Melbourne is where you travel to from the Philippines if you want a feeling of Europe without having to deal with the time difference!
The roads from the airport look like there ones near Schipol itself and the food is mostly European, given there isn’t much local Australian cuisine to speak of.
Best part, the coffee is delicious, better than Netherlands or Italy even.
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Airport & Immigration
Arrival into Melbourne is remarkably smooth. I had already obtained an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) online, which functions like a visa. At the airport, no one checked it manually. Immigration is fully automated — you scan your passport at an electronic gate, receive a printed slip, and walk straight out. No queues, no stamps. One of the fastest airport exits I’ve experienced anywhere.
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Accommodation
Most of the better hotels are located in the CBD (Central Business District), many overlooking the Yarra River. Staying here makes the most sense for a first visit. You’re close to landmarks, cafés and shopping, It’s also where walking and free public transport work best.
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Getting Around
Trams within the CBD are completely free and cover most places visitors want to see. Outside the CBD, trams and trains are still easy to use, but I mostly walked — the city is flat and pleasant.
Uber is widely available and was the quickest way to get from the airport to the hotel.
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A Bit of Melbourne’s History
Before European settlement, this land belonged to the Wurundjeri people.
The city was briefly known as Batmania, named after John Batman, one of the first European settlers. It was later renamed Melbourne, after the British Prime Minister at the time who was also Lord of Melbourne, named after the town of Melbourne in the UK.
Today, Melbourne is one of the world’s most multicultural cities. Around 55% of residents were born outside Australia, with 8% of them Chinese. The city’s Chinatown is among the largest in the world, and that diversity shapes everyday life.
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Coffee, Beer and Food
Coffee
Melbourne’s reputation for coffee is well earned. I had one of the best decaf cappuccinos I’ve ever tasted — better than what I’ve had in the Netherlands, Vietnam, or even Italy.
Meat Pie
The closest thing to a local breakfast dish is the meat pie. I tried a chicken-and-leek version from a CBD bakery. It paired perfectly with their coffee. Simple food done well.
Beer & Food
I grew up watching the ad, “Fosters, Australian for beer”. But Fosters was impossible to find. Locals drink a wide variety of craft and regional beers instead.
Australian cuisine itself doesn’t push a single identity, but Melbourne borrows from everywhere and does it extremely well, especially at the fine-dining level.
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Places Worth Seeing in Melbourne
Bar Young
The oldest building of Melbourne, and as expected, a bar! Started by the founder, John Batman and continues to operate as a bar to this day.
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Flinders Street Station
Flinders Street Station is Melbourne’s most recognisable landmark and the city’s default meeting point. A popular story says its architectural plans were accidentally swapped with those of Mumbai’s Victoria Terminus during the colonial era, which might explain why Mumbai’s station appears far grander. True or not, it’s a story locals love to tell.
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St Paul’s Cathedral
Located directly opposite Flinders Street Station, St Paul’s Cathedral is surprisingly welcoming. Visitors are allowed to walk all the way to the front, which is rare compared to many European churches. Its scale and openness make it worth stepping inside even if you’re just passing by.
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Yarra River
The Yarra River runs through the heart of Melbourne and played an important role during the city’s gold-rush era. Today, it’s a calm space for walking and cycling, with cafés and cultural spots along its banks. Nearby are the botanical gardens, and every March the area hosts the lively Moomba Festival, which translates to “up your ass”, but they continue to retain the name. 
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Shrine of Remembrance
Built to honour Australians who died in World War I and II, the Shrine of Remembrance is both solemn and striking. Beyond its historical importance, it offers one of the best panoramic views of Melbourne, especially around sunset.
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Eureka Skydeck
Once the tallest building in Australia, the Eureka Tower features an observation deck on the 55th floor. The highlight is a glass cube that extends outward from the building, offering a vertigo-inducing view straight down over the city.
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Chinatown
Melbourne’s Chinatown is one of the largest in the world and reflects the city’s strong Chinese heritage. It’s lively, food-focused, and packed with history. Two famous dumpling restaurants — Shanghai Dumpling and Empress of China — face each other and are almost always busy.
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Old Melbourne Gaol
The Old Melbourne Gaol is best known for holding Ned Kelly, Australia’s most infamous outlaw. Kelly famously wore homemade bullet-resistant armour during his final standoff with police, but it didn’t protect his legs, leading to his capture. Before his execution, his final words — “Such is life” — became one of Melbourne’s most tattooed phrase.
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Queen Victoria Market
Queen Victoria Market feels like a more chaotic, older version of Rotterdam’s Markthal. The seafood section greets you first with strong smells and crowds, followed by food stalls and casual eateries. It’s famous for bratwurst and hot jam donuts.
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Bathhouses & Spas
Melbourne was once nicknamed “Smell-bourne” due to poor sanitation. To improve hygiene, public bathhouses were introduced. Today, these have evolved into modern spa and wellness spaces and make for a relaxing break from sightseeing.
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Melbourne Underground Tunnels
Not many tourists venture into Melbourne’s underground tunnels, partly because they’re poorly maintained and can be unpleasant. Still, they have a rich history. One of the most famous stories involves the theft of a Picasso painting, which was allegedly transported through these tunnels before being recovered far from the city.
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Places to eat
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Tennis!
The real reason I made this trip, and what a remarkable experience it was! From watching Alcaraz play, to meeting the Australia team, to experiencing the Rod Laver Arena box, to getting up close and personal with the mens and womens championship trophies, a memory of a lifetime!
