Melbourne
Discover Melbourne
Melbourne (Naarm in the Woiworrung language) is Australia's cultural capital and second biggest city, with Victorian-era architecture, extensive shopping, museums, galleries, theatres, and large parks and gardens. Many of its 5.2 million residents are both multicultural and sports-mad. The capital of the south-eastern state of Victoria, and located at the head of Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne is a magnet for migrants from all over the world, and consistently ranks as one of the world's most livable cities. Visitors come to attend major sporting events, and to use it as a base for exploring nearby places such as Grampians National Park, the Great Ocean Road, and Phillip Island and its penguin parade. Many UK visitors come for tours of filming locations of the soap opera Neighbours. Somebody living in Melbourne is a Melburnian, and they pronounce the city's name as "MEL-b'n".
What to Experience in Melbourne
Taste of Melbourne...
For the culinary traveller, Melbourne is one of the best destinations in the world. There is an abundance of affordable, high-quality restaurants representing almost every cuisine. Eating out is cheaper than in Western Europe but not as affordable as North America. The service in Australian restaurants may be more discreet than many North Americans may be used to. Service staff in Australia are paid considerably more than their North American counterparts so tipping is not customary, though you may choose to give a tip if the service was exemplary. Excellent eateries can be found sprinkled throughout all of the inner (and some outer) suburbs, while certain neighbourhoods have become magnets for residents and restaurants of particular countries. A large range of restaurants and cafes offering high-quality food, and representing various cultures and countries, are scattered throughout the Central City, Southbank, Carlton (mostly Italian and touristy), Victoria Street in Richmond (many low cost popular Vietnamese and South East Asian restaurants), Docklands, South Yarra and Prahran. In Central City, the Queen Victoria Market's prepared-food stalls are also popular places to grab a quick breakfast or lunch. Sydney Road in Brunswick and Coburg is known for its many Middle Eastern, Lebanese, Greek and Turkish restaurants. The popular tourist area of St Kilda offers a large range of good quality restaurants and cafes, especially on Acland Street, and Fitzroy Street.
Culture & Religion
Culture
Melbourne is the cultural capital of Australia, with its many art galleries, film festivals, orchestras, choral and opera productions, vibrant live music scene, and a strong food, wine and coffee culture. People in Melbourne tend to dress up more than the northern states - partly due to the colder climate. Many bars and clubs have strict dress regulations, such as requiring collars and dress shoes for men. Particular cultural events to note include the Melbourne International Film Festival in August, the International Art Festival in October, and the Melbourne Comedy Festival in April. There are also many concerts and exhibitions throughout the year. In addition to the Melbourne Museum, there are special museums dedicated to subjects such as science, immigration, Chinese history, Jewish history, sport, racing, film and moving image, railways, police, fire brigades and banking.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Melbourne into what it is today.
The British settlement of Melbourne commenced in 1835 when settlers from Tasmania led by John Batman "purchased" land on Port Phillip Bay and the Yarra River from the local Aboriginal people. The streets of central Melbourne were carefully laid out in 1837, with some streets 30 metres wide. Initially dubbed Batmania after its founder, the settlement was soon renamed Melbourne after William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, the British Prime Minister at that time. The first British lieutenant-governor, Charles La Trobe, arrived in 1839 – his Cottage still stands and can be visited in the Kings Domain. 1851 was a landmark for Melbourne — the colony of Victoria was separated from New South Wales and very soon after, gold was discovered in Victoria, sparking a huge gold rush. The gold rush history can be seen at the Gold Treasury Museum, housed in the Treasury Building built in 1858. Gold was the catalyst for several decades of prosperity lasting through to the late 1880s and examples of the ornate Victorian-era structures built during this time still stand. Throughout the gold and building booms, Melbourne managed to retain its many spacious parks and gardens that remain to this day. In 1888, the boom collapsed and Victoria suffered through the depression of the 1890s....
Festivals & Events
Experience the vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations of Melbourne.
The Melbourne International Film Festival is an iconic cultural event, contributed to the world's largest display of Australian filmmaking. Held over 3 weeks in August, it is the largest film festival in both Australia and the Southern Hemisphere, showcasing 400 Australian and international films. You can take language classes, join a cafe book group, learn to draw, sign up for historical or foodie walks, study for your Victorian Certificate of Education or take computer or business classes at the Council of Adult Education (CAE). The CAE is also home to the City Library where you can sign up to borrow books or just read magazines in their cafe. Melbourne is home to several universities, two of which belong to the prestigious "Group of Eight": the University of Melbourne and Monash University.
