Melbourne

Melbourne is Australia’s second-largest city and the vibrant capital of Victoria. Its metropolitan area covers nearly 9,993 square kilometres and is home to about 5.2 million people as of 2023. (The population was around 4.9 million at the 2021 census, so it continues to grow.) This makes Melbourne the second most populous city in Australia (after Sydney). Demographically, Melbourne is remarkably diverse: it has one of the highest proportions of overseas-born residents of any city in the world. Communities from Italy, Greece, Vietnam, India, China and many other countries have long-established enclaves here, giving the city a rich multicultural fabric. English is the common tongue, but on its busy streets you will hear dozens of languages.

Economically, Melbourne is a powerhouse. It is a leading financial centre in the Asia-Pacific (ranked 28th globally), hosting major banks, markets and professional services. The city’s GDP is in the hundreds of billions of dollars (much larger than smaller cities) and covers many sectors: finance, manufacturing, research and development, creative industries, education and healthcare. Notably, Melbourne is sometimes called Australia’s cultural capital: it gave rise to Australian rules football and a distinctive school of painting, and today has a huge film, theatre and arts scene. In 2014 it was even named the world’s most livable city several years running (though that is as much quality-of-life as an economy metric). The bottom line: Melbourne’s economy is broad and sophisticated, reflecting its size – it houses more than five million souls and an enormous workforce.

Melbourne lies on the southeastern coast of mainland Australia, by Port Phillip Bay. The city center is situated at the northern edge of the bay where the Yarra River flows out to sea. Its metropolitan area spans roughly 10,000 km², extending to the Dandenong Ranges to the east and the basalt plains to the north and west. Melbourne’s urban sprawl reaches to the Mornington Peninsula south of the city, creating a mix of coastline, suburban parklands, and glassy bayside suburbs.

The climate is classified as temperate oceanic (Köppen Cfb). This means Melbourne has warm summers and cool winters, with rain distributed fairly evenly over the year. Average January highs are around 25 °C, and July lows around 9–10 °C. The weather is famously changeable: it is common to have sunshine, clouds and an evening rainstorm all in one day. Overall, the mild climate means Melbourne can be visited at any season, though bring an umbrella or jacket in the cooler months and expect hot days in late summer.

In broader context, Melbourne is roughly 295 km from Canberra and about 700 km from Sydney. It occupies a prominent location on Australia’s south-east. Visitors often remark that despite being so far south (around 37°50′ S latitude), Melbourne’s climate is much milder than similar latitudes in the northern hemisphere because of its oceanic setting.

Melbourne was founded relatively late by European standards. In 1835, settlers from Tasmania (then called Van Diemen’s Land) established a village on land occupied by the Wurundjeri people. It was named Melbourne in 1837 after the British Prime Minister William Lamb, and was officially incorporated as a Crown Settlement. The discovery of gold in Victoria in 1851 triggered an explosive population boom: thousands of prospectors poured in, transforming the settlement into a city almost overnight. By the late 1850s Melbourne’s wealth from gold made it one of the world’s largest and richest cities.

In 1851, Victoria became a separate colony and Melbourne its capital. The city grew rapidly in the late 19th century with grand Victorian-era architecture. From 1901 until 1927, Melbourne served as Australia’s federal seat of government (before Canberra was built). Key historical milestones include the opening of the country’s first skyscraper (Collins Street rised in 1889), hosting the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1956 Olympic Games (the first Olympics in the Southern Hemisphere), and building major landmarks like the Flinders Street Railway Station (1910). Over the 20th century, Melbourne expanded to incorporate many surrounding towns, becoming the sprawling metropolis it is today.

Culturally, Melbourne is often described as a city of parades and festivals. The Melbourne Cup (a famous horse race) started in 1861 and remains a national event. Other traditions include the MCG cricket Test every Boxing Day and the Grand Prix race which began in 1996. These events, alongside its history of coffee houses, Fitzroy art precincts and Aussie rules football (born here in 1858), underscore how Melbourne’s colonial roots have evolved into a distinct, local urban culture.

Melbourne’s cultural atmosphere is metropolitan and cosmopolitan. English is spoken by virtually everyone, but many first-generation immigrants continue to use their heritage languages at home. Street names reveal Melbourne’s mix: on any corner you might find an Italian espresso bar next to a Vietnamese pho café, and the city is peppered with ethnic enclaves (Chinatown, Greek Precinct on Lonsdale Street, the Italian Quarter in Carlton, etc.). The sheer variety of restaurants, festivals, and cultural institutions reflects this multiculturalism.

