Melbourne

Travel Guide
Southbank featuring a river or creek, a high rise building and a bridge

Melbourne Travel Guide Video

Australia’s capital of style artfully blends the elegance and grace of yesteryear with the bold new world of modern design and culture.

Melbourne is a city with one eye fixed on the past and another on the future. The capital city of the state of Victoria, it is known for its passion for food, coffee, fashion and art.

Stroll down Collins Street to see Victorian-era churches, art deco hotels and daring post-modern structures. Close by is Bourke Street Mall, where trams trundle through a boulevard of heritage-listed shops. 

Meander through the scenic grounds and admire the exhibition hall at Carlton Gardens. At nearby Federation Square, the collision of past and present continues. Angular modern buildings stand in contrast to neighboring Flinders Street Station and St. Paul’s Cathedral. 

While you are at “Fed Square,” visit the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) to learn about film history and try out digital technology. Spot the friendly ghost at the Princess Theatre. Or relive ancient voyages at the Immigration Museum.

Cross the Yarra River to explore Southbank’s restaurants and bars, the National Gallery of Victoria and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Take the elevator to Skydeck 88 in the Eureka Tower for breathtaking views of the city. 

Jump aboard one of Melbourne’s iconic trams to explore the suburbs. Not far from downtown is Carlton, where you’ll find the Melbourne Museum and the espresso bars of “Little Italy” on Lygon Street.  Pack your swimming costume and head to the seaside suburb of St. Kilda. After a dip in Port Phillip Bay, browse the suburb’s famous cake shops and vintage stores before heading to the bright lights and thrill rides of Luna Park.

Stay overnight in one of St. Kilda’s boutique hotels then rise early for a sunrise walk along the coastline to the brightly colored “bathing boxes” of Brighton Beach. Have your photo taken beside these heritage-listed structures, a perfect memento of this stylish city.

Where to stay in Melbourne

Melbourne CBD showing outdoor eating

Melbourne Central Business District

4.5/5(1,080 area reviews)

Discover a blend of contemporary and Victorian architecture, vibrant street art, and literary culture in this bustling city center. Explore famed alleyways, visit the State Library, and enjoy easy access to public transport hubs.

Melbourne Central Business District
Southbank featuring a bridge, a sunset and a river or creek

Southbank

High-rise development dominates this inner-city suburb, featuring the Southbank Promenade and Southgate Restaurant and Shopping Precinct. Enjoy the art and craft market on Sundays, and explore the area via tram lines or the Capital City Bicycle Trail.

Southbank
Docklands featuring a bay or harbor, night scenes and a skyscraper

Docklands

Striking contemporary architecture meets heritage buildings in this area, where visitors can shop at The District Docklands, ride the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel, and explore public art. Diverse dining options, sports courts, and various transport options make it a convenient choice.

Docklands
Sorrento featuring watersports and a beach

Sorrento

Coastal town Sorrento offers charter fishing boats from its pier, a summer ferry service to Queenscliff, and the historic Sorrento Park with a playground and BBQ facilities. Explore limestone buildings like the heritage-listed Sorrento Post Office.

Sorrento
Melbourne, VIC featuring interior views and an airport

Melbourne Airport

Located within the City of Hume, Melbourne Airport suburb is home to the Tullamarine Country Club and The Hangar, a training base for Essendon Football Club. Easily accessible by multiple bus routes and the upcoming Melbourne Airport rail link.

Melbourne Airport
Number 16 Beach in the Mornington Peninsula near Rye is a beautiful place to relax and watch the sunset. Try to visit during low tide #SMDdoesOZ #MorningtonPeninsula #Australia

Rye

Beaches, spas, and hot springs highlight some of the noteworthy features of Rye. Make a stop by Rye Beach or The Dunes Golf Links while you're exploring the neighborhood.

