Sometimes, getting away on your own is the best way to travel. When you don’t have to think about other people, you can do what you want, when you want. Perfect!
Solo travel in Melbourne City provides you with literally hundreds of things to enjoy. From exploring art and culture to enjoying a moonlight movie or a tram ride around the city.
This is one of the great things about Melbourne. The free tram zone shuttles you from A to B… for free!
To make the most out of your time in Melbourne, Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport is the perfect place to set up base. Clean, comfortable and cosy rooms with access to the city in 25 to 30 minutes makes it one of the most popular places to stay.
For those with a limited amount of time in this beautiful city, here are a few great things for solo travelers to do in Melbourne and around Melbourne Airport.
Brimbank Park
Just a few kilometres south of Melbourne airport, Brimbank Park is easily accessible via Keilor Park Drive off the Western Ring Road and takes just 15-minutes by car. With a history of over 400 million years, the area was first settled by the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. European settlers drove stock around the brim of the bank, hence the park’s name.
The park is popular for its spectacular aeroplane spotting locations. If you’re looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Brimbank offers a network of cycling and walking tracks.
If you’re feeling a little bit more adventurous, you may want to give the Maribyrnong River Trail a try. It starts at the park and follows the river all the way to Footscray. Consider bringing a pair of binoculars and going birdwatching. Native species to the park include flame robins, parrots, galahs and yellow-tailed thornbills. Possums and wallabies also call Brimbank Park home.
Federation Square
No visit to Melbourne would be complete without a visit to Federation Square. Jump on the free city tram and get off at Flinders Street Station or take your car on the 28-minute journey. Hugely popular with locals and tourists alike, it is a great place to meet new people while soaking up some unique architecture and culture.
But before you make your way to Federation Square, you will undoubtedly want to spend some time at Flinders Street Station. This late 19th century building has ornate Victorian architecture definitely worth photographing. It’s not only one of Melbourne’s most iconic landmarks, it’s also the Southern hemisphere’s busiest suburban railway station!
Spend an afternoon watching people go about their day. Grab a bite to eat in one of the many cafes or restaurants. And head down to the Yarra River water edge or cool breezes and spectacular city skyline sights. It is definitely a solo Travelers dream destination.
Go Green in Melbourne
Another Melbourne icon just a 25-minute drive away, the Royal Botanic Gardens are an outdoor lovers playground. Spend a few hours wandering through 86 acres botanical beauty. Learn more about native and non-native species of trees, shrubs and flowers.
Take a seat on the lakeside and watch as birds dip and dive in and out of the water. If you feel like letting your inner kid have some fun, head over to the man-made creek and enjoy a paddle in the shallow water.
The Royal Botanic Gardens also come with free guided tours and free audio tours that are self-guided. You can pick these up at the visitor centre. Make sure you bring your camera and a good book to enjoy under tree canopies, and maybe a bite to eat too.
You can literally spend half a day exploring the Royal Botanic Gardens. With so much to see and do, and wild beauty that would be hard to find elsewhere in Melbourne, it’s the perfect place to snap a few Instagram pics while escaping the hustle and bustle of the city.
Explore Melbourne’s Street Art
Another favorite of travelers to Melbourne are the many laneways filled with street art. You can either explore these yourself, or book yourself onto a guided street art tour.
Your best option is to book on to the guided tour as it will take you through a maze of laneways to discover many hidden gems. As part of the tour package, you get to enjoy a cheese board and drinks at the end.
The great thing about the guided tour package is that you not only get to see everything without missing parts, but you are also helping to support the thriving local art scene. A tour that looks as good as it feels. Reaching the city laneways takes just 25-minutes by car.
Organ Pipes National Park
Just 15-minutes driving from the hotel, another great park awaits just a few kilometres west of Melbourne airport. Lava that flowed from volcanic eruptions more than a million years ago formed the amazing rock ‘organ pipes’ that we see today. The basalt formations are truly remarkable but the walk itself is rather steep.
