Melbourne is located in Australia.
Melbourne ( [ ˈmɛlbərn ] ) is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria , and the second-most populous city in Australia and Oceania . Referred to as Australia 's `` cultural capital '' , it is the birthplace of Australian impressionism , Australian rules football , the Australian film and television industries , and Australian contemporary dance . It is home to many of Australia 's largest and oldest cultural institutions such as the Melbourne Cricket Ground , the National Gallery of Victoria , the State Library of Victoria and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building . The main passenger airport serving the metropolis and the state is Melbourne Airport ( also called Tullamarine Airport ) , the second busiest in Australia . Melbourne is also home to Australia 's most extensive freeway network and has the world 's largest urban tram network .