Melbourne Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Southbank featuring a high-rise building, a city and a bridge

Melbourne Travel Guide Video

This stylish city fuses contemporary design with an elegantly preserved past. Soak up the future and the past in this relaxed capital of style.

Melbourne is a wonderful destination for the cultured traveller, with its mix of architecture, its chic coffee culture, and its love for the best in art, fashion and food. It effortlessly combines a respect and reverence for the past with a dynamic aesthetic.The city's famous trams roll serenely down Bourke Street Mall, passing modern shops, gracefully housed in perfectly preserved buildings. Collins Street continues the melding of styles, with cutting-edge modern buildings mixed among the art deco hotels and the Victorian-era churches.Continuing through Federation Square, the charming Yarra River compliments St Paul's Cathedral and nearby Flinders Street Station, which contrast with the polished design of the newer additions to the streetscape. The popular Australian Centre for the Moving Image tells the history of Australia's relationship with television and film, through the use of the best in current technology.Southbank is to be found on the other side of the river, and has a rich selection of bars and restaurants. It’s also home to the Eureka Tower, where a trip up to Skydeck 88 will reward you with panoramic views across the rooftops and many parks of Melbourne. The excellent National Gallery of Victoria is also to be found in Southbank, along with the Royal Botanic Gardens.The suburbs also have a lot to offer, as a trip on a tram to the eateries and espresso bars of 'Little Italy' on Lygon Street in Carlton will prove. The Melbourne Museum also offers a cultural reason to see this part of the city.The glorious sunshine of Australia demands a trip to the beach, and seaside St Kilda is the place to go! When you've had your fill of sea and sand, take a walk through the tasteful vintage boutiques and cake shops, and follow that up with the hair-raising amusements at Luna Park. An overnight stay in the suburb, followed by an early-morning stroll along the coast to the colourful 'bathing boxes' of Brighton Beach, is recommended.The style and grace of Melbourne charms the visitor, and the relaxed atmosphere makes it a very easy place to fall in love with.

Where to stay in Melbourne

Melbourne CBD showing outdoor eating

Melbourne Central Business District

4.5/5(20,262 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
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Southbank

Are you interested in stunning river views, first-class casinos and popular shops? A visit to Southbank might be the perfect thing. You can also explore top sights like Crown Casino and Melbourne Skydeck.

Southbank
Sorrento featuring a sandy beach and water sports

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 which includes a bay or harbour, night scenes and a high-rise building

Docklands

Travellers 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
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Rye

Beaches, spas and hot springs are just a few things travellers enjoy about Rye. Check out Rye Beach or Mornington Peninsula National Park while you're exploring the area.

Rye
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Melbourne Airport

Melbourne Airport is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to URBNSURF Sports Park or Woodlands Historic Park.

Melbourne Airport
Great Southern Hotel Melbourne
Great Southern Hotel Melbourne
3.5 out of 5
44 Spencer Street, Melbourne, VIC
The price is NZ$110 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
NZ$110
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
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! (1,135 reviews)
"Great location for easy transport to GP"

Reviewed on 26 Mar. 2024

Great Southern Hotel Melbourne
The Victoria Hotel Melbourne
The Victoria Hotel Melbourne
3.5 out of 5
215 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$140 per night from 22 Apr to 23 Apr
NZ$140
per night
22 Apr - 23 Apr
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 26 Mar. 2024

The Victoria Hotel Melbourne
Rydges Melbourne
Rydges Melbourne
4.5 out of 5
186 Exhibition Street,, Melbourne, VIC
The price is NZ$245 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
NZ$245
per night
14 Apr - 15 Apr
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! (270 reviews)
"Date night"

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 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.
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 25 Mar. 2024

Aura on Flinders Serviced Apartments
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 27 Mar. 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! (4,426 reviews)
"Good area, nice clean rooms"

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2024

Citadines on Bourke 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.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Melbourne

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
5724
" "5 - Excellent 54.75939921553621%
4 - Good
4063
" "4 - Good 38.869224146178134%
3 - Okay
588
" "3 - Okay 5.625179374342294%
2 - Disappointing
51
" "2 - Disappointing 0.48789821103989284%
1 - Terrible
27
" "1 - Terrible 0.2582990529034727%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
28 May 2020

Love the city shopping everyday

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
25 May 2020

I love Melbourne, so diverse

4/5 - Good

Deb
22 May 2020

Melbournians are remaining patient and respectful of distancing during the virus.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
17 May 2020

Love Melbourne

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
14 May 2020

Nice and quiet for me during the coronavirus lockdown. Collins Street was surprisingly safe. Melbourne has always been a livable City.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
4 May 2020

it would be an alright city if you got rid of Queen Victoria in the first place years ago.

Cities near Melbourne