Cheap Flights to Melbourne in August

The grid of laneways between Flinders Lane and Bourke Street is ground zero for Melbourne's café and bar culture — Degraves Street, Centre Place, and Hardware Lane are essential walks. Most major hotels sit here. Good for first-timers but residential neighborhoods offer a more authentic vibe.

Melbourne's original bohemian neighborhood has gentrified without losing its edge. Brunswick Street and Smith Street are lined with excellent restaurants (Cutler & Co., Rosamond), vintage clothing, and bars. 20-minute tram ride from the CBD on route 86 — staying here beats staying downtown for atmosphere.

Fitzroy's grittier neighbor has become Melbourne's hottest restaurant and bar corridor along Smith Street continuing into Johnston Street. The Collingwood Arts Precinct anchors a creative community. Accommodation options are thinner but Airbnbs are plentiful and significantly cheaper than CBD hotels.

Chapel Street is Melbourne's luxury shopping strip — think Melbourne's answer to Rodeo Drive crossed with a great café scene. The Como Hotel and Lyall Hotel anchor the luxury accommodation here. Richmond (adjacent) has the city's best Vietnamese dining strip on Victoria Street.

Beachside suburb with an esplanade, historic Luna Park amusement park, and the best backpacker hostel scene in the city. Acland Street has legendary European-style cake shops. 30-minute tram from the CBD (route 96 from Bourke Street). More casual and outdoorsy than inner-city neighborhoods.

Vietnamese food on Victoria Street ('Little Saigon') is a Melbourne institution — pho at Thy Thy or Pho Hung is better and cheaper than 99% of what you'll find in the US. Walking distance to the MCG. Lots of Airbnb options and solid value apartment hotels.