5 Ways To Enjoy A Melbourne Escape On The Cheap

Reasons to DriveNow

Price Guarantee
Book Direct
Compare
No Hidden Fees
No Booking Fees
Trusted Since 2003

So you're looking for a weekend away in Melbourne but don't have a lot of cash to splash?

Don't panic, we're here to help and have 5 super ways to do it without breaking the bank. Of course, with Spring and Summer at our doorstep, it's THE perfect time to discover the Victorian capital. It all starts with a little Tiger or Jetstar love...

Budget airlines Tuesday & Friday specials

There's no better way to bag a cheap return airfare to Melbourne than staying updated by the budget airlines. And it's easy! There's just two things you need to do and you're almost on your way: sign up for newsletters and email alerts at budget airline carriers Jetstar and Tiger. Right before the weekend you'll get the latest and greatest with Jetstar's Friday Frenzy while Tiger Tuesdays dish up ridiculously cheap Melbourne airfares from around the country. There's no reason why, for example, you can't get a Sydney to Melbourne return for less than $120 if you time it right and jump on the deals. Don't be afraid to mix and match, too, I know of a Brisbane business partner who snapped up a Jetstar deal to fly to Melbourne, but flew home on Tiger and did it all for $150.

DriveNow last minute car hire deals

Of course we have to pump up our own tires, if you'll pardon the pun. But there really isn't any excuse to not be a part of all the great Melbourne car rental deals (or Melbourne campervan hire bargains) offered at DriveNow. Do a random search now (as of the end of August) and you'll find you can snap up a KIA Rio or Toyota Yaris for around $60-$70 for two days rental in mid-September with unlimited kilometres. So chances are you can get your return airfare and car rental sorted for around $200-$250!

Space Hotel in the heart of Melbourne CBD

Offering premium hotel quality at hostel rates, Space Hotel is an affordable accommodation solution for your weekend escape in Melbourne’s CBD. With 12 different room types, Space Hotel caters for all travellers, especially those on a budget. Better still, you can even kick back and enjoy a movie in the hotel's mini theatre and the hotel's Blue Moon Bar is where you will find inventive cocktails and all the old favourites, cheap beer and spirits in a fun environment. Given the location, everything is only a hop, skip and a jump away.

Head for the Queen Victoria markets

It's an oldie, it's a goodie and it's also free. The famous Queen Victoria markets are a great way to spend a morning or afternoon strolling through the sheds and scoring a few free samples of everything from fruit, cheese and more. There's always a bargain on offer with endless aisles of fabulous food, arts and crafts, cheap clothing, and even take time out for a relaxing massage for $20.

Do a ghost tour at Old Melbourne Gaol

There are plenty of affordable ways to hear from fascinating people and explore hidden corners of Melbourne, including the fascinating laneway culture, great parks and free entertainment around the city streets. But one that may send a shiver up your spine and not cost the earth is the Old Melbourne Gaol Ghost Tour. More than 100 people were executed at Old Melbourne Gaol so the spirits are said to be running rampant in this patch of the city. Enjoy a walk around the gaol in the dark while learning all about the mysterious (and reportedly true) ghost sightings that happened. Cost is from $28.

CHECK OUT OUR SPRING SENSATIONS IN MELBOURNE

Scott Podmore

Award-winning writer, editor, photographer, videographer and owner of October Grey Media. Specialising in travel and lifestyle content and a full member of the Australian Society of Travel Writers. Has contributed regular content for the NewsCorp stable of newspapers and magazines, TravelTalk mag, The Departure Lounge and many more publications in Australia and internationally. Follow on Twitter & instragram #scottpodmore