The capital of the state of Victoria, Melbourne combines the grandeur of the past with the sophistication of the present. Modern buildings in the central business district sit alongside ancestral lands that tell the story of the Indigenous Boonerwrung and Wurundjeri peoples of the Kulin Nations.

The city’s diversity has contributed to Melbourne’s reputation as a creative industries hub featuring live performance, music and art.

Melbourne’s historic heart is home to the World Heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Buildings, the grand arches of Flinders Street Station, St Paul’s Cathedral and the neo-gothic façade of The Forum. Its hidden laneways feature street art that is gaining international recognition.

The city is home to some of Australia’s most prestigious and internationally-recognised universities, among them, the University of Melbourne. Melbourne is an innovator in many scientific fields, including medicine and technology.

On the city’s outskirts are the steep sea cliffs, surf beaches and spectacular sights of the Great Ocean Road, historic goldfields and the Yarra Valley’s premium wineries.

Considered one of the world’s great sporting capitals, Melbourne has a rich football pedigree and is home to W-League and A-League sides Melbourne City, Melbourne Victory and Western United.

Melbourne’s world class sporting infrastructure has produced great sporting moments from the 1956 Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games 2006, Presidents Cup 2011, ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2015 and the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015. Melbourne also stages the annual internationally-renowned Australian Open Tennis and Formula One Grand Prix.