Host city
Melbourne, the city that never sleeps
Capital of sport, culture, entertainment and style and is one of the world’s premier meeting and convention destinations. Melbourne offers an unusually rich blend of arts, culture, sport, parklands and gardens, shopping, restaurants and festivals.
Plan your trip to Melbourne
The charms of Melbourne has led it to be previously declared one of the world’s most liveable cities, with a combination of its world-class infrastructure, personal security, stable society, education, healthcare and green open spaces. It is an elegant, stylish, cosmopolitan city with many diverse ethnic influences. The arts precinct is located right on the city’s doorstep.
It includes the Federation Square complex, an open living, energetic centre of Melbourne with the Australian and indigenous art section of the National Gallery of Victoria and the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, the most advanced centre for screen culture in the world.
Set amongst truly wonderful cafes, restaurants and bars, this square looks back over the Yarra River at the Victorian Arts Centre, with its distinctive spire atop the theatres building and the Convert Hall, acclaimed for outstanding performances of opera, musicals, concerts, drama and ballet.
Section with Melbourne facts:
Australia's culinary capital
- More than 3,500 restaurants from 70+ countries
- Victoria's rich gastronomic landscape includes 21 distinct wine regions, over 699 wineries, 380 cellar doors, and nearly 160 craft breweries.
- Melbourne's coffee culture is renowned as one of the world's very best.
Australia’s sporting capital
- Home to the Australian Open, the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix, AFL Grand Final.
- Melbourne hosted the 1956 Summer Olympics which was the first time Australia hosted the Olympics.
- Melbourne Cricket Ground is the birthplace of test cricket and the largest stadium in Australia.
Nature and wildlife
- Melbourne is home to wild penguins! St Kilda and Phillip Island are Melbourne beach destinations where visitors can enjoy the spectacle of a stunning sunset while observing penguins waddling ashore to take shelter for the night.
- Just outside the city of Melbourne lies the 243km The Great Ocean Road with breathtaking views of cliffs, beaches, and the famous Twelve Apostles.
Weather
- The average weather in August (Australian Winter) in Melbourne is max 16° C / 60.8° F.
- Melbourne is well known for its unpredictable weather, referred to as 'four seasons in one day'. It can change from sunshine to rain and back again in an instant.
For more information about Melbourne and Victoria, please visit www.visitmelbourne.com
Once you have arrived, you can collect brochures and maps and get tailored advice from a Melbourne Visitor Information Centre.