About Melbourne

"...Melbourne has been growing faster... than any other capital city..."  

The world’s most liveable city, Melbourne remains an attractive city for investors.

Melbourne is the capital city of the State of Victoria and is centrally located to the majority of Australia’s population and transport networks. Melbourne is the World's Most Liveable City and is well regarded for its relaxed multi-cultural lifestyle (including residents originating from over 200 countries), affordable accommodation, low cost of living and strong economy.

"I can legitimately say that Melbourne is the best city in the world."
- Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, Aug 31, 2011.

Australia’s Fastest Growing Capital City.

In recent years Melbourne has been growing faster in absolute numbers than any other capital city in Australia. More overseas and interstate migrants now settle in Melbourne than in Australia’s most populous city, Sydney.

In fact the gap between Melbourne and Sydney’s population narrows every year and some analysts are now predicting that Melbourne’s population will overtake Sydney within 20 years if current population trends continue.

A diverse economy and financial centre

Victoria benefits from a diverse and broad based economy not reliant on a single industry. Victoria generates 30% of Australia's food and farming output and has long had the country’s largest automotive industry. Melbourne is the nation's busiest seaport, transport hub and home to 5 of the 10 largest Australian companies including ANZ, NAB, BHP Billiton, Telstra and Rio Tinto.

Melbourne has enjoyed increased leisure and business tourism as more people now travel to Melbourne for entertainment, events, shopping and conferences. Australia’s largest convention centre has just been completed in Southbank and has already attracted a number of international conferences.

Entertainment & Cultural Capital

Melbourne's arts scene is well regarded the world over and is well serviced by a collection of magnificent heritage listed theatres and modern performance venues hosting a diverse range of shows. Southbank is the City's cultural heart being home to the Victorian Arts Centre, recently completed Melbourne Theatre Company / Melbourne Recital Hall, the acclaimed National Gallery of Victoria, College of the Arts and more.

For entertainment to a faster beat, Melbourne's CBD and Southbank are a buzz 7 days and nights a week with Crown at Southbank offering a plethora of entertainment and dining options in one of the world's largest casino complexes.

An envied standard of living

Melburnians enjoy a mild temperate climate, clean air, world’s best drinking water and quality produce and fresh food. Residents can also choose from a wide variety of affordable housing, from large double storey homes on the traditional suburban "Aussie quarter acre block" to modern high rise apartment towers in the inner city.

Melbourne enjoys a safe and comfortable lifestyle envied the world over.

The Event Capital of Australia

Not content with hosting the bulk of Australia’s major sporting events, Melbourne is also home to a huge number of festivals including:

  • Bi-Annual Australian Motor Show
  • Bi-Annual Australian Air Show
  • Melbourne International Film Festival
  • Melbourne Food & Wine Festival
  • Melbourne International Arts Festival
  • Melbourne International Comedy Festival
  • Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show
  • St Kilda Festival
  • Moomba Waterfest

For Melbourne’s most up-to-date event guide, visit That’s Melbourne
or subscribe to our regular Melbourne Short Stay e-newsletter.

One of the World’s great sporting cities

For over 100 years Melbourne has celebrated a rich sporting history which continues well into the 21st century.

The MCG was the home of the 1956 Olympics, 2006 Commonwealth Games and annually hosts the Aussie Rules Grand Final and cricket’s Boxing Day Test. Nearby Melbourne Park is the home of the Australian Open, one of only 4 tournaments to make up tennis' Grand Slam. Motor sports fans are spoilt with the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix on the beautiful Albert Park street circuit and both the Moto GP and Superbikes at Phillip Island. The highlight of the colourful Spring Racing Carnival is the famous Melbourne Cup, 'the race that stops the nation'.

The non-professional sportsperson is not left out either with a vast range of sporting activities and venues easily accessible including clean sandy beaches, tennis centres, championship golf courses, beautiful jogging/bike paths and much more.

Shoppers Paradise

Melbourne’s CBD is regarded as Australia’s premier shopping precinct. Easily accessed by foot, tram, train or bus, shoppers can find everything from fresh fruit and bargain apparel at Queen Victoria Market, to Australia’s original department store (MYER), to designer boutiques on Collins St, to factory outlets at DFO Spencer.

David Jones and Myer are both currently redeveloping their Bourke Street flagship stores. On completion they will join Melbourne Central, QV, GPO, Galleria, Australia on Collins and Collins 234 for an unmatched collection of premium shopping centres.

Beautiful Open Spaces

Melbourne’s inner city is very fortunate to be ringed by a series of beautiful parks and gardens that provide a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Well known parks include the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kings Domain, historic Fitzroy Gardens, Albert Park & Lake and the new Birrarung Marr along the northern banks of the Yarra River.

Education Hub of Asia Pacific

Melbourne is internationally recognised for its high standard of universities, graduate schools and scientific & medical research institutions, many of which are in the CBD or close to the city centre including RMIT University & Melbourne University (pictured here). This strong reputation has seen worldwide demand for a "Melbourne Education" continually grow.

In fact, with over 130,000 students from around 180 different countries, international education is Victoria’s largest services export. In 2008 UNESCO named Melbourne one of the World’s three Cities of Literature.

A Gastronomic Experience

With residents from so many countries and access to quality produce, Melburnians enjoy an amazing melting pot of cuisines from all over the world. Restaurant precincts such as CBD, Southbank, Lygon St, Brunswick St, South Yarra and St Kilda offer acclaimed quality and innovative food to suit all budgets and tastes.

For latest critic and user reviews of Melbourne restaurants visit Urbanspoon