Melbourne is a popular tour destination for many independent travellers. For these travellers, when it comes to arrange the itineraries, they often consider more on saving time and money.
So, how can we save time and money?
Today, I want to introduce the iVenture Card to you. It's a pre-paid attraction pass that is not only extremely helpful for your budget holiday but also allows you to have a smooth tour experiences. This article will be your ultimate must-know guide of iVenture Card. Ready? Let's start.
1. What is iVenture Card?
In my other articles about Gold Coast iVenture Card, Tasmania iVenture Card, Sydney iVenture Card and Australia Multi-City iVenture Card, I have also mentioned:
iVenture Card is an attraction pass. It offers a variety of packages, that contain different options of attractions for you to choose from. You can choose a package that provides access to a limited numbers of attractions within specific timeframe, or a package that grants you comprehensive pass to all of the attractions within a certain period. The iVenture Card can eventually help you save about 40% to 50% on the entry fees.
What is more, with this "Smart Card" pre-embedded with a chip that records your purchase, there is no need to wait in line to buy tickets or present coupons upon arrival. Simply show and swipe your card, and you are ready in. Definitely a must-have to save money and time for your trip.
(The iVenture card can also be used at the world-known tour spot, Great Ocean Road.)
2. Melbourne Attractions Pass Options
There are 3 options for people who want to travel Melbourne and use iVenture:
1. The Melbourne Flexi Attractions Pass, which can be used in 3, 5, or 7 attractions (not repeated) chosen from about 30 top-rated Melbourne attractions.
2. The Melbourne Unlimited Attractions Pass, which offers you access (not repeated) to all of the 30 Melbourne attractions within either 3 or 7 consecutive days.
3. The Melbourne Day Tours Combo, that combines 2 Day trips and 1 or 3 attractions of your choice (not repeated) from the 30 top Melbourne attractions.
Basically, all of the three cards offer great values, but they have different limitations. One is to be used within limited days, another is to be used for a limited number of attractions, and the other is to be used along with 2 day trips. However, the attractions available for choosing are all the same. In total, there are around 30 top-rated attractions, but the pass content for different attractions may be slightly different. Details have been organised as follows:
| List of Attractions (Personal recommendations are marked with ★) | Original Price (AUD) | iVenture Card Discounts |
| Eureka Skydeck 88 ★ | Adult: $20 Child: $11.5 | One ticket to Eureka Observation Deck |
| SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium ★ | Adult: $42 Child: $28 | One ticket to SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium |
| Phillip Island Day Tour (Combo Only) ★ | Adult: $169 Child: $85 | Phillip Island Day Tour ※ Bookings essential. Only available with the Melbourne Day Tours Combo. |
| Melbourne Star Observation Wheel ★ | Adult: $36 Child: $22 | One ticket to Melbourne Star Observation Wheel |
| Melbourne Zoo ★ | Adult: $38 Child: $19 | One ticket to Melbourne Zoo |
| Great Ocean Road Day Tour (Combo Only) ★ | Adult: $165 Child: $83 | Great Ocean Road Day Tour ※ Bookings essential. Only available with the Melbourne Day Tours Combo. |
| AAT Kings-Melbourne Sightseeing Tour | Adult: $71 Child: $36 | One Melbourne City Sights Coach Tour (Bookings essential) |
| LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre | Adults & Child: $32.5 | One ticket to Legoland® Discovery Center |
| Left Bank Melbourne | Depends on the menu | $25 off any meal |
| Virtual Room Melbourne | Adults & Child: $59 | One ticket to Virtual Room Melbourne (bookings essential). |
| Healesville Sanctuary ★ | Adult: $38 Child: $19 | One ticket to Healesville Sanctuary |
| Melbourne City Sightseeing | Adult: $35 Child: $15 | One bus ticket for city sightseeing bus |
| Moonraker Wildlife Adventure Tour ★ | Adult: $55 Child: $25 | 90-minute wildlife guided tour ※ Bookings essential. Only available from November to April. |
| Old Melbourne Gaol | Adult: $28 Child: $15 | One ticket to Melbourne Goal, Austalia's oldest prison |
| Phillip Island Nature Parks ★ | Adult: $44.4 Child: $22.1 | Park pass of Phillip Island |
| Werribee Open Range Zoo | Adult: $38 Child: $19 | One ticket to Werribee Open Range Zoo |
| Moonlit Sanctuary | Adult: $24 Child: $12 | One ticket for Moonlit Sanctuary (Daytime entry only. Extra $20 for night pass.) |
