By: Anna Rogers |

Kansas State University

Study Abroad in Australia

Transportation in Melbourne

If you’re flying into Melbourne, you will most likely arrive at Tullamarine Airport (MEL). Aside from personal pick-ups and drop-offs, one of the best ways to travel between the airport and the city is the SkyBus. It is a large, red bus (there will be signs in the airport directing you to the terminal), and takes passengers to Southern Cross Railway Station in the CBD. Tickets are around ten dollars, but you can get a better deal if you buy for a return trip. Taxis to and from the airport can run quite expensive, in the region of fifty dollars or more.

The Skybus at Southern Cross Station More maps available at melbourneairport.com.au

Southern Cross Railway Station is a major transportation hub in central Melbourne (Spencer and Little Collins streets). From Southern Cross, you can get a taxi, regional or local train, and several tram lines run on the street steps outside of the station (including Tram 75, which stops at Deakin University – Burwood).

Melbourne has trains, buses, and the world’s largest tram network. Without a concession card, fares will range from about two dollars for a two-hour ticket to around four for an all-day ticket. Travelling with a concession card, you can get a ticket for approximately half the price. The price of tickets also depends on what zone you travel in: Zone 1 consists of the CBD and surrounding area, while Zone 2 is everything else on the lines. You can get a ticket for both zones, but it is typically more expensive. Buying tickets for multiple uses at the newsagents’ can save you some money.

Obtaining a concession card requires going to a serviced transportation center and requesting an application. Then, you must have your university verify that you are eligible and submit a passport-sized photo (available at a chemist/pharmacy). You must travel with your concession card if you are using a concession ticket, as you will be asked for both if the transit police ask to see your ticket (a hefty fine will result if you travel sans tickets).

Whether or not you are eligible for a concession card (exchange students are, direct enroll usually aren’t), you will likely have the opportunity to apply for a Myki. The Myki program is relatively new in Melbourne (and sort of controversial due to its extensive costs and less than reliable service). It’s free to obtain, and is nice to have because you can top up your balance online.

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Additionally, based on your daily usage, the Myki calculates which fare you should be charged, so it can save you some money in that way.

www.metlink.com.au has details on public transportation in Melbourne, as well as a trip-planner showing how to use transit to get from one destination to another.

Getting Around Melbourne

In addition to the regular tram network, Metropolitan Transit operates a free “City Circle” tram, which runs around the perimeter of Melbourne’s neatly organized CBD. The trams are quite old, but they have tourist information and are useful if you just need to travel around the CBD (and did I mention free?). While the schedules aren’t entirely exact, these free trams run about every ten minutes daily from 10 AM – 6 PM. They stand out from the regular trams due to their rather “historic” appearance and their burgundy and cream color.

Note: Trams and buses will skip a stop if there is no one waiting to get on and no one has notified the driver via a system of buttons or (on trams) pulley cords. So before you want to get off, be sure to let the driver know!

Trams usually run rather late, making their last rounds at about 1 AM. Bus services stop at 9 PM. Trains stop departures early in the evening, unless you are taking a night train. For those who choose to stay out later, Melbourne has a NightRider bus service that runs from 1:30 AM to 5:30 AM. It isn’t particularly quick or efficient, but it’s a safe option if you’ve lost track of time and don’t wish to spend the night on the street. Trams, buses, and trains resume early, around 5:30 – 6 AM. Taxis from the CBD to the suburbs will cost you about $30 - $60 dollars, depending on how far outside of the city you are travelling, and most will make you prepay during the night.

In some locations in the CBD, you will find bicycles that can be rented (some might be free). Federation Square is a good place to find a bicycle, and most of the streets in the CBD are quite cyclist/pedestrian friendly. Many streets in Melbourne are closed to cars during certain times, and some – Melbourne’s famously beautiful “laneways” – are always closed to traffic. Once you’ve learned the streets in the CBD, you’ll never get lost. And there’s a pattern – Collins St., Little Collins St., Bourge St., Little Bourke St. . . . you get the picture!

