The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 27, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
HomeCulture & LifestyleCityMelbourne
Culture & Lifestyle • City

Melbourne

Melbourne is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in Australia.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Melbourne is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in Australia. It is widely known for its cultural institutions, live music, theatre, street art, and major sporting events, and is often described as Australia’s cultural capital.

History

Melbourne developed rapidly in the nineteenth century and became one of the major cities of colonial Australia. It was also the seat of the Australian federal government from 1901 to 1927.

Culture

The city is recognised for its arts scene, including theatre, music, galleries, festivals, and street art. It is also closely linked to Australian rules football, Australian impressionism, and Australian cinema.

Geography

Melbourne is located on and around the northern and eastern shores of Port Phillip Bay in southeastern Australia. The name can refer either to the whole metropolitan area or to the inner local government area called the City of Melbourne.

Population and administration

Melbourne is the most populous city in Victoria and one of the largest urban areas in Oceania. Its central local government area is administered by the Melbourne City Council.

Key facts

  • Melbourne is the capital of Victoria and the second-most populous city in Australia.
  • The wider metropolitan area covers about 9,993 square kilometres and includes 31 local government areas.
  • The city is known for arts, live music, theatre, street art, and major festivals.
  • Melbourne is associated with the origins of Australian rules football, Australian impressionism, and Australian cinema.

Frequently asked questions

What is Melbourne?
Melbourne is a major Australian city and the capital of Victoria.
Is Melbourne the largest city in Australia?
No. Melbourne is the second-most populous city in Australia, after Sydney.
What is Melbourne known for?
It is known for arts, live music, theatre, street art, festivals, and major sporting events.
What are people from Melbourne called?
People from Melbourne are called Melburnians.
What is the City of Melbourne?
The City of Melbourne is the inner-city local government area centred on the central business district.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannicahttps://www.britannica.com/place/Melbourne
    Supports: Melbourne as capital of Victoria, location, population ranking, and general city facts
  2. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne
    Supports: Population estimate, metropolitan area, nickname, cultural profile, and local terminology
  3. State Library Victoriahttps://guides.slv.vic.gov.au/az/emelbourne-the-encyclopedia-of-melbourne-online
    Supports: Existence of eMelbourne as a reference source on the city's history and identity
  4. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_Melbourne
    Supports: Inner-city local government area, area, population, and council information