Melbourne has six sister cities.They are:
* Osaka, Japan, 1978
* Tianjin, China, 1980
* Thessaloniki, Greece, 1984
* Boston, United States, 1985
* Saint Petersburg, Russia, 1989
* Milan, Italy, 2004
Osaka
Melbourne's first sister city relationship was developed with Osaka in 1978, following the establishment of the sister port relationship between Osaka and Melbourne in 1974. It is one of Melbourne's most active and productive sister city relationships.
Osaka is located in the Kansai Region, slightly west of the centre of the Japanese archipelago. Known to the Japanese as the "City of Water", Osaka is a large metropolitan area with about 2.62 million people. While Osaka thrives as a modern industrial city, it has also managed to retain the traditional values and culture that make it such a unique destination.
Tianjin
In 1980, Melbourne and Tianjin established a sister city relationship â the first such relationship between an Australian city and a city in The People's Republic of China. Tianjin city with the glow of lights of businesses and traffic
Since the relationship was established many significant exchanges, events and partnerships have taken place in the areas of cultural, educational and business cooperation.
The partnership with Tianjin fosters international understanding and goodwill between the two cities and recognises the contributions made by the Chinese community to Melbourne's business, cultural and community life.
In 1998, the Melbourne Office opened in Tianjin to facilitate trade, investment and educational exchange between the two cities. For more information visit Melbourne Office Tianjin.
Situated 120km south-east of the capital Beijing, Tianjin is the largest coastal open city in North China. With over 9.5 million people, Tianjin is China's third largest city, spanning a total area of 11,300km².
Thessaloniki
Affiliated in 1984, Melbourne's sister city relationship with Thessaloniki recognises Melbourne's large and dynamic Greek community and the significant contribution the people have made to our city.
Thessaloniki, located on the Gulf of Thermaikos, is the second largest city in Greece. It has become one of the Mediterranean's most important trade and communication centres, with a population of more than one million. It has a thriving nightlife, with great restaurants and a wealth of sights and attractions.
Boston
The various styles of buildings on the Boston skyline. Boston and Melbourne share a reputation for artistic, academic and medical excellence. The two became sister cities in 1985, heralding the beginning of a number of significant exchange programs.
The capital of Massachusetts, Boston is the largest city in New England boasting a population of just over 3 million people. It is a major seaport along the Atlantic Ocean, is one of the United States' oldest cities, and acts as the historical, cultural, commercial and industrial centre of New England.
Like Melbourne, Boston has been home to immigrants since its early history, when wave upon wave of Europeans poured into the city. Many of these people have achieved economic and political power, most notably the Kennedy political dynasty, which descended directly from Irish ancestry.
St Petersburg
An historic building featuring ornate gold turrets in St Petersburg. This sister city link, established in 1989, was the first between an Australian and Russian city.
One of Europe's most beautiful cities, St Petersburg has long played a conspicuous role in Russia's history. Russiaâs second largest city after Moscow, St Petersburg is situated on the delta of the Neva River, an arm of the Baltic Sea, about 160km from the Finnish border.
The modern city of five million people is the country's largest seaport and forms an important cultural and industrial centre. Bus, streetcar and subway are the principal means of local transportation. The city is also well served by a host of rail routes to eastern European cities.
In 2003, it was the 300th anniversary of the founding of St Petersburg by Peter the Great. The City of Melbourne worked extensively with the Russian Ethnic Representative Council of Victoria to deliver celebratory events.
Milan
Melbourne and Milan - the perfect relationship. Both cities are outward looking and highly creative. We share passions in the areas of fashion, design, education, tourism and sport to name a few. A clock tower in Milan
The City of Melbourne and the City of Milan have put together a three-year plan focusing on five broad headings:
* arts and culture;
* people to people exchanges;
* business and economic development; and
* education and city management.
Milan became Melbourneâs newest sister city in March 2004. The relationship acknowledges the vibrant Italian community in Melbourne and the many similarities between Melbourne and Milan.
Melbourneâs Italian community has contributed greatly to the development of the City, and the Council is proud to show its support via the sister city relationship.
