Melbourne
Melbourne, Australia’s second-largest city, is a cosmopolitan hub celebrated for its creative energy, multicultural character, and thriving food, coffee, and arts scene. Often described as the country’s “cultural capital,” Melbourne is renowned for its festivals, live music, sports, and laneway culture.
The city’s history stretches back thousands of years as the land of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation, who have lived in the area for over 40,000 years. European settlement began in 1835, when John Batman and other settlers established Melbourne on the banks of the Yarra River.
The discovery of gold in nearby Victoria in the 1850s sparked the Victorian gold rush, transforming Melbourne into one of the world’s wealthiest cities. During this period, it became a center of finance, commerce, and grand architecture — much of which can still be seen today in its historic buildings and leafy boulevards.
In 1901, Melbourne served as Australia’s first capital after Federation, hosting the new Parliament until Canberra was established in 1927.
💡Melbourne: Good to Know
🛂 Visa: Australia requires most visitors to obtain a visa or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) before arrival. Citizens of many countries (including the US, UK, EU, Canada, and New Zealand) can apply online for short-term tourist visas. Always confirm current requirements before travel.
✈️ Closest Airport: Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
💬 Language: English is the official language
🏷️ Price Level: Moderate to high — Melbourne is one of Australia’s more expensive cities, but offers excellent value in its food scene, public transport, and cultural attractions.
🍔 Big Mac Index: US: US$5.69 / Australia: US$4.90
💰 Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD) | 1 USD ≈ 1.53 AUD
☀️ Best Times to Visit: March to May (autumn) and September to November (spring) — pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and plenty of festivals. Summers (Dec–Feb) can be hot, and winters (Jun–Aug) are cool but not harsh.
🚆 Transportation: local trains, buses, and trams
🔌 Adapter: Australia uses Type I plugs, so most countries will need an adapter
🛜 WiFi: widely available; “VicFreeWifi” is a free, government-provided public WiFi service that can be accessed
🏧💰 ATM and “Cash or Card”: Australia is largely cashless — cards (especially contactless) are accepted almost everywhere, from cafés to public transport. ATMs are available, but cash is rarely needed.
💸 Tipping: Tipping is not mandatory in Australia. Rounding up the bill or leaving 5–10% for excellent service is appreciated but not expected.
🚢 Cruise Terminal Address: 6 Waterfront Pl, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, Australia (docked)
✈️ 🚇 🚕 Getting There and Around
🎟️ Getting around Melbourne is straightforward, reliable, and a key part of experiencing the city’s character. Melbourne’s central business district (CBD) is compact, walkable, and full of vibrant laneways, street art, cafés, and shopping arcades — making walking one of the best ways to explore. Many major attractions, like Federation Square, Flinders Street Station, and the Yarra River promenade, are within easy reach on foot.
For longer distances, Melbourne is famous for its extensive tram network — the largest in the world. The City Circle Tram is free and a great way for visitors to see central Melbourne, while the rest of the network connects inner suburbs like Fitzroy, Carlton, and St Kilda. Trains and buses extend coverage to outer suburbs and nearby destinations.
Payment is via the myki card, which works across trams, trains, and buses. Contactless payment options are being rolled out, but myki remains the main system for now.
Cycling is increasingly popular, with designated bike lanes and scenic routes along the Yarra River and through inner neighborhoods. Bike-share and e-scooter rentals are available for short trips.
✈️ Melbourne Airport (MEL), also known as Tullamarine Airport, is located about 23 km (14 miles) northwest of the city center. There are several convenient options for getting into central Melbourne.
The most popular choice is the SkyBus, which runs 24/7 between the airport and Southern Cross Station in the CBD. Buses depart every 10–15 minutes during the day, take about 30–40 minutes depending on traffic, and cost around AUD $22 one-way. Tickets can be purchased online, at airport kiosks, or via the SkyBus app.
🚇 Station Pier, Port Melbourne, is the main cruise ship terminal for Melbourne and the gateway for visitors arriving by sea. It’s located just 5 km (3 miles) from the CBD, making transfers into the city quick and easy.
The fastest option is by taxi or rideshare (Uber, Ola, Didi, Bolt), with trips to central Melbourne taking around 10–15 minutes and costing AUD $15–25.
For a more local experience, hop on tram route 109, which runs directly from Port Melbourne to the city center. The ride takes about 20–25 minutes and stops at key destinations such as Southern Cross Station, Collins Street, and Federation Square. Melbourne’s trams are safe, frequent, and a highlight for many visitors.
Some cruise operators also offer shuttle buses to major city stops, shopping districts, or directly to Melbourne Airport.
🚌 The Skippy Bus operates two bus routes covering the most important sights around the city (more info here).
⭐️ Top Sights in Melbourne
"Melbourne is home to the highest Italian and Greek populations in the world outside their own countries."
📸 Federation Square: The cultural heart of Melbourne, featuring striking modern architecture and home to the Ian Potter Centre (Australian art), ACMI (film and digital culture), and lively public events. It’s also a great starting point for exploring the city. The square is a buzzing hub of activity where locals and visitors gather for festivals, screenings, and live performances.
