On the occasion of the Great Ocean Road Half Marathon, I landed in Melbourne, underground city of Australia. I took the opportunity to visit a bit and do my administrative procedures to better prepare my WHT in Australia.

• City presentation

The second bigest city in Australia (after Sydney), Melbourne is the capital of the Victoria in the south of the country. It is known for it street art which gives it an underground side. If you are a tennis fan, you probably know as well that it is here that the Australian Open is held at the end of January! When arriving at the airport do not forget your free guide to the city including a map of some street art.

• Melbourne guide

When you arrive in Melbourne you can take a ticket directly to the Skybus ($39 return). This bus will take you to the Southern station. From here you can take a free shuttle that runs through Melbourne. Public transport is quite well developed in Melbourne. And especially the tram! A circular line is free in much part of the city.

Accommodation side I tested two hostels: the Space hotel and the All nations. The first one is really well equipped (storage, bathrooms, kitchen, etc.) and very clean. It’s pretty surprising at first as it’s run like a hotel, it gives a very impersonal impression. We are far from the family backpackers. But we can still have some cool encounters 😊. The second one is at a strategic location in case of early departure to the airport. Indeed it is in the same avenue as the Southern station. By cons we are more in a classic backpackers with simplistic showers and minimum required in the room. Do not forget your earplugs because on the street side it can be very noisy with the railway and the tram!

• Street art

My first visit to Melbourne was the “AC / DC” lane. Looking at the map of the guide and with an internet search I could also discover some very beautiful graf ‘

These are usually located in very small lanes. The type of streets that we do not rush to Paris for fear that they are ill-famed ahah! And besides, these small streets often give access to nice bars. Here many party places are not well etablished on street. We must go find them, discover them at the turn of a night ride.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

In the same style if you want to eat a snack at noon I recommend Center place! (And Degraves street for a drink on the terrace later in the day)