Page last updated: 1 July 2025
Melbourne, Australia’s cultural capital, attracts millions of visitors every year with its vibrant city life, awe-inspiring landscapes, and world-class sporting events.
How many people visit Melbourne every year?
Over 12 million tourists visit Melbourne each year.
- Over 12.96 million tourists travelled to Melbourne in the year ending December 2024 (2.55 million international and 10.41 million domestic visitors).
- This total shows a 14% decrease in international trips from 2.97 million in December 2019, but a 9% decrease in domestic trips from 11.44 million in December 2019.
How many people visited Melbourne in 2024?
In the year ending December 2024, Melbourne welcomed over 10.41 million domestic visitors and 2.55 million international visitors.
- International visitors increased by 33.5% from 1.91 million in 2023
- Domestic visitors increased by 1.5% from 10.26 million in 2023
How many people visited Melbourne in 2023?
In the year ending December 2023, Melbourne welcomed over 10.26 million domestic visitors and 1.91 million international visitors.
- Domestic visitors increased by approximately 20% from 8.56 million in 2022, but are still approximately 10% lower than 2019 levels.
- International visitors decreased by approximately 78% from 8.56 million in 2022, and remained approximately 36% lower than 2.97 million in 2019 levels.
How much do visitors spend in Melbourne every year?
Tourists spent $20.80 billion in Melbourne in the year ending December 2024, with international visitors spending $8.40 billion and domestic visitors spending $12.40 billion.
- This expenditure represents an approximately 2% increase in international spending, from $8.21 billion in December 2019, and an approximately 31% increase in domestic spending, from $9.49 billion in December 2019.
How much did visitors spend in Melbourne in 2024?
Over $12.40 billion was spent by domestic tourists and $8.40 billion by international tourists in 2024 (year ending December).
- Domestic spending increased by 3% from $12.03 billion in 2023.
- International spending increased by approximately 42% from $5.93 billion in 2023.
How much did visitors spend in Melbourne in 2023?
Over $12.03 billion was spent by domestic tourists and $5.93 billion by international tourists in 2023 (year ending December).
- Domestic spending increased by approximately 22% from $9.90 billion in 2022 and by approximately 27% from $9.49 billion in 2019.
How much does it cost to visit Melbourne?
- A 3-day domestic trip costs around $900, including flights ($200), accommodation ($450), food/transport ($200), and attractions ($50), while international visitors staying a week spend over $2,000, including long-haul airfare.
Where do visitors to Melbourne come from?
- Melbourne remains Australia’s top interstate overnight leisure destination, welcoming 6.0 million interstate overnight visitors in 2024, primarily from New South Wales (Sydney) and Queensland.
- China has become the largest international source market by spend, with visitors spending $1.6 billion in Victoria in 2024
- India is among the fastest-growing markets, with 223,000 Indian visitors to Victoria in December 2024
- The largest group of international visitors to Melbourne are from China, followed closely by New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
Melbourne Travel Resources
- Car rental prices in Melbourne (long-term, minivan, campervan)
- Car rental prices in Melbourne (MEL) Airport
- EV Charging Stations in Melbourne
Impact of Coronavirus – Melbourne Tourism Statistics 2020
In the first quarter (January to March) of 2021, Melbourne saw over 1.3 million overnight visitors from inside and outside the city.
These visitors brought in over $943 million during their trips to Melbourne.
- When compared to the same period of the previous year, there was a 42.1% drop in visitors and a 51.5% decrease in tourist spending.
Impact of Coronavirus – Melbourne Tourism Statistics 2021
In the first quarter (January to March) of 2021, Melbourne saw over 1.3 million overnight visitors from inside and outside the city. These visitors brought in over $943 million during their trips to Melbourne.
- When compared to the same period of the previous year, there was a 42.1% drop in visitors and a 51.5% decrease in tourist spending.
Why do tourists visit Melbourne?
Melbourne attracts visitors as Australia’s cultural capital, renowned for its European-style cafés, hidden laneways and street art, and diverse culinary scene ranging from Chinatown dumplings to hipster brunch spots.
- Major attractions include the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), and Queen Victoria Market
- Hosts world-class sporting events including the Australian Open tennis, the Formula 1 Grand Prix, and the Melbourne Cup horse race, plus serves as a gateway to the Great Ocean Road and Phillip Island.
How popular is Melbourne as a tourist destination?
- Melbourne held the title of the 2nd most popular destination in Australia in 2024.
- For seven consecutive years (2011 to 2017), Melbourne was rated as the world’s most liveable city and maintains a strong attraction for tourists.
How long do international tourists stay in Melbourne?
- International tourists stayed in Melbourne for an average of 22 nights.
- Melbourne, along with Canberra, has the longest average stay by international tourists.
Top Attractions in Melbourne
- Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG): As Australia’s oldest, largest, and most popular sporting venue, the Melbourne Cricket Ground has hosted many significant events, from the first-ever Test match to the 1992 World Cup final.
- Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria: A veritable inner-city oasis in Melbourne, it’s home to more than 10,000 plant species from around the world, arranged in a kaleidoscope of colours and textures.
- Phillip Island Penguin Parade: Just a day trip away from Melbourne, the Phillip Island Penguin Parade is a heartwarming nature experience where visitors can see fairy penguins returning to their burrows at dusk.
- National Sports Museum: Located at Melbourne Cricket Ground, the National Sports Museum hosts Australia’s largest collection of sporting memorabilia.
- Art Deco Astor cinema: This much-loved Melbourne gem showcases a mix of new releases, classics and cult films, all in one of the city’s best-loved landmarks.
Australia Travel Statistics Resources
- Australia Statistics
Australia Outbound Travel Statistics Resources
- Travel Between Australia and Indonesia
- Travel Between Australia and Japan
- Travel Between Australia and New Zealand
- Travel Between Australia and UK
- Travel Between Australia and USA
Other Statistics Resources
- Car Rental Statistics in Australia
- EV Sales Statistics in Australia
- Fuel Cost Statistics in Australia