Melbourne

Melbourne is the capital city of the Australian state of Victoria and the second biggest city in Australia. It sits near the coast of Port Phillip Bay and has about 5.4 million people. It is the world’s southernmost big city with over one million people. People who live there are called Melburnians.

The area has been home to Aboriginal Victorians for thousands of years. The traditional custodians are the Boonwurrung, Woiwurrung, and Wurundjeri peoples. Melbourne was started in 1835 by settlers and grew fast during the Victorian gold rush in the 1850s. It became an important city and helped shape Australian culture.

Today, Melbourne is famous for its culture. It is known for Australian rules football, Australian impressionism, and many arts events. The city has well-known places like the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the Royal Exhibition Building. Melbourne holds big events such as the Australian Grand Prix and the Australian Open. It is one of the world’s most comfortable cities to live in and an important place for money and travel in the Asia-Pacific area.

Name

The area where Melbourne is located is called Narrm in the traditional Boonwurrung and Woiwurrung languages.

The city’s name, Melbourne, is pronounced MEL-bərn. Different parts of Melbourne have their own special names from the traditional languages. For example, the area near St Paul’s Cathedral was called Geeburr, and the Fitzroy area was Ngár-go.

History

Further information: History of Melbourne

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Melbourne history.

Indigenous people

Further information: Aboriginal Victorians and Aboriginal Australians

Aboriginal Australians have lived in the Melbourne area for a very long time. When British colonists arrived in the 1800s, thousands of Kulin people lived there. They belonged to three groups: the Wurundjeri, Bunurong and Wathaurong. It was an important place for the Kulin nation, and a good source of food and water. In 2021, the borders between the Wurundjeri and Bunurong lands were agreed. The line runs across the city. Some areas are Wurundjeri land, and others are Bunurong land.

British colonisation

Further information: Foundation of Melbourne

The first British settlement in Victoria was set up in 1803 by Colonel David Collins at Sullivan Bay, near Sorrento. The settlers moved away because they thought there were not enough resources, and they went to Van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania) and started the city of Hobart. It would be 30 years before another settlement was tried.

In 1835, John Batman explored the Melbourne area. He said he had an agreement with eight Wurundjeri leaders for a large area of land. Batman chose a spot by the Yarra River for a village. In 1835, another group of settlers arrived and started a settlement there. Batman and his group came later, and they agreed to share the place. The settlement was named Melbourne in 1837 after a British leader, William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne.

Between 1836 and 1842, British colonists took most of the land from Victorian Aboriginal groups. By 1845, only a few Europeans owned all the land in Victoria. In 1851, Victoria became its own colony, with Melbourne as its capital.

Victorian gold rush

Further information: Victorian gold rush

Finding gold in Victoria in 1851 caused many people to move to Melbourne. The city's population grew quickly from 25,000 to 40,000 people. By 1865, Melbourne was the biggest city in Australia.

Many people from other places came to Melbourne, including from Europe and China. Some lived in simple camps. Changes were made to improve workers' lives after an event in 1854. Buildings were built, including important government and public places. Melbourne became a center for money and trade. Sports teams and events started, such as Australian football and the Melbourne Cup.

Land boom and bust

The 1880s were a time of great growth. Many people bought and built houses, and land prices went up. Melbourne became very rich and one of the biggest cities in the British Empire.

In 1880, a big exhibition was held. New technologies like telephones and electric lights were introduced. Trams started running in 1885. Buildings and homes grew quickly. But in 1888, the boom ended. Many businesses failed, and the economy was bad for many years.

Temporary capital of Australia and World War II

Further information: Federation of Australia

When Australia became a country in 1901, Melbourne was where the government worked for a time. The first parliament met there. Later, the government moved to Canberra. During World War II, Melbourne was used by American forces fighting against the Empire of Japan.

Post-war period

After World War II, Melbourne grew fast because many new people came to live there. The city changed with new tall buildings and shopping areas. Public housing was built, and roads were made for cars. Big companies set up offices in Melbourne. In the 1990s, the government tried to bring back the economy with new buildings and events.

