Location Guide: Cheap Accommodation, Melbourne

Posted by Jeremy Storer on March 27, 2012

While it is possible to get last minute deals on quality cheap accomodation in Melbourne’s CBD- there are usually plenty of people vying for the same great deals and it is possible to miss out on accommodation in Melbourne altogether if you leave your planning too late.

While CBD accommodation is the most highly sought after accommodation in Melbourne for those attending events such as AFL football, cricket, theatre productions and other events- staying in the CBD and paying exorbitant amounts is not essential. Simply knowing a little bit about Melbourne’s inner city suburbs and public transport system can save you bucket loads and even contribute to a more relaxed and enjoyable trip to Melbourne.

Our top inner city locations, only minutes to the CBD’s attractions by public transport, with local restaurants and great facilities include:

Port Melbourne
St Kilda
Docklands
South Melbourne
Carlton
South Yarra and
Richmond

Key Travel Times for Cheap Accommodation in Melbourne
Planning a cheap stay in Melbourne is certainly possible if you can avoid peak travel times. If possible, try to avoid:

School Holidays and Public Holidays
Major international events- eg. Australian Open, Grand Prix
Major Sporting events- AFL grand final, boxing day text match etc
Major festivals and events- eg. The Melbourne food and wine festival, Fashion Week

Of course, some of these events may be the very reason you are visiting Melbourne, but don’t despair- simply check out your accommodation options from our inner city list above or consider a suburban stay below to save some money.
Cheap Accomodation- Melbourne’s outer suburbs and rural destinations
With a comprehensive train, tram and bus network as well as an abundance of taxi’s and the opportunity to hire a car, there is absolutely no reason to limit yourself to Melbourne’s CBD accommodation. There are plenty of suburbs in Melbourne that have great atmosphere and are great places to stay for an authentic Melbourne visit. Consider accommodation in the following suburbs to save a little money on your next trip to Melbourne:

Brunswick
Collingwood
Williamstown
Brighton

Alternatively, why not go for a semi-rural holiday and venture into the CBD for a day trip or two. There are plenty of places to stay including hotels, motels and B&B’s that offer stunning surrounds, exquisite accommodation and great service only an hour drive from Melbourne including but not limited to:

Daylesford
Yarra Valley
Dandenong Ranges
Torquay

Must See Attractions in Melbourne:
If you’re not staying in the CBD and want to plan a day trip or two into the city to see what Melbourne’s all about, be sure to check out the following visitor attractions:

Federation Square (free)
Southbank and the Crown Entertainment Complex
Melbourne Aquarium and Melbourne Zoo
Chinatown
The MCG
Yarra River Cruises
Eureka Skydeck
The City Circle Tram (free)
Royal Botanic gardens (free)
Queen Victoria Market (free)