Melbourne

Travel Guide
Southbank featuring a high-rise building, a river or creek 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. It’s the capital city of the state of Victoria and the country’s capital of style, where good food, coffee, fashion and art are revered.

Exploring the city center will immediately bring Melbourne’s fusion of new and old to light. 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 buildings tastefully converted into modern shops.

At nearby Federation Square, this delightful collision of the past and present continues. Angular modern buildings stand in futuristic contrast to neighboring Flinders Street Station, St. Paul’s Cathedral and the timeless elegance of the Yarra River. While at “Fed Square,” visit the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) to learn about the country’s history of film and television, and experiment with the latest digital technology.

Cross the river and explore Southbank’s restaurants and bars, the National Gallery of Victoria and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Then take the elevator to Skydeck 88 in the Eureka Tower for breathtaking views of the park-filled city.

Once you’ve explored the city center, jump aboard one of Melbourne’s iconic trams and explore the suburbs. Not far from downtown is Carlton, where you’ll find the Melbourne Museum, and the espresso bars and restaurants of “Little Italy” on Lygon Street.  

Pack your towel and 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 by these heritage-listed structures, a perfect memento of this effortlessly stylish and most liveable of cities.

Where to stay in Melbourne

Melbourne CBD showing outdoor eating

Melbourne Central Business District

4.5/5(285 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 CA $198 per night from Nov. 17 to Nov. 18
CA $198
CA $218 total
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,009 reviews)
"Building site next door"

Reviewed on Oct. 28, 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 CA $114 per night from Dec. 1 to Dec. 2
CA $114
CA $126 total
includes taxes & fees
Dec 1 - Dec 2
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 CA $82 per night from Dec. 1 to Dec. 2
CA $82
CA $91 total
includes taxes & fees
Dec 1 - Dec 2
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! (1,599 reviews)
"Good position"

Reviewed on Oct. 27, 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! (7,542 reviews)
"The Hotel was clean ,tidy ,the staff were friendly. We loved the Buffet breakfast and Don Dons restaurant was a absolute treat and so affordable."

Reviewed on Oct. 27, 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.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Melbourne

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
83
" "5 - Excellent 58.86524822695036%
4 - Good
49
" "4 - Good 34.751773049645394%
3 - Okay
8
" "3 - Okay 5.673758865248227%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 0.7092198581560284%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great city to visit!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

The museum was amazing and we really enjoyed the Shrine of Remembrance.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Very short visit. I would like to go again with a few more days to spend exploring. Interesting, exuberant city.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

We went on the great Ocean Road Reverse Itinerary Tour from Melbourne. It was breath taking. We also went on tourist tram and the Melbourne Star wheel.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Cool Hippy City in Aus.

5/5 - Excellent

Morag

Melbourne is a busy young people city, full of cafe's and restaurants.

Cities near Melbourne