Rye
The Langham, Melbourne
The Langham, Melbourne
5 out of 5
One Southgate Avenue, Southbank, VIC
The price is $151 per night from Nov 17 to Nov 18
$151
includes taxes & fees
$137 per night
Nov 17 - Nov 18
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,010 reviews)
"Loved the bed, aliitle bit noisy fr9m rooms next to mine. Other than that it was good."

Reviewed on Oct 29, 2024

The Langham, Melbourne
The Victoria Hotel Melbourne
The Victoria Hotel Melbourne
3.5 out of 5
215 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC
The price is $92 per night from Nov 10 to Nov 11
$92
includes taxes & fees
$83 per night
Nov 10 - Nov 11
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,967 reviews)
"Good value great location"

Reviewed on Oct 29, 2024

The Victoria Hotel Melbourne
Great Southern Hotel Melbourne
Great Southern Hotel Melbourne
3.5 out of 5
44 Spencer Street, Melbourne, VIC
The price is $65 per night from Nov 27 to Nov 28
$65
includes taxes & fees
$59 per night
Nov 27 - Nov 28
Stay at this hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,603 reviews)
"Great Stay"

Reviewed on Oct 28, 2024

Great Southern Hotel Melbourne
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Pegasus Apart'Hotel
Pegasus Apart'Hotel
4 out of 5
206 A'Beckett Street, Melbourne, VIC
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Melbourne. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (7,543 reviews)
"Pegasus Apart’Hotel was a very well priced and conveniently located hotel. I would not hesitate staying there again."

Reviewed on Oct 29, 2024

Pegasus Apart'Hotel
Oaks Melbourne on Market Hotel
Oaks Melbourne on Market Hotel
4 out of 5
60 Market Street, Melbourne, VIC
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly aparthotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (4,411 reviews)
"Awesome place to stay in Melb CBD. Would highly recommend."

Reviewed on Oct 28, 2024

Oaks Melbourne on Market Hotel
Oaks Melbourne on Collins Suites
Oaks Melbourne on Collins Suites
4.5 out of 5
480 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC
Stay at this 4.5-star business-friendly aparthotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
7.4/10 Good! (3,976 reviews)
"Clean and comfortable. Quiet. Not very hands on by the reception staff. No problems."

Reviewed on Oct 27, 2024

Oaks Melbourne on Collins Suites
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Getting around Melbourne

Renting a car in Melbourne isn’t usually necessary, but you might like to have one for daytrips beyond the city boundaries, as Australia’s vast rural areas are often hard to access any other way. Explore the city itself using its extensive public transportation system, or rent a bike to travel at your own pace. Buy a reloadable myki card to pay for all your journeys on the bus, tram and train networks. Visit the Department of Transport (DOT) website. Browse Melbourne rental cars.

Best time to visit

Spring in Melbourne runs from September to November, while fall runs from March to May. Both seasons are great times to visit Melbourne. Unlike some other Australian destinations, the city does get fairly cool in the winter, which is between June and August. The summer months, December to February, don’t get overly hot, with highs of around 77 F (25 C). However, this is by far the busiest time of year.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Melbourne

4.5
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
338
" "5 - Excellent 58.68055555555556%
4 - Good
196
" "4 - Good 34.02777777777778%
3 - Okay
39
" "3 - Okay 6.770833333333333%
2 - Disappointing
2
" "2 - Disappointing 0.3472222222222222%
1 - Terrible
1
" "1 - Terrible 0.1736111111111111%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Despite the closure of almost every attraction, we enjoyed long walks in the Docklands, along the Yarra River, in the many and beautiful parks, through the CBD and neighborhoods.

5/5 - Excellent

Randy

Some of the best Botanical Gardens and river walks in the country

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

There wasn't much to do if you didn't go to Great Ocean Road and Phillip Island. Food and price were good at Crown Casino's restaurants.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

A lovely city. I definitely will visit again if I have a chance.

5/5 - Excellent

Jay

Vibrant city with lots to do and great variety of food.

3/5 - Okay

India

Melbourne reminds me of a smaller New York City, very busy, not very clean but has lots of walking and public transport.

Cities near Melbourne