Your stay — Bev & Mick's Backpackers
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The Property — Bev & Mick's Backpackers
Bev & Mick's is a no-frills backpackers in North Melbourne, a short tram ride from the city centre. The lobby smells faintly of toast and disinfectant, with second-hand sofas, a notice board of pub crawls, and a reception desk that doubles as a tour-booking hub. It suits solo travellers and budget mates who need a clean bed, shared kitchen, and a social vibe without any pretence. Expect dorm rooms with metal lockers, a sunny courtyard, and the occasional snorer in the bunk below.
Chronicles of Melbourne
Melbourne was founded in 1835 by free settlers from Tasmania, who named it after the British prime minister. The 1850s gold rush turned it into a boomtown, leaving ornate Victorian and Edwardian terraces and the grand arcades around Collins Street. The 1950s and 60s saw a wave of Greek and Italian immigration, reshaping the city's food and cafe culture. Today, Melbourne is Australia's cultural capital, known for its hidden laneways, street art, football (AFL) obsession, and year-round calendar of festivals, music and sport.
Best Time to Visit
Full Melbourne guide →Best months
March and April (autumn) for settled weather, fewer crowds, and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in March–April; November (spring) for jacaranda blooms and pleasant warmth without peak heat.
Peak / festival surge
January (peak summer, Australian Open tennis) and December (Christmas, school holidays). Hotel prices double or triple, and hostels like Bev & Mick's often sell out weeks ahead. The Grand Prix (March), AFL Grand Final (September), and Melbourne Cup (first Tuesday in November) also spike demand.
Budget shoulder season
February (still warm but quieter after the Open) and October (spring, mild, before summer rush). Discounts of 20–30% are common, and you'll dodge the worst queues.
Weather & packing
Melbourne famously has 'four seasons in one day' — a sunny morning can turn into a cold, rainy afternoon without warning. Pack a waterproof jacket and layers you can peel off or add during the day, even in summer.
Live City Briefing — Melbourne
- The Metro Tunnel is due to open in 2025, but from July 2026, expect some line closures and bus replacements on the City Loop as final testing happens — check Public Transport Victoria for daily updates.
- The Queen Victoria Market's summer night markets end in March, but from July it runs winter 'Night Noodle Markets' (June–August) with food stalls and live music, a 10-minute walk from the hostel.
- Melbourne's new 24-hour night train service on the Frankston line started in late 2025, though not all routes are covered — carry a myki card for trams and check late-night bus alternatives.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Bev & Mick's Backpackers, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room at the back of the building on the first floor or higher. The ground floor can get noise from the reception and common areas.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms facing the street on the ground floor, as Melbourne's trams run late and early, and foot traffic from the bar district carries. Also avoid rooms near the stairwell if you're a light sleeper.
Best views
No particular view to speak of at this central backpackers — it's a city view of buildings and trams. Ask for a room overlooking the internal courtyard if they have one.
Quietest floors
First floor or higher, away from the main street and lift lobby.
🔊 Noise notes
Melbourne's trams run along many main streets until midnight and resume around 5am. The hotel's location near Flinders Street or the CBD means late-night noise from bars and early-morning traffic. The lift motor can be audible to adjacent rooms.
Insider tips
Check-in is usually quick, but arrive after 2pm to avoid queues. There's no on-site parking, so use the nearby Wilson Parking on Russell Street or Flinders Lane. Ask for a fan at reception if the room feels stuffy.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Bev & Mick's Backpackers
Free for all guests, no login; speed ~10 Mbps down, reliable in common areas, weaker in rear rooms.
No lift. Two-storey Victorian terrace, stairs only to all dorm and private rooms.
No newspapers. One shared lounge TV with free-to-air channels. Building is a restored 1880s terrace with original fireplaces in common room.
14:00–20:00 standard; early bag drop from 10:00 (free); late check-out until 12:00 (AUD 20), after 12:00 charged half-night. Weekend check-in until 21:00.
Free in locked luggage room, access key from reception. Available check-in day until 18:00 and check-out day from 08:00.
Step-free entry via side ramp (call ahead). No lift, narrow doors, no adapted bathrooms. Ground-floor twin room available but no wheelchair turning space.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park: Wilson Parking at 42 Fitzroy Street, AUD 25 per 24h. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; AUD 50 cash or card hold for incidentals at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Saint Carthages (333 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Centre for Theology and Ministry (633 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: St Jude's Anglican Church (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
- Church: St Mary's Anglican Church (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Lygon Court Shopping Centre — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
The Bulpadock — 199 m · ~2 min walk
Grainger Museum — 263 m · ~3 min walk
The Melba Hall — 306 m · ~4 min walk
NaturePlay — 668 m · ~8 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 390 m · ~5 min walk
HealthSmart Pharmacy — 753 m · ~9 min walk
7-Eleven — 610 m · ~8 min walk
Parkville — 607 m · ~8 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Australian Dollar, AUD
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid currency exchange at the airport or tourist bureaux as they charge poor rates and high fees.
Cards are widely accepted everywhere, including contactless and mobile pay (e.g., Apple Pay, Google Pay). Small vendors may be cash-only.
