Trips to Melbourne
Feel free to contact us and let’s start planning together!
A tour operator you can trust. 5 week tour of New Zealand and Australia, everything went as agreed and as stated in the itinerary. Great job Asko and Project tours. Really professional operation and service
A very well-organized trip to Australia and New Zealand. Thank you!
The concept worked perfectly for us:Peaceful vacation: We appreciated that it wasn’t a group trip. We were able to explore the destinations at our own pace, but the schedule and advance reservations gave the trip a clear framework.Reservations in order: All hotel and tour reservations worked flawlessly in principle.Safety net: When there were twists and turns along the way – such as flight cancellations – the office handled the situations for us nicely. It was relaxing to know that someone else would take care of the logistics if the original plan changed.
A 2-week tour of Australia tailored for us. Interesting destinations and good hotels. Exceptions to the planned program were handled very well. I highly recommend!
The trip went well. The destinations were interesting and the transportation was handled as planned. I definitely recommend this trip organizer.
Asko listened to our wishes and tailored the package to our needs. Highly recommended!
We had a wonderful 4,5 week tour across Australia and Project Matka made excellent job planning the trip and made all needed reservations including all travel, accommodation and activities. The schedule and all activities were really well planned and we saw a lot of Australia, its nature and animals and the culture during our trip. We absolutely loved our trip!
Big thanks to Asko and Project travel! I was on a 3-week vacation in Australia. All the details were carefully and carefully planned and thought out. The trip went without a hitch. I got to see amazing places and have new experiences. Super thanks. I can warmly recommend Asko and Project travel!
Many thanks to Asko and Project Matka. A wonderfully planned and executed three-week trip to Australia, during which we got to explore great city destinations and above all, wonderful nature, from rainforests to fabulously beautiful sandy beaches and, as the cherry on the cake, snorkeling on the reef. The arrangements were really well made. With the written and verbal instructions from Asko, it was easy and safe for even the most relaxed traveler to travel. I recommend Project Matka, with their help you can tailor a trip to your own preferences.
I can really recommend Projekt Matka. They planned a memorable New Zealand and Australia tour for me, everything went smoothly. Asko was always available quickly when I needed advice or directions. A well thought out trip!
The travel program was as tight as we had hoped, but it ran smoothly and every detail was carefully thought out. The arrangements exceeded our expectations in every way.
My experience with Project Matka was absolutely outstanding! From start to finish, they provided exceptional services that went above and beyond my expectations.First and foremost, the planning process was a breeze, thanks to their invaluable tips and recommendations. Asko, from Project Matka, not only designed our dream holiday but also added incredible value by suggesting fantastic restaurant options and local gems that truly made our trip unforgettable. It's the little details like these that make all the difference.Moreover, the communication with Project Matka was superb. Asko and his team made sure we felt like we were in exceptionally good hands throughout our entire journey. They were responsive, attentive, and always ready to address any questions or concerns we had, ensuring a stress-free and enjoyable experience.Thanks to Project Matka, we had a dream holiday that exceeded our expectations. I can't recommend them enough for their top-notch services, thoughtful planning, and outstanding communication. Asko, you delivered our dream holiday, and we're incredibly grateful. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
If you are considering a trip to Australia and/or New Zealand don’t hesitate to use Project Matka. We are experienced travelers and never used an agent prior to this trip. Project Matka not only listened to our wants, preferences, style, likes and dislikes, but provided guidance and suggestions we hadn’t consider. Our final itinerary not only met but exceeded our expectations. The cities, hotels, tours which was a combination of self guided, private and semi-private tours was seamless and absolutely perfect. We spent 30 days between the two countries and it was a trip of a lifetime primarily due to the support we got for Project Matka.
Asko Project Matka helped me plan and implement a wonderful holiday in Melbourne. However, in a relatively short time I managed to see a lot. Thanks to the useful tips I received from Asko. His local knowledge of Melbourne is in a class of its own. I can warmly recommend Project Matka if you are looking for a holiday in Australia!