Federation Square

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Federation Square is an iconic Melbourne landmark. Its abstract architecture sharply contrasts with that of its neighbors – Flinders Station, Young & Jackson’s Pub, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Frequented by tourists (primarily) and locals, it is a great starting point for any Melbourne exploration. From Deakin University, take the 75 tram to a) Camberwell Station, from there getting a train to Flinders or b) all the way to Federation Square. There will usually be street performers on the plaza, cultural festivals almost every week, and a massive screen broadcasts news and any major sporting event currently taking place – including the Australian Football League Grand Final (an almost religious event NOT to be missed). Federation Square also has a branch of the National Gallery of Victoria that shows only Australian art. Much of the art is done by Aboriginal artists, and is free to the public (but closed Monday). Many speakers and artists often give presentations in Federation Square, and the Centre for the Moving Image has exhibits year-round (not always free). Band performances, book sales on Saturday, and other unique displays mean there is always something to do or see at Federation Square. Even if you don’t spend much time here, it’s always worth seeing what’s going on whenever you’re in the city. There are also many restaurants and bars in Federation Square (some very highly rated) but their prices are usually quite expensive. Fortunately, Flinders St. has more than enough small eateries where you can grab a bite and then relocate to Fed Square for an urban picnic.

Melbourne Attractions – the center of the center

Getting to the CBD from Deakin University or Burwood is quite simple – the 75 tram will take you straight down Flinders St, past Fed Square, Flinders Station, and Southern Cross, with many stops along the way. If you wish to go a bit quicker and time your travel right (hoping the trams stay on schedule) you can take the tram to Burwood or Camberwell station and take the train to Flinders or Southern Cross. This can shave 15 to 20 minutes off your transit time.

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Some of Melbourne’s greatest attractions are quite functional. Flinders Street Station, a yellowish gold Edwardian building at the corner of Flinders and Swanston streets is the primary station for travel within the Melbourne area. Flinders, by the way, refers to Matthew Flinders, the first person to circumnavigate Australia. The steps below the clocks on the front of Flinders are a very Melbournian meeting location, and a great place to observe the pace of life in the CBD. Across the street (diagonally) from Flinders is St. Paul’s Cathedral. Still a functioning cathedral, it is open to the public and regularly performs Mass (and many, many weddings – careful you don’t accidentally end up in some strangers’ wedding photos!) Also on the corner of Flinders and Swanston streets is Young and Jackson’s, a pub and hotel that has a prime piece of Melbourne real estate. Even if you don’t want a drink, go inside to see the Chloe, a large picture of a nude woman painted in 1875. It’s been at Young and Jackson’s for over one hundred years, and was apparently quite the scandal upon its arrival.

Melbourne Attractions – Southbank

On the south banks of the Yarra River, you can visit Melbourne’s garden oasis. The King’s Domain Gardens. This domain includes the Royal Botanic Gardens (100 acres), which has 12,000 species of native and imported plants. Aboriginal guides can walk you through the historic gardens, harpists play every other week, and you can just find a spot of grass and relax. Unless you’re near the Sidney Meyer Music Bowl (also in the gardens), in which case you might be hearing some of the world’s top performing artists give a one-off concert or perform as an act in a music festival. Further south, the Shrine of Remembrance memorializes Australia’s armed forces. The terrace on the top of the monument provides a great photo opportunity for Melbourne’s skyline. Near the gardens, on the west side of St. Kilda Rd., is the primary branch of the National Gallery of Victoria. Housing many international works (Picasso, Renoir, van Gogh), it is free with the exception of special, temporary exhibits. It’s open from 10 AM – 5 PM, but go early, as it will take at least 2-3 hours to explore. If you’re looking for a more commercial experience, Southgate is a collection of shops and restaurants overlooking the Yarra River. It has upscale shops and restaurants, as well as places like Cotton On and Boost Juice. Looming above Melbourne is the Eureka Skydeck 88, the

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tallest residential building in the Southern Hemisphere (or at least it was when I was in Australia). A more “touristy” thing to see, it costs $16.50 to visit the viewing platform, and an additional $12 to step out on a glass cube extending beyond the building. It’s open until 10 PM for those who prefer nighttime views. Crown Casino is also found on the south bank. In addition to gambling, there are many award-winning restaurants. It’s an interesting place to look at, but if you aren’t keen on gambling or casino nightlife, then you will probably find more interesting things to do somewhere else. Overall, if you visit anywhere on the south bank, go to the Royal Botanic Gardens and the National Gallery of Victoria. You won’t regret it – especially since they are free!

