Billiards, Bouldering and Blockbusters: How To Do Melbourne on a Student Budget

There’s a particular kind of freedom in being a student in Melbourne: a tram pass, a few spare hours between classes and a city that rewards anyone willing to wander. The trick is knowing where to look.

This city is stacked with ways to fill an afternoon or a whole weekend, from spinning records to scaling walls, and plenty of it is gentle on a student budget.

Here’s where to start.

Urban Climb Collingwood

Staying active in the inner city is an exciting challenge at Urban Climb. It’s a short walk from the 86 tram route and Collingwood train station, making it a quick stop on your way in or out of the city.

The community here makes the colossal venue feel thrilling rather than overwhelming. Inside, there’s a bouldering gym, fitness studio, yoga studio and even a co-working space, so you can problem-solve on and off the wall.

Urban Climb also runs bouldering and fitness classes, so even if you’re an absolute beginner, you’re sorted. There’s a student rate of $23 per person, plus two weeks of free climbing and classes after your first paid session. If you want to commit, membership is $31 a week, and once a month, you can bring a friend for free.

The Red Triangle

Just off Johnston Street in Fitzroy lies The Red Triangle. Since 1977, it’s been paradise for pool players.

It’s a quiet, warmly lit spot with snooker and pool tables stretching as far as the eye can see. If you just want to soak in the vibe, settle into the lounge area with one of Red Triangle’s deluxe milkshakes. On Tuesdays before 6pm, standard table hire is a cool $12, half of the usual $24. Want to practise on your own? Rent a table for $17 an hour.

If you’re looking to go all in, yearly membership is $300, with benefits including half-price table hire and entry into the annual Red Triangle pool championship.

Lido Cinemas

Lido Cinemas has been a student favourite for years. Its bold, black exterior stands proud on Glenferrie Road, just outside the Glenferrie station and a 10-minute train from the city.

Tucked inside its vintage walls are eight indoor theatres, with an open-air cinema atop the building. Special screenings and year-round events set Lido apart – it’s not every day you get to see a live jazz band and a movie on the same night.

On Wednesdays, student prices start at $12, and you can knock it down to $8 by joining the movie club. Membership is $20 a year and comes with perks like ticket discounts and exclusive preview screenings. Blockbusters, cult classics, independent and international – Lido gives you a taste of all of it.

Alley Tunes

If music is more your thing, Alley Tunes is the place. Right beside Glenferrie station is a haven for physical media enthusiasts, where you can buy, sell and trade in-store. Prices start from $7, on more than 17,000 vinyl records, CDs, and DVDs. Alley Tunes lets you listen before you buy, so you can curate your collection from your very first record. Plus, there’s coffee and outdoor seating – it’s easy to lose your whole afternoon here.

Hawthorn Aquatic and Leisure Centre

In the depths of winter, the Hawthorn Aquatic and Leisure Centre’s 20-metre indoor pool is the real draw. Heated to a balmy 34 degrees, it’s made for gentle laps, aqua aerobics or simply thawing out after a cold walk to class.

If you’d rather work up a sweat than wind down, there’s a dry-heat sauna alongside it. When the weather turns warm, the 50-metre outdoor pool has lanes for every skill and speed level, so you can channel your inner Olympian or take it easy.

Entry comes with both concession and youth pricing, and Swinburne university students can grab 10 discounted swims with a Splash Pass from the Swinburne Student Association.

Explore Open Day at Swinburne

If you’re already on Glenferrie Road and looking for more to do, Swinburne’s Open Day on Sunday July 26 has heaps of activities to keep you entertained from start to finish – and you might just find your dream career.

It’s the day to get your burning questions answered by industry experts and meet the students already getting real-world experience in the fields they study. You can check out state-of-the-art equipment, like the virtual anatomy lab training thousands of future healthcare workers and the flight simulators training real pilots.

Best of all, Open Day is free. You can register now and get on your way to a career you love – and while you’re at it, enter Swinburne’s giveaway for a shot at $1000 for you and $1000 for a cause you care about.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Swinburne University of Technology.

Ada Konstantine is a Bachelor of Media and Communications student at Swinburne University of Technology.