Great Ocean Road Day Trip
See the Twelve Apostles on Australia's most famous coastal drive.
Melbourne
Australia's cultural capital pairs famous coffee and laneway street art with world-class sport, great food and easy day trips along the Great Ocean Road. It is ranked #1 on Time Out's Best Cities 2026 list.
- Metro population
- 5,200,000
- Country
- Australia
- Region
- Oceania
Overview
Why visit Melbourne
Founded in 1835 on the banks of the Yarra River, Melbourne boomed during the 1850s gold rush, when it was briefly one of the richest cities in the world. The grand Victorian-era buildings, boulevards and tram network date from that era.
The city centre hides its best bits in laneways: tiny coffee bars, street art on Hosier Lane, indie shops and rooftop bars. Melbourne is often credited with kicking off the global flat white craze, and the coffee obsession here is serious business.
Sport is close to a religion. The Melbourne Cricket Ground holds around 100,000 fans, and the city hosts the Australian Open, the Formula 1 Grand Prix and the AFL Grand Final. For day trips, the Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road and the penguin parade on Phillip Island are favourites.
Things to do
Top things to book in Melbourne
Popular tours and tickets. Compare prices and book ahead to skip the lines.
Phillip Island Penguin Parade
Watch little penguins waddle ashore at sunset.
Laneways & Coffee Tour
Explore hidden lanes, street art and cafe culture.
Yarra Valley Wine Tour
Taste cool-climate wines about an hour from the city.
Plan your trip
Compare prices for Melbourne
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Side by side in Melbourne
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Fun facts
Things you didn't know about Melbourne
- 01
Capital Of Australia... For A While
Melbourne served as Australia's capital from 1901 until Canberra took over in 1927.
- 02
The World'S Largest Tram Network
Melbourne's trams cover around 250 kilometres of track, the largest operating tram network in the world.
- 03
A Gold Rush Boomtown
During the 1850s gold rush, Melbourne was briefly one of the richest cities on Earth, earning the nickname 'Marvellous Melbourne'.
- 04
A Coffee Capital
Melbourne claims a role in popularising the flat white, now on coffee menus around the world.
- 05
Home Of Aussie Rules
Australian rules football was invented in Melbourne in 1858, and the AFL Grand Final fills the roughly 100,000-seat MCG.
- 06
First Southern Olympics
Melbourne was the first city in the southern hemisphere to host the Olympic Games, in 1956.
- 07
Hidden Bars
Many of Melbourne's best bars hide on rooftops and down laneways behind unmarked doors.
- 08
Penguins Nearby
Every sunset, little penguins waddle ashore at Phillip Island, about 90 minutes from the city.
- 09
Four Seasons In One Day
Locals joke you can experience all four seasons in a single day thanks to the fast-changing weather.
- 10
The Skydeck
The Eureka Tower's 88th-floor observation deck was the highest public vantage point in the southern hemisphere when it opened.
Random Melbourne fact
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FAQ
Quick answers about Melbourne
Where is Melbourne located?
Melbourne is in Australia, in Oceania.
What is the population of Melbourne?
The greater Melbourne area is home to about 5,200,000 people.
What is Melbourne famous for?
Australia's cultural capital pairs famous coffee and laneway street art with world-class sport, great food and easy day trips along the Great Ocean Road.
Is Melbourne worth visiting?
Yes — Melbourne was ranked #1 on Time Out's Best Cities 2026 list. Explore its facts, attractions and top things to book on this page.
Did IShowSpeed stream from Melbourne?
Yes — IShowSpeed streamed from Melbourne on his late-2024 Australia and New Zealand tour. See his full world tour map.
Keep exploring
All Oceania citiesMore cities in Oceania
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