Melbourne is the capital and largest city in the state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in Australia. Known by the Aboriginal name: Narrm, this area was first populated by the people of the Kulin Nation who have a strong historic and modern culture and connection to the land.
Melbourne: The Cultural Capital
Melbourne is Australia's melting pot of all things trendy and tasty. Famous for coffee, passionate about sport and notorious for unpredictable weather, the city and suburbs of Melbourne offer up exquisite dining, world-class events and endless opportunities to experience art and nature. Did we mention the coffee? It's worth another mention. Melbourne is the perfect snapshot of Australia. It's a multicultural city that offers an intoxicating blend of rich cultural history and cutting-edge trendiness. From bustling laneways to bohemian neighbourhoods and beautiful beaches, it's the sort of place that converts visitors into residents with alarming efficiency... you've been warned.
Experience Melbourne
World class events
Any international team, exhibit or performance heading Down Under makes Melbourne their first stop, for good reason. With Australia's biggest events such as Australian Open, the Melbourne Cup and Australia Grand Prix, as well as our greatest collection of stadiums, theatres and museums - you'll always find something to do in Melbourne.
Food, coffee and culture
Speaking of world class... Melbourne's hospitality scene is held in the highest regard by foodies and adventurers from every corner of the globe. With a vibe somewhere between European laneways and the trendy industrial conversions of NYC - there's incredible food, coffee and art to be found around every corner of this vibrant culture capital.
Spectacular surrounds
The coffee may be famous, but what is less well-known is that just an hour from the CBD is one of the country's most prolific and most picturesque cool-climate wine making regions, the Yarra Valley. And from Melbourne's position at the peak of Port Phillip Bay, it a short and spectacular drive along the coast in either direction for a charming coastal day trip.
Melbourne Stadiums
Melbourne Park
Much more than just a stadium, Melbourne Park is a sport and entertainment mecca that welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year across the sprawling city-side precinct that hosts the Australian Open tennis, national basketball, netball and cycling competitions as well as a plethora of festivals and concerts.
Rod Laver Arena is the largest venue within the Melbourne Park complex, with a capacity of 15,000, while John Cain Arena seats 10,500 and Margaret Court Arena 7,500.
The three venues feature retractable roofs and flexible floor plans, allowing events to be played indoors or outdoors.
Flemington Racecourse
Flemington Racecourse is not just the biggest horse racing arena in Australia, its grandstand capacity is one of the biggest in the world! And in a country that relishes the fun, fashion and festivities of thoroughbred racing as much as any other, there is very few sporting experiences or atmospheres on the planet that can rival a big day of racing at Flemington.
When legendary author Mark Twain visited Flemington way back in 1895 for the Melbourne Cup he wrote: “And so the grand-stands make a brilliant and wonderful spectacle, a delirium of colour, a vision of beauty. The champagne flows, everybody is vivacious, excited, happy.”
Believe it or not, Flemington has only become bigger and better since then!
Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
The MCG, abbreviated even further to “the G”, is Melbourne and Australia’s largest and most famous stadium. With a capacity just over 100,000, the MCG has hosted everything from Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup qualifiers, international rugby and cricket tests and even WWE wrestling exhibitions.
Outside of special events, the MCG regularly hosts AFL home and away games as well as the AFL Grand Final, the world’s highest attended annual league championship.
For local sporting fans the MCG is the beating heart of the city. It has been described as a shrine, a colosseum, a citadel, a landmark and a totem that symbolises Melbourne to the world.
Melbourne Landmarks
St Kilda Beach
St Kilda Beach is Melbourne's playground by the sea. Though you won't find waves in the bay, you will find of places for fun or relaxation along the sand, in the water or throughout the surrounding streets that are overflowing with shops, bars, clubs and cafes.
Queen Vic Market
Home to hundreds of small busineses, the Queen Vic Market is the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere and a great place to shop, eat, drink or just kill a couple of hours. You'll find a combination of boutique gift stores, fresh produce and regular seasonal markets.
Flinders Street Station
Opened in 1854, Flinders Street Station is probably the city's most iconic building. Much more than just a transport hub. It's a meeting point, a hangout spot, an occasional art exhibition and the gateway to explore Melbourne's CBD.
Federation Square
Directly across the road from Flinders Street Station is the heart of the CBD, Federation Square. Here you'll find world-class art galleries and exhibitions, a diverse range of cafes, bars and restaurants, and events that capture the heart of the city year after year.
Hidden Gems
Hosier Lane
A street art goldmine, Hosier Line is one of many Melbourne laneways where every inch of available space is covered in sprawling, sporadic graffiti art. The art work is constantly changing so chances are you will spot an artist at work as you wander down the surrounding laneways.
Coop's Shot Tower
The middle of a modern shopping complex is the last place you'd expect to find an historic 19th century shot tower, but that's exactly what you will stumble across in Melbourne Central. There is a free museum that explains the history of the lead manufacturing tower.
Ponyfish Island
Hidden under a pedestrian bridge that spans the Yarra River connecting Flinders Street Station to Southbank is a tiny little floating bar that offers craft beers, creative cocktails and unbeatable views of the Melbourne skyline (and people watching opportunities).
Facebook
Twitter
Email
LinkedIn