| Melbourne River Cruises | Adult: $25 Child: $12 | 1-hour cruise tour |
| Kayak Melbourne | Adults & Child: $99 | Moonlight Kayak Tour for $35. (bookings essential) |
| Ashcombe Maze and Lavender Gardens | Adult: $18.5 Child: $10 | One ticket to Ashcombe Maze and Lavender Gardens |
| Carlton Brewhouse Melbourne | Adult: $31 Child: Free | One guided tour of Carlton Brewhouse (bookings essential) |
| Cook's Cottage | Adult: $6.5 Child: $3.5 | One ticket to Cook's Cottage |
| Ghosts of the Old City Ghost Tour | Adult: $36 Child: Free | Single admission (bookings essential) |
| IceBar Melbourne | Adult: $39 Child: $19 | One ticket to IceBar Melbourne |
| Meat Market South Wharf | Depends on the menu | $25 off any meal |
| Melbourne Cricket Ground | Adult: $35 Child: $18 | One guided tour of Melbourne Cricket Ground |
| Old Melbourne Ghost Tour | Adult: $36 Child: Free | Single admission (bookings essential) |
| Polly Woodside | Adult: $16 Child: $9.5 | One ticket to the Polly Woodside |
| Queen Street Rescue (Flexi Pass Only) | Depends on the menu | $25 off any meal ※ Only available with the Melbourne Flexi Attractions Pass |
| Rippon Lea House and Garden | Adult: $15 Child: $9 | Single admission |
| Seasons Provedore | $22 | Free pizza or pasta (bookings essential) |
(iVenture Card also offers one day tour to the Melbourne’s famous attraction, Phillip Island [Photo by Visit Victoria].)
3. Where can I buy iVenture Card?
The above picture shows the prices of each Melbourne iVenture package on the official website. Melbourne Flexi Attractions Pass ranges from A$109 to A$215. Melbourne Unlimited Attraction Pass is A$219 or A$255. Melbourne Day Tours Combo is A$280 or A$339. While you can find promotions on the official website from time to time to get a further discount, it is also recommended that you can check out some booking managing websites to get even better price than the official website. For example, Klook's iVenture Melbourne Unlimited Attractions Pass and iVenture Melbourne Flexi Attractions Pass are about A$20 to A$35 cheaper than the original prices.
What's more, in terms of value you get from the iVenture package, buying from a service provider like Klook is also more recommended. Assuming you are going to visit those attractions with higher entry fee, you are estimated to save about A$85 to A$158 with Melbourne Flexi Attractions Pass or about A$125 to A$189 with Melbourne Day Tours Combo. If you buy the pass from Klook, you are going to save more! As for the Melbourne Unlimited Attractions Pass, it depends on the itinerary of each person. The more you see, the more you save.
Although iVenture Card can be very helpful for your trip planning and saving, but regardless of which pass you are going to choose, it all comes down to two simple things. Which attraction are you interested in? What kind of trip you are planning to do? Choose iVenture only when your ideal attractions are in the list. Then use the card to save money and enjoy the visit at the same time.
Finally, I have integrated the attractions listed above, along with Melbourne's other tourist attractions and basic sightseeing information in the Melbourne Attractions Map. You can turn on and off different layers to find what you want. Feel free to star and share the map if you think it's useful.
(Eureka Skydeck 88, Melbourne Star Observation Wheel, and other Melbourne city attractions are also in the attraction list of the iVenture Card.)
4. More information about iVenture Card
Down below, I've included the collection points and some additional information that you should know after purchasing the iVenture Card:
(1) iVenture Card collection points:1. Download and activate iPass to your mobile: Activate Your iVenture Card
2. Discover Melbourne: 261 Little Collins St, Melbourne
3. Halftix Melbourne: 208 Little Collins Street, Melbourne
※ For most updated information, please visit the iVenture website
(2) Additional information:
1. After purchasing, the card must be collected within 6 months.
2. After the first use, the card is valid for 3 months (except for Melbourne Unlimited Attractions Pass).
3. Swipe the iPass or the iVenture Card for entry at most of the attractions. At some venues, you might need to present the card to exchange for an entry ticket.
4. Discount for the same attraction can only be redeemed once and cannot be reused.
Here are all for the introduction to the Melbourne iVenture Card. In summary, if you are planning to visit those attractions which are included in the iVenture package, iVenture Card will be a convenient and cost-saving option for you. Finally, feel free to share the article if you like it.