Contemporary Melbourne

Since the mid-1990s, Melbourne has kept growing. New buildings and areas have been made in the city. Melbourne had more people move in than any other Australian city for a time. Big projects started to help traffic and growth, like new tunnels and train lines. Areas outside the city also grew. Melbourne was affected badly by the COVID-19 pandemic and had long lockdowns, but its population is expected to grow again.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Melbourne

See also: Lakes and reservoirs of Melbourne

Melbourne is in southeastern Australia, in the state of Victoria. The city sits on different kinds of land, like old lava flows, muddy rocks, and sandy areas near Port Phillip Bay.

Melbourne stretches in many directions. It goes north through valleys to Melbourne Airport. To the southeast, it reaches places like Dandenong and Pakenham. In the west, the city follows the Maribyrnong River toward Sunbury. The city has lovely beaches along Port Phillip Bay, such as those in Port Melbourne, St Kilda, and Frankston. The nearest places to surf are about 85 kilometres south of the city center.

Climate

Main article: Climate of Melbourne

Further information: Environmental issues in Melbourne and Extreme weather events in Melbourne

Melbourne has mild temperatures all year, with warm summers and cool winters. The weather can change fast because the city is between hot inland areas and the cool ocean. This can bring sudden changes like strong winds, thunderstorms, and heavy rain. Winters are usually dry but often cloudy.

Rainfall in Melbourne varies, with some areas getting more rain than others. The city is known for quick, heavy showers that can bring hail and big temperature changes, but these storms often pass quickly. Melbourne is famous for having very different weather in just one day. Snow sometimes appears in the outer parts of the city but rarely falls in the city center.

The water in Port Phillip Bay changes with the seasons, being warmer in summer and cooler in winter.

Urban structure

See also: Melbourne city centre, List of heritage listed buildings in Melbourne, Lanes and arcades of Melbourne, Parks and gardens of Melbourne, and List of tallest buildings in Melbourne

Melbourne's urban area is big, covering about 2,704 square kilometres, the largest in Australia. The central part of the city, called the CBD, has a grid of streets and is next to the Yarra River. New areas like Southbank and Docklands have grown around it.

The CBD is busy, with many tall buildings. It also has historic buildings, like the Royal Exhibition Building and Parliament House. Melbourne has many parks and gardens, especially around the CBD, with different kinds of plants and paths for walking. There are also parks in the suburbs and national parks nearby.

Housing

Main article: Housing in Victoria, Australia

Melbourne has little public housing, and many people want to rent homes, which makes it hard to afford them. The city is growing quickly, so there is a lot of demand for housing. This has made house prices and rents go up. New housing is being built in outer areas, but rules now encourage building more homes close to public transport in existing areas.

Architecture

Further information: Architecture of Melbourne and List of tallest buildings in Melbourne

Melbourne grew quickly in the 1850s and 1880s. Because of this, the city is known for its beautiful Victorian-style buildings, many of which are still standing today. You can see these old buildings in areas like Carlton, East Melbourne, and South Melbourne. Some important examples are the Royal Exhibition Building, built in 1880, and the Hotel Windsor, built in 1884.

As Melbourne grew in the early 1900s, new building styles appeared. You can find buildings from the Federation and Edwardian periods, like the City Baths from 1903. There are also buildings inspired by styles from Chicago and Art Deco, such as the Nicholas Building and the Manchester Unity Building. The city has many types of homes, including large houses, apartments, and townhouses. Older-style houses and mansions can still be seen in neighborhoods like Carlton and Toorak.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Melbourne

Melbourne is famous for its music, theatre, and arts. The city has many cultural events and festivals, like the Melbourne International Arts Festival, Melbourne Fringe Festival, and Moomba, which is Australia's largest free festival. For many years, Melbourne was named one of the world's most liveable cities because of its rich culture.

