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Melbourne, Yarra Valley & surrounds

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Our best Melbourne packages right now, created by our travel experts to offer you incredible holidays at serious value.

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Melbourne Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Melbourne a popular destination for Kiwi travellers?

Melbourne is popular with New Zealand travellers for its culture, food scene, major events and easy flight access. It’s ideal for short breaks and longer stays, offering laneways, shopping, sport and nearby day trips.

 

How long is the flight from New Zealand to Melbourne?

Direct flights from Auckland to Melbourne take around 4 hours, with regular services also available from Wellington and Christchurch.

 

How many days do you need in Melbourne?

A 3 to 5 day trip is perfect for exploring Melbourne’s city highlights, while 7 days or more allows time for day trips to places like the Great Ocean Road or Yarra Valley.

What is the best time of year to visit Melbourne?

If you want to experience Melbourne's culture and cuisine, nightlife and arts then, travel between March and May or September and November, when the weather is mild and the city is full of life. Enjoy the spring and autumn colours in Melbourne's parks and gardens, and explore its diverse neighbourhoods. 

 

Where to stay in Melbourne?

Melbourne offers a range of accommodation to suit every budget. The CBD is perfect for those who want to be close to major attractions and public transport. For a more bohemian vibe, consider staying in Fitzroy or Carlton. Southbank and Docklands offer modern hotels with stunning city views.

 

What are the things to do in Melbourne?

Name your passion and Melbourne can match it. Explore Melbourne’s eclectic precincts and fringe suburbs, and discover quirky restaurants for affordable, filling lunches; coffee worth boasting about, underground art, rooftop bars, green spaces, fancy places and so much more. 

Melbourne is the gateway to Victoria’s world-class wineries, natural springs, peninsulas, spectacular coastline and alpine towns. Don't miss a visit to St Kilda Beach, the Melbourne Zoo and the historic Queen Victoria Market. There is no shortage of things to do in Melbourne, with so much to offer right on your doorstep. If you're planning a holiday in Sydney, explore our Melbourne travel guide crafted by our Melbourne experts to make the most of your trip. 

 

How to find the best holiday package to Melbourne?

Check out our Melbourne deals  or sign up for our newsletter to get the latest holiday package deals sent straight to your email. Or, speak to your local House of Travel Melbourne specialist to book in your Melbourne holiday. 

What should I pack for my trip to Melbourne?

Melbourne's weather can be unpredictable, so pack layers. Include comfortable walking shoes, a light jacket and an umbrella. In the summer months (December to February) bring sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. In the winter (June to August), pack warmer clothing and a coat.

 

Do New Zealanders need a visa to travel to Melbourne?
No, New Zealand passport holders do not need to pre‑apply for a visa. We recommend staying up to date on an official government website for advice on non-New Zealand passport holders or for any updates. 
Is Melbourne expensive for New Zealanders?
Melbourne suits a range of budgets, with affordable accommodation, free attractions and competitive flight deals making it good value for Kiwi travellers.

Do I need travel insurance for Melbourne?

Yes, we highly recommend having travel insurance for your trip to Melbourne. We offer a range of travel insurance options suitable for travel to Australia. Find more information on our website.

 

Can I use New Zealand dollars in Melbourne?

No, you will need to exchange your New Zealand dollars (NZD) for Australian dollars (AUD). Currency exchange services are available at airports, banks and exchange bureaus. Otherwise, most credit and debit cards are widely accepted, as well as via digital wallets.

Is Melbourne easy to get around without a car?

 

Yes, Melbourne is easy to navigate using trams, trains and buses, especially within the CBD, where free tram zones make getting around simple.

What neighbourhoods should visitors explore?
Visit Fitzroy for its creative scene, St Kilda for beaches and cafés, and Lygon Street for Italian dining and culture.
Can you do day trips from Melbourne?
Yes, Melbourne is a great base for day trips to the Great Ocean Road, Yarra Valley wineries, Mornington Peninsula and alpine regions.

 

Where is the best place for shopping in Melbourne?

Melbourne is a shopper's paradise with a variety of options. Visit Bourke Street Mall for high-street fashion, Chadstone Shopping Centre for luxury brands and Queen Victoria Market for fresh produce and unique souvenirs. Explore the laneways and arcades in the CBD for boutique shopping and quirky finds.