There are plenty of walks to choose from, including short trails upstream and longer walks through thick vegetation. Organ Pipes is looking better than ever as extensive work has been done to restore the indigenous vegetation to the area.
If you’re up to the challenge, you may want to work your way up the steep hill, all the way to a breathtaking outlook. The view of the surrounding valley is nothing short of wonderful.
Enjoy a Good Read
Built in 1856, The State Library of Victoria is another Melbourne icon well worth a visit. Each year, more than 8 million visitors enter this historical institution. And you will definitely want to pay a visit to it yourself. Reaching the library is as easy as a short 25-minute car ride.
Inside, you can enjoy one of the many free tours which walks you through the architecture and history of the building. The octagonal central rotunda is famed around the world, Hazard it’s imposing book lined walls and original wood furniture.
Arriving early can help you beat the crowds and ensure that you get a space at one of the open desks. Pick a good book and enjoy reading in a truly spectacular building that has been home to book buffs for more than 160 years.
Enjoy a Moonlight Movie
Another popular pastime for solo travelers in Melbourne is to grab a moonlight movie in the park during the summer. These are held in the Royal Botanic Gardens, so if you are already planning a visit to the gardens, you can kill two birds with one stone.
Kick back and relax on a picnic blanket and enjoy a Hollywood blockbuster under the stars. Make sure you pack a picnic and something to drink to make the most of your evening entertainment.
Entry to the moonlight movie is $19 and takes less than 30 minutes to reach from Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport. If you are visiting Melbourne during the winter months, then the next activity is a great second choice when the moonlight movies are not showing.
Queen Victoria Market
If you are looking for a market that impresses, this one is definitely for you. As the southern hemispheres largest open-air market, it’s easy to lose yourself for a whole day here. Everything from second hand goods to street food and trinkets can be found here.
The food hall is a great place to grab a bite to eat on a budget during the day. Weekdays tend to be quieter than weekends. Which is great if you appreciate a quieter market. During the weekends, crowds of people make their way here to grab a bargain and stock up on local fresh produce.
During the winter months, Queen Victoria Market is home to the Winter Night Market. If you want to meet other solo travelers in Melbourne, this is the perfect place! Have a dance at the silent disco. Enjoy a glass or two of spicy and warm mulled wine. Kick back at one of the many bars and enjoy the live entertainment. Experience the real taste of winter in Melbourne. Reaching QVM from Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport takes just 20-minutes by car.
A Few More Solo Travel Activities in Melbourne
Just to make sure that you don’t run out of things to do, here are a few more solo travel activities in Melbourne less than a 30-minute drive away. Add them to your itinerary and enjoy more for less.
- Ride the City Circle Tram. Jump on board the free City Circle tram and watch as the city slowly passes by. The tram makes its way past many of Melbourne’s iconic landmarks. Hop-on and hop-off as and when you want. And all without spending a cent.
- Visit the Immigration Museum in Flinders Street. The museum is filled with relics of the rich immigration history of Australia. Learn more about Melbourne earliest colonists and the journey they took to make Melbourne their home.
- Make your way to Fitzroy Gardens, just 25-minutes from the hotel. As one of the cities most beautiful and historical gardens, more than 180 years old design and influence has created a traditional English garden with a Victorian era look and feel. Free guided tours are available every Saturday morning.
- Head to Melbourne Museum to step back in time and learn more about the environment, science, indigenous cultures and social history of the country. Filled with beautiful art and artifacts, it is a great place to spend an afternoon.
All of the activities on this list can be reached in under 30-minutes by car from Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport. Public transport will add an extra 10 -15 minutes on top at peak times. This makes them ideal for the time conscious solo traveller looking for a convenient base near Melbourne Airport. Fly in, enjoy yourself and then fly out without any stress.
Book today and get ready to experience Melbourne your way during your stay.
