Melbourne’s CBD is the city’s business and financial hub, boasting the highest concentration of businesses and residents within a small area of the municipality. It hosts a diverse mix of retail, financial, legal, administrative, recreational, tourist, and entertainment facilities that serve residents, workers, and visitors alike.
The CBD is also one of Australia’s fastest-growing residential areas. Key landmarks include Federation Square, Melbourne’s major public square, home to the Melbourne Visitor Centre, the Ian Potter Centre, and the Australian Centre for the Moving Image. It regularly hosts arts and cultural events and broadcasts major sporting events on a giant screen.
The area also encompasses the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kings Domain (which includes Government House), Queen Victoria Gardens, and Alexandra Gardens. Nearby, Olympic Park and Melbourne Park host major sporting and entertainment events, including the Australian Open Tennis Championships.