Living in Melbourne

Melbourne is one of the best places to live in the world. It is a young, vibrant and friendly country in which students can live, learn and grow. So if you want a quality education and a good lifestyle, Australia’s the place to be. In Australia, you have the freedom to choose a path that suits your particular goals.

Living in Melbourne

There is a lot to love about Melbourne – just ask the locals. This sophisticated world city in the south-east corner of mainland Australia inspires a deep passion in those who live here.Melbourne is very much about lifestyle. It is no huge surprise to residents that their city has been ranked as one of the world’s most liveable cities.Melburnians love the city’s vibrant energy, restaurants, fashion boutiques, café-filled laneways, cool bars, unbeatable galleries, spacious parks and village-like inner suburbs, each with its own special character. Melbourne is a young city and as such it never sits still. Modern, cutting-edge designs add to the fascinating mix of heritage architecture and ensure the skyline is constantly changing.The City of Melbourne municipality covers 37.6 sq km and has a residential population of around 100,611 (as of 2011). On an average day, around 805,000 people use the city, and Melbourne hosts over a million international visitors each year.All of these residents, workers, shoppers and travellers can take a break in one of the around 145,000 cafe or restaurant seats, or walk through some of its 471 hectares of parkland. They can visit Melbourne’s tallest building, the 300m high Eureka Tower, or its oldest building, the Mitre Tavern, built in 1837.The entire Melbourne metropolitan area covers 7694 sq km and has a population of around 4.1 million. Melbourne has a feeling of openness and natural light. Building height limits and heritage controls have kept the city at a human scale while highlighting its diversity and creativity.

Melbourne Transportation

Public transport.

Melbourne’s public transport is the easiest and best way to get around the city.

Trams, trains and buses.

Buy a MYKI for flexible travel between trains, trams and buses. You’ll be able to use public transport in and around the city for just a few hours or all day. Plan your trip, buy tickets online and download maps and timetables from Public Transport Victoria, the one stop shop for information about travelling on public transport (phone 1800 800 007).

NightRider bus service

The NightRider is a late night bus service that operates on Fridays and Saturdays. NightRider buses leave from safe locations in the CBD and make over 300 stops along ten NightRider routes. Visit Public Transport Victoria for maps, timetables, tickets and route information.

City Circle Tram and Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle.

The City Circle Tram and Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle Bus get you around to all the city’s major attractions for free. The City Circle Tram is a free service around central Melbourne taking passengers past some of Melbourne’s major attractions. Visit Public Transport Victoria for timetables and a route map.

Multicultural Environment

The City of Melbourne is a diverse community with different groups of people residing, studying and working in its suburbs. Our multicultural population contributes to the city’s unique atmosphere. Melbourne is home to people of 140 different cultures: Indigenous Australians, post war European migrants, and recent arrivals from India, Somalia, Malaysia and beyond.

Multicultural Hub

The City of Melbourne’s Multicultural Hub is a friendly place, where people from Melbourne’s many different cultures can get together to work, share and learn in a safe and supportive environment.

The Multicultural Hub is owned by the City of Melbourne and is managed by the Adult Multicultural Education Services (AMES), Victoria’s largest local provider of multicultural support services

Weather

Melbourne has a reputation for its changeable weather. A tip for any visitor is to be prepared for anything – take an umbrella and wear layers that can be worn or removed as needed. As a general rule, Melbourne enjoys a temperate climate with warm to hot summers, mild and sometimes balmy springs and autumns, and cool winters.

Melbourne is an excellent place to see the seasons change. In summer, most people head out to visit our golden beaches. In autumn, experience the glorious foliage of the many European-style parks that fringe the CBD. In winter, Melbournians enjoy the warmth of cosy cafes and bars. Spring is a time for renewal – a great time to head back into our parks and revel in our beautiful gardens.

Living in Melbourne