International Council on Education for Teaching World Assembly 2026

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Melbourne Gardens

Voted ‘Australia’s Best Major Tourism Attraction’ at the QANTAS Australian Tourism Awards, the heritage-listed Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne and the contemporary native Australian Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne, offer a plethora of unique outdoor experiences. From a punt ride on the lake, or a relaxing picnic under the oaks, to a guided cultural walk or explorer bus ride along the many meandering trails, there’s always something new to enjoy.

Reconnect with nature, explore new sights, and unwind in a beautiful, tranquil setting. Plan your visit today and make the most of everything our Gardens have to offer this summer.

National Gallery of Victoria (NGV)

The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is the oldest and most visited gallery in Australia. Situated over two magnificent buildings – NGV International and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia – the Gallery hosts a wide range of international and local artists, exhibitions, programs and events; from contemporary art to major international historic exhibitions, fashion and design, architecture, sound and dance.

Queen Victoria Market

Also known affectionately as ‘Vic Market’ or ‘Queen Vic’, the Queen Victoria Market has been the heart and soul of Melbourne for more than a century. An historic landmark spread over two city blocks, it’s a vibrant and bustling inner-city market where you can shop at over 600 small businesses for everything from Australian fruit and vegetables, local and imported gourmet foods, clothing and souvenirs.

Hosier Lane

Walk down the famous bluestone laneway and admire the street art that has made the Melbourne urban art scene known across the globe. Take in the dizzying array of colours, characters and shapes created by local and international artists alike. Pick out everything from stencils and paste-ups to murals and installations. 

Discover More

• Arts and Culture – link to Art & culture, See & do, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
• Fun Activities – link to Fun activities, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
• Shopping - Shopping and fashion, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
• Nature and Wildlife - Nature and wildlife, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
• Free Melbourne - Free Melbourne, Things to do, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
• Eat & Drink - Eat and drink, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
• Tours - Tours, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
• History & Heritage - History and heritage, Art and culture, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Phillip Island

Phillip Island, a popular day trip from Melbourne, lies just off Australia’s southern coast. At Summerland Beach, spectators gather daily at sunset to watch the Penguin Parade, when Little penguins come ashore in groups.

Yarra Valley

The Yarra Valley is recognised as one of the world's premier wine-growing regions with over 80 sensational cellar doors, superb restaurants serving fresh regional produce, a wide range of accommodation to suit all types of visitors and more. 

Great Ocean Road

Experience the rugged beauty along the south-west coast of Victoria by setting off along one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives.

The spectacular Great Ocean Road hugs the seaside cliffs that snake along the wild and windswept Southern Ocean. The striking vistas along the iconic road evoke awe with craggy cliffs, empty beaches and soaring bluffs flanked by brilliant green countryside. Add epic surf, native wildlife, unforgettable hiking and biking trails and you will find plenty of things to see and do around every curve.

Discover More - Melbourne, Victoria, Australia - visitvictoria.com The official travel and accommodation site for Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Sydney Opera House – New South Wales

The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Located on the foreshore of Sydney Harbour, it is widely regarded as one of the world's most famous and distinctive buildings, and a masterpiece of 20th-century architecture

The Great Barrier Reef – Queensland

Spanning over 2,300km (1,430mi) down Australia’s eastern coastline, The Great Barrier Reef offers an abundance of coastal experiences unlike anywhere else in the world. Swim amongst the stunning coral formations, giant clams, rare species of whales, and six of the world's seven marine turtle species.

Uluru – Northern Territory

Get ready to be blown away by World Heritage-listed natural wonders, iconic wildlife and the red dirt of the Australian Outback. The Uluru region is home to two of Australia’s most famous rock formations, a mighty canyon and an ancient indigenous culture rich in story, dance and art.

South Australian Wineries – South Australia (

Pull up a stool in South Australia and sample the sweet labour of vintages past. Almost all of South Australia is 'wine country' and it's our culture to celebrate the rich history of world-class winemaking.

Discover More - Travel to Australia - Australian Tourism Information - Tourism Australia

Traveller Information

Melbourne stands on the ancient grounds of the Kulin Nation of the Wurundjeri people. For the Kulin Nation, Melbourne has always been an important meeting place for events of social, educational, sporting and cultural significance.

Getting to Melbourne

Getting to Melbourne is simple, with direct flights arriving at two main airports:

• Melbourne Airport at Tullamarine (MEL) is 22km (14mi) from the city and services both international and domestic arrivals.
• Avalon Airport (AVV) is 55km (34mi) from the city and services domestic and select international flights.

Transport options from both airports to the city include:

• SkyBus – Offers frequent express services to Southern Cross Station in Melbourne’s CBD. Approximate journey time is 30–45 minutes from Tullamarine and 50–60 minutes from Avalon. Free Wi-Fi is available onboard, and no booking is required.
• Taxi or rideshare (Uber, DiDi, etc.) – Travel time is approximately 30–40 minutes from Tullamarine and 50–70 minutes from Avalon, depending on traffic.
• Hire cars – Available from both airports for flexible travel at your own pace. Travel time will vary depending on route and time of day.

Getting around is just as easy as finding a great cup of coffee in Melbourne. The city offers clean, reliable and affordable public transport services. There is even a free City Circle tram line with historical commentary.

Currency and Foreign Exchange

Australia has a decimal system with 100 cents to the dollar ($AUD). Coins have values of 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, $1 and $2 dollars. Notes have values of $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 AUD.

Major city bank branches can exchange foreign currency. Foreign currency exchange bureaus are also available at the airport and in Melbourne's central business district. ATMs (automatic teller machines) are widely available in the city and regional areas.

Tipping is not customary in Australia and is at your discretion.

For more information on currency and goods & services taxes click here

Climate and Weather

Despite having four distinct seasons, Melbourne's weather is known for being a bit unpredictable. Summers (December - February) are generally warm and winters (June - August) cold, but just ask a local and they’ll tell you that it’s not uncommon to experience all four seasons in a single day! 

Melbourne warms up in summer with mean temperatures between 14 - 25.3°C (57.2 - 77.5°F). These months are dry, with occasional hot spells that can last more than three days. Melbourne’s top temperatures are usually in January and February, when temperatures can occasionally soar past 30°C (86°F). For more information visit the Tourism Australia website.

Visas

All passport holders (except Australian or New Zealand) must apply for a visa before leaving home. You can apply for a range of visas, including tourist visas and working holiday visas, at your nearest Australian Consulate. You can also apply for certain types of visas online.

To find the most suitable visa, check eligibility, or find out about visa extensions, visit the Department of Home Affairs website.

Electricity and Voltage

In Australia the power plugs and sockets are of type I. The standard voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz.