Melbourne’s multiculturalism usually places it at the top of the list of the world’s most livable cities. You may find out why by visiting this thriving city at the mouth of Port Phillip Bay. Australia’s second largest city emits an unmistakable European vibe. Grand Victorian structures harken back to the city’s Gold Rush era. On the other hand, its tree-lined promenades and a network of hidden laneways make exploring the city extremely rewarding.
Culture is a huge lure and is one of the top things to do in Melbourne. The city’s renowned museums and galleries offer a wealth of artistic opportunities.
Foodies can also find enough to enjoy. Famous Australian chefs show off their skills here, churning up unique creations from around the world – from Greek, Italian, and Indian food to Spanish and Vietnamese.
But sports are undoubtedly Melbourne’s most famous claim to fame. Everybody in the country comes to a complete standstill for the renowned Melbourne Cup horse race, which is held on the first Tuesday in November. And Australian Rules football (“footy”) inspires near-religious awe. Don’t skip the game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) while you’re here.
In Melbourne, you’ll never be bored. Explore the city’s numerous galleries, cafés, and stores; stroll through lush gardens; cruise along the Yarra River; or catch a heritage tram to discover its beauty.
Melbourne has a thriving arts scene as well. Highlights include the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (March to April), and if you’re looking for things to do in Melbourne in September, grab some tickets to the Melbourne International Film Festival. Looking for a little bit of nature? A short drive from the city hum can take you to exciting day trip experiences.
We’ve compiled a list of Melbourne’s top attractions and things to do so you can research the city’s top destinations before you start your sightseeing tour.
- 1. Visit Federation Square
- 2. The Shrine of Remembrance Teaches about the Anzacs
- 3. Enjoy Southbank & South Wharf’s Cultural Offerings
- 4. Attend a Match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
- 5. Explore the arcades and alleys of Melbourne
- 6. CERES Community Environment Park is a Great Place to go green
- 7. Chill at the Royal Botanical Gardens
- 8. Views from Eureka Tower’s Skydeck are the sight to behold
- 9. The Melbourne Museum and Royal Exhibition Building is worth exploring
- 10. Learn about the life and time of Captain’s Cook at Fitzroy Gardens
- 11. Take a Yarra River cruise
- 12. Explore the Bustling Foreshore of St. Kilda
- 13. Visit the Parliament Building
- 14. Visit the National Gallery of Victoria for inspiration
- 15. Explore the City by Tram
- 16. Taste Delectable Foods at Queen Victoria Market
- 17. Visit the Arts Centre Melbourne to Catch a Performance
- 18. Visit the Immigration Museum to Learn about Melbourne’s Heritage
- 19. Animal Meetups at the Melbourne Zoo are Something not to miss
- 20. Observe the beautiful view at Docklands
- Best Places to Eat in Melbourne, Australia
- Best Places to stay in Melbourne
1. Visit Federation Square
When Federation Square opened in 2002 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Melbourne’s federation, it divided the city. It was adored and despised by different people. In any case, “Fed Square” has become a vital feature of the city, a popular meeting place, and an excellent starting point for travellers. Ans, is one of the top activities to do in Australia.
Fed Square is impossible to overlook. It is directly across the street from Flinders Street Station, a significant public transportation hub. The ultramodern design of open and closed rooms in the building contrasts sharply with the neighbouring Victorian architecture.
Locals and visitors alike are drawn here by the live entertainment. The central outdoor performance space and quaint inner venues regularly host more than 2,000 events, so there’s always a show or festival to enjoy.
Additionally, there are many restaurants and cafés in this area. Fed Square is also one of Australia’s most populous free Wi-Fi hotspots.
2. The Shrine of Remembrance Teaches about the Anzacs
The Shrine was constructed after the First World War to honour Victorians who had fought in the war, whether on the front lines or at home.
It now sits majestically amid the gardens of Kings Domain. It now serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by Australian servicemen and women. It is also the focal point for ceremonies on ANZAC Day (April 25) and Remembrance Day (November 11) each year.
View images, artefacts, and works of art relating to Australians who served in conflict and peacekeeping missions at the Galleries of Remembrance under the shrine.
Daily guided and self-guided tours are provided, and the building’s lighting is especially magnificent at night. The 13 hectares of neighbouring parkland and the city beyond are both beautifully visible from the patio and is something you must do in Melbourne.
If you have a chance to be in Melbourne on a Sunday, you can attend a Last Post Service with bugle calls and wreath-laying at the Eternal Flame at 4:45pm.
3. Enjoy Southbank & South Wharf’s Cultural Offerings
What to do in Melbourne Australia for some culture? Make your way to Southbank. This gorgeous neighbourhood is located on the banks of the Yarra River, and is packed with shops, cafés, and cultural attractions. At any time of year, it’s a lovely spot for a stroll along the river.
Looking for things to do in Melbourne at night? Here, you’ll find some of the best nightlife in the city, particularly around South Wharf, where historic sheds have been transformed into exciting entertainment hubs. It’s an interesting space after dark, when the city lights illuminate and reflect off the river.
In addition, Southbank offers attractive outdoor eateries, live performances, and festivals that add to the area’s festive atmosphere.
If you enjoy shopping, there is an amazing arts and crafts fair here every Sunday. Additionally, you can splurge at exclusive designer boutiques or score a deal at DFO South Wharf factory outlets.
If you enjoy shopping, there is an amazing arts and crafts fair here every Sunday. Additionally, you can splurge at exclusive designer boutiques or score a deal at DFO South Wharf factory outlets.
