How Many Tourists Visit Melbourne Each Year? [Melbourne Tourism Statistics]

Melbourne, often called Australia’s cultural capital, is famous for its laneways, coffee culture, street art, and world-class sporting events.

In the year ending December 2024, the city hosted ~12.96 million visitors (10.41 million domestic and 2.55 million international).

By March 2025, international visitors were spending AUD 9.3 billion annually in Victoria, the highest ever recorded, making Melbourne one of the most powerful tourism economies in the Southern Hemisphere.

Key Stats: Melbourne Tourism

• AUD 12.0 billion domestic spending in Melbourne in 2023, plus nearly AUD 6.0 billion from international visitors—showing domestic tourism still leads the recovery.
• Melbourne’s total tourism-sales in 2023/24 reached AUD 13.64 billion, with an economic contribution (value added) of about AUD 6.85 billion.
• In early 2025 (Jan-Mar), domestic overnight visitors to Melbourne spent AUD 3.2 billion, outpacing Sydney’s AUD 2.9 billion for the same period.
• Also in that period, there were approximately 3.5 million domestic overnight trips to Melbourne.
• Though only ~26% of Melbourne’s visitors are international + interstate, they contribute ~67% of Melbourne’s total visitor spending.
• Victoria welcomed around 1.9 million international overnight visitors in the year ending September 2023, who spent about AUD 5.6 billion and stayed ~44.8 million nights.
• Domestic overnight and daytrip visitors in Victoria numbered ~28.0 million (overnight only) and contributed over AUD 30+ billion in spend in 2023.

💡 Expert Insight — Steve Dimopoulos, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events
“Record international spending means more jobs for Victorians — from tour operators to hoteliers and baristas… We are investing in major events because it is growing our visitor economy and driving our state.”

How Many Tourists Visit Melbourne Each Year?

Melbourne welcomed ~12.96 million visitors in 2024 (domestic + international).

• 2019 (pre-pandemic): ~15M visitors
• 2020–21: Sharp decline due to lockdowns
• 2022: ~9.7M visitors
• 2023: ~12.6M visitors
• 2024: ~12.96M visitors (10.41M domestic, 2.55M international)

How Many Tourists Visit Melbourne Each Day?

On average, ~35,500 visitors arrive daily in Melbourne.

This figure spikes significantly during blockbuster events like the Australian Open or Melbourne Cup Carnival.

How Much Do Visitors Spend in Melbourne?

In 2025, international travelers spent a record AUD 9.3 billion in Victoria, while total tourism contributed ~AUD 36 billion to the state economy.

• International spend (year ending Mar 2025): AUD 9.3B (+23% YoY)
• Chinese visitors: AUD 2.9B (+23% YoY)
• Indian visitors: +84% increase in spending YoY
• Tourism GSP contribution (2023–24): AUD 36B (~5.9% of Victoria’s economy)
• Jobs supported: ~288,800 (~7.1% of the Victorian workforce)

💡 Expert Insight — Brendan McClements, CEO of Visit Victoria
“We’re working hard to grow visitation from key international markets — including India and China — because it generates billions of dollars and huge benefits for our visitor economy.”

Which Countries Visit Melbourne the Most?

China, New Zealand, India, USA, and the UK remain the largest source markets for Melbourne.

What Are the Most Visited Attractions in Melbourne?

From cultural icons to sports arenas, Melbourne’s attractions draw millions annually.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Melbourne? (Seasonality)

Tourism is year-round, but peaks align with major events and summer weather.

What Are the Biggest Events Attracting Tourists to Melbourne?

Melbourne’s global reputation is built on hosting some of the world’s biggest sporting and cultural festivals.

💡 Expert Insight — Felicia Mariani, CEO of VTIC
“Major events were the ‘spark plug’ that helped people rediscover Melbourne. When the tennis and the (Formula 1) Grand Prix returned, they provided a huge economic boost to our state but also a real and tangible emotional uplift to Victorians.”

💡 Expert Insight — Brendan McClements, CEO of Visit Victoria
“It’s no coincidence that Victoria has Australia’s best major events calendar and what better way to launch our campaign than through the global platform of the Australian Open… The AO provides an incredible platform to showcase our experiences, regions and events.”

How Much Money Does Melbourne Make From Tourism?

Tourism generates ~AUD 36B annually for Victoria, making up nearly 6% of the state economy.

• International spend 2025: AUD 9.3B
• Domestic overnight spend (Mar 2025 qtr): AUD 3.2B (ahead of Sydney & Brisbane)
• Employment: 288,800 jobs supported

How Busy Are Melbourne Hotels?

Melbourne hotels averaged ~82.3% occupancy in early 2025.

• Rooms available (Feb 2025): ~44,522 in Melbourne metro
• Occupancy: 82.3%
• Regional Victoria occupancy: 35.1% (~20,991 rooms)

Which Neighborhoods in Melbourne Are Most Popular With Tourists?

Tourists explore both central districts and trendy suburbs.

• CBD & Federation Square: Shopping, events, laneways
• St Kilda: Beaches, penguins, nightlife
• Fitzroy & Collingwood: Street art, food, music
• Southbank: NGV, Crown Casino, Yarra dining
• Docklands: Marvel Stadium, waterfront

FAQ – Melbourne Tourism Insights

How many tourists visit Melbourne yearly?
~12.96M visitors in 2024.

Which country spends the most in Melbourne?
China (~AUD 2.9B in 2025).

What is Melbourne’s tourism economy worth?
~AUD 36B in 2023–24.

When is the best time to visit Melbourne?
Summer (Dec–Feb) and spring (Sep–Nov).

What’s Melbourne’s hotel occupancy?
~82.3% in Feb 2025.

How many jobs does tourism support?
~288,800 (~7.1% of Victoria’s workforce).

Sources

1. Premier of Victoria — Record International Spend Creates More Jobs in Victoria (Mar 2025)
2. Road Genius — Melbourne Tourism Statistics 2024
3. Camper Champ — Melbourne Tourism Trends 2024
4. Visit Victoria — Victoria Monthly Accommodation Summary (Feb 2025)
5. DJSiR Victoria — Tourism Economic Data 2023–24 (Victoria)
6. DJSiR Victoria — Melbourne’s Interstate Tourism Sector Sets the Pace for Australia (Mar 2025)
7. Herald Sun — How Melbourne’s Major Events Bounced Back from Covid (Felicia Mariani quote)
8. Campaign Brief — Visit Victoria’s “Every Bit Different” Campaign (Brendan McClements quote)