Is Melbourne Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Melbourne is commonly regarded as a very secure city for solo female travelers. Patrol authorities are familiar and nearly always accessible. Public transportation is safe, even late at night. Moreover, Melbourne locals are known for their friendliness and willingness to help if needed. Of course, like any major city, it's important to remain alert particularly during nighttime and in less crowded areas.

Safety rating

4.1 /5

Based on 10 experiences from female travelers

4.5 /5

Based on our research and crime data

4.1 /5

Based on 54 experiences from local women

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How safe is Melbourne?

Safety at night:Safe

Melbourne is generally a safe place, even for solo female travelers walking alone at night. The city center is well lit and populated even in the late hours. However, like in any other city, caution should be exercised. Stay in populated areas, use trusted transportation, and avoid deserted parks or alleyways. Mobile signal and public CCTV coverage is excellent, improving the overall safety environment.

Public transportation:Safe

Melbourne's public transportation is generally considered safe and is widely used by both locals and tourists. Trams, trains, and buses are frequent, well-maintained, and are monitored by security and CCTV cameras. However, like anywhere else, it's important to be aware of your surroundings, especially late at night. Robbery and harassment are rare, but can occur. Situations can vary but overall Melbourne’s public transportation system is reliable and secure.

Street harassment:Low

Melbourne is generally considered a safe city with respectful residents. While instances of street harassment can occur sporadically, as can happen in any urban region, such experiences are not the norm in Melbourne. The city's safety measures, active law enforcement, and a largely respectful culture contribute to making it a comfortable experience for solo female travelers. Always remember, your experience may vary depending on personal circumstances, timing, and particular locations, so always be mindful of your surroundings.

Petty crimes:Low

Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, is generally considered safe for solo female travelers and has a lower risk of petty crimes such as theft, pickpocketing, and minor scams in comparison to other major cities. However, it's always recommended to take preventative measures, be cautious in crowded places and not to display expensive belongings openly.

Is Melbourne worth visiting?

Overall rating

4 /5

based on 10 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

3.9/5

Safety

4.1/5

Food

3.7/5

Budget-friendly

3.4/5

Solo travel

My Melbourne experience is not too good, however that is likely due to my experience at the hostel (St Kilda Nomads). At this hostel I was in a mixed room and a guy was jerking himself off the whole evening. He slept in the bunk below me and the whole bed was shaking. After that I didn’t feel so safe in the city anymore. Also I thought that st Kilda area was kind of sketchy. Not everything was bad though, there was a beautiful beach walk to a viewpoint. This is a must do at sunset!

Posted: October 28, 2024

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Solo travel

First time that i went to melbourne i wasn’t sure what to do. There seemed like a lot to do in such little time. from what i did end up doing i felt safe, especially as would go out at night by myself i didn’t question my safety

Posted: September 23, 2024

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Family travel

I loved my time in Melbourne to the point of wanting to move there one day soon. The theatre, music and art scene was fantastic coming from small town NZ. I really enjoyed Fitzroy and Victoria market too. The food options were great although I maintain NZ does better coffee

Posted: July 30, 2024

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Solo travel

Out of the three cities I visited in Australia, Melbourne was my favorite! A multicultural capitol, with loads to do and see and lots to eat! There are many free activities that made the trip more affordable to me, like the NGV museum! The nightlife is great and I felt very safe. The public transit is AMAZING, even when you get to the outskirts of the city.

Posted: June 24, 2024

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Vanessa

New Zealand

Family travel

I had a great time in Melbourne! I stayed with some friends. I went to a fun quiz night and thai food at a place called revolver. We drove to nearby towns like ballarat which was very pretty! Beaches were very flat but good walkways along the coast line. Colourful bath houses in brighton.

Posted: May 24, 2024

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Solo travel

Melbourne is a busy cosmopolitan city. It is easy to visit using public transport. Although people are friendly, it is a good idea to stay in groups, especially at night. I have lived here for more than twenty years and love visiting the small laneways in the city as well as great places to swim in the bays.

Posted: March 23, 2024Experienced: February, 2024

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Is Melbourne safe for women?

Safety index

4.1 /5

Based on 54 local experiences

Crime index

2.3 /5

Based on 54 local experiences

Steph

Melbourne is a great place to live, work and travel. In terms of risk to safety it's relatively low. Crime does happen but it's not unsafe to be here, travel alone or be anywhere after dark. Police are extremely approachable should anything happen.

Posted: June 4, 2025

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pretty safe but i would maintain the same precautions as everywhere else: head held high, know where you are going, dress like a local, don’t tell large groups and men that you are travelling alone etc.

Posted: June 2, 2025

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