Melbourne
Australia · Country profile
Melbourne is Australia’s creative, coffee-obsessed, sports-crazy capital, a city that runs on laneways, trams and all-day café culture. The river, the cathedral, the galleries and the arcades of the centre hide a web of street-art laneways, hidden bars and rooftop terraces, while the Yarra River and the bayside suburbs spread out toward the beach. It is the nation’s cultural and culinary engine: big theatre, a global food scene, and a sporting calendar that turns the city into a stadium for Australian rules football, tennis, cricket and racing. The tram network is the world’s largest, the weather changes several times a day, and the clientele is famously stylish and friendly. Great food, sport and art — plus a coastline and hills on the doorstep.
About Melbourne
Melbourne is a city in Australia. The city's documented population is around 5,330,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Australian Dollar (AUD) and English is spoken; the dialling code is +61. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Melbourne Airport.
Laneways, Trams and Coffee as a Serious Matter
Melbourne is a lively, arts-first city built around cafés, laneways, sport and the river, with a famously four-seasons-in-one-day climate. The centre is a easy grid threaded by trams, and the heart of the experience is walking the lane ways, eating well and catching live shows. It is also a proudly outdoor city: the river, the bay, the coastal beaches and the nearby hills are part of the daily rhythm of locals. The mood is relaxed, friendly and a little bohemian, and the city’s energy peaks around big events — the Grand Prix, tennis and the annual comedy festival. Melbourne rewards those who stroll, eat and follow the locals’ own pace.
Four Seasons a Day, Myki Cards and the Free Tram Zone
The weather is the single honest variable in Melbourne — "four seasons in one day" is real, so pack layers and a jacket whatever the month. A Myki card runs the trams, trains and buses, and the free tram zone covers the city centre, so ride free for the classic loop. Book the big drawcards ahead — the National Gallery of Victoria tickets, the Melbourne Museum and the MCG tour — and the comedy and arts festivals months ahead if you’re visiting in their seasons. The city is cash-light, cards and phones cover everything, and the trams run late. The coastal day trips, from St Kilda to the Great Ocean Road, are unmissable.
Street Art, the MCG and the Bay by Tram
The free tram zone across the centre makes the classic loop easy, and the network is the world’s largest — tap on with a Myki. The famous coffee culture is a real thing: order by origin and roast at a lane café and you’ll be welcomed properly. The laneways from Flinders Lane to Centre Place are the heart of the street-art bar and café scene. The bay beaches of St Kilda and the coastal paths are an easy tram ride away. Australia runs on cashless cards, and tipping is modest — round up at the café. Melbourne’s sporting calendar is huge: the Grand Prix, tennis and the mighty AFL dominate the talking anywhere in town.
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- Country
- Australia
- Population
- 5,330,000
- Coordinates
- -37.6690, 144.8410
- Capital
- Canberra
- Region
- Oceania
- Currency
- Australian Dollar (AUD)
- Languages
- English
- Calling code
- +61
- Country code
- AU
Entry requirements for Australia
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting Australia for tourism.
Getting to Melbourne
Airports we list for Melbourne:
Other airports in the area:
Cities in Australia
Other cities we cover in Australia:
Frequently asked questions
Is Melbourne the capital of Australia?
No — the capital of Australia is Canberra.
What currency do I need in Melbourne?
The local currency is the Australian Dollar (AUD). Languages spoken in Australia include English.
What is the dialling code for Australia?
The international dialling code for Australia is +61.
Which airport should I fly into for Melbourne?
Melbourne Airport (MEL) is the airport we list for Melbourne.
How far is Melbourne from the nearest airport?
Melbourne is about 641 km from Adelaide Airport.
Do I need a visa to visit Australia?
It depends on your passport. For the origins we track, the current tourism visa status is Morocco (visa required), United Kingdom (e-visa) and United States (e-visa). Check the entry requirements tool for your own nationality.
Flying out of Melbourne? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.