I think Melbourne fares are affordable if you are doing a heap of network sightseeing and going far.
The base fare is $4.50 on myki, which is more expensive than a 2 zone fare here in Qld.
So basically in Melbourne you are forced to pay for $4.50 for 50km worth of travel to Packenham potentially, whereas in Qld we have the option of paying just $3.29 if we only have to go to Darra for example.
Or even just $2.70 if we only have to go to St Lucia.
We also pay less for longer distances. For example Geelong is 72km from SXS and is $13.60.
Nerang is 76km and $10.86