Melbourne

Travel Guide

Southbank showing a bridge, a city and a river or creek
Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne featuring a city, landscape views and a skyscraper
State Library of Victoria showing interior views, an administrative building and heritage architecture

Melbourne Travel Guide Video

From historic monuments to ultra-modern malls, ancient art to cutting-edge culture, Melbourne effortlessly blends past and present.

The capital of the state of Victoria is one of Australia’s most stylish and sophisticated cities, combining old-world colonial charm with modern-day convenience. Visitors will be quickly seduced by its food and its fashions, its art and its architecture, its culture and its coffee.The city centre is packed with heritage-listed buildings, many of them dating back to Victorian times. The historic churches and sumptuous art deco hotels, the elegant arcades of Bourke Street Mall and Flinders Street Station, the oldest train station in Australia, sit comfortably alongside the futuristic glass-and-steel exhibition spaces around Federation Square and the iconic Eureka Tower, which offers panoramic views across the city from the observation deck on the 88th floor.There’s no shortage of cultural contrasts either, from state-of-the-art digital technology at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image and contemporary painting at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, to international and indigenous masterpieces at the National Gallery of Victoria and local treasures at the Melbourne Museum. The latter is even home to one of Australia’s great sporting icons, the legendary racehorse Phar Lap.Take a breather in one of the city parks, wander around the Royal Botanic Gardens, or head off for a dip in the cooling waters of Port Phillip Bay at St. Kilda or Brighton Beach. Jump on and off Melbourne’s famous trams to explore the four corners of the city, maybe alighting at the popular beach-front Luna Park to ride the historic rollercoaster, or visit bustling, atmospheric Queen Victoria Market to pick up some delicious locally sourced produce.Dining out is a breeze in cosmopolitan Melbourne, where you can easily sample a different cuisine every night. Head for Lygon Street, Australia’s “Little Italy”, for the best pasta and pizza outside the old country, enjoy the bohemian atmosphere of Flinders Lane in the heart of the city’s cultural quarter, or go upmarket in stylish Collins Street, home of the famous art deco Hopetoun Tearooms.Melbourne is sometimes called the gateway to Australia and this friendly, sophisticated and culturally diverse city certainly gives visitors a perfect introduction to the country’s rich heritage, stunning natural beauty and infectious zest for life.

Where to stay in Melbourne

Melbourne CBD showing outdoor eating

Melbourne Central Business District

4.5/5(400 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Melbourne Central Business District. Check out top attractions like Melbourne Central and Collins Street, and jump on the metro at Melbourne Central Station or Flagstaff Station to see more of the city.

Melbourne Central Business District
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Southbank

Are you interested in stunning river views, first-class casinos and popular shops? A visit to Southbank might be the perfect thing. You can also explore top sights like Crown Casino and Melbourne Skydeck.

Southbank
Docklands which includes a bay or harbour, night scenes and a high-rise building

Docklands

Travellers come to Docklands for its waterfront views, and you can see top attractions like Marvel Stadium and Collins Street while you're in town.

Docklands
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Melbourne Airport

Melbourne Airport is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to URBNSURF Sports Park or Woodlands Historic Park.

Melbourne Airport
Sorrento featuring a sandy beach and water sports

Sorrento

Sorrento is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Sorrento Front Beach and Searoad Ferry Terminal.

Sorrento
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Rye

Beaches, spas and hot springs are just a few things travellers enjoy about Rye. Check out Rye Beach or The Dunes Golf Links while you're exploring the area.

Rye
Holiday Inn Express Melbourne Little Collins by IHG
Holiday Inn Express Melbourne Little Collins by IHG
4 out of 5
589-599 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC
The price is S$158 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
S$158
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free breakfast, a 24-hour fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,529 reviews)
"This Holiday Inn property is conveniently located near the Southern Cross station making transportation very easy. The hotel is modern with updated rooms. The on-site restaurant serves a delicious hot breakfast buffet with many food options. The staff was welcoming and helpful. I really appreciated ..."

Reviewed on 8 Jul, 2025

Holiday Inn Express Melbourne Little Collins by IHG
Atlantis Hotel, Melbourne
Atlantis Hotel, Melbourne
4 out of 5
300 Spencer Street, Melbourne, VIC
The price is S$101 per night from 14 Jul to 15 Jul
S$101
14 Jul - 15 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly motel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,979 reviews)
"Close to station and trans"

Reviewed on 11 Jul, 2025

Atlantis Hotel, Melbourne
Great Southern Hotel Melbourne
Great Southern Hotel Melbourne
3.5 out of 5
44 Spencer Street, Melbourne, VIC
Fully refundable
The price is S$76 per night from 15 Jul to 16 Jul
S$76
15 Jul - 16 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,153 reviews)
"Very helpful and friendly staff and cleanliness of rooms. Convenience of having meals on site, and easy walk to station for us."

Reviewed on 12 Jul, 2025

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.
Meriton Suites Melbourne
Meriton Suites Melbourne
5 out of 5
140 King St, Melbourne, VIC
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, a sauna, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (633 reviews)
"A great property. Every single staff member we encountered was friendly and helpful. The facilities were modern and clean. It's close to a train station and eateries, the main shopping area is a little bit of a walk if that's what you want to do. Enjoyed staying very much."

Reviewed on 11 Jul, 2025

Meriton Suites Melbourne
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! (7,951 reviews)
"Wegg to close to the markets and a short walk to the trams"

Reviewed on 10 Jul, 2025

Pegasus Apart'Hotel
Quest NewQuay
Quest NewQuay
4 out of 5
26 Caravel Lane, Docklands, VIC
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (716 reviews)
"Great position to easily access the footy and the city. Easy check in and great service. Excellent size room for a family."

Reviewed on 11 Jul, 2025

Quest NewQuay
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.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Melbourne

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
101
5 - Excellent 55%
4 - Good
67
4 - Good 36%
3 - Okay
15
3 - Okay 8%
2 - Disappointing
2
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Myki a bit confusing. Pricing not great for this. You pay the same price for one stop or multiple stops! It's free within the cbd itself though. Try Lune croissanterie 161 Collins Street!!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Melbourne is a beautiful city. There are lots of parks, great boat ride through the city to willimastown and the trams are very convenient. The new skyscrapers surprised me as the colours change as the sun strikes them from different angles.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A lively city dotted with marvelous coffee shops and cafe. A must visit for anyone who is looking for a vibrant city with a cool and laid-back atmosphere.

4/5 - Good

Steve

Cool city lots of options and multicultural.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

It's not in the same League as Sydney but well worth a couple of days visit especially to take the ferry down the River Yara to Williamstown.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

We are a group of six traveling g from Bangkok and we had an amazing time in Melbourne during Australian Open. Love the people from Melbourne. They are very friendly and lovely people. Hope to come back again next year! Thank you ❤️