Melbourne Airport (MEL), also known as Tullamarine Airport, is the primary international gateway to the city of Melbourne and the state of Victoria. Established in 1970, it replaced Essendon Airport and today stands as Australia’s second-busiest airport.

Located 18 km (11 mi) northwest of the city centre, the airport operates 24 hours a day without curfew (a rarity in Australia). Between 2 am and 4 am, operations are mostly limited to freight movements.

In 2004, Melbourne Airport became the first airport in Australia to receive ISO 14001 environmental management accreditation, recognising its commitment to sustainable operations.

The airport comprises four terminals: one international, two domestic, and one budget domestic, with a total of 68 gates (53 domestic and 15 international). Each terminal serves specific airlines and passenger needs, offering lounges, dining, and retail facilities that make Melbourne Airport one of Australia’s most efficient and passenger-friendly hubs.

Terminal 1:
T1 serves domestic and regional flights operated by Qantas and QantasLink.
Check-in, security, baggage reclaim, and Qantas lounges are located on the ground floor. The terminal has 16 boarding gates with jetways, 12 of which are single and 4 are double. There are also 5 gates without jetways, used by QantasLink.
T1 houses the Qantas Club, Domestic Business, and Chairman's lounges.
The concourse connecting T2 houses shops and cafes.

International Terminal 2:
It opened in 1970 and handles all international flights, as well as a limited number of domestic services. T2 has 20 boarding gates equipped with jetways. It serves Cathay Pacific, Qantas (First and Business/Qantas Club), Singapore Airlines, Emirates, and Air New Zealand.
The terminal’s interior features artworks by Australian Aboriginal artists Daisy Jugadai Napaltjarri and Gloria Petyarre.
The departures area is located on the lower level of the terminal, while the arrivals area is on the upper level, ensuring efficient passenger flow.

Terminal 3:
T3 originally opened as the Ansett Australia terminal and is now owned and managed by Melbourne Airport. It currently serves Virgin Australia. T3 features 11 gates with aerobridges and 8 without. The terminal was recently refurbished to enhance passenger comfort and streamline Virgin Australia’s operations. The terminal also houses Virgin Australia’s The Lounge, offering premium amenities for eligible travellers.

Terminal 4 For Low-Cost Airlines:
T4 is dedicated to budget carriers and was the first low-cost terminal of its kind in Australia. It currently serves Jetstar, Rex Airlines, and Airnorth. On the ground floor, you’ll find check-in counters, bag drop, and baggage claim facilities.
The first floor features a food court, shops, and lounges that lead to the departure area. T4 was rebuilt and expanded to accommodate growing low-cost operations, with infrastructure specially designed for Tigerair and Jetstar, at a cost of several hundred million dollars. Here, Jetstar mainly uses non–non-jet-bridge gates, while some Virgin Australia services operate from the jet-bridge section for flexibility.

Melbourne Airport is adjacent to the suburb of Tullamarine, offering convenient road access via the Tullamarine Freeway. The SkyBus express provides fast connections to Melbourne’s city centre and Southern Cross Station. Taxi, rideshare, and car rental options are available around the clock.

As Australia’s first ISO 14001-accredited airport, Melbourne continues to pioneer in environmental management: investing in noise abatement programs, renewable energy, and sustainable infrastructure to balance growth with responsibility.

In Magelline’s view, from luxury lounges to efficient low-cost terminals, Melbourne Airport embodies the modern traveller’s spirit: diverse, dynamic, and endlessly connected. Whether you’re flying with Qantas, Virgin Australia, or Jetstar, the journey begins here, at the gateway to Victoria.