Art + Culture

Fabulous Festivals

Melbourne's busy calendar of events celebrates food and wine, the great outdoors, art and ideas and sport - each bringing the world's best champions and performers to town.

Every autumn the city laughs along with international and local comedians during the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. The annual feast that is the 12-day Melbourne Food and Wine Festival includes World's Longest Lunch events, star appearances and tastings.

Considered one of the top flower and garden shows in the world, The Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show celebrates outdoor lifestyles and all things green.

The annual L'Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival is one of Australia's largest and most glamorous fashion events, bringing together buyers, designers and lovers of fashion.

Arts and Culture

The Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) tells the story of moving images in permanent, free exhibitions as well as temporary exhibitions. Showing from 24 June 2010 is Tim Burton, showcasing the work of one of the film world's most creative minds in an Australian exclusive.

Museum Victoria reveals the fascinating world we live in. Comprising of the Immigration Museum, Scienceworks, Melbourne Museum and the Royal Exhibition Building, it explores and explains our histories and the world of science and nature.

The NGV International houses Victoria's extensive international art collection, as well as the much-loved water wall and exciting temporary exhibitions.

Experience the unique Aboriginal culture and history of south-east Australia at the Koorie Heritage Trust Cultural Centre then explore The Ian Potter Centre at Federation Square to see excellent examples of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art.

Victoria's oldest homestead, Emu Bottom (1836) is located just out of the city at Sunbury. Now a popular venue for celebrations and functions, it features original heritage woolshed and slab hut buildings.

Melbourne on Stage

There is always a performance underway in Melbourne. The Melbourne Theatre Company, circus performances, comedy and innovative dance are all on show.

Book a seat at a blockbuster musical or theatrical extravaganza at the Princess Theatre, a landmark building with a spectacular façade, dating from 1886. The heritage-listed Regent Theatre hosts world renowned musicals, as well as magicians, special music, gigs, and film screenings.

Sporting Capital

Melbourne loves its sport, from the Australian Open Tennis Championships in January to the Boxing Day Test cricket match in December. Enjoy Formula 1™ Grand Prix action, or horse racing at the Spring Racing Carnival. From March to September, fans don team colours and head to Etihad Stadium and the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) to attend Australian Rules Football matches.

Relive magic sporting moments at the National Sports Museum. The museum is at the MCG and is home to thousands of items from Australia's rich sporting history, plus a cinema and interactive games.

Melbourne and Olympic Parks' newest facility, AAMI Park, opened in 2010, with a rugby league test between Australia and New Zealand marking the stadium's first game.

Tee Off

Play a round of golf at a course near the city. Sanctuary Lakes Resort is set around an 18-hole Greg Norman-designed golf course and 150 acres of lake at Point Cook, while Sandhurst Club is a premier golf club and residential project that features two championship golf courses.