Melbourne Attractions – The Rest of the CBD

A wonderful day in Melbourne can be spent just walking around, checking out small shops, museums, parks, and restaurants. “Arcades” are part of shopping culture in Melbourne (which has superb shopping, by the way). Block Arcade (Collins St.) and Royal Arcade (Bourke St.) are two historic arcades, and they aren’t totally touristy. Vintage clothing stores can be found in both, in addition to art, food chocolate, and other unique wares. Some of the stores are no larger than a walk-in closet. Even if you don’t want to spend money, they’re worth checking out at least once due to their elegant architecture and history.

On the east edge of the CBD are the Treasury Gardens and Fitzroy Gardens. Adjacent to the Victorian state government buildings, they fill up with busy professionals and casual loungers during the lunch hour. Roaming around, you can find statues of many famous people (including JFK). From above, Fitzroy garden looks like a Union Jack made up of elm trees. Also in the garden is Cook’s Cottage, the former home of Captain James Cook. It was brought to Australia from England, and shows what life might have been like for the captain in the 18th century.

Melbourne Aquarium is all right to check out – it’s not bad, it’s not amazing. If you like, you can dive wish sharks, but it costs about $150. Otherwise, you can see penguins and other small sharks for about $15 with a student ID.

Finally, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, MCG, or “The G,” as it’s known, is the center of Melbourne’s attention on game days. Thousands of people cram into the stadium to support their teams. Footy is practically a religion in Melbourne, and you would be remiss to travel to

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Melbourne and not get caught up in footy fever. Students can get discounted tickets to regular season games, and the stadium also has the National Sports Museum ($15). Also accessible from the 75 tram, the MCG is a shrine to the sport Melbourne loves.

The CBD has other beautiful things to check out (such as the State Library of Victoria), and the best way to do so is to just wander, diving in and out of interesting buildings, shops, and restaurants. Melbourne has a huge café culture, and its CBD is great for the aimless wanderer. Food, shops, street performers, and other interesting sights are all over the place.

Richmond

Richmond is a suburb just east of Melbourne CBD. It’s famous for its shopping and restaurants. To get to Richmond, just take the 75 tram towards the city (or you could walk – it’s only 1 mile). It stops multiple times along Bridge Rd., the main road in Richmond. Clothing stores from the inexpensive Cotton On to the more exclusive Sass & Bide and everything in between can be found in Richmond, including many outlet stores. Additionally, there are many cafes and foods from around the world. The Vietnamese food is particularly good, as Richmond is known as Melbourne’s “little Vietnam.” Most restaurants will have the menu posted in the window, so you can window-shop for food. Though there are a few glamorous, well-reviewed restaurants in Richmond (Pearl is good), most of the cheaper establishments aren’t to be looked down upon. When there’s a footy game happening at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the bars and cafes in Richmond are very busy, with many people coming together to support their team – the Richmond Tigers!

St. Kilda

Though it sometimes has a rather bad reputation, St. Kilda is a funky, beachy suburb south of the CBD. Trams 96 and 112 are your best bet for getting to St. Kilda, and can be found in the city centre or near the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Acland Street is known for its variety of restaurants (including many sweet/cake shops). It also has a few hip clothing stores, and if you’re looking for incense, you might as well look here first. In addition to the shops, St. Kilda has a beach – though locals might tell you it’s covered in needles, it’s quite fine during the day, and makes for lovely photos of the water and boats in Port Phillip

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Bay. Luna Park is a rather scary looking, rickety amusement park open in the summers. It allegedly has the oldest continually operating roller coaster in the world. It’s about $8 per ride, but you can get an all-day pass. While a St. Kilda icon, it’s not necessary experience.

Dog’s Bar is a fun restaurant in St. Kilda, and they have some music and comedy shows occasionally. The St. Kilda Esplanade Art and Craft Market sells jewelry, crafts, and other markety, crafty, items on Sundays from 10AM-5PM.

Fitzroy

Fitzroy is a more bohemian area of Melbourne (and a great place to get a cheap haircut!). You can walk from the city (it’s directly north of Fitzroy Gardens, appropriately) or take the 112 tram from the city center towards Brunswick Street. Speaking of Brunswick Street, it is the center of life in Fitzroy. Like virtually every other street in Melbourne, Brunswick Street has loads of cool cafes and restaurants, as well as cool bookstores, galleries, and shops.

