Planning a trip to the Land Down Under would open you to a diverse wonderland of activities and experiences to try and places to visit. If you’re going for something that will showcase Aussie culture and arts, then Melbourne might be your best bet.
Melbourne is known for its striking architecture and aesthetic parks and gardens. It’s also famous for its coffee culture, foodie scene, street art, music and sports events, and shopping spots! Plus, it’s the gateway to the scenic Great Ocean Road.
Time to beef up the reasons why Melbourne should be on your list of must-explore cities.
Table of Contents
1. One of the world’s most liveable cities
Can you imagine getting the top spot on the list of the world’s most liveable cities for seven consecutive years? Melbourne did that!
Melbourne was ranked first by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) on its Global Liveability Survey from 2011 to 2017. It also shared the top spot with Vancouver, Canada on EIU’s inaugural list in 2002.
The Liveability Index ranking was based on cumulative scores based on a city’s healthcare, education, infrastructure, environment, culture, and stability.
In 2022, it was named Australia’s most liveable city and remains in the world’s top 10.
2. Australia’s arts and culture capital
Melbourne is known to have one of the world’s highest concentrations of arts, cultural and creative organizations. You wouldn’t have a hard time finding art galleries, history and science museums, and even street art!
From fine art and haute couture exhibitions to street graffiti and open-air galleries, exploring Melbourne’s streets will surely fulfill your artistic soul.
Start your list of museums to visit with this list of 10 Best Free Museums in Melbourne.
3. Street graffiti
Melbourne’s reputation as an art haven is not limited to high-end, commercial gallery artworks; its street art is equally famous!
Hosier Lane is the city’s most iconic laneway, with both sides filled with masterpieces by both local and international artists. It is said that this lane is a “shifting canvas, with graffiti disappearing and appearing overnight”.
Murals of different themes are also painted and commissioned all around the city, so keep your eyes peeled for the colorful side streets and laneways, showcasing urban graffiti art, Melbourne-style.
4. Coffee culture
If there’s one thing that Melbourne is known and famous for, it has to be its coffee culture! On average, the city is said to import about 30 tonnes of coffee beans every day — and that can make up to 3 million cups daily. Now that is a lot of cuppa brew!
Melburnians are quite passionate about their coffee and local neighborhood cafes, and international coffee chains actually had a hard time establishing their presence in the region.
Historically, coffee houses or coffee palaces have been popular since the 1800s as a response to the Temperance movement, which influenced people to stay away from alcoholic drinks. Even with the 1890s Depression, street coffee stalls sprouted and were patronized by Melbourne’s workers.
The invention of the espresso coffee machine and the influx of European migrants, specifically the Italians in the 1900s, ingrained the coffee and cafe culture more into Melbourne’s communities. This eventually evolved into the thriving cafe scene we still enjoy now. If you’ve got a love for the brew, then make sure to cafe hop while in Melbourne!
Quick trivia! In 2022, Anthony Douglas from Melbourne took the top spot at the World Barista Championship.
5. Brighton Bathing Boxes
Whenever I hear of Melbourne, the image of cute and brightly colored houses lined up by the beach immediately comes to mind! And indeed, it is one of the city’s most iconic tourist spots — the Brighton Bathing Boxes.
The first bathing boxes along Brighton Beach were built way back in the 1800s for the modesty of women bathers. Currently, there are about 82 bathing boxes that are privately owned. These wooden structures do not have electricity or running water and are not allowed to host anyone overnight.
6. St. Kilda Penguins
Dropping by the St. Kilda Pier and Breakwater will give you a totally unique visiting experience – seeing these super adorable tiny penguins!
Dubbed the St. Kilda Penguins, this is a colony of about 1,400 Eudyptula Minor penguins – the world’s tiniest! These cuties, which are also called fairy penguins, have become a famous Melbourne tourist attraction since they can be seen coming ashore from the breakwater from a viewing platform just before dusk.
But before you get too excited and go penguin-crazy, make sure to read up on the rules and regulations for their health and safety.
