Melbourne on a Budget
As a university student, finding affordable, yet fun spots to spice up the trimester can be a challenge. That’s why I’ve journeyed far and wide across Melbourne to bring you the best places to visit on a budget. The best way to stop mid-trimester burn out in its tracks is a little self-care, so treat yourself to a wide variety of activities to try out between your weekly lectures.
Food & Shopping
For empty stomachs and empty tote bags.
Queen Victoria Market
No entry fee | Queen St CBD
Being a proud staple of the Melbourne shopping sphere since 1878, this historic landmark is a must for students in the city to peruse. Stop by Melbourne’s largest market for fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, fish and poultry, or pop in for a hot coffee and a bite to eat. Whatever you go in for, you’ll certainly come out with a trinket or two with ‘Queen Vic’s’ expansive array of open-air souvenir and clothing stalls. Spend as little (or as much) as you like, open all year round.
Operator Diner
No entry fee | Shop 2/130 Lonsdale St
This retro, American diner is just one of many unique restaurants in the heart of Melbourne. Their aesthetic booths and burgers will have you feeling like a 1950s film star. There’s nothing like a great big stack of pancakes and a cold refreshing drink to get you going through the day, so stop by the Operator Diner for a $16 Stack on Stack of pancakes and a house-made Gingerbread Frappe for $12 today.
The Royal Arcade
No entry free | 335 Bourke St CBD
Don’t get your hopes up gamers, because this arcade isn’t any old video game spot. The Royal Arcade is your one-stop assortment of shops perfect for wandering around to your heart’s content. It has vendors of every kind, from Babushka Russian Dolls, to antique jewellery, to Italian coffee shops and French patisseries. If on a tight budget, you won’t have to spend a single cent browsing the wonders of the Royal Arcade as delightful as it is.
Sights to See
Better than your living room couch and another rewatch of Friends.
Moonlight Cinema
$27.50 General Admission | Central Lawn, Royal Botanical Gardens Melbourne, Birdwood Ave
Make sure to catch a warm, still evening at Australia’s biggest outdoor cinema. As of writing this article, films currently showing include Gladiator II, Wicked, and A Complete Unknown. You might even catch a rerun of a Disney or Harry Potter classic! There’s something to watch for everyone at Australia’s most popular cinema with more than a view. Whether going solo, with a friend, or someone a bit more special, bring a picnic and grab a beanbag for a relaxing evening in the heart of the Botanical Gardens.
The Lume - Van Gogh Exhibition
$29.90 Student Ticket | 5 Convention Centre Pl, South Wharf
Immerse yourself in four-storey high displays of Van Gogh’s most famous masterpieces. It’s easy to lose track of time surrounded by bold flowers and landscapes, especially with The Lume’s captivating soundtrack, tastes, and scents designed to entice and entrance. Art lovers will have a field day being able to look over every detail of Gogh’s intense art style, but this exhibition is enjoyable for everybody. Try your hand at recreating one of his great masterpieces in the Artist Studio or get lost in the mirrored Infinity Room. A must-see for any Melbourne visit, grab some inspiration for your next essay at The Lume.
Laneways
No entry fee | 200 Collins St CBD
Out of all these entries, trying to encompass Melbourne’s expansive laneways was the hardest by far. They’re one of the most iconic attractions you would find in the city. You could effortlessly spend an entire day wandering around the numerous hidden works of art and tucked-away cafés awaiting you in the laneways. Take in Melbourne’s rich history and culture exploring the walls entirely covered in street art on Hosier Lane, and walk through Degraves Street to discover charming little shops and restaurants galore. This is perfect for uni friends who need to stretch their legs, but make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes!
Activities
To fill in the time between lectures.
Cat Café
From $19 pp | 512 Swanston St, Carlton
Itching for your daily dose of caffeine? Look no further than Australia’s first cat café! Cuddling with Melbourne’s cat lovers from 2014, this café’s 11 resident rescues are simply adorable. Take Ruby the café queen for example, a one-eyed domestic that rules with a furry fist. It’s scientifically proven that the company of cats reduces stress, so make a feline towards Melbourne’s cat café this exam season for that extra dose of dopamine… and of course coffee.
Saboteurs - An Among Us Experience
$35 pp | 101 Waterfront Way
Flash back to the only good part about the pandemic lockdowns with a real-life version of Among Us! If you’re not in the know, in the throws of COVID-19 a simple, yet addictive video game, of what is essentially murdering your friends and trying to get away with it, caught the attention of countless online friend groups. Complete tasks around a makeshift spacecraft and help your crewmates find the imposter or sneak through vents looking for the perfect opportunity to strike. This is the perfect activity for groups of every size and skill levels advanced and beginner. Get out that built up uni stress at Saboteurs - just try not to get stabbed in the back!
O’Brien’s Icehouse
$28.20 Student ticket including skate hire | Ground/105 Pearl River Rd, Docklands
After all that fun hanging out with cute cats and chasing your friends around an alien spacecraft, what better way to cool down than with some ice skating? Whether you look like a seasoned pro or a newborn giraffe on the ice, gliding around on sharp blades has never been so exhilarating. Going solo is always a blast, but I highly recommend dragging someone along to grab onto when the skates inevitably slip out from beneath you. O’Brien’s Icehouse - the only place where it’s actually fun to trip on nothing.
And there you have it, cheap and simple ways to beat the burnout heat this trimester. If you’re studying hard (or hardly studying) always remember to take a well-deserved break every now and then!
Editor: Danielle Rodier