The city has many theatres, including historic ones in the East End Theatre District. Melbourne is also known for its live music, with many venues. The National Gallery of Victoria is Australia's oldest and largest art museum. Melbourne has a long history of making films and hosts the Melbourne International Film Festival.

Sport

Further information: Sport in Victoria

Melbourne is often called Australia’s sporting capital because it plays a big role in sports. The city has many top sports teams and famous events.

Some of the biggest events in Melbourne include the 1956 Summer Olympics, the first Olympics outside Europe and the United States, and the 2006 Commonwealth Games. The city also hosts the Australian Open tennis tournament and the Melbourne Cup horse race, known as “the race that stops a nation.” The Formula One Australian Grand Prix races happen at Albert Park Circuit.

Cricket and Australian rules football are very popular in Melbourne. The Melbourne Cricket Ground, one of the world’s biggest stadiums, has hosted important matches since the 1800s. Melbourne is home to many football teams that play in the Australian Football League. The city also has teams in soccer, rugby league, basketball, ice hockey, baseball, and netball.

Economy

See also: Category:Companies based in Melbourne and Tourism in Melbourne

Melbourne has a strong economy. It is good at finance, making things, researching new ideas, technology, learning, moving goods, and welcoming visitors. Many big Australian companies have their main offices in Melbourne. These include big names like ANZ, BHP, and National Australia Bank. Melbourne has a busy port and airport, making it easy for people and goods to travel.

Melbourne makes many products, such as cars, medicines, and clothes. It is also a place where many new ideas are created. The city has many technology companies and lots of people who work with computers and digital tools. Visitors love Melbourne too. In 2018, many people from Australia and other countries stayed in Melbourne. Popular places include Federation Square and Melbourne Zoo.

Melbourne is the second most visited city in Australia. In 2018, many people visited Melbourne. Popular places to see include Federation Square, Queen Victoria Market, and Melbourne Zoo. Melbourne is known for being safe and friendly for visitors.

Melbourne is famous for its food. Lygon Street has many restaurants with Italian and Greek food. The city has many food festivals, especially in early autumn, called “mad March”. The biggest is the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, which started in 1993 and lasts ten days.

Melbourne has many special events and festivals each year. The Melbourne International Comedy Festival happens every March and April. Other festivals include the Melbourne Flower and Garden Show and the Melbourne International Jazz Festival.

Tourism

Main article: Tourism in Melbourne

See also: Parks and gardens of Melbourne

Melbourne is a very popular place for visitors. Many people come to see places like Federation Square, Queen Victoria Market, and Melbourne Zoo. The city has many fun places to explore and is known for being safe and welcoming to tourists.

Melbourne’s food is famous around the world. Lygon Street is a favorite spot for Italian and Greek meals. The city hosts many food festivals, especially in early autumn, known as “mad March”. The biggest is the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, which started in 1993 and lasts for ten days.

Melbourne has many exciting festivals and events. The Melbourne International Comedy Festival happens every year in March and April. There are also festivals for flowers, jazz music, and more.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Melbourne

Melbourne grew by about 105,000 people in 2024-25 and is expected to become Australia’s largest city between 2032 and 2046. The city has become more crowded, especially in the center and western suburbs, because of government planning to stop the city from spreading out too much. As of 2025, the central business district has the most people living in Australia, with over 43,000 residents per square kilometer. Some inner suburbs like Carlton, South Yarra, Fitzroy, and Collingwood also have many people.

At the 2021 census, the most common ancestries in Melbourne were English, Australian, Chinese, Irish, Scottish, Italian, Indian, Greek, German, and Vietnamese. Most people in Melbourne were born in Australia, but many also came from countries like India, Mainland China, England, Vietnam, and New Zealand.

In Melbourne, many people speak only English at home, but some also speak Mandarin, Vietnamese, Greek, Punjabi, and Arabic.

Melbourne has many different religions. The most common is Christianity, with many people also having no religion. Other religions include Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Judaism. The city has important Christian buildings like St Patrick's and St Paul's cathedrals.

