Melbourne's best free attractions

Vacations are tough to plan, especially today. The financial crisis is affecting everyone across the globe and people are having a harder and harder time setting money aside for that much needed trip. With transportation and lodging eating up a good amount of any travel budget, possessing the additional funds to cover food and entertainment can be a bit tricky. But, when it comes to vacationing in Melbourne, Australia, the city provides numerous free attractions to keep the entire family occupied and entertained, allowing money to be spent on more important things.

At Federation Square, visitors can spend at least two days wondering through all of the museums and shops as well as taking advantage of all of the free perks provided within the area. With free international newspapers and the largest Wi-Fi hotspot area in the city, Federation Square is a great place to start the day or simply relax while enjoying one of its many great restaurants. Plus, the area hosts over 2000 annual events, so every vacation agenda can include a fine, fun festivity.

When thinking about museums, none are better than the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, which is actually housed within Federation Square. Focusing on all aspects of the moving image, such as television, film and the digital realm, the museum highlights a wide array of exhibitions and events that advance creativity while educating at the same time. Honestly, the museum may take more than one day just to get through.

For more of an outdoor, environmental and economical side to the vacation, check out the Royal Botanic Gardens. Consisting of over 50,000 plants, the 36 hectares park holds year-round events and has a worldwide reputation as one of the best botanical gardens around. Needless to say, the Royal Botanic Gardens is by far one of the more popular attractions for tourists in Melbourne. Yet, what makes the park stand out from the rest is not its variety, but its stance on informing the public about threatened and endangered plant species. Within the central lawn area of the park, the Royal Botanic Gardens highlights specific species of threatened plant life from five separate environmental regions, such as the volcanic plains, the Gippsland area and the Grampians. For any nature lover, this is a must see inclusion to any itinerary.

Of course, no trip to Melbourne is complete without a stop off at the Queen Victoria Market. As one of the most vibrant and thriving open-air markets in the city, it is impossible to walk through the numerous produce, meat, seafood and delicatessen stalls without feeling a bit of historical charm. Besides, the market has been a part of Melbourne life for 130 years. Sundays are by far the best days to spend at Queen Victoria market, since a number of booths are added to sell specialty goods and alternative products to the traditional offerings.

Besides entertainment and attractions, one of the other large eaters of that travel budget is inner-city transportation, getting from one end of the city to the other. Taxis, although used frequently by most tourists, are an absolute “no-no” when trying to travel as economically as possible. But with the City Circle Tram and the Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle, the second most populated city in Australia provides free, fun transportation for all of its visitors.

Stopping every 12 minutes, the City Circle Tram operates on a daily basis, providing visitors and residents with a great way to check out the sites of the city. With its “hop on, hop off” policy, individuals can easily stop on any part of the route, snap a few pictures or go check out a particular area of the city and then hop right back on the next tram. At the same time, the Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle provides a 13-stop route and includes an even further exploration of the city. People can take the bus for the whole 1.5-hour circuit or stop off at a number of destinations throughout the city, including both the Queen Victoria Market and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Additionally, both transportation services provide informative commentary, letting all visitors know as much about Melbourne as possible.

So, with all that there is to see and do in the city without spending a dime, not to mention the wide variety of affordable Melbourne accommodation options, it is easy to see that Melbourne, Australia provides all of the economical options for any family desiring a vacation, but strapped for cash.