Princes Bridge across the Yarra River with St Paul’s Cathedral and Melbourne’s skyline

Australia · Destination guide

Melbourne, Australia

Best seasonMarch–April and October–November for milder city walks

CurrencyAustralian dollar (AUD)

Plug typesI · 230 VCheck adapter →

Time zoneAustralia/Melbourne (UTC+11)

Emergency number000 (police, fire and ambulance)

Destination guide

A first look at Melbourne

Start with Flinders Street Station, Degraves Street and the arcades. Give Queen Victoria Market an open trading morning, then make the State Library or NGV your indoor option when rain interrupts a riverside plan.

Explore our Melbourne guides

The dome, clocks and entrance of Flinders Street Station in Melbourne

A first weekend in Melbourne: lanes, market and river

Degraves Street looking towards the Majorca Building in Melbourne

Degraves Street, Centre Place and Melbourne’s arcades

Princes Bridge and Melbourne’s skyline reflected in the Yarra at twilight

Princes Bridge and Southbank: a flexible Yarra walk

Weather guide

Weather in Melbourne

Warm summer afternoons can give way to cool changes, while winter calls for a coat and rain protection. Carry an adjustable layer year-round; monthly averages cannot describe a heatwave or the wind beside the river.

18–22°C

Mild days with changeable conditions

April · representative month, not a forecast

Evenings: 9–13°C
Rain: Showers possible
Daylight: Use cooler hours for exposed walks

See weather details →

What this means for packing

Wear a long-sleeved top beneath a removable jacket for arcades and outdoor breaks. Check the forecast for your actual dates and adapt the layers to your plans.

Choosing a season

The best-season badge suggests months for general sightseeing, using the typical daytime temperatures and rainfall in our monthly guides. Beach holidays, festivals, winter sports and northern lights trips may suit different dates.

Climate methodology

Planning bands extend about 2°C either side of the monthly historical mean maximum (20.3°C) and minimum (10.8°C), rounded to whole degrees. Bureau of Meteorology station 086071, Melbourne Regional Office: all-years temperature observations 1855–2014, not modern 30-year normals. The station closed in January 2015. Bands are a packing aid, not daily limits; heatwaves, cold changes and local wind can differ substantially. Rain wording is qualitative. Check the forecast.

Reviewed 2026-10-21

Bureau of Meteorology — Melbourne Regional Office historical statistics

About the climate in Melbourne

Packing guide

What to wear in Melbourne in January.

An example packing list for Melbourne in January

Use this as a starting point and choose what suits your plans. Packtricia tailors your list and quantities to your trip length, weather and preferences.

Clothing

Underwear
Bras (if worn)
Socks
Sleepwear
Breathable short-sleeved tops
Light trousers or shorts
Light sweater
Light jacket
Comfortable walking shoes with grip
Rain jacket
Sun hat

Toiletries

Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Shampoo
Conditioner
Body wash or soap
Deodorant
Sunscreen
Skincare products
Hairbrush or comb
Shaving supplies (if used)
Menstrual products (if needed)
Contact lens solution (if used)

Essentials

Passport or travel ID
Travel tickets and booking confirmations
Wallet and payment cards
Phone
Charging cable and charger
Travel adapter (if needed)
Medication (if needed)
Glasses or contact lenses (if used)
Refillable water bottle
Small day bag
Sunglasses
Compact umbrella
Insect repellent (if needed)

Monthly weather and packing notes

Start the river walk early on hot days and keep the library for the warmest hours. Check the forecast for your actual dates and adapt the layers to your plans.

Daytime: 24–28°C
Evenings: 12–16°C
Rain: Showers possible
Daylight: Use cooler hours for exposed walks
Packing style: Breathable clothes with a warmer layer

Planning bands extend about 2°C either side of the monthly historical mean maximum (25.9°C) and minimum (14.3°C), rounded to whole degrees. Bureau of Meteorology station 086071, Melbourne Regional Office: all-years temperature observations 1855–2014, not modern 30-year normals. The station closed in January 2015. Bands are a packing aid, not daily limits; heatwaves, cold changes and local wind can differ substantially. Rain wording is qualitative. Check the forecast.

Outfit ideas for your outings

January laneways and arcades

Breathable top
Light sweater
Walking shoes with grip
Small day bag

Queen Victoria Market morning

Removable jacket
Comfortable trousers
Reusable shopping bag (if shopping)

Princes Bridge and Southbank

Rain jacket
Sun hat
Refillable water bottle
Seasonal warm layer

What to leave behind

Only clothes for the monthly average: cool changes and hotter days need flexible layers.
Smooth-soled shoes for wet bluestone lanes and river paths.

Reviewed 2026-10-21

Bureau of Meteorology — Melbourne Regional Office historical statistics

Transport guide

Getting around Melbourne

Use the official PTV App to plan services and manage myki. Payment is a separate step: follow Transport Victoria’s current guidance for a funded myki, Android Mobile myki or supported contactless payment.

PTV App — official downloads and features
Plan trains, trams and buses, check disruptions and top up a physical myki. Installing the planner does not create a ticket.
Visitors to Victoria — payment and network rules
Check current card and contactless coverage and tapping rules. Trips entirely within the Free Tram Zone need no tap; crossing its boundary requires valid payment. The free zone does not cover every central attraction or all transport modes.
Mobile myki — Android setup
Set up and fund Mobile myki in Google Wallet on a compatible Android phone. PTV on an iPhone does not by itself supply Mobile myki. Keep the device charged.
Official visitor map — routes and central sights
Locate attractions and the Free Tram Zone. V/Line coaches require separate paper tickets or eTickets; do not treat regional journey planning as city boarding permission.

Check the operator’s current service notices and ticket instructions before travelling.

Practical essentials

Language and calling code

Language: English
Calling code: +61

Useful essentials for Melbourne

Walking shoes with grip
Seasonal warm layer
Rain jacket
Sun hat
Sunscreen
Refillable water bottle
Phone charger
Travel adapter (if needed)

Do you need a visa?

Check travel-document and visa requirements for your passport, destination and transit stops.

Check your requirements on TravelDoc

Use the checker as a starting point, then confirm requirements with the relevant government or embassy before travelling.

Stay connected

Mobile data for your trip. Check what your current plan includes for roaming. If you need another option for maps, messages and booking details, compare NXTL eSIM coverage and rates. Check that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked, and check coverage for every stop. Download important maps and confirmations for offline use too.

Photo: John Simmons / Pexels

A first look at Melbourne