Melbourne is the capital of Australia's state of Victoria and is located on Port Phillip Bay in the southeast of the country. Melbourne and Sydney have a friendly rivalry going, and Melbourne certainly competes with its outdoor attractions, culture, cuisine, and shopping. This city is well-known for its great coffee and large immigrant population; the latter lends Melbourne a diverse, cosmopolitan feel and contributes to the great selection of restaurants and shops. Each neighborhood is different in its layout and attractions, so let Short Term Stay Melbourne find you a great Melbourne furnished apartment in your preferred area of the city.

Melbourne City Centre:
North of the Yarra River lies Melbourne's City Centre, which features a pedestrian shopping strip, live music performances in its bars and restaurants, and one of the world's oldest Chinatowns. Start at the Flinders Street Station's clock tower to orient yourself before grabbing a coffee in one of the many cafes before you set out to shop.

Docklands:
Locals are divided on how they feel about Docklands, a once industrial area that is developing into a popular waterfront spot with shops and entertainment spots. The Melbourne Etihad Stadium is located in Docklands, so if you are an Australian Rules football fan you may end up spending some time in this area of the city. It's also slowly becoming one of the more popular locations for short term rentals in Melbourne.

Southbank:
Another hot area for entertainment in Melbourne is Southbank, which is home to the Crown Casino and entertainment complex. Non-gamblers can sit in a nice restaurant or have a few drinks in one of the bars before heading off to dance the night away. Tourists often end up in Southbank to shop or take a boat trip along the river.

South Yarra:
In contrast to the Docklands, South Yarra is an affluent area of Melbourne that shows off its wealth with boutiques, galleries, and swanky restaurants. This area has a large gay and lesbian community centered around Commercial Road, which is just a short walk from Chapel Street, home of some of the city's hottest nightclubs. For an inclusive area with great nightlife, rent one of our furnished apartments in Melbourne in South Yarra.

Carlton:
North of the city center lies Carlton, which is home to a large Italian population and is thus known for its Italian restaurants. Carlton is also the home of the University of Melbourne, so expect to see lots of students and young people swinging in and out of bookstores and cafes on their way to and from their rooms in the lovely Victorian terrace houses. This would be a great place to stay in one of our short term rentals Melbourne if you want to be close to a higher educational institution as well as many parks and museums.

North Melbourne:
If you would like to stay in a quieter area of the city that is still close to the action, consider looking at Melbourne furnished apartments in North Melbourne, a largely residential area just west of Carlton. There are many cafes and Italian joints worth visiting in this area, too.

St. Kilda:
St. Kilda is a bohemian enclave that was once Melbourne's red-light district. Now it has a range of restaurants and weekend markets. Join walkers and joggers moving along the Esplanade on the old pier to feel the energy and hipness of the area.

South Melbourne:
If you like shopping, you must visit South Melbourne's Clarendon Street in Port Phillip. This historically Greek and Italian area also hosts the old South Melbourne Market and has great food, too.

East Melbourne:
East of the central business district is East Melbourne, which is the location of the city's government offices and historic buildings. Don't be put off by the governmental offices, however; more than half of East Melbourne is made up of wide residential streets along with parks and sporting grounds. Stay in one of our short term rentals in Melbourne in East Melbourne if you would like to have access to greenery in a quiet, peaceful neighborhood.

Inner East:
Melbourne's Inner East area consists of the suburbs Richmond, Fitzroy, Collingwood, and Abbotsford. This district is traditional working-class and still has plenty of pubs and old factories to show for it. There is some great graffiti art to be found if you spend some time wandering the side streets. You won't find many furnished apartments Melbourne in this area.

Fitzroy:
Less than two miles north of Melbourne's city center is Fitzroy, a chic, bohemian, gay-friendly area inhabited by many hipsters, artists, and students. The Spanish quarter is also in the area; head to Johnson Street for great tapas and flamenco performances, then go back to central Fitzroy for an evening of bar- and club-hopping. For those of you who like the idea of living around artistic types and creative people, the short term rentals Melbourne that may work best for you could be one of our units in Fitzroy.

