Melbourne is often described as one of the world's most "liveable" cities, which is certainly true! It's also one of the world's most international cities, with a quarter of Melbourne's population coming from overseas. People from Europe, the Middle East and Asia have helped create the diverse cosmopolitan atmosphere that exists today. The city is proud of its laidback and open-minded reputation.

Melbourne has many tourist attractions including Federation Square, the National Gallery of Victoria, the Melbourne Zoo and Melbourne Museum. There are world-class galleries, shopping centres and plenty of fashionable bars, plus a broad range of restaurants, from the Hard Rock cafe to many ethnic eateries.
Sports fans are also catered for with Melbourne hosting major international events in sports such as cricket, soccer and tennis, as well as being the capital of Australia's own "Aussie Rules" football.

Melbourne has a reputation for its thriving arts and music scene. There are festivals, screenings and popular music performances catering to every taste and budget all year round. More recently, the city has embraced dance music and now offers the most diverse dance club scene in Australia.

There are also many major attractions outside the city limits. Nature lovers enjoy seeing the penguins at Phillip Island, the open-range Werribee Zoo and the native Australian plants and animals at the Healesville sanctuary. Hundreds of mountains, lakes and valleys lie within an hour's drive of the city. Visitors also love sampling produce from the nearby wineries and regional restaurants.