Melbourne

Melbourne’s weather can change suddenly and can feel like multiple seasons in one day. In fact, Melbourne’s changeable weather is so famous, even New Zealand’s band Crowded House wrote a song about it!

Melbourne has a moderate oceanic climate and is well known for its changeable weather conditions. This is mainly due to Melbourne’s location situated on the boundary of the very hot inland areas and the cold Southern Ocean. This temperature differential is most pronounced in the spring and summer months and can cause very strong cold fronts to form. These cold fronts can be responsible for all sorts of severe weather from gales to severe thunderstorms and hail, large temperature drops, and heavy rain.

Melbourne is colder than other mainland Australian state capital cities in the winter. The lowest temperature on record is -2.8 °C; however, snowfalls are rare. More commonly, Melbourne experiences frosts and fog in winter. It can get quite chilly, so come prepared with a good “Canadian” jacket—not just a windbreaker!

Spring (September – November) 9°C to 19°C
Summer (December – February) 14°C to 27°C
Fall (March – May) 10°C to 20°C
Winter (June – August) 6°C to 14°C

Getting around Melbourne is easy with a Myki Card which will give you access to buses, trains, and trams. It will also allow you to use the V/Line. Visit the Public Transport Victoria website for all the details.

Riding a bicycle is a great way to save money and keep fit. Cyclists find the Bicycle Network website useful for information on rules and regulations, purchasing bikes and accessories, safety and path maps.

• Explore the food and beaches while there is warm weather.
• The 12 Apostles are beautiful. Also make sure to check out the penguins on Phillip Island.
• Hikes. Go out with friends and go enjoy the great outdoors. If not, explore the CBD and eat/drink.
• The culture, living near the beach, all the parks in the city, the millions of cafes, bars, restaurants, the art scene (contemporary and traditional—much more on offer than Vancouver or Toronto).
• Phillip Island is great, and Brighton beach.
• Do a multiple-night trip down the Great Ocean Road, it’s a beautiful drive with some quaint beach towns.
• Tough question. Whenever you have free time make sure to go out and explore. Australia is great for hiking/camping and also city life. Take a cheap flight to somewhere different in Aus and explore!
• The harbor at Docklands, the NGV, brunch spots.
• Australian Open, markets all over Fitzroy, the Good Beer Week, Queen Victoria Night Markets, and so many more. On weekends I was able to go out surfing in Torquay which is the cutest little beach town and reasonably easy to get to. Finally, the vegetarian food and coffee culture in Melbourne was outstanding. I feel like I have sufficiently eaten and drunk my way through the cities many spots.