Melbourne, the capital city of Victoria, is located in the south-eastern corner of Australia, and is the southernmost mainland capital city. As the capital city, Melbourne has become a large urban centre and is home to approximately 80% of the state's population. Melbourne is one of the world's most diverse and multicultural cities. Almost a quarter of Victoria's population was born overseas.

Melbourne has an extensive public transport network. It has one of the world's most extensive tram networks, one of a kind in Australia. For visitors there is a a free City Circle Tram, which takes in many of Melbourne's sights.

Melbourne is referred to as the garden city, and the state of Victoria is officially known as the garden state with parks and gardens in abundance.

Melbourne is on the Yarra river and Melbourne runs inland from Port Philip Bay to the south.The central area is oblong with Flinders Street to the south, Latrobe Street to the north, Spring Street to the east and Spencer street to the west. Running north to South are Swanston and Elizabeth streets.

Bayside
The coastline area between Brighton and Beaumaris with water based living and small shopping villages.

Bourke Hill
An enclave of bookshops, music stores and theatres.

Carlton
Carlton to the north of the centre and the home of Lygon Street. If you walk along this street for a while you will find Melbourne's Italy, particularly a number of Italian restaurants.

Chinatown
Little Bourke Street. This area is conspicuous for its Chinese restaurants and grocery stores, and for the Chinese gate at the end of the street.

Collins Street
Melbourne's boulevard with prestigious shops,hotels, churches and banks in grand buildings.

Docklands
A newly developed area with residential commercial and entertainment facilities just behind the Telstra Dome, There are lots of restaurants and bars at NewQuay, Waterfront City, Victoria Harbour, Yarra's edge and the Stadium Precinct. The Urban Art journey has 25 unique art works on display around many picnic areas. Explore th waterways on the Yarra river water shuttle. Docklands is on the City Circle Tram route.

Federation Square
A space in the centre of Melbourne opposite Flinders Street station and home of the National Gallery of Victoria, Australian Centre for Moving Image, Melbourne Visitor Information Centre and lots of restaurants and bars.

Fitzroy
Inner city Fitzroy with bars, cafes and fashion. Brunswick Street is the most popular street and Johnston Street known as the Latin American quarter.

Flinders Quarter
Melbourne's hip area and the home of th Melbourne rag trade.

Greek
Melbourne is home to the largest Greek population outside Greece. Londsdale and Russell streets are full of Greek restaurants and cafes.

North Bank
On the North banks of the Yarra rive is the Melbourne Aquarium and the immigration museum.

Richmond
Richmond was settled early and a multi cultural quarter with historic streets and lanes. Victoria street is home to the Vietnamese community and many Vietnamese restaurants.

South Bank
The area on the southern banks of the Yarra river opposite Flinders Street Station. On the Southbank Promenade is the Crown Entertainment Centre and numerous restaurants and smaller shops.

South Yarra
An upmarket part of Melbourne what boutiques, cinemas, galleries and nightclubs.

St. Kilda
St. Kilda was apparently named after a yacht which was anchored here just as development of this seaside suburb began, the yacht presumably being named after the Scottish island. As a look at some of the housing will reveal, St. Kilda has, through the last century and a half, been a fashionable place to live. Now it is something of an enigma. It has some handsome housing, the stately Fitzroy Street, the fashionable Acland Street, the scenic Esplanade, appealing beaches and parks, but yet it has a distinctly seedy feeling in parts. It is a location very popular with the young, and with backpackers in particular, so there are several hostels here. Luna Park is here too. From the city, it is six kilometres to St. Kilda, a tram ride which takes half an hour.  

West End
The West End is where Melbourne started and the legal precinct.

Williamstown
Williamstown is the terminus for one of the suburban rail routes. This was the first place in Port Phillip Bay to be surveyed and it was originally thought that it might be the main area for settlement. It was named William's Town in 1837, after the King of the day. Now it is for its old buildings that it is worth visiting, for these have survived in this interesting port area, while they have long vanished in the more progressive city of Melbourne. There is a Heritage Trail, with maps available from the Information Centre, and there are also good views of the city and across the bay. There is a ferry to Southbank in the city centre and one to St. Kilda at weekends only.