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

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How safe is Melbourne?

Safety at night:

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:

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:

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:

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 13 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

3.9/5

Safety

4.2/5

Food

3.7/5

Budget-friendly

3.3/5
Constance

Constance

France

Solo travel

Melbourne is a very nice city. People are lovely, I met a loooot of nice people. The city is safe, I've never felt worried there. Also transportation is very safe and good. I stayed there for 4 month and took the tram dayly without any issues there is a lot of student or people traveling so you can always find people for a trip outside the city.

Posted: July 27, 2025Experienced: June, 2023
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Gabby

Gabby

Australia

Group travel

I went to Melbourne for a concert with friends. Unfortunately due to my diet restrictions (gluten intolerant and lactose intolerant) a lot of the restaurants they wanted to go to were not an option for me. However, I was easily able to find places that accommodated my needs and the food was good. I ended up walking around alone a lot and it was so easy to get around. It was safe and I had so much fun. The attractions themselves in Melbourne are really great too. There are a lot of interesting and unique things to do as well as some things that even the locals do. It's a wonderful city to visit and I'm hoping to move there in the next few years!

Posted: July 15, 2025Experienced: September, 2024
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Couple travel

Pretty boring. We drove the great ocean road up here in may. That was amazing If you expect european grandure you will not find it in Melbourne, or anywhere in Australia, really. Definitely cool place, the thrift stores are cool but insanely overpriced, the alternative scene is insanely pretentious and there is nothing really grand or wow! To do. The restaurants and cafe’s however are great

Posted: June 22, 2025
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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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Is Melbourne safe for women?

Safety index

4.1 /5

Based on 55 local experiences

Crime index

2.3 /5

Based on 55 local experiences

Really safe, there is limited crime, if you stay in populated areas you feel looked out for, in the evenings you can walk comfortable and you’re unlikely to have anything pick pocketed or robbed. It’s best to keep bags close when in the city

Posted: July 17, 2025
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Steph

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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Safety in Australia