As of right now, only metropolitan Melbourne and Mildura are in lockdown, with the rest of regional Victoria under much less strict restrictions. Those in the regions can leave home for any reason and visit hospitality venues, while metropolitan Melbourne and Mildura remain locked down. Those in metro Melbourne will be permitted to travel to the regions once we hit 80 per cent vaccination, expected to be around November 1. But the term “metropolitan Melbourne” is a pretty broad term, what exactly does it cover?
According to the government, metropolitan Melbourne “is the geographical area that defines Melbourne as a city and the capital of the state of Victoria”. There are 4.9 million people who live in the 9,990 square kilometres that metro Melbourne covers.
Metropolitan Melbourne is divided into 31 local government areas (LGAs). Those LGAs are: Banyule, Hume, Moreland, Bayside, Kingston, Mornington Peninsula, Boroondara, Knox, Nillumbik, Brimbank, Manningham, Port Phillip, Cardinia, Maribyrnong, Stonnington, Casey, Maroondah, Whitehorse, Darebin, Melbourne, Whittlesea, Frankston, Melton, Wyndham, Glen Eira, Monash, Yarra, Greater Dandenong, Moonee Valley, Yarra Ranges and Hobsons Bay.
All other LGAs in Victoria are classified as regional and are not under lockdown orders. The exception is the LGA of Mildura Shire, which continues under the same lockdown rules as Melbourne due to the outbreak there.
If you’re confused as to what LGA you fall under, head to this website where you can input your suburb or postcode and it will tell you.