How to spend 24 hours in Melbourne on a budget!

Since leaving our office jobs, I’ve noticed a significant shift in our relationship with money. Previously, we were laser-focused on saving and preparing for the future, often telling ourselves ‘no’ when it came to spending our hard-earned cash. Reflecting on it, when you’re working in a job you don’t enjoy, you want to ensure your time feels well-spent. Now, our approach is entirely different. When opportunities arise to spend on things we love and that bring us happiness, we say yes. It brings joy, creates lasting memories, motivates us to keep working hard, and, I believe, attracts more positivity into our lives.

Planning your trip?
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Hotels, I use Agoda
Insurance: Cover-More
Rentals: Discover Cars
RVs: Motorhome Republic
Transfers: Welcome Pickups
SIM Cards: Simify

I register as an affiliate for anything I use and recommend. Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click these links and make a purchase I may earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you, and in some cases, these links may even unlock savings or give you bonuses I’ve negotiated. You can find out more about this here and here.

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You might also like to read:

• 24 hours in Melbourne
• Melbourne on a budget

Planning your trip?
•••
Hotels, I use Agoda
Insurance: Cover-More
Rentals: Discover Cars
RVs: Motorhome Republic
Transfers: Welcome Pickups
SIM Cards: Simify

I register as an affiliate for anything I use and recommend. Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click these links and make a purchase I may earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you, and in some cases, these links may even unlock savings or give you bonuses I’ve negotiated. You can find out more about this here and here.

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I mention this because people often see affordable airfares to destinations they dream of and deny themselves the experience. I understand—budgets are always a consideration. But you don’t need to break the bank to have an amazing time. You don’t have to embark on a year-long adventure to create unforgettable travel memories, and you shouldn’t deny yourself fun because it’s deemed the ‘right thing to do.’ In my view, the right thing is whatever brings you happiness.

For us, that meant accepting an invitation from the team at Space Hotel in Melbourne, who flew us down for a whirlwind overnight stay. I’d never considered a quick city jaunt like that before, but it was fantastic! The brevity of the trip added to its charm—no pressure to see and do everything. We stayed centrally, caught up with a dear friend, made new ones, laughed heartily, and enjoyed incredible food. Here’s what we experienced and how you can use our itinerary as a guide for your own budget-friendly 24 hours in Melbourne, along with some of our money-saving travel tips.

Day 1

12:00 PM
We departed Brisbane’s domestic airport at midday, heading to Melbourne. Utilising the airport’s AirPark offers great rates; it’s a bit further from the terminals, but the free shuttle bus makes it convenient. We always pre-book online to save money. For us, driving ourselves and using AirPark is more cost-effective than taking an Uber or taxi, and it’s incredibly convenient.

2:30 PM
Travelling with carry-on only made our arrival in Melbourne smooth. We chose seats near the front of the plane for a quick exit. To save on airfares, we monitor budget airline sales and sign up for alerts. Sometimes, flying from the Gold Coast instead of Brisbane offers cheaper rates.

Upon arrival, the SkyBus is an excellent option to reach the city center, costing around $19 per person one-way if booked online, or $36 round-trip. For groups, consider an Uber, which can cost around $50 depending on demand.

3:30 PM
We checked into Space Hotel, which offers a blend of backpacker and budget hotel accommodations. I stayed here years ago when it was more hostel-like, but it’s been revamped with fantastic private rooms. Located centrally, it’s easy to explore the city on foot or by tram. Our private room was spacious, clean, and featured a great shower. The highlight was the private balcony with stunning Melbourne skyline views and a beautiful sunset. Affordable, well-located accommodations like Space Hotel make quick trips like this feasible.

6:00 PM
After enjoying the sunset from our balcony, we headed to the rooftop for more incredible views and a few drinks. The rooftop hangout spot at Space Hotel offers amazing cityscapes and was a perfect way to start our evening.

7:00 PM
We took cabs to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. I was pleasantly surprised by the affordability of tickets—around $30 on average. If visiting outside the festival, consider catching a theatre show, exploring art galleries, markets, or places like Hosier Lane, which we visited before the show.

9:00 PM
Post-show, we dined at Uncle Restaurant, a fantastic Vietnamese spot. We enjoyed Banh Mi, delicious edamame, black wild rice, wok-tossed zucchini, and more. After several cocktails, hearty laughs, and a satisfying meal, we returned to Space Hotel.

12:00 AM
We settled into bed, cozy and ready for a well-deserved rest.

Day 2

8:30 AM
In need of a great breakfast and Melbourne-quality coffee before our flight, we walked to Mr Tulk. The food was fantastic, and the coffee did not disappoint. Connected to the State Library of Victoria, it’s a great spot to visit if time allows. Unfortunately, it wasn’t open yet during our visit, and we were on a tight schedule.

10:00 AM
We checked out of Space Hotel, took our ride back to the airport, and boarded our 12:10 PM flight to Brisbane, landing at 2:20 PM. It was a whirlwind trip, and my first time doing such a quick city visit. The lack of pressure to do everything made it enjoyable—we simply relished the experiences we had planned, filling our trip with love, laughter, and joy.

Book your stay at Space Hotel Melbourne here

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