A thousand thanks to Asko and Project Matka for the absolutely fantastic arrangements for our trip to central Australia. Everything went perfectly, and the experiences were one after the other. We asked for an active itinerary with hiking in stunning landscapes as the main focus, and that's what we definitely got. Other highlights included dinner under the stars, a camel ride at sunrise, and the light art installation Field of Lights. Warm recommendation to Asko and the Project Matka team.
Culture and big sporting events in Melbourne
With a population of around five million, Melbourne in Victoria is a bustling city that is sure to offer something for every traveller. Considered Australia’s cultural capital, it offers live music, quality theatre and art exhibitions. In addition to its cultural offerings, Melbourne is also known for its great restaurants, cafés and a wide range of sporting events.
Major sporting events in Melbourne include the Australian Open tennis tournament in January, the Melbourne Grand Prix formula in March and the Australian Football League (AFL) matches throughout the winter.
Melbourne’s downtown area is located along the Yarra River, with a wide range of restaurants, cafes and attractions on both sides. The city skyline is dominated by a series of tall skyscrapers, with more rising all the time.
Just outside the city you will find a wealth of wine regions, mountain ranges, stunning coastal scenery and beautiful nature. From Melbourne, it’s easy to take a day trip to the wineries, the beach or relax in the hot springs.
Ready to plan your dream journey to Oceania?
I am a qualified travel professional from Finland, living in Australia for over 20 years. Because I am based locally in the destination, I will tailor-make your itinerary with the best insider tips and provide reliable on-the-ground support throughout your trip.
Get in touch, and let’s make your travel dreams come true! Read more >
Asko Meriläinen
Your travel planner, entrepreneur
24/7 support at every stage of your journey, before, during, and after your trip
Free travel planning
Submitting the form does not commit you to anything
Dreaming of a perfect
trip to Melbourne?
Contact us and we can help you plan a successful trip that suits you.
Shopper’s Melbourne
Melbourne’s city centre is an interesting mix of modern and Victorian buildings, but for the best experience, head outside the Central Business District. For example, the bohemian Fitzroy area is full of characterful shops and impressive restaurants, and shoppers there should at least visit Brunswick Street.
You’ll also find all the familiar brand names, smaller boutiques, shopping centres and department stores on your way to Melbourne. Along Bourke Street you’ll find two large department stores, Myer and David Jones, as well as several smaller shops.
Behind these department stores are the large shopping centres, Emporium and Melbourne Central, and they are all connected, making shopping convenient.
Local traders in Melbourne
If you’re keen to sample the local grocery selection, you’ll also find several grocery stores in the city centre. Coles and Woolworths are Australia’s largest grocery chains, while smaller Woolworths Metro stores can be found around the city.
For a taste of local produce, visit the Queen Victoria Market. There you’ll find a wide range of fresh produce, including fish, meat and vegetables. The market also has cafes, food stalls and a deli area where you can buy treats to take away for a nice picnic lunch. You can also find souvenirs, clothes, handicrafts and much more in the outdoor halls.
There are many ways to explore Melbourne
Federation Square and Flinders Street Railway Station are among Melbourne’s most famous landmarks. As a tourist in Melbourne, it’s worth coming here to get a sense of the local atmosphere, as Federation Square is a meeting point known to everyone in the city. Here you can enjoy cafes, restaurants, galleries, museums and a wide range of events.
If you want to admire Melbourne’s scenery from high above, the best views of the city are from the Melbourne SkyDeck observation deck, located in the Eureka Tower at 285 metres. It’s a good idea to visit at the beginning of your Melbourne trip to get a better sense of the city.
Although Melbourne is not commonly thought of as a beach resort, there is plenty of coastline along the beautiful St Kilda beach, where you can relax away from the hustle and bustle of the city. If you’re looking for some fun in a traditional amusement park, head to the famous Luna Park in the same area to end your beach day.
