OtherA sophisticated city where countless laneways run through a grid-pattern center, packed with street art and distinctive cafes. Sports and music events are plentiful, and there is a cultural liveliness throughout the city.

Melbourne

Melbourne · Australia · -37.84, 144.93

The capital of Victoria State at the head of Port Phillip Bay, known for its cafe culture and art and regarded as one of the Southern Hemisphere's leading cities. Used as a departure and port of call for Oceania cruises.

Port highlights

A large metropolitan area of about 5.2 million people

Population

A temperate oceanic climate in the Southern Hemisphere, with the hot season from December to February and winter from June to August. It is known for changeable weather, said to bring four seasons in one day.

Climate

English

Language

Australian dollar (AUD). Cards and contactless payments work in almost all situations, so cash is rarely needed.

Currency

Autumn (March to April) and spring (October to November) in the Southern Hemisphere, when the climate is stable.

Best time to visit

Local food

World-class specialty coffee, brunch culture, wine and seafood from Victoria state, and immigrant cuisines from many countries.

Sights

Federation Square and the National Gallery of VictoriaHosier Lane street artQueen Victoria MarketSt Kilda beach and penguins (by tram)Great Ocean Road day trip

Monthly average high / low temperatures

26°

15°Jan

26°

15°Feb

24°

13°Mar

21°

10°Apr

17°

8°May

15°

6°Jun

14°

6°Jul

15°

6°Aug

17°

7°Sep

20°

9°Oct

22°

11°Nov

24°

13°Dec

Unit: °C · Calculated from NOAA GHCN-Daily station observations · Period: 1991–2020 · Station: LAVERTON RAAF · about 15.4 km from port · Last checked: Oct 3, 2026 · A guide for choosing your travel month.

Local prices for travelers

Much more expensive than Tokyo

Compared with Tokyo, Japan (median of items)144 (Tokyo = 100)

Compared with Tokyo, water and coffee cost about the same; meals, beer and a Big Mac are somewhat more expensive.

A$1.00

Water 600 ml

A$5.00

Coffee

A$11.40

Inexpensive meal

A$10.50

Local beer

A$8.50

Big Mac

Prices in Melbourne. · Amounts in the recorded local currency. No currency conversion applied. · Last checked: Oct 2026 · Sources: Shop and menu prices · The Economist, Big Mac Index (CC BY 4.0)