If you go to Fitzroy, eat there. Naked for Satan is a great tapas restaurant, and surprisingly cheap for the quality of food (for Melbourne, anyway). An iconically cool café/bar is Bimbo Deluxe. You’ll likely find it in a guidebook, but it is far from touristy. It has cheap and tasty pizza, comfy couches, and a hangout vibe. However, it’s super popular, so you need to plan ahead or be prepared to wait in line. Bimbo’s is identifiable by the weird plastic baby figurine above its door. If you want great Melbourne nightlife, Fitzroy is the place to be.

Carlton

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Before going to Melbourne, DO NOT watch Underbelly. The popular crime drama will make you think that Carlton is full of organized crime. My Australian friends have assured me this is not true, and even if it is, the gangs don’t pick on civilians. So that should comfort you. In reality, Carlton is a beautiful suburb north of the city. To get to Carlton, take trams 1 or 8, or the free city tram and walk north from Spring St. If you do this, the first thing you’ll see will likely be Carlton Gardens (Melbourne’s gardens are wonderful!). In addition to all of the natural beauty contained within the 19th century urban oasis is a World Heritage-listed landmark – the Royal Exhibition Building. Behind the Royal Exhibition Building is the Melbourne Museum. The regular exhibits are free, and display items from Australian and Aboriginal culture. There’s also an IMAX theatre and various galleries dedicated to other topics. Travelling exhibits also come through the Melbourne Museum, including artifacts from the Titanic and King Tut’s tomb.

Lygon Street (“Little Italy”) has (surprise, surprise) loads of restaurants, not all of them Italian. It’s also a calm place to spend an evening indulging in food and rich desserts. But watch out for the underbelly criminals . . . just kidding . . . sort of.

Being Sporty in Melbourne

Sports are big in Melbourne. In addition to being the national center of Australian Rules football with over a dozen local teams, Melbourne hosts the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix (March), the Australian Open (January), and a variety of horse races. If you’re looking to attend any of these big events, but tickets in advance and expect them to be expensive. If you’re not a billionaire or a club member, you are unlikely to get tickets to the AFL Grand Final. Instead, watch it (for free!) in Federation Square, where you’ll be surrounded by dedicated fans and casual onlookers from around the globe – it’s an experience you shouldn’t miss. As far as the horseracing goes, the Melbourne Cup is a public holiday in Victoria, and the city is filled with men and women dressed in their best. And best does include hats. Tickets to the Melbourne Cup are more accessible to students, if you don’t mind not having access to all of the VIP areas. Also, if you intend to drink while there, you might end up spending A LOT of money.

If you’re a more casual sportsperson, bicycles can be rented at many locations throughout the city. There are public bikes found in the CBD (try Federation Square), and some tour companies operate bike tours of the city. Bicycle Victoria (www.bv.com.au) is a good website for getting information about bike trails in the area and bikes can be rented along some of the trails.

As yucky as it can be, some people choose to go boating on the Yarra River. The south bank of the Yarra River near the gardens has many boathouses belong to elite clubs in Melbourne. Some will rent canoes and kayaks if you choose to brave the murky waters.

There are also a great many gyms in Melbourne and its suburbs – if you are particularly clever, you could do enough free trials to never have to pay for a gym membership while you are in Melbourne. Deakin has a YMCA that students can join for a fee. The YMCA offers a selection of classes including Zumba, yoga, and boxing. Deakin University also has a cricket ground that doubles as a football field and running track, and the YMCA sponsors a few intramural competitions, usually football and volleyball.

Food in Melbourne

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Starting at the bottom, there is fast food in Melbourne. Not as much as in the U.S., but still quite a bit. Subway is a surprisingly popular option, as is Hungry Jack’s (known as Burger King in the U.S.) Hungry Jack’s is still quite cheap, but Subway in Australia has $7 footlongs instead of the $5 deal. Boost Juice is an addictive smoothie place that is also quite common in the CBD, and Lord of the Fries offers veggie burgers and snacks (but really, they taste amazing) and is another cheap option. Other hole-in-the-wall places scattered throughout the city will offer cheap pizza and chips (fries). Overall, food is a bit more expensive in Australia than in the U.S., so don’t expect dollar menus.

