Top things to do in Melbourne
Attractions, tours and activities in Melbourne
Recommended museums in Melbourne
Where to discover culture and the arts in Melbourne
Melbourne: the city's best neighbourhoods
Find a great area to stay in Melbourne
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St Kilda
3.6 miles from city centre
This beachside area is undergoing a gentle gentrification. Budget backpackers and chilled-out stick jugglers are giving way to trendsters and urban profs. Known for its laid-back liveability, you’ll stick to its cool cafes and clubs like a barnacle – try Hannah Café for lush breakfasts, or The Espy, Big Mouth and Republica after-hours.
Places to stay from £8 per night
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South Yarra
2.4 miles from city centre
The Gucci handbag of Melbourne. This swish and stylish neighbourhood is unabashedly upmarket and filled with continental eateries. Hit “Two Birds One Stone” for their creative breakfasts, shop for nibbly bits at the Prahran Market and beloved Chez Olivier for a typically French bistro. Why not visit them all?!
Places to stay from £16 per night
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Melbourne CBD
In the city centre
Expect the unexpected. Hipster haunts have shot up between the suit-and-tie hustle to give the area edge. Caffeinate at “Bowery to Williamsburg”, then connect the dots from café to hip café. Shop for fabulously original womenswear at LIFEwithBIRD. At night, try pang-busting Mexican at Mamasita, Supernormal for Karaoke, or the Rooftop Cinema.
Places to stay from £8 per night
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Docklands
1.1 miles from city centre
Fancy a permanent Sunday? Everything in The Docklands is low-key and chic, including its residents. May your coffee be hot and your pastries delicious at Hortus or Halyard Café. Spend a languid afternoon in the Docklands Park, then evening beers at relaxed Bar Nacional. Sunday markets occur regularly on the waterfront – check online for details.
Places to stay from £37 per night
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North Melbourne
1.2 miles from city centre
Always trendy, suburban “N.M” is known for its wealthy working parents who juggle new-borns with laptops, then take to the flat terrain by bike! It’s also known for its coffee-centrism. For proof, try Auction Rooms, Code Black or Pocket. At night, sip on cocktails amid Prudence's laid-back vibe.
Places to stay from £14 per night
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Albert Park
2.4 miles from city centre
Albert Park isn’t just made for walking. Though it’s popularly known as part of the Formula One Racing Circuit, it’s also a quiet respite barely a few kilometres from the centre. Enjoy water sports like rowing, kayaking and sailing, or pack a picnic and relax beneath the trees. Explore nearby Bridport Street’s boutiques and trendy cafés.
Places to stay from £70 per night
About Melbourne
Including tips for the best time to visit Melbourne
While Melbourne may not be Australia’s state capital, there are few who would argue against its claim as the nation’s cultural capital. It blends historical architecture with examples of contemporary design.
The city's Federation Square is overlooked by St. Paul’s Cathedral and Flinders Street Station, whose green and yellow facade matches the colour of the historic Melbourne trams that still run around the world’s longest tram network. Federation Square is also home to the Ian Potter Centre, which houses the Australian art collection of the National Victoria Gallery, and the cutting-edge ACMI (Australian Centre of The Moving Image), which documents the country’s cinematic history.
Melbourne’s artistic prowess is not only displayed in galleries and museums but also in the form of marvellous street art across the city, from Croft Alley to Hosier Lane. While you’re out graffiti hunting, be sure to sample the renowned coffee culture with a cup of your favourite blend at cafés like Axil Coffee Roasters or Seven Seeds.
South of the Yarra River are St. Kilda, a wide and sandy beach that’s popular for its picturesque promenade, and Brighton, a longer stretch known for its colourful bathing huts. From rollerblading and cycling to windsurfing and yachting, there are plenty of things to do around these beaches.
Melbourne Airport offers flights to Sydney and destinations across the world.
