Melbourne holidays offer the perfect combination of sun, sea, sport and culture.
Victoria’s handsome, cosmopolitan state capital is a place where you can relax on the golden beaches that line Port Phillip Bay by day, before strolling through the city’s charming laneways at night.
These iconic, characterful stretches offer colourful street art, stylish cafes and one-off shops you simply won’t find anywhere else.
Consistently voted one of the best places to live on the planet, in Melbourne you can catch a game at the Docklands Stadium, stop by Prahran Market to pick up some picnic essentials, or take in Picassos and Renoirs at the 'NGV'.
Experience all this and more with a holiday to Melbourne with Etihad.
Whether you’re looking for a fun family adventure, exciting activity break or relaxing luxury holiday, Melbourne offers a world of possibilities.
The distinctive spire of Melbourne’s Arts Centre is a marvel in itself, but the National Gallery of Victoria – known by locals as the ‘NGV’ – leads the way.
Not only is it home to pieces by artists such as Rubens, Rembrandt and Monet, it also houses an impressive collection of indigenous art.
The NGV dates back to 1861 and is both the oldest art museum in Australia and the most popular.
If your visit coincides with winter in Australia, be sure to check out the schedule for the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibitions, which wow onlookers every year.
Discover more than 8,500 varieties of flowers, trees and tropical plants in the tranquil surroundings of the Royal Botanic Gardens.
This oasis in the heart of the city is a great place to escape and unwind during your holiday in Melbourne.
The gardens have an extensive schedule of talks, tours and workshops to help you understand more about the beautiful surroundings, or you can just explore at your own pace.
Hop on and off the Garden Explorer bus to enjoy live commentary. For a truly serene experience, garden tours by boat are also sometimes available.
Melbourne may be known for its high-end restaurants, but Queen Victoria Market is also a must for foodies.
Known by locals as 'Vic Market', this much-loved institution sells the freshest ingredients, as well as ready-to-eat fare, across a wide range of stalls.
Enjoy brunch – and the coffee that Melbourne has become famous for – at one of the cafes around the edge of the market, or indulge your sweet tooth at one of the many patisseries and cake shops.
It's not just food that's on sale here either, there are lots of stalls selling everything from the latest creations by local artists and designers to clothes and homeware.
Enjoying a game of Aussie rules football at the 55,000-seat Docklands Stadium is a highlight of any holiday to Melbourne.
The official headquarters of the Australian Football League, no fewer than five associated clubs call it home.
Choose whether to cheer on Essendon, Carlton, North Melbourne, St Kilda or the Western Bulldogs.
Alternatively, catch a rugby game at the only stadium south of the equator with a fully retractable roof, or watch a cricket match at the legendary 100,000-capacity MCG.
One of the most distinctive and iconic features of Melbourne, the winding network of vibrant alleys known as ‘laneways’ is the place to go to window shop or pick up unique gifts.
Centre Place is home to fashionable boutiques every bit as attention-grabbing as the eye-catching street art, while Block Arcade boasts plenty of stores selling everything from jewellery to chocolate in ornate, 19th-century surroundings.
Many of these buzzing, bohemian streets also specialise in hip eateries and laid-back cafes that are perfect for grabbing a bite to eat.
Picture-perfect St Kilda is the ideal neighbourhood to enjoy a romantic holiday or honeymoon in Melbourne.
Stroll along the boardwalk, take in the alluring views of Port Phillip and check out the historic architecture – including Eildon Mansion and Marion Terrace.
Book a stay at Adara St Kilda and you’ll find yourself well-placed for St Kilda Beach – as well as being just a few minutes’ walk from the beautiful St Kilda Botanical Gardens.
If you’re a keen sports fan hoping to catch some of the action at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, then the best part of the city to stay in is Richmond.
You’ll also have the benefit of being in a district renowned for its Vietnamese restaurants – perfect for a post-match dinner.
Quest East Melbourne is ideally placed to explore both the MCG and the National Sports Museum, as well as the Rod Laver Arena.
Fitzroy is the city’s trendiest suburb and a great place for exploring.
Wander the boutiques, bookshops and art galleries by day and enjoy relaxing on a rooftop terrace once the sun goes down.
Melbourne Metropole Central is right on Brunswick Street, so you couldn’t be closer to the buzz.
It also has an outdoor pool which makes it a popular choice for those booking a family holiday in Melbourne.
The local currency in Melbourne is the Australian dollar. Banknotes are waterproof, which can prove useful on an activity holiday. ATMs are available around the city.
Public transport in Melbourne includes buses and trains, but the tram is an especially efficient way to get around with a Free Tram Zone in many central areas.
English is the official language of Melbourne, but this culturally diverse city is also home to more than 250 other languages, including Greek, Italian and Mandarin.
Public holidays in sports-mad Melbourne include the Friday before the AFL Grand Final and the first Tuesday of November, when the Melbourne Cup, Australia's biggest horse race, is held.
There’s a beach in Melbourne to suit every type of trip, with Brighton Beach a popular spot for family holidays due its play areas and generally shallow waters.
Elwood is a haven if you’re an active traveller wanting to enjoy swimming and sailing as part of an adventure holiday.
Safe swimming can also be had at Altona Beach, where there’s a designated no-boat zone.
If you’re looking for a luxury holiday in Melbourne then you may want to join the yachting set at Beaumaris, which offers excellent boating facilities.
Ricketts Point and Table Rock provide the perfect natural backdrop to a day’s sailing – simply breathtaking.
Melbourne is renowned for serving up some of the best coffee in the world, with its thriving cafe culture part of everyday life.
Australia gave us the globally popular flat white and, in this part of the nation, coffee is carefully crafted and tinkered with to perfection, before being savoured in pleasant surroundings.
With more than 2,000 coffee shops to choose from in Melbourne, it can be hard to know where to start.
If you’re in the city centre, seek out the intimate Dukes Coffee Roasters, while Industry Beans in Fitzroy is effortlessly cool.
Melbourne boasts flavours and foods from across the globe, whether it’s fiery Mexican quesadillas or fresh Italian pasta.
If you’re after something decidedly more Australian, head to one of the traditional grill-houses for some classic Aussie BBQ.
Alternatively, check out Fitzroy’s array of innovative brunch spots, where the local favourite of Vegemite has been known to be added to everything from fried toast to pasta.
Seafood is also good here. Try a lobster roll while taking in views across the bay, or enjoy mussels and oysters at a range of restaurants in Richmond and St Kilda.
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