Melbourne
Australia
Federation SquarePhoto: DXR · CC BY-SA 4.0
Hosier Lane street artPhoto: WANG.PC · CC BY 2.0
Queen Victoria MarketPhoto: Bob T · CC BY-SA 4.0
National Gallery of Victoria (NGV)Photo: Shkuru Afshar · CC BY-SA 4.0
Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)Photo: Flickerd · CC BY-SA 4.0
About Melbourne
Melbourne, on Port Phillip Bay in south-eastern Australia, is the capital of the state of Victoria. It boomed during the 19th-century gold rush and is today one of the country's two largest cities.
Laneway coffee culture, mural-covered alleys, an extensive tram network and a passion for sport shape its character, while the Yarra River divides the centre.
How many days do you need?
Three or four days is a good start: two for the central laneways, museums, the market and the Yarra riverbank, one for neighbourhoods such as St Kilda or Fitzroy, and one for a day trip to the Great Ocean Road or the Yarra Valley.
Where to stay
- CBD — Inside the Free Tram Zone, within walking distance of museums, restaurants and stations.
- Southbank — On the riverfront, close to the arts precinct and the NGV.
- St Kilda — Beach, pier and nightlife, linked to the centre by tram.
- Fitzroy and Collingwood — Cafés, independent shops and live-music venues.
From the airport to the city
Melbourne Airport (MEL) is at Tullamarine, about 14 miles north-west of the city centre. SkyBus express coaches run from outside Terminals 1, 3 and 4 to Southern Cross Station every 10–15 minutes during the day. Taxis and rideshare cars leave from outside the terminals.
Getting around
The city has a large tram network; no ticket is needed inside the central Free Tram Zone, and the City Circle tram is also free. Outside the zone, trams, trains and buses use the myki card, sold at convenience stores, ticket machines and station offices.
Good to know
- The weather can change quickly within a day; pack a jacket even in summer.
- Traffic drives on the left in Australia; look right first when crossing the road.
- Most visitors need a visa or electronic travel authority before arriving in Australia, and biosecurity rules require food and plant products to be declared.
Useful links
- Visit Melbourne (Victoria tourism authority) visitmelbourne.com
- PTV (Public Transport Victoria) ptv.vic.gov.au
- Melbourne Airport melbourneairport.com.au
When to go?
Best time to visit for the weather: October–April. The warmest month is January (average high 79 °F); the wettest is November (3.1 in).
Monthly climate
| Month | Avg. high °F | Rain in | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 78.8 | 2.29 | Ideal |
| February | 77.5 | 1.89 | Ideal |
| March | 75.0 | 1.90 | Ideal |
| April | 68.2 | 2.38 | Ideal |
| May | 61.7 | 2.42 | Good |
| June | 56.7 | 2.50 | Cool or rainy |
| July | 55.2 | 2.54 | Cool or rainy |
| August | 56.7 | 2.56 | Cool or rainy |
| September | 60.8 | 2.43 | Good |
| October | 65.8 | 2.85 | Ideal |
| November | 70.7 | 3.09 | Ideal |
| December | 74.8 | 2.50 | Ideal |
Source: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), 2005–2024 monthly averages of daily high temperature and total rainfall. Values are estimates for an area of about 50 km and may differ from the city-centre weather station.
Public holidays 2027
- New Year's DayJanuary 1
- Australia DayJanuary 26
- Good FridayMarch 26
- Easter SaturdayMarch 27
- Easter SundayMarch 28
- Easter MondayMarch 29
- Anzac DayApril 25
- Christmas DayDecember 25
- Boxing DayDecember 26
Sources: date-holidays and python-holidays open data projects; for Northern Cyprus, its public holidays law.
Practical info
- CurrencyAustralian Dollar ($)
- Dialling code+61
- Plugs & voltageType I · 230 V · 50 Hz
- Emergency000
- DrivingOn the left
Sources: IEC plug types, Wikidata, Wikipedia; unverified details are left blank.