Melbourne Cruise Port

Melbourne is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria and the second-most populous city in Australia. Located 3 kilometres south west of the central business district, the cruise port sits in Port Phillip, a horsehead-shaped enclosed bay on the central coast of southern Victoria. Melbourne is mainly a turnaround port where cruises to Tasmania, New Zealand, and the South Pacific begin and end, though ships do occasionally call in during a voyage.

Cruise ships dock at Station Pier, a historic pier in Port Melbourne that has been Melbourne's primary passenger terminal since opening in 1854. The current pier, built between 1922 and 1930, is the largest timber piled wharf structure in Australia. The terminal is well connected. Melbourne has a convenient tram system that connects the pier with the city centre, and trains that connect with other towns and cities in Australia can be boarded at Flinders Street Station or Southern Cross Station.

Melbourne itself has rich cultural appeal. The city is known as a melting pot of cultures, rich in restaurants and international cuisine and a thriving art scene. The land of Melbourne was inhabited by the Kulin Nation, which the city of Melbourne respectfully recognizes as the traditional custodians, and the Kulin Nation still views Melbourne as a place of significant importance where its people can gather, work, and socialize. Once the richest city in the world thanks to a gold rush, Melbourne is Australia's cultural capital with striking architecture, chic galleries and boutiques.

Landmarks worth exploring include the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, the World Heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building and the National Gallery of Victoria. The Royal Botanic Gardens spans 38 hectares with space for children to explore, families to picnic, couples to enjoy themselves, or individuals to relax and recharge in a tranquil setting. Melbourne is a dream city for foodies where you can find just about any type of cuisine and dish that you're craving here, ranging from budget eats to fine dining. The tram network itself offers a quintessential Melbourne experience, making it easy to reach neighbourhoods like St Kilda and Brighton on the east shore of the bay.

Melbourne's cruise season spans late spring to early autumn with mild to warm temperatures averaging between 17 to 25 degrees Celsius, though weather is changeable with occasional rain showers and breezy conditions, so layers and light waterproof gear are recommended. On The Cruise Globe you can trace the precise routes your ship navigated through Port Phillip Bay and beyond.