Backpack Victoria

Queer Victoria

Although not as large as Sydney, the Melbourne gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender scene thrives, with an increasing number of gay and gay-friendly venues appearing around the city.

Events and places to party
There is also a range of organisations serving the gay community, as well as events like the Midsumma Festival  a month-long celebration of art, culture, politics and street parties spanning January and February. Another good event in the gay calendar is the Melbourne Queer Film Festival, held over 10 days in March.

Clusters of gay life are concentrated in and around Commercial Road, which splits the suburbs of Prahran and South Yarra, as well as Smith Street, Collingwood and Brunswick Street, Fitzroy. To a lesser extent, the queer community also frequents Acland and Fitzroy streets in hedonistic St Kilda, while the beaches in Elwood, St Kilda and Port Melbourne are perfect for cruising and sightseeing.

Food-, bar- and club-wise, there is a cross-section of gay temples in Melbourne the men-only Laird Hotel in Abbotsford, dyke heaven at The Glasshouse Hotel, Jackies and Red Orange cafés in St Kilda and Prahran respectively, and The Market nightclub in South Yarra.

Regional queer communities
Outside Melbourne, you will find queer communities right across Victoria the scene-stealing towns of Daylesford and Hepburn Springs both have large and affluent gay and lesbian populations, with queer-friendly cafes, restaurants and accommodation options.

Up-to-date info
For up-to-the-minute information on what is going on and where, pick up a free copy of BnewS or the Melbourne Community Voice (MCV), available at gay and lesbian bars, or bookshops such as Hares & Hyenas, 135 Commercial Road, South Yarra, where you will also find Lesbiana, Melbourne is monthly lesbian bible. Other overviews of the gay and lesbian scene in Melbourne and beyond are online portal out.com.au, and radio station Joy Melbourne 94.9 FM at joy.org.au.