The Best Airbnbs and Vacation Rentals in Melbourne, Australia

Ranging from solo traveller-friendly studios to three-bed suites sleeping up to six, these apartments make a great city-centre base – especially if you’re here for dinner and a show, as Melbourne’s theatre district is right on your doorstep. Head to Hochi Mama for Asian fusion delights such as vegan peking duck wraps and massaman curry, before catching the latest hit musical or play. Night still young? Try the cocktails and cigars at Siglo, a classy rooftop bar overlooking Victoria’s parliament building.

These compact studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments can sleep up to five guests, and are just around the corner from the historic Queen Victoria Market. Here for the flat whites? You won’t have any trouble finding a caffeine hit in coffee-mad Melbourne – walk 10 minutes north to hip Seven Seeds Coffee Roasters for the quintessential brunch experience; the avo on sourdough and cold filter is worthy of a chef’s kiss, or a high-five, as is hip here.

A decent choice if you have an early flight to catch, Quest runs free shuttles between the aparthotel and airport (Monday to Friday). Apartments have up to three bedrooms and can sleep up to seven guests – the best have balconies. There’s a tiny gym if you want to pump some iron and stretch out before your trip. There’s no restaurant on site, but the usual food apps deliver. Alternatively, Westfield, with its food court, is a few minutes’ drive away.

Mantra 100 Exhibition is close to Flinders Lane, the gateway to some of Melbourne’s trendiest restaurants and street art. Chow down at Chin Chin – on the likes of plum and tamarind pork ribs and green papaya salad – after a wander through the surrounding lanes, every inch of which are covered in kaleidoscopic murals. The one- and two-bedroom apartments have floor-to-ceiling windows and sleep up to six.

Quieter than the city centre, South Melbourne still has plenty to keep you entertained, including a 150-year-old covered market and many renowned restaurants (try wood-fired anything at Half Acre, and follow it up with a lip-smacking lemon tart from Chez Dre patisserie). This smart one-bedroom apartment sleeps four – thanks to the sofa bed in the lounge – and has a swish communal rooftop terrace with a mini cinema and two hot tubs; grab a glass of bubbly and settle in.

These clean, contemporary one- and two-bedroom apartments – sleeping three and four respectively – have floor-to-ceiling windows and access to a gym. Prefer exercising in the great outdoors? Walk or take a tram 3km south to the quirky seaside suburb of St Kilda, where you can fuel up on coconut waffles with passionfruit curd at Miss Jackson before renting an e-bike and cruising along the waterfront with the locals.

With one or two bedrooms, these modern, spacious and super central apartments can sleep up to two or four – and are ideal for couples or families who want to soak up Melbourne’s big-ticket attractions (superior options are bigger, with better city views). A 20-minute walk north will take you to the vast, family-friendly Melbourne Museum; once you’ve learnt some new dinosaur facts and a little local history, head to Pidapipó on Lygon Street for a seasonal scoop of small-batch gelato.