Melbourne

Melbourne, Victoria

An unforgettable interlude awaits in Melbourne, home to superb food and wine, vibrant arts and culture, and grand Victorian era architecture.

You’ll be inspired by breathtaking works of art and live performances, discover hidden laneways and intimate wine bars, and spoil yourself at quirky boutiques while exploring the city. Experience the magic of a luminous Flinders Street Station at night or take a riverside stroll along the Yarra River on a crisp winter’s evening. Melbourne is a feast for the senses.

From hawker-style laneway dining to gastronomic delights in hatted restaurants, Melbourne is an absolute haven for food and wine lovers. Discover new pop-up bars and eateries, share plates of succulent Spanish tapas and all-you-can-eat Sri Lankan street food, savour expertly poured espresso in trendy cafes, and soak up the city skyline from a buzzing rooftop bar. 

At the top end, the classic Grossi Florentino on Bourke St is a two-hat Melbourne icon, renowned for its traditional Italian fare and impeccable service. Vue de Monde offers a taste of superb luxe dining showcasing native ingredients, while culinary institution the Flower Drum in Chinatown serves up exquisite fine-dining Cantonese.

Number one on the culinary calendar, The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival brings together Melbourne’s finest chefs and producers to deliver over 100 delicious foodie events over 10 days each Winter, while the Night Markets at Queen Victoria Market offer an exhilarating mix of global street food, live entertainment and artisan shopping.

Melbourne boasts a dynamic arts scene, from public street art and artist-run spaces to intimate art galleries and iconic art museums. Head to the Melbourne Arts Precinct in Southbank to visit the magnificent National Gallery of Victoria, Australia’s oldest gallery, with a vast treasury of artworks and historical collections to explore. Nearby the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art is a leading art space for innovative exhibitions.

Explore the acclaimed Federation Square, opposite Flinders Street Station, for world-class exhibitions and events, as well as live performances and community events. Check out The Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) and The Ian Potter Centre, dedicated exclusively to Australian art. You’ll also find historical artefacts and stories as well as some of the world’s rarest, oldest and most fascinating treasures at the renowned Melbourne Museum.

Spend a day exploring the Heide Museum of Modern Art, located in the leafy Melbourne suburb of Bulleen. Discover the diverse collection of art by collectors John and Sunday Reed, including artworks by Sidney Nolan, Arthur Boyd and Wolfgang Sievers.

Melbourne has a fascinating and diverse heritage, from ancient Aboriginal culture dating back over 40,000 years to its proud multicultural identity today. Take a self-guided walking tour of the city's landmarks and discover the stories behind the many historic and heritage-listed buildings, such as the magnificent State Library and the atmospheric Old Melbourne Gaol where infamous bushranger Ned Kelly met his end.

Traditionally the country of the Aboriginal peoples of the Kulin Nation, Melbourne has many important Indigenous sites of cultural significance. Find out more about Aboriginal Victoria at the Koorie Heritage Trust at Fed Square. The Koorie Heritage Trust offers a range of authentic Aboriginal experiences, such as the Koorie-guided Birrarung Wilam (River Camp) walk, as well as displays of Koorie artefacts and exhibitions showcasing the work of local Aboriginal artists.

Melbourne Airport connects to domestic and international services, with Skybus shuttle services running directly into the city every 15 minutes. You can also enjoy scenic drives to Melbourne from Sydney, at just under 10 hours, and Adelaide, at just over 14 hours. There are also regular XPT train services from Sydney. If you want to get really adventurous, you can catch The Overland to Melbourne, a spectacular train journey that departs from Adelaide.