Do you want to go to a show? The Malthouse Theatre features everything from musical theatre, dance, drama, and comedy to contemporary opera and cabaret. Alternatively, go to the Southbank Theatre to see a performance by the Melbourne Theatre Company.
Keep an eye out for public art, such as The Travellers steel sculptures along Sandridge Bridge and the bust of Queen Bee on the side of the famous Eureka Tower.
Looking for family-friendly activities in Southbank? Climb aboard Polly Woodside at South Wharf. It is one of the country’s only surviving 19th-century tall ships.
4. Attend a Match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
What is Melbourne known for? It should come as no surprise that a sports stadium is one of Melbourne’s top tourist attractions given that it is Australia’s hub of sport. The 18th century Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has a 100,000-person capacity and is regarded as one of the best stadiums in the entire world. Additionally, it is Australia’s biggest and oldest sporting facility.
Daily tours take tourists on a journey through the National Sports Museum, which includes the Australian Gallery of Sport and the Olympic Museum. In the summer, you may watch cricket, and in the winter, you can watch football.
5. Explore the arcades and alleys of Melbourne
One of the most popular things to do in Melbourne is to explore the network of lanes and streets. Visit the area around Flinders, Collins, and Bourke Streets to see Melbourne at its most elegant, engaging, and eccentric.
The majestic Block Arcade on Collins Street is one of Melbourne’s most well-liked destinations for luxury shopping. This is the location where the late 19th-century nobility browsed, coining the phrase, “doing the block,” with its mosaic floor, antique elements, and high – end retail.
Everything from Haigh’s Chocolates and antique jewellery to designer couture, collectibles, and cafés can be found here.
The maze of side alleyways is lined with inviting cafés. Spend some time ordering a coffee, sitting down, and people-watching; it’s a popular Melbourne activity.
Melbourne’s oldest arcade, the magnificent Royal Arcade, is worth a visit, as are Flinders and Degraves Lanes. Ensure that you visit all the hotspots. Several tour firms offer walking tours of the alleys and laneways.
6. CERES Community Environment Park is a Great Place to go green
Locals in Brunswick come here to buy organic vegetables and explore the market. But CERES is also a city park and environmental protection centre and is one of the best things to see in Melbourne. If you’re interested in sustainability, there’s a bookstore, organic cafe, and permaculture nursery on the premises.
There are hens to see, a little playground, and occasionally kid-oriented programmes for visitors with kids. Merri Creek and the surrounding park space are close to CERES.
7. Chill at the Royal Botanical Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens in the city are among the best of their kind in the entire globe and is one of the top things to see in Melbourne.
The Melbourne Gardens are located in the centre of lush parkland south of the Yarra River, approximately two kilometres from the CBD. They cover 38 hectares and are home to approximately 10,000 plant species from over the world, including several rare kinds.
There is the Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden which is created to inspire the next generation of gardeners. The other highlights includes the Fern Gully Health and Wellbeing Garden which is a peaceful retreat away from the city’s hustle and bustle. The Aboriginal Heritage Walk delves into the rich history of Indigenous Australians.
The grounds come alive in the summer with live theatre and a moonlight cinema under the stars. With its rolling lawns, lakes, huge trees, and plentiful birds, this is a lovely place to relax and enjoy a picnic. You can also have a traditional high tea at The Terrace café.
This is one of the top free things to do in Melbourne, regardless of what time of year you visit these lovely gardens.
8. Views from Eureka Tower’s Skydeck are the sight to behold
Where can you get a beautiful view of the city? Visit the 91-story Eureka Tower in Southbank. This spectacular tower was named after the 1854 Eureka Stockade, a prodigy revolt in the Victorian goldfields. The gold crown and gold-plated windows of the building truly shimmer when the light shines on the top of the structure.
The 88th storey Skydeck offers the highest public view of any building in the Southern Hemisphere. Head out onto The Edge, a glass cube that glides out three metres from the building. Not for the faint-hearted ones.
Insider Tip: Show here at sunset for breathtaking views of the city during both day and night as the sun submerges below the horizon.
9. The Melbourne Museum and Royal Exhibition Building is worth exploring
The Melbourne Museum is a short tram ride from the city centre and is surrounded by lovely parks and gardens. This contemporary, purpose-built museum is home to a wide variety of exhibits that cover science, the environment, humanity, and various cultures.
A few highlights are the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre, the Phar Lap exhibit, which tells the story of Australia’s greatest racehorse, and the Children’s Gallery, which features a variety of interactive games and activities for young people.
Additionally, you can take a stroll through a lively forest and savour a world filled with life-sized dinosaurs, and is one of the top stuff to do in Melbourne.
The grandiose Royal Exhibition Building is very next to the Melbourne Museum. This 18th century edifice houses Melbourne’s International Exhibition. It also hosted the first Commonwealth Parliament of Australia in 1901.
10. Learn about the life and time of Captain’s Cook at Fitzroy Gardens
Captain James Cook’s childhood home in Yorkshire, England was transported to Melbourne. It was built inside Fitzroy Gardens as Captain Cook’s Cottage. The adorable home offers a glimpse of Cook’s maritime exploits and discovery of Australia and other continents.
The spectacular Spanish-mission style conservatory is also located in the picturesque Fitzroy Gardens. Little Tudor village and Fairy Tree are sure to delight kids.
After meandering through the gardens, travel to Fitzroy for some of Melbourne’s best vegan food, antique shopping, and spectacular graffiti art.
11. Take a Yarra River cruise
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