About Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria and the second-most populous city in Australia. The city's name generally refers to a 9,993-square-kilometre (3,858 sq mi) area, comprising an urban agglomeration of 30 local government areas. The name is also used specifically to refer to the local government area, also named the City of Melbourne, whose administrative area is centred on the Melbourne central business district and some immediate surrounds.
Cheap flights to Melbourne
The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $1,300 from New York, travelling 26 Nov – 3 Dec. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.
- NYC New York to Melbourne26 Nov – 3 Dec · MEL from$1,300
- DFW Dallas to Melbourne19 Dec – 31 Dec · MEL from$1,778
Cheapest month to fly
Airlines travellers compared most often: United Airlines, Qantas Airways.
Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 12 Oct and 11 Nov 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.
Search flights to MelbournePlaces to visit in Melbourne
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Federation Square
LandmarkThe city's main public square, with modern architecture, cultural venues and a large screen for events. It is opposite Flinders Street Station, making it an easy starting point for exploring.
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Royal Botanic Gardens
Park · 2 mi from centreLarge landscaped gardens beside the Yarra River with lakes, lawns and plant collections. Walk the Tan Track around the edge, and bring a picnic on sunny days.
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Queen Victoria Market
MarketA historic open-air market selling fresh food, clothing and souvenirs. Visit on a weekend morning for the best atmosphere, and check for the summer night market.
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Melbourne Cricket Ground
EntertainmentA giant sports stadium hosting cricket in summer and Australian rules football in winter. Catch a game if you can, or join a stadium tour that includes the sports museum.
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National Gallery of Victoria
MuseumAustralia's oldest public art museum, with collections in two buildings in the city. The international collection is on St Kilda Road, and the Australian art is at Federation Square.
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Hosier Lane
NeighborhoodA narrow laneway covered in constantly changing street art and graffiti. It is right next to Federation Square, so stop by while exploring the city's laneways.
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St Kilda
Neighborhood · 4 mi from centreA seaside suburb with a beach, pier, Luna Park and cafes. Visit the pier at dusk to see little penguins return, and follow the volunteers' rules to protect them.
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Shrine of Remembrance
Historic · 1 mi from centreA large war memorial honoring Australians who served in wars. Climb to the balcony for views over the city, and visit at 11 a.m. to see the ray of light ceremony.
Top experiences in Melbourne
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 97 available.
Great Ocean Road Tour
From $94 per adult
Sovereign Hill General Admission Tickets
From $37 per adult
Melbourne Private Tours
From $558 per adult
Phillip Island Wildlife and Penguin Parade - Full-Day Tour
From $101 per adult
Private Melbourne Tour with a Local: Custom Highlights and Gems
From $54 per adult
Plaza Premium Lounge Melbourne - Terminal 2
From $49 per adult
Peninsula Hot Springs and Bathing Boxes
From $115 per adult
Melbourne: Multicultural Markets - Walking Tour
From $45 per adult
1 Day Great Ocean Road and 12 Apostles Experience
From $100 per adult
Yarra Valley Chandon Cheese and Sunset Kangaroos - Full-Day Small Group Tour
From $118 per adult
The Melbourne Experience: Foodie Discovery - Walking Tour
From $99 per adult
French Island & Phillip Island Wildlife Expedition
From $145 per adult
Where to stay in Melbourne
Popular hotels in Melbourne, out of 467 properties you can book.