Tonight
From £116 per night
Next weekend
From £515 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October–December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January–March |
| Local currency | AUD 10 = £5.43 |
| Language | English |
| Average weekend price | £4 per night |
| Average weekday price | £4 per night |
| Typical stay | 2 nights |
Points of interest in Melbourne
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Melbourne
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Crown Casino Melbourne
0.7 miles from city centre
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Rod Laver Arena
1 miles from city centre
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Melbourne Cricket Ground
1.2 miles from city centre
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Eureka Tower
0.5 miles from city centre
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Princess Theatre
0.6 miles from city centre
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Flemington Racecourse
3.5 miles from city centre
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St Paul's Cathedral
0.3 miles from city centre
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Southbank Promenade
0.4 miles from city centre
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Federation Square
0.4 miles from city centre
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Arts Centre Melbourne
0.5 miles from city centre
Latest articles featuring Melbourne
Inspiration and insider tips for what to do in Melbourne
Aussie spins on international favourites
Sweet, savoury and spicy – these eight Melbourne treats will satisfy all palates
Best Melbourne brunch spots
Melbourne knows brunch, so we whittled the list down to these outstanding eateries.
Where to stay during the Australian Open
As 2018’s Australian Open approaches, here are Melbourne’s top 10 hotels for the tennis.
Melbourne reviews
What other travellers say about Melbourne
Melbourne is a very cultural and cultured city.
23 March 2023
Melbourne is a very cultural and cultured city. The theatres, art galleries, gardens, restaurants, music venues and sports stadiums are all excellent. It has good public transportation. Walking around and exploring the CBD is generally easy. There are always plenty of entertaining things happening in Melbourne throughout the year. It is foodie heaven and the best in Australia.
I wish we had stayed somewhere else in Melbourne, readyset...
23 March 2023
I wish we had stayed somewhere else in Melbourne, readyset apartment in Docklands was filthy and their staff are unhelpful, it’s also a fire trap as the smoke detector isn’t working and the staff don’t care. Please do not stay here, find somewhere else. The photos on booking.com are nothing like the place, the carpets are stained and the place smells of sewerage, in short it’s awful.
Melbourne is a lovely city and pretty laid back.
19 March 2023
Melbourne is a lovely city and pretty laid back. The Moomba Festival was on its last day when I was there so saw all the floats, dancers etc which was an excellent extra. The Skywalk or Eureka Tower was a great experience. 4D experience I hadn’t had before taking you round Melbourne. When you go out the side of the building they have it darkened out so when they open it up it is spectacular but the glass floor gives you quite a shock but fabulous experience. Take a trip out The Great Ocean Road and to the Apostles this was an amazing day with lots of fabulous views.
Wide streets, plenty of trams (free in the city centre or...
17 March 2023
Wide streets, plenty of trams (free in the city centre or get a Myki card for further afield) but also very walkable, great for exploring all the laneways, cafes, etc. Plenty to see and do, especially if you like art. Street art is everywhere (just duck up any laneway) and the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is not to be missed!
Melbourne , in my opinion has a better coffee/ cafe...
16 March 2023
Melbourne , in my opinion has a better coffee/ cafe culture than my home in Sydney. My partner preferred the Melbourne china town commenting on the number of places which had closer to authentic Chinese food. The art gallery, botanic gardens and museums are a delight to walk around.
Great transport system, lots to do, the weather was great.
15 March 2023
Great transport system, lots to do, the weather was great. Ate an amazing steak at the Hereford Beefstouw. Threw some axes at wooden targets at Maniax in the city. Did a BBQ School course at Que Club on Lygon St Brunswick, great people with lots of information.
Popular places to stay in Melbourne
Stay in some of the best accommodation Melbourne has to offer
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Modern, Quiet 1 Bed Apt on Fitzroy St, Opposite Albert Park St Kilda, Melbourne
From £120 per night
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Boutique Abode 316 Melbourne CBD, Melbourne
From £215 per night
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Fawkner Executive Suites & Serviced Apartments Melbourne, Australia
From £124 per night
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Melbourne Lifestyle Apartments – Best Views on Collins Melbourne CBD, Melbourne
From £196 per night
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Treasury on Collins Apartment Hotel Melbourne CBD, Melbourne
From £179 per night
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Other accommodation in Melbourne
Choose from a wide variety of places to stay in Melbourne
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Apartments
From £31 per night
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Villas
From £281 per night
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Cottages
From £66 per night
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Glamping
From £217 per night
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Serviced apartments
From £38 per night
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Holiday homes
From £66 per night
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Guest houses
From £32 per night
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Hostels
From £8 per night
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Motels
From £30 per night
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B&Bs
From £43 per night
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Homestays
From £27 per night
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Self catering accommodation
From £35 per night
