We live in an era where the Internet has put the world at our fingertips and with smart phones we can take the world with us wherever we go. Travelling used to be about researching and booking before you left, now a lot of travelers just research and book as they go. A traveler’s electronic soulmate has to be free Wi-Fi. Free Wi-Fi not only saves us from hefty mobile data charges, but also gives us the liberty to access the internet without using a cellular connection. Worldwide many cities are transforming to offer free Wi-Fi to its citizens.
Luckily, when it comes to Wi-Fi, Melbourne is well equipped and there are many free Wi-Fi hotspots around the city. Most restaurants and cafes offer complimentary Wi-Fi with their services. These are great places and money-savers for tourists to sit and have a meal while getting back to their family abroad using free Wi-Fi.
Among the places with free Wi-Fi in Melbourne, Federation Square by the Yarra River is very popular. Playing your favorite online game sitting with the view of the river is an amazing experience in itself.
Couldn’t find a place to sit in the square? Move to Flinders St Railway Station just across the road, switch on Wi-Fi on your device, select “Metro Wi-Fi” from the list of available networks, and let your friends on Facebook know what you’re enjoying in Melbourne.
Most public Libraries and Museums across the city offer free Wi-Fi access in addition to bars and hotels.
For those in central part of the city, free Wi-Fi is being launched in central Melbourne, Ballarat and Bendigo. Central Melbourne has wide coverage of free Wi-Fi extending from the entrance of Victoria street to the whole of Queen Victoria Market.
In Central Ballarat, Sturt Street at Queen Victoria Square, opposite Ballarat Town Hall, has a pretty fast Wi-Fi network. However, if you find this place too crowded with teenagers sitting sticking to their mobile screens, Bendigo Art Gallery is the place for you. Sit in this quiet art gallery reading your favourite eBook or share the beautiful Street Art in this Precinct on Instagram.
If you are having touble accessing free Wi-Fi in Melbourne,follow these Steps:
- Locate your nearest WiFi hotspot
- Go to the Wi-Fi settings on your mobile device and select VicGovFreeWiFi
- Follow the prompts on the screen to connect
- Start using WiFi
VicGovFreeWiFi stands for Victorian free public Wi-Fi network project, a project to cover whole of Victoria with Wi-Fi, including Melbourne. The project is still in development and more Wi-Fi hotpots will become available during 2015.
NOTE: Free Wi-Fi means it’s free to use and you don’t need to provide any personal information like Name, Email or Password. Stay Cautious!