In which quarter house in Melbourne?

Where to sleep in Melbourne the second city of Australia? Here is a presentation of the best areas to stay in Melbourne!

Australia’s second largest city after Sydney, Melbourne is the capital of the State of Victoria and is one of the economic, industrial and cultural lungs of the iconic island-continent of kangaroo. Melbourne is often assimilated to the cultural, alternative and sporting capital of the country and is often considered the most enjoyable city to live in Australia or even the world. The city had 4.44 million inhabitants in 2014 on an area of 7,694 km2. Just tell you right away that staying in Melbourne as elsewhere in Australia involves mobilizing a certain budget.

But when you travel to an unknown destination, finding your accommodation is a key strategy. Here is a presentation of the best areas to stay in Melbourne.

Business district: CBD

In the heart of Melbourne, the business district and its comfortable hotels are located. North of the Yarra River, it is the rendezvous of travellers in transit. There you will find many trendy cafés and bars, a busy activity where the streets are crawling from the world at any time of the day. If you want to discover Melbourne’s neuralgic centre without losing too much time in the trams, it’s at the CBD, between Victorian relics and skyscrapers that you need to stay in Melbourne. Go for a ride. Queen Victoria Market One Wednesday night, you won't be disappointed. The city centre of Melbourne has many youth hostels – the backpacker hostel is an Australian specialty – and many individual dwellings ( Airbnb hotels, etc.).

Fitzroy, arty and young

Fitzroy suffered the gentrification of the old working-class neighborhoods. Today, it is the refuge of the silvery populations to the bohemian morals. The budget to find accommodation is moderate but not given: many backpackers and hotels are concentrated in it, beside the cafes, fries, organic restaurants, vinyl kiosks, bookshops and tea lounges: no doubt, you are well in the hippie-chic district of Melbourne. The streets of the neighborhood are a den for shopping and drunk beer inside pubs and bars with 30 noctambule residents. If you like the party in trendy areas, Fitzroy is your area to sleep in Melbourne.

Docklands

The former popular dock district – in Newquay – has become a modern and safe area. Docklands is home to many luxury hotels, lounge and trendy bars, refined cuisine restaurants and a high-budget population. It is also a shopping area, including the Harbour Town: Australia’s largest shopping centre. Like all gentrified neighborhoods, finding accommodation can be expensive.

St. Kilda

Here is a central area, feet in the water and which attracts travellers and also French. Anciently perilous and malfamous, this neighborhood has been able to redorate its coat of arms and turn into a very popular area. This is the city’s most coveted neighbourhood by young people and foetuses: as much as when the night falls, the hustle rises with a gut. Like St. Kilda is far from the city centre and the neighborhood is mostly attended by young people – travelers on a holiday-working visa, young Australians and dispossessed – the level of rent is cheap compared to the rest of the city: you can stay in St. Kilda in a hostel (a backpacker) enjoying a relaxing atmosphere all year round, ideal if you need to optimize your budget.

Chinatown

And yes, Melbourne also owns its Chinese neighborhood, Australia hosting a large Asian community (Chinese, Japanese, Filipinos, Malaysia, Singaporeans, Thai, Indonesians, etc.). In the heart of downtown, Chinatown is an immanquable offering an ounce of exoticism in the West, especially during the Chinese New Year (February). There is little animation but the area is worth a look and deserves some walks.

Main photo credit: Flickr – Aaron Shumaker