Tipping is not expected or required; round up for good service in taxis, leave 5–10% at upscale restaurants if you wish, but it's rare for hotel staff to be tipped.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A standard flat white or latte from a local cafe runs about A$4.50–5.00.
A sandwich, salad, or bowl from a cafe or food court costs A$10–15.
A main course at a pub or casual restaurant is A$20–28.
Queen Victoria Market food court and nearby laneway stalls offer Asian and Middle Eastern eats for A$8–15.
Aldi and Woolworths are the main budget supermarket chains in this area.
High-street chain stores like Cotton On, Target, and Kmart (at Melbourne Central or Northland) are affordable; op shops (thrift stores) are common in suburbs like Fitzroy.
A myki card with daily cap of A$10.60 (zone 1) covers all trams, trains, and buses. From the airport, take the SkyBus (A$23.75 one-way) or a shared shuttle (A$22).
Buy a myki card at a station or convenience store (not on the bus) to avoid surcharges. Eat at food courts or market stalls instead of sit-down restaurants. Walk or free tram zone (city centre) to save on transport.
Good to know — Melbourne
Type I · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ A$1.44 · AUD
Emergency Contacts
MelbourneTriple zero (000) is the main number for police, fire or ambulance in life-threatening situations. For non-urgent police matters call 131 444. For health advice, call Nurse-on-Call on 1300 60 60 24. In a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Melbourne, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Bev & Mick's Backpackers
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 390 m · ~5 min walk — pharmacy · HealthSmart Pharmacy — 753 m · ~9 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Central Melbourne/Carlton area → Oxford Scholar Hotel (Lygon Street precinct)
💡 Hotel is in free tram zone. Use trams 1, 3, or 8 for exploring Lygon Street restaurants and city center. Routes 1 and 3 go to Parliament House.
Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) → Oxford Scholar Hotel, Carlton
💡 Most economical option. Skybus to Southern Cross Station, then tram 1 or 3 north to Grattan Street (Carlton). Buy myki card for unlimited local tram travel.
Melbourne CBD → Oxford Scholar Hotel, Carlton
💡 Routes 200-204 connect Carlton to CBD. Less frequent than trams but good for avoiding hill climbs. Night Network available after midnight on selected routes.
Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) → Oxford Scholar Hotel, Carlton
💡 Pre-book through your hotel to lock in rates. Uber typically cheaper than traditional taxis during peak hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Bev & Mick's Backpackers?
Request a room at the back of the building on the first floor or higher. The ground floor can get noise from the reception and common areas.
Which rooms should I avoid at Bev & Mick's Backpackers?
Avoid rooms facing the street on the ground floor, as Melbourne's trams run late and early, and foot traffic from the bar district carries. Also avoid rooms near the stairwell if you're a light sleeper.
Is Bev & Mick's Backpackers noisy?
Melbourne's trams run along many main streets until midnight and resume around 5am. The hotel's location near Flinders Street or the CBD means late-night noise from bars and early-morning traffic. The lift motor can be audible to adjacent rooms.
Which rooms have the best views at Bev & Mick's Backpackers?
No particular view to speak of at this central backpackers — it's a city view of buildings and trams. Ask for a room overlooking the internal courtyard if they have one.
What are insider tips for staying at Bev & Mick's Backpackers?
Check-in is usually quick, but arrive after 2pm to avoid queues. There's no on-site parking, so use the nearby Wilson Parking on Russell Street or Flinders Lane. Ask for a fan at reception if the room feels stuffy.
What time is check-in at Bev & Mick's Backpackers?
Check-in at Bev & Mick's Backpackers is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Bev & Mick's Backpackers have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests, no login; speed ~10 Mbps down, reliable in common areas, weaker in rear rooms.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Bev & Mick's Backpackers?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Bev & Mick's Backpackers?
A sandwich, salad, or bowl from a cafe or food court costs A$10–15.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Bev & Mick's Backpackers?
A myki card with daily cap of A$10.60 (zone 1) covers all trams, trains, and buses. From the airport, take the SkyBus (A$23.75 one-way) or a shared shuttle (A$22).
When is the best time to visit Melbourne?
March and April (autumn) for settled weather, fewer crowds, and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in March–April; November (spring) for jacaranda blooms and pleasant warmth without peak heat.
Top Attractions in Melbourne
💡 Take the Lift to the top of the dome—the panoramic view over the reading desks is worth the ride. Just off the main entrance there's a free cloak room. Bring a notebook and read at one of the original long tables.
💡 Go Wednesday night for the summer Night Market (free entry, but extra stalls and music). The deli hall has excellent boreks from the Turkish stall. Bring cash—some produce stalls are cheaper than card-friendly ones.
💡 The NGV Triennial (summer) and major ticketed exhibitions cost, but the entire permanent collection is free. Go on Friday evenings when it stays open late and there's often live music. Queue for the water-wall out front.
💡 The fairies at the Fairy Tree (a stump carved with tiny doors) are a favourite for kids—look near the pond. Walk the 'Model Tudor Village' (a bit kitsch but fun). Pack a picnic: the lawns are quiet on weekdays.
💡 Arrive before 9am to spot wild rosellas and ibises. The Guided Aboriginal Heritage Walk runs at 11am most days — sign up online, it's free but fills quickly.