Richmond:
Much of Richmond is called "Little Saigon," thanks to the large Vietnamese population inhabiting the area. Don't miss the Vietnamese markets to get the best fresh Asian foot. Bargain shoppers will find great deals at Richmond's factory outlet stores. This neighborhood is also the gateway to the 32-kilometer waterside Capital City Trail; jump on a bike or slide on your running shoes to join the locals and see the city from a new perspective.

Melbourne is not difficult to get around, as it has a straightforward public transport network in addition to a walkable city core and plenty of bike lanes and trails. You can get from your Melbourne short term rental to anywhere in the city in about 20 minutes. Melbourne is quite flat, which makes it great for cycling; you can rent bikes from a variety of locations and take them through the city or on the Yarra River Trail and Bay Trail.

Public Transportation:
Public Transport Victoria oversees Melbourne's public transportation network, though each mode of transport is operated by a different private company. You must ride the Yarra Trams during your stay, as they are part of the oldest tram network in the world and can take you throughout the inner parts of Melbourne. If you need to get further out to the suburbs, take a train or one of the buses; the latter's routes go where the trains and trams do not.

Your best bet for paying for public transport is by purchasing a Myki Pass, which is a smart card that you can top up whenever you need to. If you are in the city center, you can ride the City Circle Tram and Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle for free, hopping on and off as you please.

Taxis:
Unless it is a weekend evening, you won't find it hard to flag down a taxi in Melbourne's city center. If you want to take a cab between 10pm and 5am, you must pre-pay the fare. Look for cabs from Unicorn Taxi Service Pty Ltd, 13CABS, Silver Top Taxi, Alex Taxi Broker Pty Ltd, and Melbourne Taxi Club.

Driving:
Most Melbourne locals will advise tourists and people living in furnished apartments in Melbourne not to drive. Though the streets are wide, they are criss-crossed by trams and have some non-intuitive traffic rules that may be confusing for non-locals. Plus, it is hard to find parking in the city center, so you might prefer taking the tram or walking.

If you do end up renting a car, you can get in and out of Melbourne on the highways. The busiest major highways that go near Melbourne are the Western Highway (A8), Hume Highway (M31), and Princes Highway (A1).

Airports:
The only international airport in the Melbourne area is the Melbourne Airport (MEL), which is located in Tullamarine, just 14 miles northwest of the city center. MEL services many domestic and international destinations all over the world, and has received awards for its general and tourism service. The easiest way to get to and from the Melbourne city center is on the Skybus Super Shuttle.

There are three other airports in the Melbourne area, but they only have domestic, cargo, and private flights. These airports are Avalon Airport (AVV) in the southwest of the Melbourne area, Essendon Airport (MEB) in the northwest, and Moorabbin Airport (MBW) in the south.

No matter where your furnished apartment in Melbourne is located, you will have access to the city's myriad parks and gardens as well as its cultural and sporting events. Wander through the city to gaze at the old architecture while experiencing the modern, cosmopolitan energy. This is a city of contrasts, and you will find something interesting wherever you go.

Outdoor Activities:
If you like the outdoors, Melbourne is the right place for you. There are myriad parks and gardens throughout the city; don't miss the 120-year-old English elm trees in the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. The Fitzroy area boasts the Melbourne Treasury Gardens, in which stands a memorial to John F. Kennedy, and the Fitzroy Gardens, which has Cooks' Cottage and all you want to learn about Captain Cook's sea voyages.

Melbourne is also a great city for architecture-lovers; walk through the City Centre to gaze around Federation Square or take in the Royal Exhibition Building, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Carlton. If you want to be near the Yarra River and its well-maintained pedestrian paths, along with the Melbourne Aquarium, book one of our short term rentals Melbourne in that area. Kids will beg to visit the Melbourne Zoo, and the whole family will love Luna Park in St. Kilda which is a historic amusement.