Stepping up, Bimbo Deluxe on Brunswick St. is a fun place to hangout and eat cheap but delicious pizza. Brunetti has several locations throughout Melbourne, and serves a plethora of decadent, small desserts that taste amazing after midnight. Honestly, Melbourne has far too many excellent restaurants to name, with more popping up all the time, so if it’s in the budget) try as many as you can.

As far as quintessential Australian food goes, you’ll need to try Vegemite and Tim Tams. One is an acquired taste. Hint: it’s not the one with the chocolate.

Melbourne Markets

As things tend to be more expensive in Australia and the situation doesn’t look to improve, you might find markets a suitable alternative to purchasing new things. Camberwell Market (accessible via tram 75 from either Deakin University or the city center, near Target and Woolworths)) is held on Sundays. It’s a good place to find cheap clothing and jewelry. Get there early though, as the vendors are closed up by 1 PM.

The most famous market in Melbourne is Queen Victoria Market – the largest market in the southern hemisphere. It’s open every day except Monday. Here, you can find just about anything. You can buy fresh produce, or, if you don’t mind dumpster diving, get an even better deal around closing time. Additionally, you can find Australian clothing souvenirs, including Uggs and various clothing items made out of Australian leather. If the more than 1,000 stalls overwhelm you, you can arrange for a tour, many of which include freebies.

Other lesser-known markets can be found on Chapel Street in Prahran (daily 10-6), St. Kilda (upper esplanade, Sunday 10-5) and South Melbourne (8-4).

Trip to Yarra Valley and Healesville

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There are multiple ways to get outside the city. The easiest (though not necessarily the cheapest or most flexible) is to take a tour. Many tours depart from Federation Square, which has a tourist office where you can book and arrange trips. Alternatively, you can use the metlink.com.au website to plan your route using public transportation. If you are especially brave, you can rent a car and try driving on the left side of the road. Or, you can make friends with Australians who have cars. This is the best way to go, to be perfectly honest.

Healesville is accessible by train (Lilydale line), though depending on where you live you might need a tram and/or bus to get to the train. From Healesville, you have a great starting point to seeing the Yarra Valley and the Dandenongs.

Black Saturday (February 7, 2009) fires destroyed hundreds of homes and killed almost 200 people. Many places around Healesville are still recovering, and evidence of the fire can be seen in the bush and in the communities. Many locals, even those who weren’t directly affected by the fire, have some frightening stories to tell. If you can, go to the area, as your business will help the communities to recover.

Healesville Sanctuary is the landmark most associated with the community, and is a wonderful place to learn about native wildlife. Kangaroos, wombats, and the elusive platypus can be found here, as well as some intriguing reptiles, birds, and spiders. Many of the animals injured or endangered by the fires were rehabilitated at Healesville, and while they may have now recovered, you can take a tour of the animal hospital. Animal shows are scheduled throughout the day. Entrance to the zoo is about $25, and food inside the zoo is rather expensive, so bring your own, if you like. Just don’t feed the animals!

To visit the wineries of the Yarra Valley, it’s best to have a car – just have a designated driver. Otherwise, booking a tour is probably the best way to go. Tours are usually quite expensive, as they include multiple stops with tastings.

De Bortoli is a well-known winery in the region, and offers free tastings in its cellar. Of course, the more expensive three-course meal is available – for $125 per person. Yering Station Winery is quite picturesque – even if you aren’t tasting, go to check out its lovely buildings and wonderful

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views of the valley. Yering also offers an afternoon tea, which is a great opportunity to become familiar with Australian pastries, and it’s not expensive.

Mornington Peninsula

The Mornington Peninsula makes up the southeast part of Port Phillip Bay. It’s known for its seaside communities, wineries, and beautiful views of the bay and ocean. The most practical way of getting around on the peninsula is by car. If this isn’t an option, many tours run day-trips to the area. If you are an international student in Melbourne, you will likely be provided a “Culture Card” by your university. These cards allow students to receive discounts on tours, and trips to Mornington Peninsula and Phillip Island are frequently offered at a discount, so keep an eye out for those. Bunyip Tours on Flinders Street offers some of the cheaper trips with smaller groups of people. Tours that focus specifically on the wineries are also available, but are usually quite expensive. Most tours will cost at least $100 dollars for a day’s worth of activities, and will include transportation, entrance to sites, and maybe one meal plus tea.