📸 Flinders Street Station: An iconic Melbourne landmark with its grand dome, clocks, and historic façade. It’s one of the busiest train stations in Australia and a favorite photography spot right across from Federation Square. Inside, you’ll find a maze of platforms and stairways that reflect the city’s historic charm and daily rhythm.
📸 Royal Botanic Gardens: A vast and beautifully landscaped oasis in the city, showcasing thousands of plant species, lakes, and walking trails. Perfect for a peaceful stroll or a picnic with views of the skyline. The gardens are also home to the Aboriginal Heritage Walk, which offers insight into Indigenous traditions and connections to the land.
📸 Hosier Lane: Melbourne’s most famous laneway, covered in ever-changing street art and graffiti. A must-visit for photographers and urban explorers. Every visit offers something new, as artists continually repaint and refresh the walls with vibrant, bold works.
📸 Queen Victoria Market: A historic open-air market offering fresh produce, gourmet food, clothing, souvenirs, and local specialties. A great spot to taste Melbourne’s multicultural flavors. Don’t miss the lively night markets in summer and winter, filled with street food, live music, and craft stalls.
📸 St Kilda: A lively beachside suburb with palm-lined boardwalks, Luna Park amusement park, and a colony of little penguins that can be spotted at the pier at sunset. The area is also known for its vibrant café culture and live music venues. On weekends, the St Kilda Esplanade Market adds even more local charm.
📸 Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG): One of the world’s most famous sports stadiums and a temple for cricket and Australian Rules Football. The accompanying National Sports Museum is a must for sports fans. Guided tours take you behind the scenes into players’ areas, commentary boxes, and the hallowed turf itself.
📸 State Library of Victoria: A historic library and cultural landmark, best known for its stunning La Trobe Reading Room with a grand domed ceiling. A favorite for architecture lovers and history buffs. Free exhibitions showcase rare books, artifacts, and the story of Victoria’s history.
📸 Yarra River & Southbank: A lively riverside precinct filled with restaurants, bars, and public art. The evening city lights reflecting on the water make it a perfect place for a scenic stroll. During the day, you can take river cruises for a different perspective on Melbourne’s skyline.
🍽️😋 Regional Specialties
Melbourne’s food scene is a vibrant reflection of the city’s multicultural heritage, creative energy, and deep love of good eating. Often described as Australia’s culinary capital, Melbourne brings together flavors from around the world, with its diverse immigrant communities shaping a dining culture that’s both authentic and inventive. From world-class fine dining to bustling markets, laneway cafés, and late-night food trucks, the city offers something for every palate.
At its heart, Melbourne is also known for its coffee culture, with artisanal cafés and expert baristas making it one of the coffee capitals of the world. This passion for food and drink is woven into everyday life, celebrated through countless food festivals, wine events, and farmers’ markets across the city and surrounding regions.
🍽️ Flat White: Melbourne’s most iconic coffee creation, smoother than a cappuccino and stronger than a latte. It’s the ultimate expression of the city’s world-renowned coffee culture, best enjoyed in one of the laneway cafés with a side of people-watching.
🍽️ Meat Pie: A classic Aussie comfort food, these handheld pastries are filled with savory minced meat and gravy, often topped with tomato sauce. You’ll find them everywhere from bakeries to sporting events, especially at the MCG.
🍽️ Parma (Chicken Parmigiana): A pub favorite — crumbed chicken schnitzel topped with rich tomato sauce, melted cheese, and often ham, served with chips and salad. Almost every Melbourne pub has its own version, making it a local tradition.
🍽️ Dim Sims: Not to be confused with Chinese dim sum, Melbourne’s oversized, meat-filled dim sims are a beloved street snack. Originally created in the 1940s in the city’s Chinatown, they’re steamed or fried and often found at sporting events and takeaway shops.
🍽️ Lygon Street Pasta: Melbourne’s “Little Italy” is famous for hearty plates of pasta, woodfired pizza, and gelato. The Italian community has shaped the city’s dining culture for generations, and this street remains a must-visit for authentic flavors.
🍽️ Greek Souvlaki: Melbourne is home to one of the largest Greek populations outside Greece, and souvlaki (grilled meat wrapped in pita with salad and tzatziki) is a city staple. You’ll find excellent late-night options in the CBD and authentic family-run spots in the Greek Precinct.
🍽️ Seafood at Queen Victoria Market: Fresh local oysters, prawns, and fish are highlights at Melbourne’s iconic market. Grab a ready-to-eat seafood snack or explore the bustling deli hall for gourmet cheeses, cured meats, and multicultural bites.
🍽️ Lamington: A fluffy sponge cake coated in chocolate and rolled in coconut, sometimes with jam or cream inside. It’s a sweet Australian classic that pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee or tea.
📍🗺️ Maps, Apps & Links
🚕 Didi
🚕 Uber
🚕 Ola