight. Most hotels sit between Fitzroy Street and the beachfront. The Saturday morning Esplanade Market is worth an hour if your timing lines up.

Best for

Familiescouples wanting beach access with city proximitytravellers on stays of 5 nights or more

Walk times

St Kilda Beach 3 min
Luna Park entrance 5 min
Acland Street cafes 8 min

Skip if: You have early morning flights or daily business meetings. The tram takes 30 minutes minimum and Fitzroy Street is loud on Saturday nights.

Local tip: Stay on Barkly Street or Robe Street rather than Fitzroy Street. Quieter, 5 minutes from the beach and $30 to $50 cheaper per night than beachfront properties.

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South Yarra

Chapel Street money, Prahran Market mornings

Budget $0-$0/night

South Yarra is Melbourne upscale without the stuffiness. Chapel Street runs from Commercial Road through Prahran with independent boutiques at the top and chain stores lower down. Toorak Road crosses east to west and has the densest concentration of serious restaurants in the city. Prahran Market on Elizabeth Street opens Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and is worth a morning. The Royal Botanic Gardens are 15 minutes north-west along Alexandra Avenue. South Yarra station on the Glen Waverley and Frankston lines puts Flinders Street 8 minutes away. Most four and five-star hotels sit along St Kilda Road and Toorak Road.

Best for

Repeat visitorscouplesanyone who wants to shop and eat well without fighting CBD crowds

Walk times

Prahran Market 5 min
Royal Botanic Gardens 15 min
Flinders Street Station by train 8 min

Skip if: Budget is tight. South Yarra runs 20 to 30 percent more expensive than comparable rooms in Fitzroy or St Kilda.

Local tip: Hotels on St Kilda Road facing the Domain Parklands get morning light and park views. Ask for a high floor on the park side. Same price, completely different feel.

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