Arthurs Seat State Park is a beautiful location for glorious views of the bay. There are some walking tracks here, but if you’re taking a standard tour, you’ll likely just stop for a photo. Ashcombe Maze and Lavender Gardens is a beautiful set of gardens and hedge and rose mazes.

Though the primary attractions on the peninsula are the wineries, there is the option to go kayaking, snorkeling, or diving. Dolphins and seals can be found in the bay, and Bayplay Adventure Kayak, Snorkel & Dive Tours has three to four hour dolphin-swim tours for $115 a person. You can also dive for $40.

If you choose to eschew the tour, wineries, and mazes, Mornington Peninsula suffices as a great place to just enjoy a day at the beach.

Phillip Island

Phillip Island’s main attraction is the penguin parade. Each night at dusk, little fairy penguins come back from a day at sea and waddle across the beach to their homes in the dunes and rocks. It is probably something worth seeing, as the penguins are quite adorable, and the island is beautiful.12 | T r a v e l A u s t r a l i a

Getting to Phillip Island is best accessed by car, easily accessed on a tour (check the Culture Card offerings), or a three-hour combination train/bus ride from Southern Cross (metlink.com.au). There’s also a ferry service that runs from Mornington Peninsula (Stony Point to Cowes).

In addition to the penguins, Phillip Island’s Seal Rocks has Australia’s largest colony of fur seals (10,000) that hang out on the rocks during the summer.

General admission to see the penguins starts at about $20. If you want a better spot and night vision goggles, the experience will cost you more like $40 or $50. Food at the visitor’s center is far from cheap, so unless you want to pay $14 for a personal pizza, bring your own food. Even in the summer, it can get cold and rainy, so bring a sweater or jacket. Given the show doesn’t start until dusk, you probably won’t get back into the city until late, so make sure you have options to get home or stay overnight on the island.

Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road is one of Victoria’s most iconic and beautiful drives. Deakin University offers a free three-day orientation trip that includes much of the Great Ocean Road, but if you

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choose to take your time and go for it by yourself, there is much to see and do. And there are whales.

As it’s a popular choice for travelers, many tours operate on the Great Ocean Road; some of them take several days and combine trips to the Grampians or other areas. However, the tours are usually at least a couple hundred dollars, so you might be better off to rent a car (or make Aussie friends!). If you have the time and stamina, you can also hike the Great Ocean Road, and camp at designated sites along the way. Public transportation along the Great Ocean Road is not easy, with buses running infrequently and trains taking a more inland approach to their destination.

Lorne is a small surfing town along the Great Ocean Road. It’s very popular in the summer, but rather calm during the winter. Great Ocean Road Cottages & Backpackers YHA is likely the most budget-friendly accommodation in Lorne. Once you’re settled, you can enjoy the coastal walks or just watch the surfers catching waves.

Other towns along the Great Ocean Road include Apollo Bay, where you’ll find the twelve Apostles Marine National Park, and Port Fairy, an old fishing town with beautiful walks and a bit of whaling nerdiness, if you’re into that. You can find hostels in all of these towns, though grunginess will likely be found as well.

Be sure not to miss Port Campbell National Park. While the intense wave action offshore is quite scary to a native Kansan, the shoreline is positively gorgeous and it the park has the added element of scary shipwreck history. And pack warm if you will be there in the winter or spring months – it gets quite windy and cool.

Planning Trips Outside of Melbourne

If you want to travel to a location that isn’t in Zone 1 or 2 of Melbourne’s public transportation, you can utilize the regional train services that depart from Southern Cross. Trains to locations such as Warnaambool, Bendigo, Geelong, and other towns in Victoria will cost you about $30 - $60 dollars (concession), and are efficient ways to travel throughout the state. As these trains run less frequently than the buses or local trains, you’ll either have to leave early or plan to stay the night at your destination.

If you plan to fly to your destination, budget airlines like Tiger, Jet Star, and Virgin Blue all operate out of Melbourne. Depending on where you are going, their fares range from around $100 (to Sydney or Hobart) or around $200-300 (Cairns). If you are planning on visiting the Red Centre, you’re looking at a $400 - $500 airfare, even with the budget airlines. The price of fares varies throughout the week, so it helps if you have flexible travel dates. Airport security isn’t quite as intense for domestic flights in Australia as it is in the U.S., and some airlines will let you print your boarding pass at home. With this, you can skip check-in lines at the airport (provided you don’t have checked luggage).

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