HOW TO START IN MELBOURNE

This article will be for all young travellers who choose to travel in Australia by themself , so, if you are a student,traveller, young, on a budget but excited to travel around : 

 YOU SHOULD STAY HERE!

1- FIND YOUR LOCATION

  My first real self-trip was in Australia, Melbourne for a WHV, early 18 years old i decide to fly for this amazing city, that was hard for my parent to let me go; i really want to share with you guys some tips . Many young travellers get on a Working Holiday Visa, few girls decide to do it by her own, that can be very scary to travel alone for a girl, but the first things you should notice is the place you will stay when landed.

 There is many websites such as couchsurfing , Airbnb to find out and know a little bit more about your future to be host! Couchsurfing can be a good start, I have done couchsurfing for my first month in Melbourne, it was really really helpful as i was on a budget, i was doing housework in exchange. It's not easy for a girl to stay in people's house so i recommend to choose carefully and prefere going to family's house. 

Many girls go for "AU PAIR" job, nice idea for girls who want to learn how culture is in Australia, baby sitting full time and have free accomodation : SUCH A GOOD DEAL!

 Some goes for Help Exchange , is kind like couchsurfing but this way are for thoses want to see wild, farm, and working approx 3 to 4 hours per day in exchange you got free homestay, free meals. 

And the final choice is of course BACKPACKERS hotel, i was feeling like going to backpackers was a good place to start in Melbourne for making friend, meeting others backpacker and listen to them advices/experiences, but i prefere to first staying in local family house to save my money for later. 
I heard a lot of stories about backpacker hotel, my host family was located in Balaclava, St Kilda street, so each times i was going for a little walk i was meeting a lot of travellers booking room in Xbase hostel; St Kilda is a nice place near Lunapark and st Kilda beach. A friend of mine told me that Elizabeth Hostel  was not too bad but not if you are a student need quiet place, this hotel is about $24/night in a dorm room (6 to 8ppl). 

I never been to backpack so if you guys have some great place to recommend, comment below! 

2- GET YOUR MYKI CARD

So, as a good citizen i bought my Myki Card, this one should never ever be out of your bag! 

Melbourne as a lot of public transport control, almost everyday i have been control for my train ticket, so be careful guys and always have your valid ticket.

You can buy your Myki card in a 7/11 or at Flinders station, only the card is $6, you can buy myki pass for a month, a week or even one way. 

You can also top up/charge your myki via internet, on PTV website.

Depends on your daily travel, there is 2 zone in train station, so you must be aware that your myki pass is going through the right one or both. 

Public Transport in Melbourne is very convenient because train station are mostly everywhere and approx every 5 to 10 minutes. 

3- GET YOUR MOBILE CARD

"Alo maman, je vais bien", Yeah that was part of the deal i make with my parent... calling right away when i get a feet in Melbourne! My choice was OPTUS prepaid mobile card, I saw that big mobile store on a Collins Street corner, I goes inside and ask this nice worker advice me to take the $30/month recharge, you got 4G, unlimited text for all Optus phone and calling oversea for 2hours.