Life in Melbourne
Shopping at Block Arcade
Melbourne is a vibrant, diverse city that hosts a variety of cultural events. Abundant with culture, sport, arts, music and an amazing array of food, the lifestyle is relaxed and cosmopolitan: a festival of life! The Study Melbourne website can assist you with information about living in Melbourne as an international student.
On this page
Events in Melbourne
Melbourne has so much to offer from beautiful parks to world-class art galleries. You can check out the That's Melbourne website to learn more or find brochures and maps at the Melbourne Visitor Centre, located at Federation Square (opposite Flinders Street Station, corner of Swanston and Flinders Streets).
Things to do
While you are studying at Victoria University (VU) you will have some great opportunities to get involved in activities that enable you to see parts of Melbourne, Victoria and Australia.
Melbourne's sporting culture
The birthplace of Australian Rules Football, Melbourne's passion for sport is legendary. Each year it hosts major sporting events including the:
- Australian Football League
- Australian Football League Rules in other languages
- Melbourne Cup - one of the world's most famous horse races
- Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix
- Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix
- Australian Open Tennis Championships
- Rip Curl Pro surfing - championships at Bells Beach
- International cricket matches - Test, One day international and Twenty20
- A-League soccer
- Australian Rugby League, Australian Rugby Union
Beyond Melbourne
There are plenty of interesting places within easy driving distance from Melbourne including the:
- Great Ocean Road - one of the world's most spectacular coastal roads
- historic goldfields - mineral spas and caves
- world-class wine regions
- wildlife sanctuaries
- National Parks - quiet, rural landscapes
Outdoor activities within close proximity to Melbourne include bushwalking, fishing, golf, horse riding, mountain biking and hiking, air sports (hot air balloons, skydiving and hang gliding), rock climbing, skiing, snowboarding and white water rafting. Find information on these activities at the Visit Victoria website.
Safety
Police and students cricket game
Melbourne is a safe and friendly city. To help you stay safe, VU offers plenty of advice on staying safe:
- in the streets
- on campus
- on public transport
- off campus - in the home or in the water
Read more about campus safety and security or general safety advice.
Thinkbefore
Think Before is a national campaign created to advise international students studying in Australia about their safety while living and studying in Australia. Feel free to tell your story, add a comment or ask questions using any of the Think Before social networking channels such as Facebook or Twitter.
Watch the Think Before video to get some tips on staying safe while travelling around Melbourne. There are more videos related to this campaign available from the Think Before YouTube channel
After hours hotline
VU also has an after-hours hotline (PDF, 399 KB). When offices on campus are closed, VU international students can now call 1800 758 350 for immediate advice and assistance on a wide range of issues from health and safety concerns.
Transportation
Melbourne's transport network
Melbourne is a widely accessible city by either public transport, bicycle paths or taxi services. Getting around Melbourne and beyond takes some careful planning. Become familiar with your transportation options and save time and money in your travels through the city.
Public transport – trains, trams and buses
The Melbourne metropolitan area has an integrated public transport network of trains, trams and buses that service all parts of the city and outer suburbs. Reliable, safe and easy to use; purchase one Metcard ticket to access the entire public transport network.
Visit the Metlink website for comprehensive information on public transport including timetables, routes, maps, journey planners fares and concession cards.
See Melbourne for free:
Taxis
Taxis are generally a quick and safe way to get around Melbourne, though it is expensive. You can use a taxi fare estimator to work out what your up-front costs are likely to be.
Bicycles
Cycling by the Yarra river
Bicycles are reliable and can help you get around town easily.
To plan a journey, view maps of Melbourne's bicycle paths and off road tracks.
Read more about recreational cycling at the Bicycle Victoria website.
Accommodation
Whether you are living on campus or at one of the university residences, our Housing Services are a convenient and safe option for quality student accommodation.
Living near campus
If you do not want to live in a university residence, look for other accommodation in areas close to your campus. You can also get help searching for accommodation and advice on living and renting in Melbourne.