Sport for Spectators:
Melbourne has been internationally recognized as a great city for putting on sports events. The most popular spectator sport in the city is definitely "footy," what the locals call Australian Rules football. Ten of the 16 Australian Football League (AFL) teams are Melbourne's. You should not miss an opportunity to see a match during your stay in the city, and you have three options for venue: Melbourne Etihad Stadium, Optus Oval in Carlton, and the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the latter of which also has plenty of cricket matches. The city's "Rectangular Park," or AAMI Park, is the home to Melbourne's professional soccer, rugby league, and rugby union teams.

If you are not into team sports, you do have other options. Melbourne hosts the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park in March, and there are tons of horse-related events throughout the year. Visit Flemington Racecourse or Moonee Valley Racing Club to catch an afternoon of horse races.

Arts&Culture:
If you stay a while in one of our furnished apartments in Melbourne, you will soon learn that this city has a good number of museums, art galleries, concerts, and theatrical productions for people of all tastes. Don't miss the National Gallery of Victoria and the Melbourne Museum to get a feel for the area's art and history. Take your kids to the Melbourne Scienceworks Museum or the Museum Victoria to play with many interactive exhibits and learn a few things, too. If you like jewels and gems, visit the Melbourne National Opal Collection. The Heidi Museum of Modern Art is also worth visiting.

If music and theatre are more your kind of thing, don't miss a performance by the well-regarded Melbourne Theatre Company at the St. Kilda Road Arts Center; stay in one of our Melbourne short term rentals in St. Kilda to be as close as possible. Contemporary theatre lovers should get tickets for a production by La Mama Theatre in Carlton. For Broadway-style shows, go to the Princess Theatre on Spring Street. In terms of music, Melbourne also has plenty to offer. The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra performs in Hamer Hall throughout the year. Visit in the summer to experience a Summer Fun in the Parks concert on a weekend evening.

Dining:
Gastronomes love Melbourne for its diverse array of restaurants serving cuisine from just about everywhere in the world. Cafe culture is also strong, here; stay in one of our short term rentals in Melbourne and you can enjoy coffee at a new cafe every day: try breakfast at Babka Bakery Cafe in Fitzroy, a mid-morning coffee at Atomica Caffe, and a vegetarian or vegan lunch at Vegie Bar on Brunswick Street. The City Centre also has plenty of great restaurants, such as Medallion Cafe on Lonsdale Street for affordable Greek gyros, and Crossways Food For Life for a nice vegetarian lunch.

Ethnic cuisine defines Melborne; Carlton's Lygon Street features excellent Vietnamese food at places like I Love Pho on Victoria Street in Richmond. Find great Chinese all over the city: try Camy Shanghai Dumpling House on Tattersalls Lane, or The White Lotus Vegetarian Restaurant on Victoria Street. Indonesian food from Blok M in Prahran and Es Teler 77 on Swanston Street are both excellent choices. For an upscale dining experience, make a reservation at Grossi Florentino on Bourke Street, or brave the lines at Cicciolina Restaurant in St. Kilda.

Nightlife:
Look for one of our furnished apartments Melbourne in the City Centre if you want to be close to some of Melbourne's best nightlife. In this area, wine and cheese lovers shouldn't miss Wine Lane Melbourne, while The Workshop Bar on Elizabeth Street has good drinks in a relaxed vibe. For a unique experience, visit English garden party-themed Madame Brussels on Bourke Street; you will get great cocktails served to you by waiters in tennis apparel. The well-known Young and Jackson pub is also in the City Centre, and Bar Ampere on Russell Place serves eclectic cocktails. For a more bohemian vibe, head to Brunswick Street to enjoy a drink at Polly Cocktail Lounge, or try Black Pearl in Fitzroy; both serve great cocktails.

