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 52 experiences from local women

Make friends while traveling solo

Get the Travel Ladies app to meet other women, find travel buddies and stay with locals for free through hospitality exchange.

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

favorite_border 0

mode_comment 3

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

favorite_border 0

mode_comment 0

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

favorite_border 1

mode_comment 0

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

favorite_border 0

mode_comment 0

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

favorite_border 0

mode_comment 0

Is Melbourne safe for women?

Safety index

4.1 /5

Based on 52 local experiences

Crime index

2.3 /5

Based on 52 local experiences

Grace

It is a great city to live in, safe in most suburbs near the city but best to not walk dark streets at night and follow the main roads. Not too much crime, but there will always be some in a major city

Posted: May 16, 2025

favorite_border 0

mode_comment 0

Check all reviews

Meet locals in Melbourne

Tayla

About Me

Hi, I’m Tayla and I’ve recently moved to the UK on and Working holiday Visa. I’m currently based down in Dorset and am looking forward to traveling around Europe.

Speaking

mode_comment 0

Léa

About Me

Nice to (hopefully😊) meet you I’m Léa - a French solo traveler who is currently living in Melbourne. I will travel to New Zealand in Working Holiday Visa in March and I wish to gather with the coolest ladies in town! 💃 I’m a book-reader and writer ✍️ my long term goal is to be a journalist so we’ll have lots of news topics to share! I’m petsitting in Australia for accomodation and fill up my heart with animals’ presence 💜 feel free to reach me !

Speaking

mode_comment 0

Stay with locals in Melbourne

Hannelize

Melbourne

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Curious soul who loves slow travel, forest walks, markets, deep chats and messy art projects. Mildly plans travel but mostly vibes. Big on kindness, loyalty and laughing till it hurts. Here to meet kind souls from all walks of life and broaden my perspective.

Speaking

mode_comment 0

Sharon

Melbourne

Can host for:

3 days

About me

I quit my job, sold my house and have been travelling ever since! I love meeting new people and sharing travel tips and ideas! I love the outdoors, getting involved and learning new things. I am currently learning to speak Spanish whilst travelling through South America. I have travelled extensively since the age of 18 usually staying in hostels (no matter how old I was) because that's how you meet the best people! I am 52 years young and super active. I have recently ridden a scooter solo around parts of Indonesia, climbed multiple volcanoes, learned to scuba dive, free dive and I long distance swim in the ocean whenever I find somewhere with warm enough water 😂 I don't smoke or do drugs but I do love a good Margarita or two on occasion 😉 I had previously been a host on Couchsurfing but since selling my house and starting to travel obviously I haven't been able to but I'm hoping the hosting love will come back to me now! As soon as I get home and find a new place my doors will once again be open to all the adventurous people of the world 🤗

Speaking

mode_comment 0

Check all hosts

Upcoming visitors to Melbourne

Cassie

About Me

Hi! I’m Cassie. Born in Taiwan. Lived in Canada for a while. I love to meet people from different countries and hang out together! I'm going to do working holiday in Melbourne, Australia soon in September this year! Sent me a message if you are interested in hosting me for few days for my first week in Melbourne!