Melbourne What to Pack

Luggage and bags: I tend to have short stays in Melbourne so I take the absolute minimum. My luggage is small enough to fit in the cabin so I don't have to wait for luggage at the other end.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Melbourne is a bit notorious for its weather. It can get extremely hot one day and rather indifferent the next. Take a showerproof jacket just in case you need it otherwise plan your clothing for the time of year you are travelling. In summer its shorts and tee shirt though I usually wear trousers (cargo style for the handy pockets) on the plane for a better evening option. Good walking shoes are a must as there are a variety of walking surfaces. In Melbourne there are lots of shops so what you don't bring you can buy!!

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Basics only - toothbrush & deodorant. What more do you need? Smellies for night time maybe - buy those at duty free as you come into the country.

Photo Equipment: This is very much personal preference. I take a very small camera so it's easy to pop in my pocket. I've got a big memory card in it so can take lots of high quality shots - 600 on a 2Gb SD card. At duty free you can get a 4Gb card for around $AUS90 so maybe I'll upgrade next time.

Miscellaneous: Melbourne has lots of good shops so travel light inwards and buy a sports bag and fill it up with whatever takes your fancy.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: When coming to Melbourne, always make sure you bring a jacket or jumper, just in case. Even in the summer months.

The weather in Melbourne has a tendency to change frequently. It may be hot, sunny, clear blue skies one minute. But before you know it, there could be rain, wind, and clouds.

But it probably occurs less in summer.

However, Melbourne is renowned for the possibility of 4 seasons in one day.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Take a bit of everything. Melbourne is renowned for being the city that experiences all four seasons in one day. It can get quite cold, by comparison to other Australia states. My tip, be prepared, wear jeans and a t-shirt but take a jacket/jumper and an umbrella, wearing your bathers underneath!

Miscellaneous: All internet information says that there are lockers at Melbourne Central and Spencer Street station, however 'in this post 11/9 climate" this is apparently not so (at least at melbourne central).

Even if this were the case you'd have to pay... pffft!

Myer (major department store) will hold your bags from open til close for free. We check 2 carryon size suitcases with no questions asked.

Enter via Lonsdale Street (Myer foodcourt)

Apparently the State library will also check smaller items for free but I'm not sure of the hours

Luggage and bags: Leave space in your luggage - you will undoubtably buy something to take home.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: A compact umbrella or poncho that easily fits in your handbags or backpack is ideal. You will not be using it all the time so having to hand carry it will be a nuisance, but undoubtably you will encounter some rain during your stay and quite frequently, there will be odd 5 minute showers.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Melbourne has plenty of all night chemists and supermarkets.

Photo Equipment: Plenty of net cafes to upload your photos to some storage website!

Miscellaneous: A Cheap Eats book is published each year and is available at tourist shops and newsagents.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Sarah and I first arrived in Melbourne just before May last year, which was definitely the middle of Autumn here. The leaves were falling, and the wind started blowing a little more. After two weeks in Manly up near Sydney, we thought we might be freezing by the time winter came!

If you are headed to Melbourne in May, my tip to you is to layer as much as possible. The weather can literally move through all four seasons in one day, and within a couple hours. Bring a wind jacket, a light jacket, and a heavy jacket. Long pants are definitely recommended as well.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Summer in Melbourne is quite warm, yet not so inviting. On New Year's Day this year, the weather was 45 degrees (C) in the CBD. If you are travelling for pleasure, I would highly recommend short sleeves and shorts, or for women sundresses. Bring your "sunnies" and your sun-block. As the ads say, "slather" it on.

Back one small coat in your bag just in case of wind or the occassional mini rain burst, but most of all bring very warm weather clothes!

Close to your trip, check out weather.com for more accurate weather predictions.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Make sure you bring clothes for all seasons to Melbourne.
It can start off with a beautifully warm and sunny day and turn freezing by mid afternoon.
So in summer, make sure you always have something warm out with you in case a cool change comes in the afternoon...or you'll freeze - Australian cold of course :o)