Melbourne is a city in Australia, and it’s important to know where it is and what the land looks like. Melbourne is in the southeast part of Australia, near the ocean. The city has a flat landscape with some hills, and it’s by a big bay called Port Phillip Bay. In this article, we’ll explore the geography of Melbourne and what makes its location unique.

Location

Melbourne is located in the southeastern part of Australia, specifically in Victoria. It is situated on the southeastern coast of the Australian continent, alongside the shores of Port Phillip Bay. 

Melbourne’s geographical coordinates are approximately 37.8136 degrees latitude south and 144.9631 degrees longitude east.

Area

Melbourne covers a land area of approximately 9,990 square kilometres (3,858 square miles). This makes it one of the country’s largest cities by land area. Melbourne’s vast size allows it to encompass a diverse range of neighbourhoods, landscapes, and attractions within its boundaries.

Geology

Melbourne’s geology is intricately linked to its landscape. Geologically, the city is built on a diverse foundation. To the west, it rests upon Quaternary lava flows, originating from volcanic activity in the past. 

These lava flows contribute to the western terrain of the city. In contrast, to the east, the city is situated on Silurian mudstones, which have distinct geological characteristics, influencing the landscape in that direction.

Towards the southeast, along Port Phillip, Melbourne’s geography is shaped by Holocene sand accumulation. This accumulation of sand over time has formed sandy coastal areas and dunes that define the southeastern parts of the city. 

Notably, the Selwyn fault transects the landscape in the southeastern suburbs, running through areas like Mount Martha and Cranbourne. This fault line adds an extra layer of geological complexity, potentially influencing the local geology and contributing to the diversity of landforms in Melbourne’s southeastern region. 

Overall, Melbourne’s geological composition is a mosaic of Quaternary lava flows, Silurian mudstones, and Holocene sand accumulation, with the Selwyn fault adding an interesting dimension to the city’s geology.

Topography

Melbourne’s topography is diverse and influenced by its geological features. To the east, the city extends along the Yarra River into the Yarra Valley and the Dandenong Ranges, characterised by undulating landscapes. 

Heading north, the city encompasses bushland valleys formed by tributaries of the Yarra, such as Moonee Ponds Creek, Merri Creek, Darebin Creek, and Plenty River, leading to outer suburban areas like Craigieburn and Whittlesea.

In the western part of Melbourne, you’ll find flat terrain along the Maribyrnong River and its tributaries, moving north towards Sunbury and the foothills of the Macedon Ranges. 

To the southwest, the landscape extends across a flat volcanic plain to Melton, Werribee, at the foothills of the You Yangs granite ridge, and the coastal city of Geelong within the greater metropolitan area.

Heading southeast, Melbourne’s topography includes Dandenong, the growth corridor of Pakenham, and West Gippsland. Southward, it encompasses the Dandenong Creek valley, the Mornington Peninsula, and the city of Frankston, with notable peaks like Olivers Hill, Mount Martha, and Arthurs Seat. 

Along the shores of Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne forms a continuous urban area that extends to Portsea and Point Nepean.

Coast

Melbourne’s coastal landscape is primarily defined by its major bayside beaches along the shores of Port Phillip Bay. These beaches are in the south-eastern suburbs, including Port Melbourne, Albert Park, St Kilda, Elwood, Brighton, Sandringham, Mentone, and Frankston. Additionally, some beaches are in the western suburbs, specifically Altona and Williamstown.

The nearest options for those seeking surf beaches are located about 85 kilometres (53 miles) southwest of Melbourne’s CBD. These surf beaches can be found in the back-beach areas of Rye, Sorrento, and Portsea.

 While Melbourne’s bayside beaches offer a tranquil environment along the calm waters of Port Phillip Bay, those looking for more adventurous surf conditions can enjoy the waves on the southern coast of the Mornington Peninsula.