Explore the Cultural Riches of Melbourne
From Downtown to the beloved Great Ocean Road, the Australian city is more beautiful and easier to get around than ever before.
A 19th-century gold rush made Melbourne one of the wealthiest places on earth, bringing waves of migration and investment that still shape its modern identity. Today, the city’s riches can be found in modernist art galleries, divey comedy clubs, and bluestone laneways with hidden cafés. The culinary scene is electric and eclectic, with Ethiopian, Korean, Filipino, and Italian restaurants often sitting side by side on the same street. Add an ambitious plan to “green” the city with a dozen new parks and an expanded train network, and there are more reasons to visit the capital of Victoria than ever before.
(See all 25 of the destinations that made our list of the best places to visit in 2027.)
When to Go
Melbourne's perch between Australia’s hot, dry interior and the frigid Southern Ocean means its weather can change rapidly; Aussies are fond of saying it has “four seasons in one day.” In the summer months (December to February here) highs can reach the low 80s before cooling off in the afternoon, ideal for rooftop bars and alfresco dining. Winter temperatures from March to August are mild, with highs in the 50s during July. Spring (September to November) brings sunshine without the crowds, but it is also the wettest season.
What to Do
View Contemporary Art:
From mid-December 2026 to mid-April 2027, the National Gallery of Victoria will host the NGV Triennial one of the premier events of its kind, featuring more than 80 works from emerging artists around the world.
Visit a Garden in the Heart of the City:
Established in 1846, the Royal Botanical Gardens are a year-round social hub for Melbourne’s denizens. In summer, pull up a bean bag at the outdoor Moonlight Cinema or catch an open-air concert. In winter, the gardens glow with neon light art during Lightscape. Join the Aboriginal Heritage Walk to learn about Melbourne’s pre-colonial past and forage for native plants.
Roam the Laneways:
The best way to understand Melbourne is by exploring its warren of narrow alleys and pedestrian corridors, which date to the Victorian era. Graffiti-splashed Flinders Lane, Hosier Lane, and Degraves Street are the best known, but Meyers Place also has great wine bars and steakhouses and Guildford Lane is lined with artisanal doughnut shops and cafés on Guildford Lane where you can order a Melbourne Magic, an off-menu double ristretto coffee.
Drive Great Ocean Road:
The iconic 150-mile stretch west of Melbourne hopscotches between surf towns and rainforests before culminating at the Twelve Apostles, a series of jagged stacks erupting from the sea just offshore. The area will soon welcome 12 Apostles Hot Springs and Resort, as well as Aboriginal-led walking tours. In winter, watch for humpback whales migrating north from Antarctica.
Getting Around
It’s about a 40-minute drive to the city from Melbourne Airport, though slightly longer if you take the SkyBus shuttle service. The central business district is easily walkable, and free downtown trams make it easy to get around. For neighborhoods farther afield, there are plenty of trams and trains, which travelers can now pay for by tapping a debit card after a recent upgrade. Shared Lime e-bikes are also easy to locate.
