Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
1846-established, 36-hectare botanical garden with Australian plants and non-native species.
Australia
Melbourne
RegionCulture
Melbourne, Victoria's capital, is Australia's second-largest city with around 5 million residents.
by Felix Gillen
Melbourne, Victoria's capital, is Australia's second-largest city with around 5 million residents. Situated on Port Phillip Bay and the Yarra River, it's considered the country's cultural heart, boasting Victorian architecture, laneways filled with cafes and street art, and major sporting events.The city centre is compact and easily explored by tram. Neighborhoods like Fitzroy, Southbank, and St Kilda each boast their own character.
Melbourne, Australia's cultural and sporting capital, welcomes you with a dynamic mix of art, cuisine, and urban flair. Explore labyrinthine laneways like Degraves Street with its iconic cafés and the vibrant street art in Hosier Lane. The city's heart beats at Federation Square, a central meeting point for culture and events. Elegant Victorian architecture contrasts with modern skyscrapers, significantly shaping the cityscape. Savour world-class gastronomy, from fine dining restaurants to fresh produce at the historic Queen Victoria Market. For efficient exploration, utilize the free tram zone in the city centre. The months of March to May or September to November offer pleasant temperatures for your visit.
Sights in Melbourne
Discover the most important sights and attractions
Shrine of Remembrance
Complex commemorating Australian service personnel with memorials, exhibitions and gardens.
State Library Victoria
A block-spanning state landmark opened in 1856, with a magnificent reading room.
NGV
Public museum with a large collection of significant Australian and international artworks and objects.
St. Patrick's Cathedral
Neo-Gothic Catholic Cathedral on the eastern edge of the city center, built of dark basalt from 1858 and only completed in 1939 with its spires. Inside, the stained-glass windows are impressive.
Alexandra Gardens
Park on the Yarra's south bank between Princes Bridge and the Botanical Gardens, with riverside paths, rowing boathouses, and a skate park.
Essen & Trinken
Teppanyaki restaurant on Collins Street, where food is cooked on the hot iron in front of the guests.
Spanish Tapas restaurant at the beginning of Hosier Lane, one of the city's most famous addresses. Reservations recommended; walk-in spots at the bar.
Steakhouse on the Docklands waterfront, with grilled dishes and water views.
Teppanyaki restaurant on the first floor on Little Bourke Street in Chinatown, with tableside show cooking.
Modern Asian cuisine in a spacious restaurant with a bar and tables under a giant red lantern.
Japanese restaurant at Federation Square with ramen, sushi and donburi, great for a break between museums.
Cantonese restaurant in a Chinatown alley, a Melbourne institution for upscale Chinese dining since the 1970s. Known for Peking Duck.
Teahouse on Little Collins Street with Dim Sum and a wide selection of teas.
Indian restaurant on Crossley Street in the city centre, with curries, tandoori dishes, and fresh bread.
Italian restaurant in Southgate on the Yarra with pasta, pizza, and skyline views.
Stylish hotel with elegant suites, an upscale restaurant, and indoor and outdoor pools.
Simple Indian eatery on Flinders Street with cheap curries and thalis.
Italian restaurant in Southbank with pizza and pasta, near the theatres at the Arts Precinct.
Small bistro in Corrs Lane in Chinatown with simple dishes at moderate prices.
Food and Drink
Melbourne is considered the capital of Australian coffee and has one of the country's most diverse restaurant scenes.
Coffee Culture
Flat White and Espresso from small roasteries, often in laneway cafés like on Degraves Street.
Queen Victoria Market
The large 19th-century market with meat, fish, and delicatessen halls, and a night market in summer.
Chinatown and Little Italy
Little Bourke Street is one of the oldest Chinatowns in the Western world, and Lygon Street in Carlton is the Italian quarter.
Greek Cuisine
Melbourne has one of the largest Greek communities outside of Greece; you'll find tavernas in Lonsdale Street and Oakleigh, for instance.
Best Time to Visit
When is the best time for your trip?
13–19°C·40–60 mm(little rain)
Autumn from March to May and spring from October to December bring mild temperatures. In summer, hot days above 35 °C are possible; in winter it's cool but rarely frosty.
The weather often changes within a few hours, especially in spring.
Seasons
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Summer, Festivals and Australian Open
Mild, pleasant travel time
Winter, cool and gray
Best Time to Visit
▶Show detailed monthly data
| Month | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 21.0 | 45 |
| February | 21.0 | 45 |
| March | 19.0 | 40 |
| April | 16.0 | 45 |
| May | 13.0 | 40 |
| June | 11.0 | 40 |
| July | 10.0 | 38 |
| August | 11.0 | 45 |
| September | 13.0 | 50 |
| October | 15.0 | 55 |
| November | 17.0 | 60 |
| December | 19.0 | 50 |
Culture & History
From Gold Rush to Cultural MetropolisMelbourne is located on the land of the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation. The city was founded in 1835 and grew rapidly with the gold rush of the 1850s, at times becoming one of the wealthiest cities in the world. From this period date the Royal Exhibition Building, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, the State Library, and many city centre arcades. From 1901 to 1927, Melbourne served as the seat of the Australian federal government.Immigration and SportAfter World War II, many immigrants arrived from Italy and Greece, followed later by those from Vietnam and China. This has shaped the culinary culture to this day. Sport holds a special place here: The Melbourne Cricket Ground accommodates around 100,000 people, in addition to the Australian Open in January and the Grand Prix in Albert Park.
On-site adventures
Melbourne boasts the world's largest tram network. In the city centre, the Free Tram Zone applies, making tram rides free.myki: For tram, bus, and train outside the Free Tram Zone, you need a myki card or pay contactless, depending on the system's status.Airport: The SkyBus connects Tullamarine Airport with Southern Cross Station, approximately 30 minutes.On Foot: The grid layout of the Central Business District with its Laneways is easy to explore on foot.Weather: Melbourne is known for "four seasons in one day". Always pack a jacket.
