Melbourne is known as the foodie capital of Australia. It also takes the crown as the sporting capital of the country and boasts a world-class arts and culture scene as well. Australia's second-biggest city is home to more than 5.3 million residents, and there are about 140 cultures represented. A regular on lists of the world's most livable cities, Melbourne took a hit during COVID with one of the . The CBD was a ghost town, as workers were forced to work from home and . The city is slowly returning to its former pre-pandemic glory, but in 2025, progress has been marred by
The flat rectangular layout of Melbourne's CBD makes it easy to navigate on foot
Melbourne is the capital of the state of Victoria and is located in the southeast region of the country. The city sits at the head of Port Phillip Bay, with the Yarra River flowing through the heart of Melbourne from its source on Mt Baw Baw to the bay. Melbourne is a relatively flat city, and the CBD is built on a grid system, featuring iconic laneways with famous street art, hip cafes, and award-winning restaurants. The city of Melbourne is located within the region of Greater Melbourne, whose suburbs spread out from the CBD, and there is also a free city tram to get you around.
Demographics: It is said that Melbourne has the largest Greek population outside of Europe
The most multicultural city in Australia has experienced since European settlement in the 1830s. This was followed by an influx of Chinese during the 1850s gold rush, and the arrival of displaced people and refugees from Europe after World War II. The fourth significant wave came after the 1970s, with new arrivals from Cambodia and Vietnam.
You'll find different cultural pockets throughout Greater Melbourne, with particular suburbs known for their large ethnic communities. For instance, Lygon Street in Carlton is known for its Italian heritage, Box Hill has a large Chinese population, Footscray and Springvale are known for their large Vietnamese communities, and the western suburbs of Tarneit and Truganina have a sizeable Indian population. In the 2021 Census, the Melbourne suburb of Point Cook in the southwest recorded .
Melbourne's hottest temperature ever recorded was 46.4 degrees Celsius in 2009, and the coldest temp was -2.8 degrees Celsius in 1869
When it comes to the weather, Melburnians know to dress in layers, as the classic saying goes: Melbourne has four seasons in one day. A common misconception is that Melbourne is hot all year round because it's in Australia. This couldn't be further from the truth. Melbourne has always had very hot summers and cold winters, and is known country-wide for its unpredictable weather.
Summertime in Melbourne runs from December to February, although March can also experience warm, sunny days. Melbourne's heat is hot and dry, with temperatures often reaching the 40s. The midday sun is the most intense, so make sure to cover up if you are out in the middle of the day to avoid getting burned. The hot, northerly winds during summer come with the risk of bushfires on the city outskirts and across the state.
March to May is Autumn in Melbourne, and it's a pleasant time of year, when the trees drop their leaves and the nights get cooler. But Melbourne winters can be bitterly cold! From June to August, locals often wake up to frost on the car windscreen, frequent rain showers, overcast skies, and icy winds. Overnight can drop to minus temperatures, with the average top temperature ranging between 8-15°C. Springtime in Melbourne is a welcome relief. It's a time of possibilities, with the sunny days and warmer temperatures teasing the summertime fun to come in the months ahead. And although October falls in the middle of Spring, it is known as Melbourne's wettest month.
Winters can be icy in Melbourne, so you can expect higher gas and electricity bills in the colder months
There is no denying Melbourne is an expensive city, although Sydney still takes the crown for the . In , Melbourne was ranked the 73rd most expensive city in the world (Sydney was 58th). Melburnians typically pay a bit more on their gas bills than the rest of the country, at AUD 180 (USD 116) a quarter, with averaging AUD 358 (USD 231).
Property is no doubt the most significant expense when it comes to living in Melbourne. Once the second most expensive place to purchase property in Australia, , but the market has started to pick up again. The median house price in Melbourne in 2025 was AUD 1,046,246 (USD 683,863), which is expected to rise to AUD 1,112,623 (USD 727,249) in 2026. Meanwhile, at the start of 2025, the median was AUD 580 (USD 374) and AUD 550 (USD 355) for a unit.
Melbourne is sports mad and joining a local sports club (football, netball, cricket, soccer) is a great way to meet new people
Melbourne has a full calendar of events throughout the year. The best time to enjoy the bars and restaurants in Melbourne is undoubtedly in the summer, when they are overflowing with people enjoying the sunny terraces and beer gardens. Summertime in Melbourne sees its riverside bars and restaurants packed with revelers, and it's common for Melburnians to flock to the city's parks for barbecues and picnics in the sunshine.
Socializing in winter requires some forethought regarding items of clothing and your mode of transport. You don't want to get caught in the cold or the rain. But it's an excellent opportunity to try some of the hugely popular restaurants that are typically crowded and booked out months in advance.
Melbourne is a city that thrives on festivals and hosts many international events throughout the year that attract visitors from all over the world, such as the Australian Open (summer), the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (March/April), and the Formula 1 Grand Prix (March).
Melbourne is a gateway to some fabulous day trips
The city is surrounded by the Dandenong Ranges and the wineries of the Yarra Valley, and there are miles of coastline to explore, including the world-famous Great Ocean Road.
Melbourne is a metropolis, but if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, there are many city parks and beaches to choose from. From the Royal Botanic Gardens in the city center to the Fitzroy Gardens, there are plenty of options to reconnect with nature.
St Kilda Beach and Brighton Beach, south of the city, are popular places to cool off, but if you're willing to do a bit of a commute outside of the city center, explore the charming seaside villages of the Mornington Peninsula, such as Sorrento and Portsea. Victorians love to surf, and you'll find several beaches along the coast for catching waves. However, don't risk it unless you are a strong swimmer, as the currents and rips can be deadly. When swimming at local beaches, swim between the red flags, where lifeguards are patrolling, and avoid swimming at deserted beaches.
On the outskirts of Melbourne, you'll find breathtaking scenery, from the vineyards of Red Hill and the Yarra Valley to the Grampians National Park. Soak up Victoria's natural beauty and discover its flora and fauna, just a few hours' drive from the city.
Adjusting to the local culture in Melbourne isn't that hard
Melbourne is home to one of the most culturally diverse populations in the world. There are around 140 different cultures in Melbourne, including migrants from Europe, Asia, and Africa, offering a diverse range of cuisines, traditions, and celebrations.
Dos and don'ts
Melbourne is a pretty laid-back and relaxed city; however, there are some big no-nos when it comes to the local culture and general etiquette:
- Don't spit in public. This is viewed as a disgusting thing to do in Australia, and while different cultures have different traditions, it is not something that is tolerated in Melbourne.
- Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough in public. When flu season is on, and you are on busy public transport, the last thing anyone wants is a sneezer or cougher who doesn't cover their nose or mouth. Keep your gems to yourself and bring a tissue.
- Always mind your manners. Always be polite and respond with a 'thank you', 'sorry', or 'you're welcome'. Manners are something Australians rate highly, and while some countries don't have a word for thank you in their own language, it is local etiquette to use it often in Melbourne.
- Never litter. Melburnians take pride in their clean city, so please dispose of your litter in the bins or hold onto it. Littering is not tolerated, and you can be fined upwards of AUD 407 (USD 263) if caught.
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
