Discovering Melbourne

Melbourne is regarded as one of the world's most 'liveable' cities, renowned for its great events, food and wine, passion for sport, and a dynamic arts scene. Locals and visitors alike enjoy its safe streets, festivals, green spaces, striking architecture and world-class attractions.

A Contemporary City

Melbourne has preserved much of its heritage from sites of significance to the traditional Indigenous owners, to colonial and gold rush-era architecture, historic parks, tree-lined streets, cobblestone laneways and historic arcades.

Contemporary architecture sits comfortably beside the art deco, and includes the iconic Federation Square public plaza, and The City of Melbourne's Council House 2 office building, one of the world's 'greenest' buildings.

Find Your Way

Survey the grid-like city, green spaces, distinctive architecture and Yarra River, which snakes its way to Port Phillip Bay, from Eureka Skydeck 88, the highest public vantage point in the Southern Hemisphere. Jump on the free City Circle tram that circumnavigates the Central Business District (CBD). It's a great way to look around, and the on-board commentary explains points of interest. Hop on and off to see attractions including the Old Melbourne Gaol, the State Library of Victoria, Museum Victoria and more. Take the time to wander Melbourne's laneways, as they offer up their secrets and surprises. Explore narrow lanes and intriguing arcades, discover opulent bars, cafés, creative spaces, great restaurants and boutiques, and make sure you sample all the specialties they have to offer.

Take a Seat

Musicians, actors, dancers and entertainers take to the stage every day to perform in historic theatres, clubs and pubs and state-of-the-art venues. Head to the Southbank Cultural Precinct near the Yarra River and under the spires of the Arts Centre you'll see world-class performances, while at the National Gallery of Victoria - the 20th most attended art museum in the world - breathtaking art collections can be admired.

Melbourne loves its sport, and is the home of Australian Rules Football. Each year the stars of international tennis, equestrian, motor racing, surfing and many other sports come to the city to compete. The city centre has world-class facilities, including the new AAMI Park in the Melbourne Olympic Parks precinct.

Melbourne hosts a busy calendar of community events and international festivals that celebrate fashion and design, words and ideas, film, comedy and the arts.

Australia's only Southern Ocean aquarium, the Melbourne Aquarium is celebrating its tenth birthday in 2010. Call in to see its Antarctica 'world', which includes an Antarctic penguin exhibit, and its expanded retail, food and education services, as well as a stunning new function space.

Melbourne's Surrounds

Within a 90-minute radius of Melbourne by car or coach, you will find the fertile orchards and vineyards, bay views and ocean beaches of the Mornington Peninsula, the local wildlife and family attractions of Phillip Island, mineral waters, spas and bathhouses of Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges, and the green valleys, cellar doors and tall forests of the Yarra Valley and the Dandenong Ranges.

Melbourne is the door to Australia's cellar, with five wine growing regions within 90 minutes of the city. Sample local Victorian wines at one of more than 3,000 places to eat and drink throughout the city.