How to Plan Your Bleisure Trip in Melbourne, Australia

“Bleisure travel” — business trips extended into personal travel — is taking the world by storm. A long-haul flight for work can be more exciting than grueling if you add on the weekend (or longer) for leisure. Whether you’re traveling halfway around the world to Australia or just visiting from Sydney, it may make sense to take a few additional days to explore Melbourne before making the trek home.

To help you successfully extend your next business trip in Melbourne, the TripActions Australia team has some recommendations on what to do with your leisure time below:

Getting Around

Taxis to and from the airport cost around AUD$60-80 each way, but you can save with a coach transfer via SkyBus which is AUD$36 return and drops you at one of the many locations in the city. TripActions travel tip: Be sure to buy tickets online to avoid a long line at the airport.

Make use of Melbourne’s Free Tram Zone in the Central Business District (CBD). The trams arrive approximately 12 minutes apart, and the stops are clearly marked as to be tourist-friendly.

Eats

Melbourne’s food scene is well-known around the world. Your weekend dining guide should include: breakfast at Mayday or Pillar of Salt, lunch at The Stables of Como or Mr. Miyagi, and dinner at Chin Chin, Ginger Boy, or Gazi. Stop off for coffee and pastries at Lune Croissanterie in Fitzroy or Patricia Coffee Brewers in the CBD. Want an epic Sunday breakfast? A Thousand Blessings in Richmond has you covered.

Drinks

Check out Melbourne’s brewery scene with The Mill, Stomping Ground, and Molly Rose — all in striking distance of Fitzroy. Amazing rooftop bars include Naked for Satan and Madame Brussels.

Explore

Once you’re fed, there are tons of activities to keep busy in and around Melbourne:

• Stroll Hosier Lane, Centre Place, and AC/DC Lane to see Melbourne’s world famous graffiti laneways.
• Relax at Peninsula Hot Springs, Victoria's first natural hot springs and day spa centre.
• Catch some sun at St Kilda Beach and grab some gelato at Piccolina Gelateria.
• Attend an AFL game, or just join the pregame at Riverland or Arbory Bar.
• For a spot of shopping, check out Chadstone Shopping Centre, also known as The Fashion Capital of Australia — the largest mall in the southern hemisphere.

As TripActions continues its rapid global expansion, expect to see more destination tips for wherever your business travels may take you. From Melbourne’s best restaurants to must-sees in the heart of Chicago, we’ve got you covered.