* Osaka, Japan, 1978
* Tianjin, China, 1980
* Thessaloniki, Greece, 1984
* Boston, United States, 1985
* Saint Petersburg, Russia, 1989
* Milan, Italy, 2004
Osaka
Melbourne's first sister city relationship was developed with Osaka in 1978, following the establishment of the sister port relationship between Osaka and Melbourne in 1974. It is one of Melbourne's most active and productive sister city relationships.
Osaka is located in the Kansai Region, slightly west of the centre of the Japanese archipelago. Known to the Japanese as the "City of Water", Osaka is a large metropolitan area with about 2.62 million people. While Osaka thrives as a modern industrial city, it has also managed to retain the traditional values and culture that make it such a unique destination.
Tianjin
In 1980, Melbourne and Tianjin established a sister city relationship â the first such relationship between an Australian city and a city in The People's Republic of China. Tianjin city with the glow of lights of businesses and traffic
Since the relationship was established many significant exchanges, events and partnerships have taken place in the areas of cultural, educational and business cooperation.
The partnership with Tianjin fosters international understanding and goodwill between the two cities and recognises the contributions made by the Chinese community to Melbourne's business, cultural and community life.
In 1998, the Melbourne Office opened in Tianjin to facilitate trade, investment and educational exchange between the two cities. For more information visit Melbourne Office Tianjin.
Situated 120km south-east of the capital Beijing, Tianjin is the largest coastal open city in North China. With over 9.5 million people, Tianjin is China's third largest city, spanning a total area of 11,300km².
Thessaloniki
Affiliated in 1984, Melbourne's sister city relationship with Thessaloniki recognises Melbourne's large and dynamic Greek community and the significant contribution the people have made to our city.
Thessaloniki, located on the Gulf of Thermaikos, is the second largest city in Greece. It has become one of the Mediterranean's most important trade and communication centres, with a population of more than one million. It has a thriving nightlife, with great restaurants and a wealth of sights and attractions.
Boston
The various styles of buildings on the Boston skyline. Boston and Melbourne share a reputation for artistic, academic and medical excellence. The two became sister cities in 1985, heralding the beginning of a number of significant exchange programs.
The capital of Massachusetts, Boston is the largest city in New England boasting a population of just over 3 million people. It is a major seaport along the Atlantic Ocean, is one of the United States' oldest cities, and acts as the historical, cultural, commercial and industrial centre of New England.
Like Melbourne, Boston has been home to immigrants since its early history, when wave upon wave of Europeans poured into the city. Many of these people have achieved economic and political power, most notably the Kennedy political dynasty, which descended directly from Irish ancestry.
St Petersburg
An historic building featuring ornate gold turrets in St Petersburg. This sister city link, established in 1989, was the first between an Australian and Russian city.
One of Europe's most beautiful cities, St Petersburg has long played a conspicuous role in Russia's history. Russiaâs second largest city after Moscow, St Petersburg is situated on the delta of the Neva River, an arm of the Baltic Sea, about 160km from the Finnish border.
The modern city of five million people is the country's largest seaport and forms an important cultural and industrial centre. Bus, streetcar and subway are the principal means of local transportation. The city is also well served by a host of rail routes to eastern European cities.
In 2003, it was the 300th anniversary of the founding of St Petersburg by Peter the Great. The City of Melbourne worked extensively with the Russian Ethnic Representative Council of Victoria to deliver celebratory events.
Milan
Melbourne and Milan - the perfect relationship. Both cities are outward looking and highly creative. We share passions in the areas of fashion, design, education, tourism and sport to name a few. A clock tower in Milan
The City of Melbourne and the City of Milan have put together a three-year plan focusing on five broad headings:
* arts and culture;
* people to people exchanges;
* business and economic development; and
* education and city management.
Milan became Melbourneâs newest sister city in March 2004. The relationship acknowledges the vibrant Italian community in Melbourne and the many similarities between Melbourne and Milan.
Melbourneâs Italian community has contributed greatly to the development of the City, and the Council is proud to show its support via the sister city relationship.
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