Melbourne is a place.
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 . It was officially declared a city by Queen Victoria , to whom Lord Melbourne was close , in 1847 , after which it became the capital of the newly founded colony of Victoria in 1851 . It is recognised as a UNESCO City of Literature and a major centre for street art , music and theatre .