Melbourne is regarded by many as Australia’s cultural heart and is one of Australia's most popular destinations for a honeymoon or romantic getaway.
Be entertained by a multicultural treasure trove of surprises along Melbourne’s leafy Victorian-era boulevards, cafe-filled laneways reminiscent of Europe and in personality-filled suburban neighbourhoods.
Founded in 1835, Australia’s second city considers itself the sporting and cultural capital of Australia: visit the Melbourne International Arts Festival in October to see and hear a diverse showcase of theatre, dance, visual arts, opera and music events.
Or thrill to world-renowned sporting events, including the Spring Racing Carnival (November), Australian Open tennis tournament (January) and Australia Grand Prix (March).
Enjoy the city’s numerous gardens and parks: walk, jog or cycle around Melbourne’s Botanical Gardens or along the leafy banks of the Yarra River.
Sip an espresso pick-me-up at one of sidewalk cafes in Melbourne’s cobble-stoned Federation Square while critiquing the unique architecture or discover the city’s staggering choice of restaurants, bars, clubs, trendy boutiques and unbeatable art galleries – all easily reached on foot or by tram.
Admire Australia’s finest collection of international art including paintings by El Greco, Manet and Rembrandt at the National Gallery of Victoria or browse for the latest fashions along the ‘Golden Mile’ on Collins Street in Australia’s shopping capital.
Perhaps play a round of golf on the West Course, Royal Melbourne Golf Club, which is generally acknowledged as the best course in Australia.
Must-see attractions in Melbourne, include…
Old Melbourne Gaol – Explore this gritty, 19th century prison, complete with tiny cells and historic artefacts, including the scaffold where infamous bushranger Ned Kelly was hanged in 1880.
Federation Square – Stroll past unusual architectural features in Melbourne’s piazza-style cobbled-stoned square and relax in one of the more than 16 bars and restaurants that surround the square.
National Gallery of Victoria – Explore Australia's finest collection of international art including paintings by Gainsborough, Constable, Van Dyck, El Greco, Monet, Manet, Magritte and Rembrandt.
Melbourne Museum – Wander through eight spectacular galleries for a fascinating tour of Victoria's natural environment and cultural history.
Immigration Museum – Discover more about the eight million immigrants who have poured into Australia since 1788.
Welcome to Melbourne – famous as Australia’s shopping capital. Scattered through the city’s network of laneways and arcades lies a smorgasbord of shopping delights, from department stores and shopping centres to countless boutiques and specialty shops.
Discover the latest in fashion from local designers all the way to famous international brands.
From Armani to Zambesi, Melbourne has it covered at a price to suit all budgets. See Akira Isogawa’s collection of contemporary Japanese silks on Bourke Street; for a sexy pair of jeans check out Bettina Liano on Little Collins Street; or pick up the latest in sunglasses from Peter Morrissey on Little Collins Street.
With its vibrant energy, great choice of restaurants, café-filled laneways reminiscent of Europe, cool bars, unbeatable galleries, luscious parks and village-like inner suburbs, Melbourne is a treasure trove of surprises and encouragement for the dedicated shopper.
Discover Melbourne's historic arcades, selling everything from kewpie dolls to premium quality cacao. Other arcades to visit include Collins two3four, Australia on Collins, The Walk, the Galleria Shopping Plaza and Centrepoint Mall.
All offer an impressive mix of large flagship stores, unique owner-operated shops and quality cafes all located within a block of each other off Little Collins Street.
(282 Collins Street) – Built in 1891 and modelled on the arcades of Paris, London and Milan, the Block offers an old-world stylish elegance complete with imported Italian mosaic floors (the largest in Australia), carved stone details and an etched, glass dome ceiling supported by elaborate iron-lace columns.
Don't miss seeing the 1907 ceiling murals in Chelsea Design at the entrance to the arcade, witnessing the ‘little man’ who taps on the window of Haigh’s Chocolate Shop or savouring a refreshing cup of tea in the charming and historic Hopetoun Tearooms.
Walking up and down this section of Collins Street in the late afternoon or on Saturday morning was a favourite pastime between 1870 and 1918. Today the arcade forms part of Melbourne's Golden Mile heritage walk.
