Having been consistently voted one of the world’s most liveable cities, it’s only natural that Melbourne has some of the most liveable homes, too. Ranging from quaint studio apartments to converted warehouses, here are the best Airbnbs in Melbourne.
Airbnbs provide a real sense of how it feels to be a local resident, and among the major contributors to Melbourne’s status as one of the best cities in the world is its range of fantastic, character-filled suburbs. This isn’t a city to tick off by seeing the sights; it’s one that needs to be lived in.
Above-shop space with vintage charm in Fitzroy
Apartment
Owned by the people who run the vintage menswear store downstairs, this private, cosy apartment has been styled with the most tasteful retro decor. With a look and feel straight out of the 1950s, this Airbnb features a king-size bed and a daybed. It has a kitchenette, a laundry, Wi-Fi and a breakfast nook on the stairway landing. As a wintertime perk, this place is one of few in the area to feature an indoor fireplace. Given that alternative is the norm in Fitzroy, where every second shop sells vintage clothing or vinyl (maybe with a few vegan cafés in between), what better way to feel immersed in the area’s hipster culture? The apartment is located directly on Fitzroy’s main artery, Brunswick Street, and the central business district (CBD) is only a short tram journey away.
Looks like it's closedHours or services may be impacted due to Covid-19
Converted church house | Courtesy of Nicola / Airbnb
Situated close to the lively suburbs of Collingwood and Fitzroy, this private room in a converted 19th-century church is grand and spacious, with high ceilings and wooden floorboards. The church was converted into a private residence in 2015 and now offers a sizeable living space lovingly decorated with a mix of modern and antique furniture. The private bedroom features an en suite and a walk-in wardrobe; guests also have access to the kitchen, laundry room, living room, and terrace and herb garden.
St Kilda has one of the richest social and cultural histories of any Melbourne suburb, starting as a mansion-filled metropolis in the late 1800s before becoming the city’s crime capital after the Great Depression, then an artistic hub in the 1960s. Today the area is celebrated for its eateries and pulsing nightlife. Located right in the heart of St Kilda, a short walk from the cafés, bars and restaurants of Acland Street, the St Kilda Botanical Gardens and St Kilda Beach, this stylish, exposed red-brick Art Deco apartment captures so much of the area’s history, and combines the bohemian, classical and modern. The two-bedroom apartment can sleep six people across its two queen bedrooms and luxuriously comfy couch that converts into another queen-size bed. The apartment comes with all standard amenities and plenty of books, board games and puzzles for cosy nights in.
Located on Flinders Lane, the main laneway (a quintessentially Melbournian urban feature) in a network that runs through the heart of the city’s CBD, this converted warehouse exudes cool. But its perfect location isn’t even its greatest selling point. Like something out of a design magazine, this loft apartment has character and charm in spades, with lots of natural light, a curation of contemporary art and tasteful furniture. The private bedroom has a queen bed and an en-suite bathroom, and breakfast is included in the price. The apartment’s location is perfect for exploring the city and the hip bars, restaurants, galleries and street-art filled laneways that surround it.
South Melbourne is a great location for those looking for a quieter stay. It has an abundance of cafés and restaurants and yet manages to maintain a suburban feel. This cosy apartment is accessed from a little laneway and borders all the area’s offerings, including cafés, bars and the wonderful South Melbourne markets, selling the freshest produce and serving delicious gourmet food and coffee from hole-in-the-wall vendors. The light-filled private apartment is set over two floors in a separate building from the main residence. The ground-floor living space offers a fridge and coffee maker, but no cooking facilities, and a spiral staircase leads guests to the bedroom and its queen bed. The location makes this loft ideal for solo travellers or couples, and, with its quirkiness, cleanliness and comfort, it really succeeds in fostering a unique but homely feel.
In addition to the area’s great music, food and bar scene, Richmond is home to the city’s famous sporting district, which includes the legendary cricket and Australian rules football stadium the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the new soccer stadium AAMI Park and the Australian Open tennis facilities, including the Rod Laver Arena. So why not go the whole nine yards and stay in this conveniently located bicycle-themed studio? The cycling-inspired style is carried throughout the apartment, with bike art decorating every room and spare parts upcycled into functional objects and home accessories, such as wheel hubs made into a coat rack and chain wheels turned into trivets.
Terraced Victorian semi-detached houses are a defining characteristic of the Carlton neighbourhood, and homes like these are highly sought-after. This house is a beautiful example. It has two bedrooms, a generous living room and dining room, a laundry room, a modern kitchen, a bathroom with a walk-in shower and a backyard outdoor space. Minutes away from the beautiful University of Melbourne, a range of art galleries and Lygon Street, with its many Italian restaurants, this home is sure to be the perfect base.
A Southbank penthouse apartment with panoramic views
Apartment
This spacious two-bedroom penthouse apartment offers unobstructed views of the Yarra River and Melbourne’s skyline. There is an open-plan living room with dining area and kitchen, three bathrooms and a balcony. Located in Southbank, a newer part of Melbourne that lines the Yarra waterfront with contemporary apartment blocks and popular modern restaurants, this is a great area from which to explore the rest of the city. It’s also a few minutes’ walk from the free tram zone, the best way to travel to the heart of Melbourne.
Looks like it's closedHours or services may be impacted due to Covid-19
Melbournians know that for those looking to escape the city for a romantic winter getaway, the Dandenong Ranges is the place to go. Just an hour’s drive away, the Dandenongs is a region replete with forests, cottages and cream teas (for the best scones in the area, check out Miss Marple’s Tea Room). The decor of the space captures the essence of the character of the Dandenong Ranges. Tucked into the forest behind a picket fence, close to the quaint villages that inhabit the ranges, this one-bedroom cottage has all the ingredients for a magical weekend away. Its queen bed sits on the mezzanine floor, which is accessed by a wooden staircase; there is a gas log fire, a private balcony overlooking the surrounding lush greenery and a double Jacuzzi in the living room, which is perfectly placed for taking in the views.
Chapel Street is one of Melbourne’s most buzzing high streets, and one that attracts a trendy young crowd different to the hipster set that shapes so many inner-city suburbs. This self-contained studio is smack bang in the middle of it. One of eight studios, it is clean, spacious and modern, with high ceilings, a fantastic balcony and an outdoor dining area with perfect views of the street and the city skyline in the distance. There is a shower room and a small kitchenette equipped with a fridge and a microwave (there are no other cooking facilities), and a shared laundry and washing machine. The studio is ideal for doing a bit of people-watching before heading downstairs to Chapel Street and getting involved yourself.
For travellers hoping to experience the glamorous side of Melbourne, this opulent apartment offers marble floors, custom-made Versace furniture, gilt chairs and crystal chandeliers. The apartment also provides access to the complex’s pool, sauna and spa. Situated near the world-famous Crown Casino and within walking distance of the CBD and all its offerings, the apartment offers lavish interiors throughout and includes two double bedrooms, two bathrooms, a dining room, a living room and a fully fitted kitchen.