Art lovers should visit the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), one of Australia’s largest art collections. It includes both Australian and international works, and admission is free except for temporary special exhibitions.
While in Melbourne, be sure to visit the historic and still-operational steam train called the Puffing Billy. Located just an hour’s drive from Melbourne, seeing it is like stepping back in time to a very different world two centuries ago.
Beautiful scenery and history just a short drive away
The Great Ocean Road is one of Australia’s most famous landmarks. It’s an ocean road that winds its way along the coast of Victoria, and as you drive along it you can see the spectacular rock formations of the coastline. You can hire a car and do the tour on your own or choose a guided day trip with a group. The Great Ocean Road is a long drive, and it’s worth setting aside a whole day from early morning to late evening.
If you decide to go for a drive on the Great Ocean Road, it’s handy to stop off at Grampians National Park, which is located in the same direction. It’s a popular place for hiking or mountain walking, and offers a number of walking trails and accommodation options.
Peninsula Hot Springs, Ballarat and Sovereign Hill
Peninsula Hot Springs is a great place to relax for the day. Just about 90 minutes from the city, you can enjoy over 50 different pools. Their hot water comes from hot springs and contains lots of healthy minerals. You can also stay overnight and take advantage of the relaxing treatments on offer in the area.
Melbourne is also a convenient way to explore the state’s gold mining history, as the gold town of Ballarat is located inland, about an hour and a half’s drive from Melbourne. The historic Sovereign Hill Museum Village is also worth a visit, where you can learn about the history of Australia’s Wild West.
Experience Australia’s animals from Melbourne
The Gold City of Ballarat is also home to the Wildlife Park zoo, where you can meet Australian animals such as kangaroos, koalas and wombats.
The Penguin Parade on Phillip Island is one of the most popular day trips from Melbourne. There you can meet the adorable penguins that return from the sea every night in large flocks. You can also stay overnight on Phillip Island.
A trip to Melbourne for food and wine lovers
Melbourne has it all for foodies, as it is home to the Masterchef TV programme. The city’s Greek and Italian roots are also evident in its restaurant offerings. Melbourne also has an abundance of Asian restaurants.
The state of Victoria is known around the world for its wines, and some of its wine regions are just outside Melbourne. The Yarra Valley is one of Victoria’s most famous wine regions and is just an hour’s drive from central Melbourne. The wine region offers a number of organised day trips to the Yarra Valley and local wineries.
The charming Mornington Peninsula wine region lies further south, about 1.5 hours drive from central Melbourne. If you don’t want to drive yourself, there are also a number of organised day trips available. A trip to the Mornington Peninsula can easily be combined with a visit to Peninsula Hot Springs. This way you can see beautiful nature and stunning scenery and relax after your tour.
Melbourne’s public transport works well
Melbourne has the largest tram network in Australia. Tram travel is free in the Central Business District (CBD), but in other areas you will need a myki card. It’s a rechargeable card that you can load money onto for a day’s travel. Cards can be bought conveniently from vending machines or at larger stations. Melbourne also has an extensive commuter rail network, which makes getting around the city quick and easy.
Taxis and Uber rides are also readily available in Melbourne.
Ready to plan your dream journey to Oceania?
I am a qualified travel professional from Finland, living in Australia for over 20 years. Because I am based locally in the destination, I will tailor-make your itinerary with the best insider tips and provide reliable on-the-ground support throughout your trip.
Get in touch, and let’s make your travel dreams come true! Read more >
Asko Meriläinen
Your travel planner, entrepreneur
A tour operator you can trust. 5 week tour of New Zealand and Australia, everything went as agreed and as stated in the itinerary. Great job Asko and Project tours. Really professional operation and service
A very well-organized trip to Australia and New Zealand. Thank you!
The concept worked perfectly for us:Peaceful vacation: We appreciated that it wasn’t a group trip. We were able to explore the destinations at our own pace, but the schedule and advance reservations gave the trip a clear framework.Reservations in order: All hotel and tour reservations worked flawlessly in principle.Safety net: When there were twists and turns along the way – such as flight cancellations – the office handled the situations for us nicely. It was relaxing to know that someone else would take care of the logistics if the original plan changed.