(355 Bourke Street) – Stroll through Melbourne's oldest shopping arcade, built in 1869. Admire the wrought-iron portico and time your visit to hear the mythical monsters, Gog and Magog, strike the hour in time with jeweller Thomas Gaunt’s great clock.
Don’t miss Koko Black, where chocolate treats rule supreme: try a premium quality cacao while you nibble on a praline or ganache. Or pop into Spellbox and browse for a spell to restore your mojo or creative juices.
Melbourne's major shopping districts include…
Glamorous and stylish, tree-lined Collins Street is famous for high-end jewellery, fashion and luxury goods at international stores including Chanel, Tiffany & Co. and Louis Vuitton.
Discover exclusive jewellers, chic designer shops, 5-star hotels and private clubs housed in striking heritage buildings.
Further west, between Swanston and Elizabeth streets, explore the chain and concept stores that lie within the bustling retail centres of two3four and Australia on Collins.
Discover an enclave of cool fashion, from haute couture to funky threads. Here you’ll find some of Melbourne’s best designers and boutiques.
The stretch between Swanston and Russell streets is lined with the best in menswear. After a day’s shopping, relax at some of Melbourne’s best bars and cafes that you’ll find crowding the narrow lanes around Little Collins Street.
Look out for the indigenous and contemporary art and craft galleries, groovy bars and designer boutiques selling a range of funky fashions and esoteric accessories.
Check out Christine for fashion and accessories, Alice Euphemia for experimental designs by young and emerging designers and Cathedral Arcade for edgy fashion.
Pop into the Nicholas Building for a range of interesting shops, galleries and studios. Take a break in any of the atmospheric cafes along Degraves Street, Centre Place and Scott Place.
Cross the river to find a range of eclectic shops selling luxury lingerie and perfume, as well as high-end fashion stores such as Versace, Burberry and Prada.
With its riverside setting and fantastic views of the city skyline, the Southbank promenade along the Yarra River is one of Melbourne’s most popular dining areas.
Dine al fresco, do a spot of people watching and enjoy the antics of street performers, all backed by stunning views of the Melbourne skyline at night.
Running between Swanston and Elizabeth streets, this pedestrian and tram-only strip is home to Melbourne's two large department stores, David Jones and Myer, along with a varied array of shops and chain stores that sell everything from shoes and novelties to music and jewellery.
Regarded by many as Melbourne’s shopping heart, the mall is always buzzing with shoppers, buskers and city workers.
Lined with trendy shops selling all things groovy and hip, Chapel Street is home to some of Australia’s top designers, including Scanlan & Theodore, Colette Dinnigan and Bettina Liano, as well as many cool bars and cafes such as Café Domo, Pieroni and Chinois.
Head to nearby Toorak Road for Gucci and other exclusive boutiques, and Greville Street for offbeat retro clothing, eclectic gifts and jewellery and record stores.
Home to Melbourne’s bohemian culture, this is where you can discover a range of quaint and quirky shops and markets offering retro and recycled fashion, arty homewares and locally made jewellery, along with bookshops, galleries, cafes and restaurants.
The area is also renowned for its vibrant nightlife. For a taste of Spain, cruise down Brunswick to Johnston Street and you’ll find a range of tapas and flamenco bars.
Browse everything Chinese, from medicine, music, gold and jewellery to unique and exotic gifts, on Little Bourke Street between Swanston and Spring streets.
Discover everything from cutting-edge fashions to fresh fruit and veg at Melbourne’s eclectic mix of markets, including…
(Corner St Kilda and Southgate roads, Southbank) – Browse a showcase of more than 150 stalls offering some of Victoria's finest artisans' work. Look out for hand-made jewellery, leatherwear and an esoteric collection of artwork from painting and sculpture to ceramics.
Buy colourful garments from stylish boutiques and market stalls, treat yourself to an inexpensive t-shirt or a one-off hand-sewn creation by a local couturier. Open every Sunday.
(513 Elizabeth Street) – Opened in 1878, the market is an historic landmark and a Melbourne institution.
Wander among the 150 covered stalls groaning under the weight of exotic local and imported gourmet foods, along with clothing, shoes, luggage, toys, jewellery and authentic Australian artefacts and souvenirs all offered at bargain prices.
Sample a range of world cuisines freshly prepared on-site, groove to some of the best live music and check out the tarot and aura readers. The Suzuki Night Market is open every Wednesday evening from 5.30pm to 10pm from December to February.