Melburnians (as locals call themselves) tend to have a creative, “laissez-faire” vibe. Laneway cafes and graffiti artworks are part of daily life. The city is famous for its café culture – Melbourneians often chat over flat whites or cold brews at sidewalk tables regardless of the weather. The pace of life is moderate: not as frantic as Sydney, but more energetic than a small town. People are generally considered friendly and progressive. In fact, a Condé Nast ranking once named Melbourne one of the world’s friendliest cities (tied with Auckland).

Festivals and events dominate the calendar. There is virtually no off-season: January sees the Australian Open tennis; autumn is jam-packed with the Melbourne Fringe Festival, Food and Wine Festival (around March) and the Melbourne Cup (horse racing); winter brings the Comedy Festival and arts festival; spring the Grand Prix and Cultural Festival. Many cultural institutions – galleries, theatres, live-music venues – present international and local works year-round. Sporting culture is a big part of local identity (Australian rules football on winter weekends, cricket in summer); watching a game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is almost a ritual for residents.

Shopping and arts are also woven into daily life. Queen Victoria Market (the “Vic Market”) – the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere – is a top destination for food and crafts. The arts precinct on St Kilda Road and the NGV (National Gallery of Victoria) reflect Melbourne’s emphasis on creativity. In summary, Melbourne feels like a sophisticated, worldly city: locals take pride in their sport, coffee, and arts, and visitors quickly notice a strong “urban cool” vibe.

Melbourne offers a wealth of attractions. The city’s heart is Federation Square (Fed Square), a modern plaza of angular buildings and museums, and it anchors the city’s cultural precinct. Across the street is Flinders Street Station with its iconic yellow facade – both are must-see urban landmarks. A short walk or tram ride away on St Kilda Road are major institutions: the National Gallery of Victoria, the Arts Centre Melbourne, and the botanic gardens. The Eureka Tower in Southbank is famous: its Skydeck (known as Melbourne Observation Deck) on Level 88 offers 360° views of the city and bay. (At 230 m height, it is the highest public vantage point in the southern hemisphere.)

Other top draws include: the Queen Victoria Market, where you can shop for fresh produce and souvenirs (it dates to 1878 and remains a lively spot); the historic Collins Street and Bourke Street malls for shopping; and the precinct of Federation Square itself, which hosts free events and galleries. The city’s famous laneways are attractions too: places like Hosier Lane attract tourists for their street art and hidden cafés.

Sports and entertainment also feature: tours of the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Rod Laver Arena (tennis) are available for fans, and the Docklands precinct by the harbour has modern dining and the Melbourne Star observation wheel. A short trip beyond the CBD brings the beaches of St Kilda and Brighton (complete with beach boxes) and the rides of Luna Park. The countryside is close as well – Phillip Island (penguin parade), the Mornington Peninsula (wineries and hot springs) and the Great Ocean Road (a scenic coastal drive) are popular day trips.

In brief, a visitor’s checklist often reads: visit Federation Square and the NGV; ride the ferry on the Yarra; see street art in the city’s laneways; stroll through Queen Victoria Market; ascend the Eureka Tower; and if time allows, do the short excursion to St Kilda Beach. These iconic experiences, along with exploring the diverse neighborhoods, give a visitor a true flavor of Melbourne.

Melbourne is very accessible. Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) is the main international gateway (the country’s second-busiest airport). Avalon Airport, about 50 km to the south, offers low-cost domestic and some Asian flights. Both have frequent shuttle and train connections to the city. Long-distance trains and coaches arrive at Southern Cross Station in the CBD. Roads into Melbourne include multiple freeways (M1 from Sydney/Albury, M31 from Canberra) that converge onto city ring roads.

Within the city, public transport is extensive. The metro train network (with its terminus at Flinders Street Station) covers the suburbs; the tram network in the central area is the largest in the world (about 250 km of track). Trams even operate a free zone in the CBD, making short trips easy. There is also a modern fleet of buses. Melbourne is generally very walkable in the inner city and inner suburbs. Many visitors find it convenient to stay near the centre and use trams/taxis for outer areas.

Everyday life in Melbourne is straightforward for international visitors. Australian dollars are used; credit cards and contactless payments are accepted nearly everywhere. English is the dominant language. There is no tipping culture as in the US, but leaving a small tip (10%) for good service in restaurants is appreciated. Social etiquette is casual: a simple handshake or “G’day” greeting suffices; people tend to call each other by first names. A friendly note: Melbourne’s weather can be unpredictable, so it’s wise to carry a light rain jacket even on a sunny day. For safety, Melbourne is a safe city by global standards, but standard urban precautions apply (e.g. avoid dimly lit alleys at night). In short, visitors will find Melbourne easy to navigate, with signs in English, a reliable taxi/hail network, and clear maps available at stations. A tip for tourists: obtain a Myki card (the reloadable transport pass) for seamless travel on trains, trams and buses.