Melbourne, Australia
The CBD works well as a base since you can walk to most major attractions and there's decent public transport. The main thing to watch out for is the train stations late at night - they can feel a bit sketchy when empty. Otherwise it's pretty standard for a city center.
Melbourne's CBD is busy during the day with good police presence, making it fine for solo travelers. The laneways with street art are worth seeing when there are other tourists around. But Flinders Street Station gets genuinely rough late at night - drunk crowds, homeless people, and not much security. Collins and Swanston Streets stay busy until late with decent lighting, but some of the smaller laneways can feel sketchy after dark. Hardware Lane is good for solo dining since lots of restaurants have communal seating. The free tram zone is handy for getting around without paying, but avoid the last trams when drunk people get rowdy.
Daytime Safety
ExcellentNight Walking Safety
GoodHarassment Risk
ModeratePublic Transport Safety
GoodPickpocketing Risk
ModerateScam Risk
ModeratePolice Visibility
ExcellentEmergency Services
ExcellentEvening Venues
GoodSolo Dining
ExcellentDrug Activity
ModerateHomelessness Visibility
HighGetting By in English
Excellent"Pretty safe during the day, lots of people around and decent lighting"
"The free tram zone is handy - you can get around the CBD without paying"
"Flinders Street station gets a bit weird late at night, lots of drunk people"
"Good for eating alone - restaurants don't make you feel awkward about it"
"There are usually people around even in the evening which is reassuring"
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Areas with comparable safety profiles for solo female travelers
Carlton has good Italian food and cultural attractions like the museum. The student population keeps it lively but can also make some areas a bit rowdy at night. Overall it's manageable if you stick to the main streets and take normal city precautions.
Collingwood gives you access to Melbourne's alternative scene along Smith Street. The young professional and creative crowd can be welcoming, but you should be aware that this area has higher crime rates than other parts of Melbourne, especially at night.
Docklands is modern and safe with good infrastructure, but it doesn't have much character or street life. It's more of a corporate/business district, so it can feel pretty quiet, especially in the evenings and weekends.
Help other women stay safe in Central Business District (CBD)
Neighborhood conditions can change. Check recent news, ask locals or your accommodation about current safety, especially for nighttime plans.