Wander one of Melbourne's leading open-air markets, showcasing the very best in emerging designer creations. The market is held in a disused yard in the back streets of Fitzroy and showcases up to 40 artists and designers each week.
While you're browsing the stalls, you also get to enjoy the sounds of live entertainment, and when hunger strikes, the market's gourmet café is a great choice. Held every Saturday throughout the year from 11am to 5pm.
Browse the handicrafts of more than 220 artisans that include everything from painters and potters to jewellers and glass blowers. Held every Sunday above the beach in St Kilda from 10am to 5pm.
Most stores are open seven days a week. Typically, city shops are open: Saturday to Wednesday from 10am to 5pm; Thursday 10am to 7pm; and Friday 10am to 9pm.
Melbourne ofers a huge range of accommodation options to suit all budgets, including the following hotels…
The Langham, Melbourne
Location: Southbank
Rating: 5-star
Prices: from AUD320 per double room
Description: Situated on the banks of the Yarra River, The Langham Melbourne features an indoor swimming pool with views across the city. The elegant interior includes a grand marble staircase, cascading fountains and magnificent chandeliers. All rooms at The Langham include cable TV and a minibar. Wi-Fi internet access is available. Guests can relax at the Chuan Spa, which offers a range of massages and beauty treatments. The fully equipped fitness centre includes a sauna and steam room. Melba Restaurant offers panoramic views in a stylish relaxed setting. ARIA Bar serves tea, coffee, light meals and cocktails. The Langham is 600 m from Crown Casino and 850 m from Bourke Street Mall. Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is a 10-minute drive away.
Crown Towers
Location: Southbank
Rating: 5-star
Prices: from AUD338 per double room
Description: Rising above Melbourne’s vibrant Southbank precinct, Crown Towers offers spacious luxury rooms with views of the city or Port Phillip Bay. Featuring original artworks and marble bathrooms, each room includes a large plasma-screen TV with laptop video-on-demand system, an iPod docking station, and a separate dressing room. The city and bay views are framed by floor-to-ceiling windows. Guests at Crown Towers Melbourne have access to the restaurants, cinemas, nightclubs, bars and shopping within the Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex. Crown Spa offers a range of facials, massages, beauty treatments and therapies. It also has a 25-metre heated indoor pool, steam room, sun terraces and a fully equipped fitness centre. Located on the southern bank of the Yarra River, Crown Towers is a 10-minute walk from Flinders Street Station.
Park Hyatt Melbourne
Location: East Melbourne
Rating: 5-star
Prices: from AUD345 per double room
Description: This 5-star hotel offers an award-winning restaurant, luxurious accommodation and spa facilities, just 1.5 km from Melbourne’s city centre. It is a 4-minute walk from popular shopping precinct Collins Street, and a 5-minute walk from Princess Theatre. Park Hyatt Melbourne provides a variety of rooms that feature city views, Art Deco and Ottoman décor, and spa-inspired Italian marble bathrooms. Free WiFi is included. The Hotel’s restaurant is known for its creative contemporary cuisine as well as the Park Club Health & Day Spa. Park Hyatt’s spa and wellness centre includes a fully equipped fitness centre, a 25-metre heated swimming pool, spa pool, sauna, steam room and outdoor sun terrace. Nearby attractions include Melbourne Museum, Fitzroy Gardens, and Melbourne's theatre district and Chinatown.
Grand Hyatt Melbourne
Location: Melbourne CBD
Rating: 5-star
Prices: from AUD355 per double room
Description: This 5-star hotel offers luxury accommodation in the heart of Melbourne's central business, shopping, theatre and restaurant district. It is close to Treasury Gardens, Yarra River and Wellington Park. Grand Hyatt Melbourne Hotel provides individually decorated rooms that are furnished with Hyatt custom made beds and Egyptian cotton linen. Also included are LCD TVs and free daily newspaper. Meals and drinks are served in the hotel’s Collins Kitchen and bar. Grand Hyatt Melbourne has upper and lower lobbies and a variety of facilities that include tennis court, sauna, a fitness centre and indoor swimming pool. Melbourne CBD is a great choice for travellers interested in shopping, shopping for clothes and food.