7. Sports Capital
Still thinking of what is Melbourne known for? Being Australia’s sporting capital, and even the world for a certain time, has to be on the list! Whether it is cricket, soccer, basketball, football, tennis and Formula 1,
Melbourne’s surely got something for sports-crazy fans! Sporting venues are all around the city, with the capacity to host both local and international events, such as the Marvel Stadium (formerly known as the Docklands Stadium and Etihad Stadium), Melbourne Park, Flemington Racecourse, and more!
And of course, there’s the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (pictured above). This has been the home of Australian football since 1859 and was the main stadium for the 1956 Olympics and 2006 Commonwealth Games.
8. Australian Open
Admittedly, I may be biased about this, but I feel like the Australian Open deserves a spot of its own! Despite being a sports non-fan, I’ve always caught wind of whenever Melbourne hosts one of the 5 tennis Grand Slams, which led me to think that this has to be one of the world’s biggest sporting events!
Usually held mid-January of the year, the Australian Open draws in hundreds of thousands of tennis enthusiasts to Melbourne Park and its arenas.
In 2023, the audience attendance reached a record-breaking high of 839,192 fans that went through the gates during the two-week event. But if we include the numbers during the Qualifying week, the three-week attendance reaches up to 902,312! Now that is a huge feat!
9. Four seasons in a day
I’m sure you’ve heard in some way about Melbourne having four seasons in one day; a song was even released with that as the title.
While this phrase is quite a reach, it does best describe just how famously fickle Melbourne weather is. Heat waves, sudden temperature drops, or freak storms may happen in one day. Talk about expecting the unexpected!
Why does this happen? It’s about Melbourne’s geographical location, which is the intersection of the warm land from the north and the cold ocean in the South. Quite scientific, but generally, the summer season happens from December to February, Autumn from March to May, Winter from June to August, and Spring from September to November.
Pro tip from locals: preparation is key! Bring rainy-day essentials but do not forget to layer your clothes in case you’ll need to accommodate the heat.
10. Festivals, performances, and shows all year round
Thinking of what to do while in Melbourne? Browsing through the city’s calendar will give you a multitude of options — whatever your preferences may be!
It is said that Melbourne hosts up to 3,000 live music performances per week. That is quite a number! Many festivals are scheduled, like jazz, film, comedy, and more!
Theater and musical plays, fashion shows, and visual and multimedia art exhibitions are also proudly showcased by the city as well to their locals and international visitors.
11. Architecture from the past to the future
From being a small settlement by the Yarra River to the cosmopolitan city it is now, anyone can take a glimpse of Melbourne’s rich history and evolution through its architecture.
The Flinders Street Station, Royal Exhibition Building, the Old Melbourne Gaol, the Government House, and the Como House are just some of the heritage monuments and historical structures that you can check out.
Contemporary structures are amazing eye candies as well like the Federation Square, the Arts Centre, the Eureka Tower, and the National Gallery of Victoria International.
And here’s one interesting tidbit: a former hotel and pub from the 1930s was converted into a McDonald’s outlet. Since the building was heritage listed, the design of the building had to be preserved! Now that is one unique Maccas branch you will ever try!
12. Education system
If you are thinking of studying in Australia, Melbourne should definitely be the city you are looking at. It is home to the region’s best educational institutions – from preschool to primary and high school and universities.
Melbourne takes pride as Australia’s best student city being ranked 5th in the world in the most recent QS Best Student Cities Ranking for 2023, with two of its universities being in the world’s top 100! The University of Melbourne is the top-ranked Australian uni (and 33rd in the world) while Monash University, the world’s 57th, is the country’s largest by the size of enrollment.
This ranking was made through a survey of prospective and former students, which includes the following factors: diversity, safety, affordability, and employment opportunities after graduation.
13. World’s largest tram network
If we are talking about what is Melbourne famous for? Then its trams should be listed.
Melbourne’s tram network is recognized as the world’s largest as it covers over 250 kilometers of track and more than 1,750 stops throughout the city. What makes it even more interesting and challenging for its operators, is that about 75% of the network shares the roads with vehicles and pedestrians.
The city’s tram network has been operating for more than 100 years now, ever since the first tram line in 1884 was pulled by horses. It’s been an essential transportation channel for the Melburnians and its visitors, with its fleet of 450 carrying more than 200 million passengers annually.