The Hotel Windsor
From $184 per night
Mercure Melbourne City Centre
From $113 per night
Holiday Inn Express Melbourne Little Collins
From $206 per night
WRAP on Southbank
From $244 per night
Travelodge Hotel Melbourne Docklands
From $255 per night
Adina Apartment Hotel Melbourne
From $303 per night
Vibe Hotel Melbourne
From $222 per night
Avani Melbourne Jazz Corner Residences
From $433 per night
Oaks Melbourne on Market Hotel
From $163 per night
Adina Apartment Hotel Melbourne on Flinders
From $189 per night
Punthill Knox
From $150 per night
Punthill Flinders Lane
From $255 per night
Best time to visit Melbourne
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Melbourne is February to March, when average daytime highs are around 77–80°F and rain falls on about 6 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Melbourne weather forecast
- Wed 11 Nov 65° 56° 4%
- Thu 12 Nov 67° 51° 0%
- Fri 13 Nov 64° 56° 65%
- Sat 14 Nov 61° 54° 58%
- Sun 15 Nov 61° 51° 42%
- Mon 16 Nov 59° 51° 18%
- Tue 17 Nov 60° 54° 28%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Australian dollar (AUD)1 US dollar ≈ $1.45
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +61
- Driving
- On the left
- Time zone
- Australia/MelbourneUTC+11
- Capital
- Canberra
Upcoming public holidays in Australia
- Christmas Day
- St. Stephen's DayBoxing Day
- New Year's Day
- Australia Day
- Good Friday
- Easter Monday
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Melbourne
These are the airports closest to central Melbourne. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- MEB Essendon Airport7 mi (11 km) from the city centre
- MEL Melbourne Airport12 mi (19 km) from the city centre
- AVV Avalon Airport31 mi (50 km) from the city centre
Getting around Melbourne
Melbourne's CBD is laid out in an orderly grid system, similar to Manhattan, meaning that navigating the CBD is easy. Melbourne has a comprehensive public transport system consisting of trams, trains, and buses. Trams criss-cross the city, trains extend to the outer suburbs, and buses cover the remaining destinations.
By public transport
Transport Victoria coordinates all train, tram and bus services within the state. The website and app provide a journey planner, timetables, maps and disruption information. Apple Maps and Google Maps also provide a journey planner and disruption information. Services generally operate between 5AM and midnight Monday–Saturday and after 8AM Sunday. A Night Network operates after midnight Friday–Saturday. Most of the train and bus network is wheelchair and pram accessible.
Fares
Your fare is deducted from your card as you touch on and touch off each mode of transport. Trains have fare gates or distinctive green validators to touch before you board and after you alight. Trams and buses have validators to touch as you board and alight. Touching off on a tram is optional and not recommended in the CBD.
Trains
While the line names are almost always used, many transport apps (such as AnyTrip or NextThere) will use three-letter codes instead:
Melbourne travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Melbourne?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Melbourne is February to March, when average daytime highs are around 77–80°F and rain falls on about 6 days a month.
What is the weather like in Melbourne?
February is usually the warmest month in Melbourne, with average highs of 80°F (27°C). July is the coolest, with average lows of 44°F (7°C). The wettest month is typically November, with about 129 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Melbourne?
Essendon Airport (MEB) is the closest airport, about 7 miles (11 km) from the centre of Melbourne. Other nearby airports include Melbourne Airport (MEL, 12 mi) and Avalon Airport (AVV, 31 mi).
How much are flights to Melbourne?
The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Melbourne in the last 30 days was $1,300 from New York, travelling 26 Nov – 3 Dec. November is currently the cheapest month to fly, with fares from $1,300.
What currency is used in Melbourne?
Melbourne uses the Australian dollar (AUD). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ $1.45.
What time zone is Melbourne in?
Melbourne uses the Australia/Melbourne time zone (currently UTC+11). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Melbourne?
Melbourne's CBD is laid out in an orderly grid system, similar to Manhattan, meaning that navigating the CBD is easy. Melbourne has a comprehensive public transport system consisting of trams, trains, and buses. Trams criss-cross the city, trains extend to the outer suburbs, and buses cover the remaining destinations.
What are the best places to visit in Melbourne?
Top sights in Melbourne include Federation Square, Royal Botanic Gardens, Queen Victoria Market and Melbourne Cricket Ground. The city's main public square, with modern architecture, cultural venues and a large screen for events. It is opposite Flinders Street Station, making it an easy starting point for exploring.
What are the top things to do in Melbourne?
Popular experiences you can book in Melbourne include Great Ocean Road Tour, Sovereign Hill General Admission Tickets and Melbourne Private Tours. Destina Holidays offers 97 tours and activities here.
Where should I stay in Melbourne?
Popular areas for hotels in Melbourne include Melbourne CBD and Knox. Well-reviewed options include The Hotel Windsor and Mercure Melbourne City Centre.
How many hotels can I book in Melbourne?
Destina Holidays currently lists 467 properties in and around Melbourne, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
