Get to know Melbourne and Victoria
Victoria sits in the south-eastern corner of mainland Australia. Although Victoria is Australia’s second smallest state, it has the second largest population (nearly seven million as of March 2024) after the state of New South Wales.
Melbourne is the capital of Victoria. With a population of over five million, it is Australia’s second largest city after Sydney. It is widely regarded as the cultural, food, sport and fashion capital of Australia. A truly multicultural city, more than a quarter of Melbourne’s residents were born overseas.
You can explore many of Victoria’s unique and varied landscapes as day trips from Melbourne. Or you can stay in Melbourne and enjoy its outstanding attractions like the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Royal Botanic Gardens, Flemington Racecourse, Southbank cafés and shops, and Queen Victoria Market. The list goes on with things to see and do in the Melbourne Central Business District and suburbs.
Arts and culture
Throughout the year Melbourne hosts many major cultural events, including festivals with free entertainment and activities. There’s the Moomba Festival (Melbourne’s largest community festival), Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Melbourne International Film Festival, Melbourne International Arts Festival, Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, and more.
For more about activities on campus and around Melbourne and Victoria, check out:
Sports and recreation
Victoria has a strong sporting tradition. While many Victorians enjoy playing a variety of sports, others prefer to watch.
You’ll find plenty of opportunities to participate in a wide range of sports on and off campus. Tennis. Cricket. Netball. Basketball. Soccer. Rugby (league and union). Table tennis. You name it.
For more about your sporting options, go to:
Melbourne also hosts some major sporting events, such as the Formula One Grand Prix (auto race), Australian Open (tennis tournament), AFL Grand Final (Australian rules football match) and Melbourne Cup (horse race).
Eating out
Melbourne has everything from food stores and small cafés to large bistros and elegant expensive restaurants, with cuisines from all over the world. You shouldn’t have trouble finding familiar foods from your own country at reasonable prices. And there are vegetarian and halal restaurants in many areas across Melbourne.
You’ll find lots of fast food outlets and takeaway food shops in most Melbourne suburbs and Victorian towns. Fast food shops often offer inexpensive Asian cuisine. Also, local pubs typically offer meals at reasonable prices.
You’ll find all sorts of places to eat and drink listed on What’s on Melbourne.