Melbourne and the State of Victoria embrace difference. Around every corner, there’s something unexpected and inspiring waiting to be discovered, and a wealth of quintessential Australian experiences all within close proximity to one another.
The vibrant and eclectic state capital, Melbourne is bursting with art, fashion, sports, food and, of course, coffee. Endless one-of-a-kind experiences fill its laneways, basements and rooftops. The city is truly unique — where every little moment leaves you feeling a little richer.
Right outside of Melbourne, you can cruise scenic drives to spectacular coastlines, towering rock formations, tranquil bays and pristine peninsulas.
Encounter unique wildlife in their natural habitats, experience spectacular waterfalls or soak in open-air thermal springs. Indulge in food and drink that highlights the rich array of local flavors. Savor views of spectacular mountain ranges from luxury cottages or hike through leafy forests. Throughout your adventure, be inspired by the world’s oldest living culture through the stories told by First Nations Peoples. It’s a place of diverse beauty that opens eyes and minds.
Embrace the Difference:
New South Wales
A whole world of events awaits visitors in Melbourne. Whatever the season, the city is buzzing with theater, exhibitions, concerts, festivals and sports. Drawing guests from across Australia and around the globe, Melbourne's busy events calendar is sure to excite.
Among the annual headliner events are:
Australian Open of tennis (January)
Melbourne Fashion Festival (March)
Melbourne Food & Wine Festival (March)
Melbourne International Comedy Festival (late March–April)
Rolex Australia Formula One® Grand Prix (late March–April)
Melbourne Writers Festival (May)
Melbourne International Film Festival (August)
Australian Football League (AFL) Season (April–September)
Melbourne Cup Carnival of thoroughbred horseracing (late October–November)
Boxing Day Test international cricket match (December)
Just in case you couldn’t tell by all those adrenalin-pumping events, Melbourne has a unique and unwavering reverence for sports. Regardless of whether it’s an Australian Rules football game, the Rolex Australia Formula One® Grand Prix of motor racing or a glamorous day at the Lexus Melbourne Cup Day horseracing, the city is perpetually energized by the wealth of sporting spectacles that fill the calendar.
From the first serve of the Australian Open to the last over of the Boxing Day Test cricket series, people gather in world-class facilities and enjoy the spectacle of Melbourne’s world-class sporting events. Together, diehard fans and casual spectators celebrate victories, commiserate defeats and herald the arrival of champions new and old in inimitable fashion.
Restaurants that have been “hatted” by the Australian Good Food Guide boast incredibly talented chefs and decadent dining
Melbourne is also globally recognized for its dynamic restaurant, bar and café scenes, each one defined by the pursuit of creativity, quality and innovation. Restaurants that have been “hatted” by the Australian Good Food Guide boast incredibly talented chefs and decadent dining at stylish venues where culturally diverse menus push gastronomic boundaries and set global trends.
Reimagined rooftop bars serve an ever-changing selection of craft beers and indulgent cocktails in the form of drinkable art. During the day, cozy cafés beckon passers-by with interior designs as delicious as the soy chai lattes, and popular markets sell rainbows of organic ingredients grown by local farmers.
Woven into Melbourne’s cultural fabric, creativity is expressed in a multitude of forms for a diverse palette of tastes. Duck into the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) — Australia’s oldest and largest art museum — to admire the world’s most celebrated artists or wander through one of hundreds of laneway exhibitions and art studios.
Join applauding crowds at the historical Princess Theatre — opened in 1854 and Australia’s oldest entertainment venue. Or laugh with everyone else during an edgy stand-up show during the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Outside of theaters, galleries and studios, urban street art is a hallmark of Melbourne and offers an evolving response to the world throughout the city’s laneways and streets.
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Located less than an hour east of Melbourne, the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges are revered for incredible food and wine, breathtaking scenery, romantic hideaways and indulgent adventures.