Education

Main article: Education in Melbourne

Melbourne has some of the best high schools in Australia. It is also a popular place for students from around the world to study. The city has eight public universities, including the University of Melbourne, Monash University, Swinburne University of Technology, and others.

These universities have campuses in Australia and other countries, such as Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesia. The Department of Education helps manage education in the area.

Media

Main article: Media in Melbourne

See also: List of Australian radio stations § Melbourne

Melbourne has three main daily newspapers: the Herald Sun, The Age, and The Australian.

There are six main free-to-air digital television stations in the area. These include ABC Victoria (ABV), SBS Victoria, Seven Melbourne, Nine Melbourne, Ten Melbourne, and C31 Melbourne. Each station shows a main channel and extra channels.

Many AM and FM radio stations broadcast to Melbourne. These include public stations like ABC and SBS, community stations, and commercial stations such as Nova Entertainment, ARN, and Southern Cross Austereo. There are also youth stations like ABC Triple J and SYN, as well as stations for different music tastes and community groups.

Governance

The governance of Melbourne is divided between the government of Victoria and the 27 cities and four shires that make up the area. There is no single leader for Melbourne, but the Lord Mayor of the City of Melbourne often acts as a key representative.

Local governments handle tasks like urban planning and waste management. Most other services, such as public transport, roads, policing, schools, and health care, are managed by the Victorian state government from Parliament House in Spring Street.

Transport

Roads

Main article: Transport in Melbourne

Melbourne, like many cities, uses cars a lot, especially in the outer areas. Cars became popular in the early 1900s, so more people live farther from the city and commute to work.

The roads in Victoria are planned and managed by the Department of Transport and Planning. Local roads are maintained by local governments, while bigger roads are managed by the Department. Major highways include the Eastern Freeway, Monash Freeway, and West Gate Freeway. Some roads charge a fee to use, called toll roads, which have special signs.

Public transport

Main article: Transport in Melbourne

Melbourne has many ways to travel without a car, including trains, trams, buses, and taxis. Flinders Street station is a very busy train station and a famous landmark. Melbourne’s tram network is the largest in the world, with many routes and stops. Trams are free in the city center on certain routes. Buses help connect areas that trains and trams don’t reach.

Train

Main article: Railways in Melbourne

See also: Rail transport in Victoria

Melbourne’s train network started in the 1850s and has many stations and lines that connect to the city center. Flinders Street station is a major hub. There are also trains that go to other cities in Victoria and to Adelaide and Sydney. New train projects are being built, including the Metro Tunnel and the Suburban Rail Loop.

Tram

Main article: Trams in Melbourne

Melbourne’s tram network is the largest in the world, with many tracks, trams, and stops. Some trams are old and special, and they run for free around the city center on weekends.

Bus

Main article: Buses in Melbourne

Melbourne has many bus routes that help people travel to areas not served by trains or trams.

Airports

Main article: List of airports in the Melbourne area

Melbourne has four airports. Melbourne Airport is the busiest, handling many passengers each year. It is a main airport for several airlines. There are plans to build a train to connect the airport to the city. Other airports in the area serve smaller flights and cargo.

Water transport

The Port of Melbourne is a big port that handles many ships and cargo. Ferries and water taxis travel on the Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay.

Infrastructure

Health

Melbourne has long, healthy lives for its people. The government runs about 30 public hospitals and many health services.

The city is a center for important medical research with many leading institutes focused on areas like the brain and new medicines. Big names include the St. Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, the Australian Stem Cell Centre, and the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity. Many of these work closely with universities. Melbourne is also home to major children’s hospitals like the Royal Children’s Hospital and Monash Children’s Hospital.

Utilities

Water for Melbourne is managed by Melbourne Water, a government agency. They take care of water storage, supply, and cleaning, using reservoirs and dams, including the big Thomson River Dam.

Gas in Melbourne is provided by three companies covering different parts of the city and surrounding areas. Electricity comes from five different companies, each serving various neighborhoods and regions around Melbourne.

Main article: Energy in Victoria (Australia)