Is it safe to stay in Melbourne? Six notices to take notes before heading to Melbourne
Although Melbourne is generally safe for travelers (Timeout), there are some common problems that might affect your experience in Melbourne. In this article, let us guide you through some safety tips for travelers, making sure you would have an enjoyable trip in Melbourne - the heart of Victoria.
Is it safe to travel to Melbourne?
According to Forbes Advisor's list in 2024, Melbourne placed 9th out of the safest cities, so you can expect a friendly yet secure city to explore, even female solo travelers can enjoy Melbourne too. In addition, the government takes food safety quite seriously, so contaminated water hardly ever exists in the public faucets.
With all listed advantages, travelers and especially backpackers usually pick Melbourne as the next destination. However, just like other tourist spots, there might still exist some common problems in Melbourne that you should keep in mind.
Six potential problems and our advices to enjoy your vacation in Melbourne
Potential harassment
Potential harassment can happen anywhere, likely due to cultural differences and the unfamiliarity with travelers that provoke unfriendly actions towards the travelers.
Although it’s unfortunate to encounter such scenarios, it’s still a great idea to avoid interacting with them, or flee from the scene to keep yourself safe from those uncomfortable situations. It’s also more secure to tag along with your friend, to prevent such an attitude from locals.
Wildlife encounter
Contrary to our beliefs, the Australian government has taken urbanisation quite seriously, so you might not encounter wildlife as often as you think. But the problem might arise when tourists go hiking and encounter wildlife along hiking routes. Sometimes out of curiosity, people might approach wildlife and disturb their natural habitats.
Although it’s rare to even approach Koalas and Kangaroos in the wild, try to stay away when you see these wildlife. Walking away slowly, and always showing no harm might be useful to retreat. Most importantly, remember some nearby clinics in case you are attacked.
Sunburn
Just like dermatologists have warned, the sun in Australia is really different, it only takes 15 minutes to burn your skin without protection. A safety concern from Cancer Council in 2024 has informed that only 53,9% Australians wear proper sunscreens when exposing themselves in peak UV time.
Although suntanning is pretty intriguing, we recommend you use some protection to enjoy the sun in Melbourne and make sure you are well-protected by lengthy clothes with proper texture to reduce UV damage. It is also recommended that you try to avoid walking under the sun from 11AM to 2PM - the peak of UV throughout the day.
Petty crimes
Common problems in Melbourne also include petty crimes, typically happening is youth crime, or in dorms with pickpockets. If you are a first-time traveler to Melbourne, it might be helpful to notice potential shoplifting or theft here.
Although it’s only a petty crime, it still can cause irritation that interferes with your joyful trips. So we suggest you stay vigilant to your belongings, be alert every time you visit a shop or unfamiliar places. Choosing a responsible hostel is also crucial to minimise the risk, it might be a good idea to choose a combination of amenities to avoid going out late at night.
Cultural difference
A diversified city like Melbourne is a great environment for cultural inclusivity, but sometimes conflicts stem from misunderstanding, affecting your trip to Melbourne. Sometimes people can find it difficult to adjust to the way Australians speak and talk - quite straightforward and honest.
The best tip? Always check and make some plans before heading to the cities. Taking a look at their website also gives you a broad vision of their service, therefore avoiding unnecessary conflicts stemming from cultural differences.
Night life in Melbourne
Nightlife in Melbourne is great since bars and pubs are increasingly popular among the cities. But at the same time, the locations might not be safe for travelers when you go there at night, especially when you are a solo traveler. Sometimes the place you want to visit is quite far from where you are staying, but you still want to visit, and it can be a potential problem.
Instead of trying to push yourself, let’s take this as an opportunity to explore other entertainment areas. Look for nearby pubs with safety guidance, avoid heading to too far bars and pubs even though they might be interesting to try.
Pint On Punt: A Combination of staying and playing
At Pint On Punt, we offer a relaxed, budget-friendly hostel to travelers with an affordable and social place to stay in the heart of St Kilda. It also combines comfortable accommodation with a lively first-floor Windsor Alehouse, where guests can unwind, meet fellow travelers, and enjoy a casual drink without even leaving the building.
You are planning a stay between March 2 – March 9, 2026? Use promo code GP05 when booking directly on our website and enjoy a little extra savings on your getaway.
Pint On Punt is proudly partnered with Cheap Az Travel, an independent travel agency owned by Stu and Marnie. With physical stores and an online shop, they’re all about helping backpackers and travellers score great-value trips across Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji.