The Yarra Valley is recognized as one of the world’s premier wine growing regions with over 80 sensational cellar doors and superb restaurants serving the finest Victorian produce as well as sumptuous accommodation for those who want to stay a while and embrace the valley’s laid-back country lifestyle.
A haven for hidden delights, the Dandenong Ranges offer an abundance of artist studios, craft stores and lush gardens along its scenic roads, complemented by hiking and cycling trails through ash forests and clean, refreshing air.
Yarra Valley is also home to Healesville Sanctuary, a renowned refuge for Australian wildlife. Tranquil walking paths meander through habitats for iconic animals like koalas, kangaroos, platypus, dingoes, wombats, and emus as well the magnificent and majestic birds of the “Spirits of the Sky” show.
Phillip Island is another nature lover’s paradise with pristine white beaches, endless family fun and wildlife adventures
Venturing along the coast and into the countryside, visitors can explore regions of Victoria state with distinctive personalities as well as an array of adventures and activities.
Breathe in the fresh sea air, sample innovative local cuisine, and soak up the relaxed alfresco lifestyle of the Mornington Peninsula, just an hour from Melbourne. Explore the galleries and cafes in breezy seaside villages, cool off with a day on the beach, or savor the wining and dining delights at more than 50 boutique wineries (many of them producing the peninsula’s renowned Pinot Noir) and acclaimed restaurants such as Laura, Ten Minutes by Tractor, Port Phillip Estate and Montalto.
If relaxing is your goal, restore balance with Mornington’s pure sea air, serene gardens, luxurious treatments at Alba Thermal Springs and Spa or Peninsula Hot Springs at these naturally heated geothermal springs.
A ferry from the Mornington Peninsula or a freeway straight from Melbourne takes road trippers to the eastern end of the Great Ocean Road and a chance to glimpse the towering Twelve Apostles along one of the world’s most stunning driving routes. Weather permitting, allow time to walk down the Gibson Steps to be dwarfed by the 230-foot (70-meter) high vertical cliffs and marvel at the giant limestone stacks rising out of the sea.
Along the way, get up close to native wildlife, misty waterfalls and pristine forests of Great Otway National Park or take in historic surf spots like Bells Beach and Torquay. Explore the great outdoors on bushwalking and mountain biking quests or take a cerebral journey through galleries, museums and heritage attractions along the route. And don’t forget to feast on the spectacular views and local produce along the way.
glimpse the towering Twelve Apostles along one of the world’s most stunning driving routes
Just 90 minutes from Melbourne, Phillip Island is another nature lover’s paradise with pristine white beaches, endless family fun and wildlife adventures. The island’s daily parade of Little Penguins is one of the highlights and draws visitors from around the globe. Up early and swimming more than 70 miles a day in search of food, these little guys arrive home from work at dusk and march up the beach.
Get even closer to the action at the Penguins Plus viewing platform. Splash out on a VIP Skybox and see the Penguin Parade from the comfort of an elevated viewing tower. Or visit a secluded beach to view the penguins with the latest night vision technology as part of the Ultimate Penguin Experience with a ranger guide.
Elsewhere on Phillip Island, stroll along the boardwalks at The Nobbies nature reserve through sea bird gardens and wait for a blast from the headland’s thunderous blowholes. Or climb aboard a seal cruise at Cowes for an up-close encounter with some of the 25,000 fur seals that have colonized rocks off The Nobbies.
Koala spotting doesn’t get any better than the treetop boardwalks at Phillip Island's Koala Conservation Reserve. Bring your camera, as excellent photo opportunities abound, especially between December and February when young joeys emerge from their mothers' pouches.
Around every corner, there’s something unexpected and inspiring waiting to be discovered
Melbourne
and Victoria
Embrace the Difference:
Melbourne
and Victoria
The World Comes to Melbourne
Edible and Visual Art
Villages, Vines and Awesome Views
Embrace the Country Lifestyle
Penguins on Parade
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