Climate
The city's climate is notorious for its changeability, often referred to as "four seasons in a day". Its climate can be described generally as temperate, with warm summers and cool winters. During the summer of December to February, daytime temperatures average around 26 °C (79 °F), with mildly comfortable nights averaging around 15 °C (59 °F), and humidity is rarely an issue. Despite this, it's not out of the ordinary for the city to swelter through heatwaves with temperatures that can exceed 35 °C (95 °F) and top out around 40 °C (104 °F); such sweltering days come with nighttime lows that don't go below 20 °C (68 °F). With approximately 600 mm of rainfall annually, Melbourne gets only half as much rain as Sydney. October is typically the wettest month. Days are long, with sunrise at 6AM and sunset at 8:45PM. Winter (June–August) is usually cool with a mix of clear, sunny weather and cold & damp conditions.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThe city is primarily serviced by Melbourne Airport at Tullamarine which has international flights and a comprehensive domestic schedule. Avalon Airport is more distant, partway between Melbourne and Geelong, and hosts only a couple of domestic routes (Jetstar to Sydney & Gold Coast). Finally, five regional destinations can be reached on light aircraft from Essendon Airport (MEB ): King Island and Flinders Island in Tasmania, and Dubbo, Orange and Wollongong in NSW. For general aviation, the aforementioned Essendon Airport as well as Moorabbin Airport (MBW ) in the southeastern suburbs of the urban area, are the airports of choice. Melbourne Airport, also known as Tullamarine Airport, (MEL) is 22 km north-west of the CBD in the Hume region. There are regular flights from all major Australian and New Zealand cities. There are direct flights from Asia, Europe, North America and South America....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Melbourne's CBD is laid out in an orderly grid system, similar to Manhattan, meaning that navigating the CBD is easy. Melbourne has a comprehensive public transport system consisting of trams, trains, and buses. Trams criss-cross the city, trains extend to the outer suburbs, and buses cover the remaining destinations. Transport Victoria (formerly PTV) coordinates all train, tram and bus services within the state. The website and app provide a journey planner, timetables, maps and disruption information. Apple Maps and Google Maps also provide a journey planner and disruption information. Services generally operate between 5AM and midnight Monday–Saturday and after 8AM Sunday. A Night Network operates after midnight Friday–Saturday. Most of the train and bus network is wheelchair and pram accessible. Trams are only accessible via a low floor tram at accessible stops, mostly in the CBD and St Kilda.
Where to Stay
Melbourne's budget accommodation options can be found in two main areas, namely in the CBD and in the seaside suburb of St Kilda. However, outside these two areas, there are also several popular budget options in bohemian Fitzroy, South Melbourne, and Windsor. From January to March during international events such as the Australian Open (January) and the Australian Grand Prix (late March) hostel accommodation is booked out and some hostels raise their prices. Be sure to book ahead. Accommodation in this price bracket can mostly be found in the CBD. There are however options scattered throughout the suburbs. The CBD remains the main area for this category of accommodation. The main post office in Melbourne's CBD is located at 440 Collins Street. It is the only post office in the CBD open on a Saturday and has a range of services including passport applications, payments and stationary. There are other post offices and storage lockers throughout the CBD.
Money & Budget
Shopping hours in metro Melbourne are typically 7 days a week, 9AM–5:30PM weekdays and 9AM (maybe later)–5PM weekends. Most suburban shopping centres such as Chadstone have later closing hours on Thursdays and Fridays – mostly up to 9PM. Supermarkets have extended hours 7 days, the majority opening at 7AM and closing at midnight or 1AM; there are also many 24-hour supermarkets. Alcohol in Victoria can be purchased at licensed shops/venues, and supermarkets often have an adjoining bottle shop that closes earlier than the supermarket. Some stock alcohol in the supermarket, if they close at the same time as their licence. You must be over 18 years old to purchase alcohol. Most bottleshops close by 10PM to midnight (even on weekends), but some open until 3AM (e.g.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
The Australia-wide emergency number is 000, with the ambulance service, fire department and police being available through this number. It is important to take care around tram lines. Trams are heavy and it can take over 100 metres for a tram to safely stop. Even if a tram has passed, look carefully both ways, as trams will often run nose-to-tail on busy corridors like Swanston Street. Many tram stops further from the CBD often require walking on to the road. There is often traffic around trams, so be careful crossing if running to catch a tram. Driving in Melbourne can be nerve-wracking due to the presence of trams. You may have heard of the infamous "hook turn" that requires you to turn right from the left lane. These turns are predominantly in the CBD and become rarer as you head towards the suburbs. If driving, it is illegal to U-turn across tram tracks or pass a tram while the doors are open, and passengers are disembarking.
Glimpses of Melbourne
Skyline with sunrise and balloons, Melbourne, Australia - Sharing this? Please credit by linking urlaubstracker.de or @urlaubstracker
I landed I Melbourne yesterday, and while still recovering from jetlag I went for a walk around the river. When walking along the river, i found this amazing view of the skyline.
city buildings near body of water during daytime
white bus near brown and yellow dome building
Driving outside Flinders Street Railway Station
city skyline under blue sky during daytime
Rowing on the Yarra River
people crossing road near yellow train
Melbourne classic tram.
Art spotting
Skyline with sunrise and balloons, Melbourne, Australia - Sharing this? Please credit by linking urlaubstracker.de or @urlaubstracker
I landed I Melbourne yesterday, and while still recovering from jetlag I went for a walk around the river. When walking along the river, i found this amazing view of the skyline.
city buildings near body of water during daytime