A 2-week tour of Australia tailored for us. Interesting destinations and good hotels. Exceptions to the planned program were handled very well. I highly recommend!
The trip went well. The destinations were interesting and the transportation was handled as planned. I definitely recommend this trip organizer.
Asko listened to our wishes and tailored the package to our needs. Highly recommended!
We had a wonderful 4,5 week tour across Australia and Project Matka made excellent job planning the trip and made all needed reservations including all travel, accommodation and activities. The schedule and all activities were really well planned and we saw a lot of Australia, its nature and animals and the culture during our trip. We absolutely loved our trip!
Big thanks to Asko and Project travel! I was on a 3-week vacation in Australia. All the details were carefully and carefully planned and thought out. The trip went without a hitch. I got to see amazing places and have new experiences. Super thanks. I can warmly recommend Asko and Project travel!
Many thanks to Asko and Project Matka. A wonderfully planned and executed three-week trip to Australia, during which we got to explore great city destinations and above all, wonderful nature, from rainforests to fabulously beautiful sandy beaches and, as the cherry on the cake, snorkeling on the reef. The arrangements were really well made. With the written and verbal instructions from Asko, it was easy and safe for even the most relaxed traveler to travel. I recommend Project Matka, with their help you can tailor a trip to your own preferences.
I can really recommend Projekt Matka. They planned a memorable New Zealand and Australia tour for me, everything went smoothly. Asko was always available quickly when I needed advice or directions. A well thought out trip!
The travel program was as tight as we had hoped, but it ran smoothly and every detail was carefully thought out. The arrangements exceeded our expectations in every way.
My experience with Project Matka was absolutely outstanding! From start to finish, they provided exceptional services that went above and beyond my expectations.First and foremost, the planning process was a breeze, thanks to their invaluable tips and recommendations. Asko, from Project Matka, not only designed our dream holiday but also added incredible value by suggesting fantastic restaurant options and local gems that truly made our trip unforgettable. It's the little details like these that make all the difference.Moreover, the communication with Project Matka was superb. Asko and his team made sure we felt like we were in exceptionally good hands throughout our entire journey. They were responsive, attentive, and always ready to address any questions or concerns we had, ensuring a stress-free and enjoyable experience.Thanks to Project Matka, we had a dream holiday that exceeded our expectations. I can't recommend them enough for their top-notch services, thoughtful planning, and outstanding communication. Asko, you delivered our dream holiday, and we're incredibly grateful. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
If you are considering a trip to Australia and/or New Zealand don’t hesitate to use Project Matka. We are experienced travelers and never used an agent prior to this trip. Project Matka not only listened to our wants, preferences, style, likes and dislikes, but provided guidance and suggestions we hadn’t consider. Our final itinerary not only met but exceeded our expectations. The cities, hotels, tours which was a combination of self guided, private and semi-private tours was seamless and absolutely perfect. We spent 30 days between the two countries and it was a trip of a lifetime primarily due to the support we got for Project Matka.
Asko Project Matka helped me plan and implement a wonderful holiday in Melbourne. However, in a relatively short time I managed to see a lot. Thanks to the useful tips I received from Asko. His local knowledge of Melbourne is in a class of its own. I can warmly recommend Project Matka if you are looking for a holiday in Australia!
A thousand thanks to Asko and Project Matka for the absolutely fantastic arrangements for our trip to central Australia. Everything went perfectly, and the experiences were one after the other. We asked for an active itinerary with hiking in stunning landscapes as the main focus, and that's what we definitely got. Other highlights included dinner under the stars, a camel ride at sunrise, and the light art installation Field of Lights. Warm recommendation to Asko and the Project Matka team.
24/7 support at every stage of your journey, before, during, and after your trip
Free travel planning
Submitting the form does not commit you to anything