The most livable city in the world
Melbourne has been ranked as the most livable city for six years in a row which is impressive, anything can change that ranking, Vancouver has been ranked the most livable city a few years ago but after that 2011 riot after the Stanley Cup it has ranked 2nd or 3rd, but Melbourne has managed to stay on top of that list and it totally deserves that title. I have only spent 3 days in Melbourne so I can only say from a tourist perspective.
Melbourne was my first ever aussie city to visit, I didn’t expect much from it since I hadn’t read or heard much about it, Sydney I suppose has always been the most talked city in Australia although I would totally pass the baton to Melbourne, the city is all you want from a big city. The city size is perfect, about 4 million people and everything seems to work in such a good rhythm that you really never feel you’re at a 4m-people-city.
The way to the city from the airport is not so bad, about 30 minutes by a shuttle bus and you’re right in the city centre which is well distributed and with so much to see. There’s this free tram that runs in a square route around the city and strategically stops right in front of the most popular spots like the library, shopping mall, the main square and so on. You just literally hop on and off the tram as you please, it even informs you when it stops what attraction you can visit if you get off on that stop. I was couchsurfing with a cool host minutes from the city centre which helped tremendously but hostels and hotels are all over Melbourne.
Free City Tram
The city mixes art, modern and classic architecture in such a way that everything seems to sort blend in together and finding your way around is not hard since maps are everywhere and locals are always willing to help, I did get lost a few times as I always do and could always count on any passing by local to show me where I was and where I was going.
What I really liked about Melbourne is the vibe you get from the city, it is hard to put my finger on it but the best way to describe it would be a big city with a small town vibe, you feel so comfortable walking around it and I can’t tell if it is because everywhere you look there are things to see and explore or the way people go around the city but you can genuinely see people seem to enjoy and be happy being there, it Is like a domino effect.
State Library of Victoria
The food scene is great, lots of options around the city you just have to go out and see, there are lots of lanes where you can get lost trying different options and reasonably priced. My favorite places the Flinders Lane, the prices were really cheap and this lane is right in the city centre which makes stopping for a cheap bite easy if you are around the city centre.
Flinders Lane
Nearby Fliders Lane is the popular Hosier Lane where you will find graffiti all over the walls and if you come back at night you can even get to see some of the artists working, it was definitely that stood out for me as something very unique.
Hosier Lane
If you take the free city tram you can also get off right in front of the Parliament where they have free guided tours every couple of hours, really worth going for it to get a taste of Australian history.
Parliament House
Also in the city centre is Chinatown with some good food options and bars.
Chinatown
About 6km from the city is St Kilda beach, the most famous beach in Melbourne where you can also find the iconic Luna Park, or at least its entrance.
St Kilda Beach
St Kilda Beach
Luna Park
These 3 days in Melbourne were definitely not enough, I did get a taste of the city and what it has to offer but I’m sure there are more on the outskirts and I do want to see more of it next time I am around, but all in all I could see why Melbourne has ranked the best city for so many years now, people are nice, it seems to work well and not to mention safe, make sure to visit it and spend at least a week if you are in Australia.
I didn’t use to travel much but once I started, I just can’t stop travelling. On Can I Pack? I try to share how I make my travels work out because travelling shouldn’t be hard.
