The suburb is located 37 kilometres (23 mi) west of Melbourne's Central Business District on the city's western rural-urban fringe.

In 2023, Melbourne's significant urban area boundary was expanded to include Melton.

Melton receives less rainfall than Melbourne due to the area's position within the Otway Ranges rain shadow.

[22] The area has a profound urban heat island effect due to its ongoing rapid suburban development.

There is some concern over how continued development and climate change will affect Melton, with particular concern focused on the loss of several threatened animal species' habitat, and an increased risk of bushfires and extreme weather events in the near future.

[23][24][25] The Melton City Council has noted that the area is "particularly exposed to the impacts of climate change due to its moderate level of socio-economic disadvantage and large proportion of overseas-born residents", along with "significant structural barriers to participating in low-carbon lifestyles including limited local employment opportunities, lack of access to public transport, and inefficient new housing developments".

It has a theatre, recording studio, wall space for exhibitions and runs several public events.

[36] Melton has one local radio station, 979fm, and can receive Apple FM broadcasting from nearby Bacchus Marsh.

Melton has been identified by the Department of Transport as one of the most car-dependent communities in Greater Melbourne.

[37] The Western Highway is the main road transport link from Melton to Melbourne.

[50][51] The Melton Airfield, located in neighbouring suburb Toolern Vale, provides general aviation.

Main page: Category:People from Melton, Victoria ^ = territory divided with another LGA