 

Where are the best places to eat and drink in Melbourne?

Melbourne is Australia's culinary capital so whether you're craving Italian, Asian or something else, Melbourne has you covered. You'll find mouth-watering restaurants and cafes all over the city, but here are some of our favourites.

For a taste of Italy, head to Lygon Street in Carlton and enjoy pizza, pasta and gelato. For a variety of Asian flavours, check out Chinatown in the CBD and sample dumplings, noodles and more. 

For the best brunch in town, don't miss Fitzroy and Collingwood, where you'll find hip cafes and cool bars. Make sure you try the best coffee and bagels in Melbourne at Manchester Press café in a converted warehouse in Rankins Lane - it's usually packed, so get there early.

 

What are some family-friendly activities in Melbourne?

Melbourne is a great destination for families. There's plenty of things to do for the whole family in Melbourne from interactive museums and kids' festivals to zoos and wildlife parks. You can enjoy the natural beauty of the Royal Botanic Gardens, explore the interactive exhibits at Scienceworks and the Melbourne Museum. For a burst of excitement, take a trip to Luna Park in St Kilda for amusement rides and games.

Meet our Victoria specialists

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Alisha Lockie

Alisha Lockie

House of Travel Ferrymead

As a travel expert with over 10 years experience in the industry, and a personal passion for adventure, I'm dedicated to helping you create truly unforgettable journeys. 

Having travelled to 47 countries (and still counting), I bring a wealth of personal experience and industry know-how to help you cut through the noise and explore the world in a way that's tailored just for you. 

Travel isn't just about booking flights and hotels, it's about navigating the unexpected, something that's more important than ever in today's post-COVID world. With disruptions becoming more common, having an expert on your side can make all the difference. Whether it's rebooking flights, rearranging plans, or finding local solutions, I'll ensure your trip is smooth and stress-free, so you can enjoy every moment. 

To me, travel is more than seeing new places, it's a chance to connect, learn and grow. Wherever your next adventure takes you, I'll  be here to make sure it's stress-free, seamless, and everything you've dreamed of. 

Alisha

Courtney McCormack

Courtney McCormack

House of Travel Morrinsville

Travel is truly in my blood. My grandparents sparked the travel bug in my mum, and she passed that passion on to me. From the moment I took my very first holiday at age three, a magical trip to Disneyland, I was hooked. Growing up, I listened to my mum’s stories from her OE, my cousins’ globe-trotting adventures, and my sister’s explorations, all of which fueled my own wanderlust.

Over the years, I’ve lived in Scotland, as well as in England and Ireland, soaking up different cultures and ways of life. I’ve been fortunate to travel extensively, exploring incredible destinations including Jordan, Israel, the USA, Australia & Europe. I’ve experienced the security and ease of organised solo travel with Contiki and Topdeck tours, but I’ve also embraced the challenge and freedom of planning my own trips, like eloping in Denmark, which remains one of my most cherished adventures.

With a background in hospitality, I combine practical knowledge with genuine care to craft holidays that are personalised, meaningful, and seamless. I love getting to know your unique travel style and what matters most to you, whether that’s family fun, a romantic escape, or a bucket-list adventure.

I’m not just your travel consultant; I’m your travel cheerleader. I’ll celebrate every countdown with you, smooth out any bumps along the way, and be just as excited when everything comes together perfectly. My goal is to take the stress out of travel planning, so you can focus on making memories.

Let’s work together to create a travel experience that’s not only unforgettable but uniquely yours.


Courtney

Melissa Topp

Melissa Topp

House of Travel Christchurch City

Travel really is my passion and I perhaps love organising it just as much as the actual travelling. Being able to open up options for people they had no idea they could accomplish is truly exciting. I love the scope of what we can accomplish as a travel agent; our systems, knowledge and relationships with the right people all add up to being able to organise a truly memorable trip. I’ve done it all from tours, safaris, ocean and river cruises, adventure travel, self-drives, rail journeys, family travel specialising in all things Disney and I love to share my knowledge to help you achieve the trip of your lifetime.

Outside of the office I like to spend my time skiing, horse riding, tramping, scuba diving, getting outside on our lifestyle block with my two little girls or enjoying a glass of pinot with a side order of chocolate mousse.


Years in the Industry: over 20

No. of countries visited: 50+

Favourite place to visit: Niue, no wait Cuba, hmm no maybe it’s Egypt….. Or Italy….

