Melbourne

Melbourne is considered Australia's creative cultural capital: a laid-back, cosmopolitan metropolis full of art, coffee houses and hidden laneways. The queer scene is spread over two clusters that are well connected by tram. Anyone who travels quickly realizes that queer life is a matter of course for everyday life across several neighborhoods.

Trendy district

To the north, around Smith Street and Johnston Street in Collingwood and Fitzroy, lies the alternative, bohemian heart. Queer-run bars, drag cabarets and meeting places of the bear community are lined up here. In the south, Commercial Road in Prahran and South Yarra has been the classic gay mile since the 1980s and still characterises going out there today. The picture is complemented by the Victorian Pride Centre in St Kilda, which serves as a contact point and community hub right by the sea.

Nightlife

Roughly speaking, the nightlife is divided according to the two scene clusters. In the north, relaxed, queer-run bars and cabaret stages dominate, where drag and live programming have a permanent place. If you're looking for classic clubs with a lot of LGBTQ energy, you're more likely to find them around Commercial Road in the south, where the night usually gets later and more danceable. The cultural highlight every year is the Midsumma Festival, one of the largest queer arts festivals in the Asia-Pacific region, with the colourful Midsumma Carnival in Alexandra Gardens and the Pride March across Fitzroy Street in St Kilda.

Beaches

Along Port Phillip Bay are the beaches that are part of the city's summer routine. St Kilda Beach, which is located right in the queer centre of the city and can be easily combined with a visit to the Pride Centre, is particularly popular. Because the waters of the bay are calmer than on the open coast, the beaches are more suitable for swimming and strolling than for surfing. Between the beach day and the scene, the street art alleys such as Hosier Lane, the historic Queen Victoria Market or the Royal Botanic Gardens can be easily squeezed in.

Best time to visit

It's best to travel in the Australian summer from December to February, when it's warm and dry. These months also include the festival season around Midsumma in January and February. Those who want to avoid heat and crowded beaches will find milder but more changeable conditions in spring and autumn.

Arrival

International flights land at Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) northwest of the city centre. From the airport you can reach the center by shuttle bus or taxi, and then you can travel comfortably with the dense tram network between the trendy districts in the north and south. As a German citizen, you need an electronic entry permit (eVisitor or ETA) to enter Australia, which is applied for online in advance.

Safety & LGBT Rights

For queer guests, Australia is one of the liberal travel destinations, and same-sex marriages are recognized nationwide. In the state of Victoria, to which Melbourne belongs, protection against discrimination and acceptance are firmly anchored. In the trendy districts and in the city center, you can move around openly; away from the big cities, a little more restraint is worthwhile in rural Australia, as everywhere.