About Melbourne
Melbourne and Sydney have argued for decades about which city is better. Melbourne wins on culture, coffee and food. The laneways of the CBD are plastered floor-to-ceiling in street art and punctuated with specialty coffee shops that take their craft with a seriousness that borders on religion. The food scene is genuinely world-class — driven by a multicultural population that brought Vietnamese, Greek, Italian, Lebanese and Japanese traditions and made them local. Fitzroy and Collingwood are the creative neighbourhoods: independent bookshops, record stores, natural wine bars. St Kilda has the beach, the Art Deco facade and the Sunday market. The NGV is one of the best art galleries in the Asia-Pacific. The tram network is free in the CBD. AFL football at the MCG is one of sport's great live experiences. March to May and September to November are ideal — warm without Sydney's summer humidity.
Highlights
Hosier Lane street art — fresh murals appear overnight, always changing Coffee at Patricia, Market Lane or Seven Seeds — Melbourne's obsession Queen Victoria Market on Saturday morning — cheese, meat, dim sims NGV International — permanent collection and extraordinary visiting shows. Admission is free; some special exhibitions are charged. Fitzroy for dinner: MoVida, Cutler & Co, or just any Thai on Smith Street Great Ocean Road day trip — Twelve Apostles, rainforest, koalas
Plan My Trip with Ava
Neighbourhoods
Practical Info
Entry rules depend on your nationality. Check before you travel: Official entry information
Australian Dollar (AUD). Cards are widely accepted, but carry some cash for small vendors or markets.
Tipping is not mandatory but appreciated for good service in restaurants; rounding up for taxis is fine.
Melbourne is generally safe, but watch for pickpockets in crowded areas and avoid poorly lit streets at night in the CBD.
Optus and Telstra SIMs and eSIMs have the best coverage; they are sold at the airport and in shops.
English is the official language and is widely spoken with high proficiency.
No traveller tips yet. Be the first to share one.
Related Guides
Share a tip.