Melbourne also has a good club scene. The City Centre features Misty's Diner in Prahran, which has nightly live DJs in a retro atmosphere, while Arthur's Bar & Lounge on ACDC Lane plays lots of electronica. If you want to dance to punk and grunge, visit the Prince Bandroom at the Prince of Wales; enjoy live rock music at The Hi-Fi Melbourne. Catch a live performance at the Crown Casino Showroom on Whiteman Street or Mercury Lounge in Southbank. If you like Latin music, you must visit Night Cat in Fitzroy on a Sunday to dance to the big band. For some great jazz, try Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, which has a reputation as one of the best jazz clubs in the city.

Shopping:
Melbourne is known as Australia's fashion capital; that is not surprising, given the large selection of shopping options, from affordable to outrageous. Book a short term rental in Melbourne near Collins Street to be close to high-fashion shops like Louis Vuitton on Collins Street, as well as Miss Louise boutique on Collins Street. Nearby Little Collins Street features some local labels, like Scanlan & Theodore and Bettina Liano. You will also find the Block Arcade's 30 shops in this area; also the Royal Arcade Melbourne CBD which has 30 shops of its own. Visit the Hopetoun Tea Rooms and then browse the shops.

Mall-seekers will not be disappointed; you can spend all day at the Bourke Street Mall, Melbourne Central Shopping Centre, or the DFO South Warf Outlets Centre. Those who prefer markets will find plenty in Melbourne. If you are looking for arts and crafts, The Esplanade Market in St. Kilda sets up every Sunday. Poke around the Camberwell Sunday Market to score deals on designer and vintage fashion. Browse clothes made by Australian designers at FAT or Alice Euphemia, and don't forget to stop into the artsy, independent Metropolis Bookshop.

Whether your children need school or you need the doctor or a place to meet people, Melbourne has you covered with its places of worship, education, and healthcare system. Melbourne has a large network of healthcare centers and hospitals; wherever you live, there will be a hospital nearby.

Hospitals:

• Box Hill Hospital
• Angliss Hospital
• Casey Hospital
• Cranbourne Integrated Care Centre
• Frankston Hospital
• Mercy Hospital for Women
• Monash Medical Centre
• Healesville and District Hospital
• Royal Melbourne Hospital

Schools:
If any of your children will have to go to school during your time in Melbourne, look no further than the highly-rated public school system. Short Term Stay Melbourne will help you find one of our furnished apartments Melbourne near the school of your choice.

Primary Schools:
Donburn Primary School
Ashburton Primary School
Parktone Primary School
Brandon Park Primary School
Glendal Primary School
Camelot Rise Primary School
Spotswood Primary School
Southmoor Primary School

Secondary Schools:
Melbourne High School
University High School Melbourne
Melbourne Girls College
Mckinnon Secondary College
Mount Waverley Secondary College
Camberwell High School
Mentone Girls Secondary College
Victorian College Of The Arts Secondary School

Melbourne has a number of colleges and universities that grant degrees in all kinds of fields. The university infrastructure in Melbourne makes it easy for students to be supported in their studies.

• Melbourne International Training College
• Melbourne Institute of Business & Technology
• University of Melbourne
• Victoria University Melbourne
• University of Ballarat
• RMIT University
• Swinburne University of Technology
• Melbourne Institute of Tourism and Hospitality

Places of Worship:

Churches:
Altona Meadows Baptist Church
Grace Community Bible Church Melbourne
Saint Mark's Anglican Church, Forest Hill
St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne
St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne
Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, West Melbourne
Highfield Road Uniting Church
Lygon Street Christian Chapel (Church of Christ)
Good Shepherd Australian Orthodox Mission

Mosques & Islamic Centers:
Cambellfield: Australian Islamic Cultural Centre
Dandenong Mosque
Brunswick Prayer Room: Islamic Centre of Australia
Doncaster Mosque: UMMA Mosque
Keysborough Turkish Islamic & Cultural Centre