Why Australia

About Melbourne

A multicultural city

Melbourne is often referred to as Australia's "sporting and cultural capital" and is a city of charming laneways and arcades where visitors can discover opulent bars, eclectic boutiques and fashionable restaurants. Notable for its mix of Victorian and contemporary architecture and its extensive tram network, Melbourne is home to around 3.5 million residents from over 140 nations. It is a diverse, multicultural place offering a safe, secure environment with well-developed infrastructure.

Melbourne is host to many food & wine, arts and cultural events held each year and has a busy annual calendar of sporting events from the Formula One Australian Grand Prix to the Melbourne Cup horse race.

Eating out

Melbourne has a thriving restaurant culture, with cosy cafés and fine restaurants. Considered the culinary capital of Australia, Melbourne offers a range of dining options from classical to innovative. From Brunswick Street in Fitzroy to Hardware Lane in the heart of the city, Melbourne caters to all tastes.

Shopping

Melbourne is renowned for its boulevards including Collins and Chapel Streets and Toorak Road. Over the years, these have been the starting point for many internationally successful Australian designers. Melbourne provides everything from large department stores to smaller designer boutiques and busy markets. You’re bound to find everything you need and want in Melbourne.

Vibrant night-life

Throughout the city streets and laneways, along the Yarra River in Southbank and in the waterfront Docklands area you’ll find an abundance of trendy clubs, bars, theatres, restaurants, cinemas, live music venues, the casino and retail outlets. The city comes to life at night.

Parks and gardens

Melbourne has been dubbed the garden state in recognition of its extensive network of parks and gardens including the World Heritage listed Carlton Gardens; the Royal Exhibition Building; Treasury and Fitzroy gardens. All are very popular spots for families and lunch-time office workers. There is also a wider metropolitan park system that includes the Royal Botanic Gardens, Albert Park Lake, the Melbourne Zoo and many kilometres of open spaces along Melbourne's waterways.

Getting around

Melbourne has an extensive public transport system consisting of trains, buses and trams. For more information see Metlink - your guide to public transport in Melbourne and Victoria

Climate

Melbourne is sometimes said to display four seasons in one day but its weather, although unpredictable, is temperate all year round.