Melbourne

Travel Guide
Southbank showing a bridge, a city and a river or creek

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
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
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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Rye

Beaches, spas and hot springs are just a few things travellers enjoy about Rye. Check out Rye Beach or Mornington Peninsula National Park while you're exploring the area.

Rye
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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
Great Southern Hotel Melbourne
Great Southern Hotel Melbourne
3.5 out of 5
44 Spencer Street, Melbourne, VIC
The price is S$91 per night from 4 Apr to 5 Apr
S$91
per night
4 Apr - 5 Apr
Stay at this hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,136 reviews)
"Great service"

Reviewed on 28 Mar,2024

Great Southern Hotel Melbourne
The Victoria Hotel Melbourne
The Victoria Hotel Melbourne
3.5 out of 5
215 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC
The price is S$122 per night from 7 Apr to 8 Apr
S$122
per night
7 Apr - 8 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the restaurant and the bar in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,691 reviews)
"After having to find alternative accommodation The Victoria Hotel was a welcome change from where we had just left. The price was very expensive for one night but it was a big weekend in Melbourne. The room was clean and the staff were very friendly."

Reviewed on 27 Mar,2024

The Victoria Hotel Melbourne
Rydges Melbourne
Rydges Melbourne
4.5 out of 5
186 Exhibition Street,, Melbourne, VIC
The price is S$198 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
S$198
per night
14 Apr - 15 Apr
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (270 reviews)
"Date night"

Reviewed on 25 Mar,2024

Rydges 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, a fitness center, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (7,188 reviews)
"Close to CBD"

Reviewed on 24 Mar,2024

Pegasus Apart'Hotel
Citadines on Bourke Melbourne
Citadines on Bourke Melbourne
4.5 out of 5
131-135 Bourke Street, Melbourne, VIC
Stay at this 4.5-star family-friendly aparthotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (4,424 reviews)
"Good area, nice clean rooms"

Reviewed on 25 Mar,2024

Citadines on Bourke Melbourne
Aura on Flinders Serviced Apartments
Aura on Flinders Serviced Apartments
4 out of 5
707/534 Flinders st, (Enter via 7 Katherine Pl), Melbourne, VIC
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8/10 Very Good! (2,519 reviews)
"We had a fantastic night stay. We had last minute change of plans and had to stay in Melbourne so it was a very last minute 9.30pm booking and it was no problem. Very easy quick booking and check in with friendly staff at front desk. Apartment was beautiful and clean, beds were comfortable. We left ..."

Reviewed on 27 Mar,2024

Aura on Flinders Serviced Apartments
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 54.5945945945946%
4 - Good
67
" "4 - Good 36.21621621621622%
3 - Okay
15
" "3 - Okay 8.108108108108109%
2 - Disappointing
2
" "2 - Disappointing 1.0810810810810811%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
30 Mar 2020

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
18 Mar 2020

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
19 Feb 2020

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
8 Feb 2020

Cool city lots of options and multicultural.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
6 Feb 2020

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
4 Feb 2020

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 ❤️