Flights from Townsville to Melbourne

The best time to visit Melbourne

Melbourne attracts tourists year-round. Summer lasts from December to the end of the February, bringing hot weather and a lot of visitors. It’s also prime time for events, like the Australian Grand Prix motor race in March and the Australian  Open tennis tournament in January. The shoulder seasons offer comfortable weather that’s warm without being too hot, while June to August is winter and temperatures drop. However, cooler weather means cheap flights to Melbourne.

Departing From Townsville

Flights from Townsville International Airport (TSV) can reach Melbourne via three airports. The Melbourne Airport (MEL), sometimes referred to as the Tullamarine Airport, is the busiest in the city and the common point of arrival for international travellers. Domestic flights are also available through Avalon Airport (AVV) and Essendon Airport (MEB). Nonstop flight time can be as little as three hours with service on Jetstar, Qantas, and Virgin Australia.

Getting to Townsville Airport

Travellers can reach the Townsville Airport via the Airport Shuttle, which offers pick-up from most city hotels and the Magnetic Island Ferry Terminal. The shuttle must be booked online at least three hours in advance and a one-way trip costs $10. There’s also the Sunbus, which operates as local public transit, but doesn’t run direct to the airport. It’s a seven-minute walk from the nearby Meenan Street and Halifax street bus stop. Fares are calculated based on the route and can range from $1.80 to $4.80. If travelling by taxi or rideshare, expect to pay an extra $3 airport toll.

Parking at Townsville Airport

When driving to Townsville Airport, there are two parking options.

Where to Park at Townsville Airport

• Saver Car Park: An uncovered lot located a five-minute walk from the terminal. The cost for seven days is $119.
• Select Car Park: A covered lot located a one-minute walk from the terminal. The cost is $176 for seven days.

Arriving in Melbourne

If you’re travelling from Townsville to Melbourne, there are three airport you may fly to: Melbourne Airport (MEL), Avalon Airport (AVV), or Essendon Airport (MEB).

How to Get from Melbourne Airport to Your Melbourne Hotel or Accommodation

From Melbourne Airport, the Skybus city express runs every 10 minutes to the Melbourne CBD. The cost is $19 one-way. Public Transport Victoria (PTV) runs several routes from the T4 terminal that run to city centre and connect with the subway. Taxis are also available. It takes about 30 minutes to get to the CBD and an airport toll of $3.65 is added to all airport pick-ups.

How to Get from Avalon Airport to Your Melbourne Hotel or Accommodation

SkyBus runs the Avalon City Express from the airport to the Melbourne CBD and beyond. A one-way fare to Melbourne is $22. Taxi service is offered by Australia Wide Taxi and 13 CABS. The cost to Melbourne’s CBD is around $130.

How to Get from Essendon Airport to Your Melbourne Hotel or Accommodation

The free airport shuttle runs from Essendon Airport to Melbourne Airport, which can be booked ahead of time. The shuttle also runs from the airport to the Essendon train station. There’s also a tram station on Matthews Avenue that’s a 10-minute walk away.

Things to do in Melbourne

Melbourne is often considered Australia’s cultural capital. It plays host to numerous artistic events such as Melbourne Music Week, the Melbourne Fashion Festival, and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. The city is home to more than 100 galleries, including he National Gallery of Victoria, Australia’s oldest public art gallery, and also has a renowned street art scene with impressive works plastered on buildings and laneways. Other Melbourne highlights include shopping in quirky Block Arcade, a heritage shopping centre that opened in 1892, and the urban escape that is the Royal Botanic Gardens, a nearly 40-hectare green space featuring a collection of more than 8,500 native and exotic plants.