Melbourne

Travel Guide
Southbank featuring a river or creek, a high rise building and a bridge

Melbourne Travel Guide Video

Australia’s capital of style artfully blends the elegance and grace of yesteryear with the bold new world of modern design and culture.

Melbourne is a city with one eye fixed on the past and another on the future. It’s the capital city of the state of Victoria and the country’s capital of style, where good food, coffee, fashion and art are revered.

Exploring the city center will immediately bring Melbourne’s fusion of new and old to light. Stroll down Collins Street to see Victorian-era churches, art deco hotels and daring post-modern structures. Close by is Bourke Street Mall, where trams trundle through a boulevard of heritage-listed buildings tastefully converted into modern shops.

At nearby Federation Square, this delightful collision of the past and present continues. Angular modern buildings stand in futuristic contrast to neighboring Flinders Street Station, St. Paul’s Cathedral and the timeless elegance of the Yarra River. While at “Fed Square,” visit the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) to learn about the country’s history of film and television, and experiment with the latest digital technology.

Cross the river and explore Southbank’s restaurants and bars, the National Gallery of Victoria and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Then take the elevator to Skydeck 88 in the Eureka Tower for breathtaking views of the park-filled city.

Once you’ve explored the city center, jump aboard one of Melbourne’s iconic trams and explore the suburbs. Not far from downtown is Carlton, where you’ll find the Melbourne Museum, and the espresso bars and restaurants of “Little Italy” on Lygon Street.  

Pack your towel and swimming costume and head to the seaside suburb of St. Kilda. After a dip in Port Phillip Bay, browse the suburb’s famous cake shops and vintage stores before heading to the bright lights and thrill rides of Luna Park. Stay overnight in one of St. Kilda’s boutique hotels then rise early for a sunrise walk along the coastline to the brightly colored “bathing boxes” of Brighton Beach. Have your photo taken by these heritage-listed structures, a perfect memento of this effortlessly stylish and most liveable of cities.

Where to stay in Melbourne

Melbourne CBD showing outdoor eating

Melbourne Central Business District

4.5/5(1,080 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Melbourne Central Business District. Check out top attractions like Melbourne Central and Collins Street, and jump on the metro at Melbourne Central Station or Flagstaff Station to see more of the city.

Melbourne Central Business District
Southbank featuring a bridge, a sunset and a river or creek

Southbank

Visitors to Southbank rave about its stunning river views, first-class casinos, and popular shops. You might also want to make some time to see Crown Casino or Melbourne Skydeck while you're exploring the neighborhood.

Southbank
Sorrento featuring watersports and a beach

Sorrento

Sorrento is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Sorrento Front Beach and Searoad Ferry Terminal.

Sorrento
Docklands featuring a bay or harbor, night scenes and a skyscraper

Docklands

Travelers come to Docklands for its waterfront views, and you can see top attractions like Marvel Stadium and Collins Street while you're in town.

Docklands
Number 16 Beach in the Mornington Peninsula near Rye is a beautiful place to relax and watch the sunset. Try to visit during low tide #SMDdoesOZ #MorningtonPeninsula #Australia

Rye

Beaches, spas, and hot springs highlight some of the noteworthy features of Rye. Make a stop by Rye Beach or Mornington Peninsula National Park while you're exploring the neighborhood.

Rye
Melbourne, VIC featuring interior views and an airport

Melbourne Airport

Travelers come to Melbourne Airport for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like URBNSURF Sports Park and Woodlands Historic Park while you're in town.

Melbourne Airport
Great Southern Hotel Melbourne
Great Southern Hotel Melbourne
3.5 out of 5
44 Spencer Street, Melbourne, VIC
Fully refundable
The price is ¥9,151 per night from Apr 1 to Apr 2
¥9,151
per night
Apr 1 - Apr 2
Stay at this hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,134 reviews)
"Great location for easy transport to GP"

Reviewed on Mar 26, 2024

Great Southern Hotel Melbourne
The Victoria Hotel Melbourne
The Victoria Hotel Melbourne
3.5 out of 5
215 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC
The price is ¥11,546 per night from Apr 22 to Apr 23
¥11,546
per night
Apr 22 - Apr 23
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the restaurant and the bar in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,686 reviews)
"Great location, friendly staff and comfortable room. Our only issue was condensation dripping from the ceiling in the shower which was annoying . As we were only staying one night we reported it to the front desk upon leaving"

Reviewed on Mar 26, 2024

The Victoria Hotel Melbourne
Rydges Melbourne
Rydges Melbourne
4.5 out of 5
186 Exhibition Street,, Melbourne, VIC
The price is ¥20,207 per night from Apr 14 to Apr 15
¥20,207
per night
Apr 14 - Apr 15
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (267 reviews)
"Newly renovated, clean, cosy, excellent location."

Reviewed on Mar 24, 2024

Rydges Melbourne
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Pegasus Apart'Hotel
Pegasus Apart'Hotel
4 out of 5
206 A'Beckett Street, Melbourne, VIC
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Melbourne. Enjoy breakfast, a fitness center, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (7,192 reviews)
"Great stay again, would be better if king beds, very convenient location and having available parking underground a bonus"

Reviewed on Mar 27, 2024

Pegasus Apart'Hotel
Citadines on Bourke Melbourne
Citadines on Bourke Melbourne
4.5 out of 5
131-135 Bourke Street, Melbourne, VIC
Stay at this 4.5-star family-friendly aparthotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (4,425 reviews)
"Good area, nice clean rooms"

Reviewed on Mar 25, 2024

Citadines on Bourke Melbourne
Aura on Flinders Serviced Apartments
Aura on Flinders Serviced Apartments
4 out of 5
707/534 Flinders st, (Enter via 7 Katherine Pl), Melbourne, VIC
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8/10 Very Good! (2,516 reviews)
"Good position, a little noisy from trains and traffic, but bearable"

Reviewed on Mar 25, 2024

Aura on Flinders Serviced Apartments
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Melbourne

4.5
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
338
" "5 - Excellent 58.68055555555556%
4 - Good
196
" "4 - Good 34.02777777777778%
3 - Okay
39
" "3 - Okay 6.770833333333333%
2 - Disappointing
2
" "2 - Disappointing 0.3472222222222222%
1 - Terrible
1
" "1 - Terrible 0.1736111111111111%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 29, 2020

Despite the closure of almost every attraction, we enjoyed long walks in the Docklands, along the Yarra River, in the many and beautiful parks, through the CBD and neighborhoods.

5/5 - Excellent

Randy
Mar 27, 2020

Some of the best Botanical Gardens and river walks in the country

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler
Mar 16, 2020

There wasn't much to do if you didn't go to Great Ocean Road and Phillip Island. Food and price were good at Crown Casino's restaurants.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 12, 2020

A lovely city. I definitely will visit again if I have a chance.

5/5 - Excellent

Jay
Feb 29, 2020

Vibrant city with lots to do and great variety of food.

3/5 - Okay

India
Feb 26, 2020

Melbourne reminds me of a smaller New York City, very busy, not very clean but has lots of walking and public transport.

Cities near Melbourne