14. NOT Australia’s capital
Geography lessons, incoming! When asked what is Australia’s capital, many, even myself, get confused in answering either Melbourne or Sydney, which are the country’s more popular cities.
However, the correct answer is actually Canberra. And it’s been Australia’s capital since 1913!
But to be more factual about it, Melbourne used to be a temporary seat of government and national capital. It remained as such until 1927 when the Provisional Parliament House (or now the Old Parliament House) officially opened, allowing the federal parliament to be situated in Canberra.
15. Pink lake near the CBD
Australia is known for its aesthetic pink lakes, one of which is Western Australia’s Lake Hillier. But did you know that you can actually visit one just 15 minutes away from Melbourne’s CBD?
Right at the heart of industrial Melbourne is Westgate Park, which is home to a salt lake that turns pink during the summer. You might think it’s because of a chemical spill or some toxic occurrence, but this is actually a natural phenomenon!
The pink hue is due to the growth of reddish algae which is the result of several factors: high salt levels, increase in sunlight and higher temperature, and lack of rainfall. A truly aesthetic view and quite an interesting reason to back it up, making the short trip to the lake truly worth it!
16. Foodie capital
If you’ve got a love for food, then Melbourne should really be on your itinerary! Melbourne is famous for being Australia’s culinary capital with the variety of cuisines and dining options it can offer.
The numbers say it all: the city is home to more than 3,500 restaurants offering 70+ types of cuisines from all over the world! It will take you a long time to go through them all, even if you dine at a different restaurant per day! Options vary from fine dining to street fare and even food trucks that will satisfy your cravings at any meal of the day.
Melbourne even hosts one of the largest Food and Wine Festival in the world, which attracts up to 300,000 people each year as it hosts more than 200 events.
17. Gateway to the scenic Great Ocean Road
If you are an adventurer who is drawn to absolutely breathtaking vistas, I’m sure you’ve heard of the Great Ocean Road — the 664-kilometer-long highway that allows for a scenic drive on Victoria’s southwest coast.
This side trip outside the city is recommended as the entrance to the Great Ocean Road is situated just an hour’s drive away from Melbourne. Just hop on a car, put on your driving playlist, and expect to see gorgeous beaches, cliffs, and some of the best natural wonders Victoria has to offer.
However, while the official beginning of the Great Ocean Road is just an hour away from Melbourne, the whole tour can take you up to 9 hours, so better to schedule ample time so you can maximize your side trip.
Also read: 18 Most Beautiful Natural Wonders in Australia
18. Neighbor to Victoria’s wine regions
Calling oenophiles or wine lovers! The state of Victoria is home to 21 wine regions (imagine 21 different places to visit and drink wine!) and some of them are just an hour away from Melbourne!
There’s Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Geelong, and Macedon — which are some of the producers of world-class Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Shiraz, and Pinot Gris, among the many varieties the region has to offer.
You can visit these regions by driving from Melbourne or even joining helicopter tours, making the experience even more memorable!
19. World’s oldest continuously operating rollercoaster
Did you know? Melbourne’s Luna Park at St. Kilda is actually home to a Guinness World Record. Its Scenic Railway attraction was opened to the public on December 1912 and has been in operation ever since.
That is more than 110 years of pleasing adrenaline junkies! The rollercoaster has a 967-meter-long wooden track and can reach speeds of up to 60 kilometers per hour.
20. “Marvellous Melbourne”
Let’s backtrack a bit… or a whole lotta bit to the past!
It was in the 1880s and Melbourne was thriving and in the midst of a land and property boom. The public was using cable trams for transportation, skyscrapers were being built and the telephone and electric light were being introduced. The city is also gaining recognition internationally after hosting industrial, scientific, and artistic exhibitions.
With all these expansions, popular writers including Mark Twain were singing praises including the term “Marvellous Melbourne”, coined by British journalist, George Augustus Sala, in 1885. This phrase was even used as the title of the ‘oldest surviving complete documentary’ about Melbourne from the year 1910.
Final thoughts
As it was dubbed in earlier times, Melbourne can indeed be a marvelous part of your itinerary, giving you different types of experiences — from art to cuisine, adventure, and a whole lot more!
Check out more things to discover about Australia and its other cities, like Sydney and Brisbane, as well as its natural wonders, here on Hey Explorer!
