Melbourne

One of Craig’s favourite cities in the world… Melbourne, which is also known as the cultural capital of Australia. In the state of Victoria lies a city that competes with Sydney as an acting capital of Australia, that’s why they chose Canberra as an official happy middle ground capital. Melbourne is all about culture and a modern progressive lifestyle. It has a bustling but relaxed vibe and a diverse population, Melbourne has earned its reputation as one of the world’s most liveable cities too.

While Melbourne may not have the stunning landmarks that Sydney has, don’t be fooled, it is still a city of endless highlights. Its well-known laneways have a very cool street art scene, where murals and hidden gems adorn every corner. It’s especially good for food, so visitors often take a foodie journey through the city’s cafes, restaurants, and busy markets. We call Melbourne one of the coffee capitals of the world, with great baristas on every coroner too so don’t miss out on the cafe culture here.

If you love sport then Melbourne is a proper paradise. The city hosts the major sporting events like the Australian Open tennis tournament, The Formula 1 and the Melbourne Cup horse race, which all pull in worldwide crowds. The sporting culture is mostly based around Australian rules football (AFL), cricket, and rugby throughout the year but it is considered one of the capitals of sport.

The nightlife is all about rooftop bars, secret doorways and great live music venues, but you need to know on where to go in Melbourne as most places may look quiet on the face of it.

Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD)
Drive on which side? Left-hand side
Country dial code: +61
Size of city: 3,858 square miles (9,993 square km)
Population: Approx. 5 million
Best time of year to visit: November to April