Adelphi Hotel
Location: Melbourne CBD
Rating: 5-star
Prices: from AUD285 per double room
Description: Situated in the heart of the vibrant Flinders Lane shopping and dining precinct, Adelphi Hotel boasts an outdoor swimming pool, free Wi-Fi, free local phone calls and free in-room snacks and refreshments. Each air-conditioned room features an iPod dock and flat-screen TV. There is also a refrigerator, work desk and a Lavazza coffee machine. The en suite bathroom includes bathrobes and a hairdryer. A room service menu is available 24/7. Conveniently located in Melbourne CBD, Hotel Adelphi is within 5 minutes’ walk of Flinders Street Station and Federation Square. Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), and Etihad Stadium are both less than 10 minutes’ drive away. Om Nom Restaurant offers a tempting à la carte menu and delicious desserts. The bar serves a wide selection of wine, beer and cocktails.
Hotel Lindrum Melbourne - MGallery by Sofitel
Location:Melbourne CBD
Rating: 5-star
Prices: from AUD275 per double room
Description: Hotel Lindrum Melbourne offers boutique accommodation on Flinders Street, in the center of Melbourne city. It features free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk and room service, and access to a nearby fitness centre. Offering modern décor, all guests rooms are recently refurbished and offer luxury bedding, an LCD flat-screen TV and a Philips Dual Docking station. En suite bathrooms offer free organic toiletries by Appelles Apothecary, bathrobes and slippers, and a rainshower over a bathtub. Named after Hotel Lindrum's famous billiard table, Felt Restaurant is open daily for breakfast and dinner. Also on the ground floor is the Back Bar which features lounges and an open fire place.
Melbourne – the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Victoria – is located on Port Phillip Bay in the southeastern part of mainland Australia.
The most convenient route to Melbourne is by air to Melbourne Airport (MEL), known locally as Tullamarine Airport, located about 23km (14mi) northwest of the city centre.
More about how to get to Melbourne…
See the sights by walking or hiring a bicycle – Melbourne has a bicycle sharing system, with a network of marked road lanes and segregated cycle facilities.
Melbourne has an integrated and extensive public transport system, including train, tram, bus and taxi systems.
Trams are convenient with stops often found in the middle of the road. The City Circle Heritage Tram offers a free 40-minute ride, passing many of Melbourne's attractions.
Take control from the driver’s seat and discover a range of exciting weekend getaways just a short drive from the Melbourne city.
Discover spectacular mountain scenery, explore premium vineyards and discover historic villages, all the while enjoying delicious food washed down by memorable wines.
Must-see attractions on a Melbourne weekend getaway, include…
Escape to the romantic hilltop villages, luxury hideaways, colourful gardens and towering forests of the Dandenong Ranges.
Enjoy the beautiful Yarra Valley, famous for its renowned wines, fresh food and breathtaking scenery.
Take to the skies in a hot-air balloon for an exciting view of the Yarra Valley or enjoy a ride through thick forests, fern-filled gullies and past pretty villages on Puffing Billy, Australia’s oldest steam railway.
Read more about the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley…
Hug the contours of Victoria's rugged south-west coast for one of Australia's greatest and most spectacular coastal drives.
Discover beautiful beaches, great restaurants and a captivating maritime heritage while enjoying a choice of activities including golfing, fishing, diving and surfing.
Read more about the Great Ocean Road…
Enjoy a scenic circuit to the majestic Grampians, en route driving through the three major wine regions of western Victoria – Ballarat, the Grampians and the Pyrenees – producing some of Australia’s finest cool-climate wines.
The Grampians region is one of Australia’s finest destinations for outdoor adventures. Experience the grandeur of the Grampians from a light aircraft, cast a line for trout or paddle a kayak across a lake or river.
Try rock climbing at Mount Stapylton in the Grampians National Park, hike through the pristine wilderness or take an exciting downhill mountain bike tour through the ranges.
Read more about the Grampians…
Experience Australia’s highest year-round-accessible sealed road, winding past lofty mountains, scenic valleys, towering forests, rivers, vineyards and farms.
Along the way sample local produce and premium wine and make time to fish, cycle, climb or go horseback riding. Choose from a wide range of luxurious accommodation in the region.
Read more about the Great Alpine Road…
Latest update: Melbourne: 12 July, 2024
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