Next place on the list to visit: Disneyworld

·       “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” – Augustine of Hippo


Why I love travel?

Travel gives us our greatest stories, our most cherished memories and countless irreplaceable learnings that we can choose to pay forward to others. It teaches us about ourselves and each other, it broadens our horizons and, just like a reset button, it forces us to refocus on what really matters.


My travel tips:

  • Pack your patient pants; Don’t sweat the stuff you can’t control. Your trip is much too short to stress. Did you miss your bus? No worries, there will be another one.. ATM out of money? Great! Take an unplanned road trip over to the next town and explore. I know it can be hard sometimes, but just take a deep breath and remind yourself that it could be worse.
  • Focus on value over deals. It’s so easy to not look past the initial $ signs when organising your trip but how much extra will there be in added costs once you are at your destination, lost time or enjoyment is that initial saving really going to cost you once you are there.
  • Wake Up Early To Avoid Crowds. Rise before sunrise to have the best attractions all to yourself while avoiding large tourist crowds. It’s also a magical time for photos due to the softer light and often providing great opportunities to interact with locals getting ready for their day. Sketchy areas are less dangerous in the morning too. Honest hardworking people wake up early; scammers and criminals sleep in…


My top 5 favourite destinations:

  • Rio De Janeiro – Such an incredibly vibrant city. Imagine, having dinner in a local favela, no other tourists in sight and locals from ages 1-99 all together, laughing, dancing to the live music, everyone talking to everyone. A local group of young people came down the street performing the traditional capoeira martial art/dance and everyone heads outside to watch and cheer them on. It is always the people that make the place and Brazil’s people are very bit as colourful as this amazing city.
  • Europe River cruise – A true holiday. Pull up each day in a different location, right in the heart of things, wander off the boat and go for it. Return when you feel like it to every luxury you could want, top class food and drink and every room has a front row view. No crowds, most ships have under 200 passengers and a great option for both first time travellers and more experienced as you tend to visit many of the smaller and often less visited towns.
  • Rocky Mountaineer train journey – Starting in Banff, which really feels like the Queenstown of Canada and ending in Vancouver, a stunning city just a few minutes’ drive and from the beautiful redwood forests this train journey is must do travel experience. Seeing the spectacular scenery of the Rockies from the comfort of your warmed up spacious leather seat, the mountains are not just to either side but also above you through the glass roof of the train.
  • Borneo – Here you can combine stunningly beautiful beach resorts with a visit to the jungle; see the Proboscis monkeys, baby turtles being released into the ocean and one of the only places in the world to see Orangutans in their native habitat. One of the least explored areas on the planet with many adventures to be had but you don’t need to skimp on luxury.
  • East Africa Safari – It is a strangely exciting experience to be told not to wander too far from your tent at night because wild animals are really all around you. From elephants wandering through our camp one evening, to hearing bison grazing in the grass around us while sleeping, Africa really is as wild as you hope it will be. So many travel experiences these days are replicas – shows put together for your enjoyment. Africa definitely is not; it could not get much more real. Seeing orphaned baby elephants playing football with each other, wandering over to you reaching out their trunk so smell you as you stand behind only a rope fence watching their antics is just one of the incredible experiences on offer in this amazing location.

What’s in my suitcase?

  • A dog bed. I kid you not. These days I’m travelling with two little ones in tow and as strange as this sounds it’s a life saver on long haul flights-pair it with one of those big inflatable pillows that go where your legs usually do and you have a comfortable bed for the little ones to curl up in.
  • A dirty laundry bag. One easy spot to place all the worn things and easy to take to the laundry with you while travelling or dump in the machine when home.
  • Earplugs. I need a good nights sleep be ready to do everything I have planned for the next day on my holiday and you just never know what noises you might want to shut out while travelling.


Melissa 

Chanel Gray

Chanel Gray

House of Travel Palmerston North: The Square


From a young age I dreamed of taking adventures and exploring the world, and my passion has continued to grow the more places I have visited.

I love sharing my knowledge and experience with clients, and helping them plan their dream trips.

I'm a passionate traveler & always look forward to planning the next trip, whether it's for my clients or myself.

So far I've visited over 33 countries & experienced many types of travel including independent, small group tours, coach touring & cruising.


Chanel

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