Melbourne & Surrounds
Victoria’s cultured heart — hidden laneways, serious coffee, world-class sport and art — and the launch pad for the Dandenongs, the wine country and the coast.
Melbourne & Surrounds
Melbourne is Victoria’s cultured, creative heart — a city of hidden laneways and grand arcades, serious coffee, world-class sport and art, and green gardens along the Yarra. It’s also the launch pad for the state: within an easy drive lie the fern-filled Dandenong Ranges, the Yarra Valley’s cellar doors, the bay beaches and the coast. This is the overview; for the city in full, dive into our dedicated Melbourne travel guide.
Melbourne Highlights
Lanes & Arcades
Street art in Hosier Lane, hidden bars, and the historic Block and Royal arcades.
Markets & Dining
The Queen Victoria Market, laneway espresso and one of the world’s great multicultural food scenes.
The MCG & More
The mighty MCG, the tennis at Melbourne Park and the racing at Flemington — a true sporting city.
Gardens & St Kilda
The Royal Botanic Gardens, the arts precinct, and bayside St Kilda with Luna Park and little penguins.
Melbourne’s Surrounds
- The Dandenong Ranges — Puffing Billy, mountain-ash forest and cool gardens
- The Yarra Valley — cool-climate wine and Healesville wildlife, ~1 hr
- The Mornington Peninsula — hot springs, beaches and cellar doors
- Phillip Island — the dusk Penguin Parade, ~2 hrs
- The Great Ocean Road — the Twelve Apostles and surf coast
- See best day trips from Melbourne to plan
Melbourne, in Depth
Melbourne — FAQ
What is Melbourne known for?
Laneways and arcades, a world-famous coffee and food scene, sport (the MCG, the tennis, the racing), the arts, and leafy gardens — wrapped in a walkable, tram-served grid. For the full city, see our Melbourne travel guide.
How many days do you need in Melbourne?
Three to four days covers the laneways, markets, gardens, sport and a gallery or two, with time for a day trip. Add more to reach the Dandenongs, the Yarra Valley or the coast.
What are the best day trips from Melbourne?
The Yarra Valley and Great Ocean Road, the Mornington Peninsula, Phillip Island and the Dandenong Ranges are all within about 1–2 hours. See best day trips from Melbourne.
How do you get around Melbourne?
On foot and by tram — the City Circle tram and central Free Tram Zone are free, and trains and buses run on the myki card. See getting around Melbourne.
Is Melbourne good for food?
Exceptionally — from laneway espresso and the Queen Victoria Market to one of the world’s most multicultural dining scenes. See the Melbourne food guide.
Victoria, Planned Around You
Melbourne, the Great Ocean Road, the wine country and the penguins — with the driving and bookings handled by the family that’s toured Australia since 1974.
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