Flights from Beijing (BJS) to Melbourne (MEL)

About Melbourne

Discover Melbourne, a city of neighbourhoods

Melbourne is a city that reveals itself slowly, through character-filled laneways, creative neighbourhoods, and a strong café culture. From the moment you arrive, you will notice a relaxed pace, leafy streets, and an easy-to-navigate grid layout that makes exploring on foot simple and enjoyable.

The city centre is compact yet diverse, with historic arcades, contemporary galleries, and the Yarra River winding past major sporting venues and cultural spaces. Just beyond the CBD, suburbs such as Fitzroy, St Kilda, and South Yarra each offer their own atmosphere, from bohemian and artistic to beachside and stylish.

With four distinct seasons, Melbourne feels different throughout the year, whether you are visiting for major sporting events, arts festivals, or to explore regional Victoria’s coastlines and wineries. It is a destination that rewards curiosity, inviting you to linger in its cafés, discover local designers, and enjoy its green parks and waterfront promenades.

Top sights in Melbourne

Federation Square

Explore this central cultural precinct with striking architecture, galleries, and open spaces overlooking the Yarra River.

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria

Stroll through expansive lakeside gardens featuring diverse plant collections and peaceful walking paths close to the city centre.

Queen Victoria Market

Experience a historic open-air market filled with fresh produce, speciality foods, and local crafts in a lively atmosphere.

St Kilda Beach

Relax by the bay on sandy shores, walk the pier at sunset, and enjoy nearby cafés and seaside promenades.

National Gallery of Victoria

Discover one of Australia’s leading art museums, showcasing international exhibitions and an impressive permanent collection.

Experience Melbourne’s culture and outdoors

Melbourne offers a rich blend of culture and outdoor life. In the city centre, you can join guided laneway walks that reveal colourful street art, heritage façades, and tucked-away cafés. Spend time in the city’s museums and galleries, or catch a performance at one of the many theatres clustered around the arts precinct.

Sport plays a central role in Melbourne’s identity, and you can feel it by visiting major venues around the Yarra River. Depending on the season, you may be able to attend international tennis, cricket, or football matches. Even without an event, stadium tours offer a behind-the-scenes look at this side of local life.

For time outdoors, cycle or walk along the Yarra River, explore the expansive parklands that ring the CBD, or take a day trip towards the coast or nearby wine regions. These short journeys from the city allow you to see rugged shorelines, rolling vineyards, and charming country towns, all within easy reach of central Melbourne.

A taste of Melbourne

Melbourne’s dining scene is shaped by many cultures, giving you an impressive range of flavours to try. In the city centre, you will find small restaurants tucked into laneways, contemporary bistros with views of the river, and casual eateries clustered around lively squares.

Neighbourhoods such as Carlton, Richmond, and Footscray are known for their strong culinary identities, and exploring them is a highlight in itself. You can try everything from refined tasting menus to simple, well-prepared comfort food, often in venues that place emphasis on seasonal produce from Victoria’s farms and coast.

Café culture is a point of pride in Melbourne, and enjoying a carefully prepared coffee is part of daily life. Take time to sit in a local café, watch the city go by, and sample freshly baked pastries or light brunch options that reflect the city’s relaxed yet food-focused lifestyle.

Retail therapy in Melbourne

Shopping in Melbourne spans elegant heritage arcades, modern malls, and independent boutiques. In the CBD, you can wander through historic arcades lined with jewellers, chocolatiers, and speciality stores, then continue into larger centres that house international brands and local labels.

Beyond the city centre, each neighbourhood offers a different style of retail experience. Fitzroy and Collingwood mix vintage stores with local designers, while Chapel Street in South Yarra and Prahran is known for fashion, homewares, and lifestyle shops. These areas are ideal for combining shopping with relaxed dining or a café stop.

Markets are another highlight, with Queen Victoria Market and smaller community markets offering fresh produce, local crafts, and unique souvenirs. Whether you are looking for fashion, art, or gifts to take home, Melbourne’s varied retail districts provide many chances to find something that suits your taste.

Best time to visit Melbourne

Spring in Melbourne (September to November, 10°C to 20°C / 50°F to 68°F, shoulder season) brings mild days, blossoming gardens, and a busy calendar of outdoor events. It is an inviting time for riverside walks, open-air dining, and exploring the city’s parks and nearby coastal areas.

Summer (December to February, 15°C to 26°C / 59°F to 79°F, peak season) offers warm, often sunny weather that suits beach visits, evening markets, and major sporting events. Longer daylight hours give you more time to enjoy rooftop bars, waterfront promenades, and day trips to the surrounding coastline.

Autumn and winter (March to August, 6°C to 18°C / 43°F to 64°F, low season) bring cooler temperatures and crisp air, ideal for exploring galleries, cafés, and theatres. This season highlights Melbourne’s indoor culture, from cosy dining and live music to city walks framed by changing leaves in the parks.

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