Melbourne, a city known for its multiculturalism, is routinely ranked as one of greatest places can live around the world. Just take a look around this bustling city at the mouth to Port Phillip Bay to see for yourself. Australia's second-largest city has a decidedly European vibe.
You can always find something fun in the city of Melbourne. Take a boat along the Yarra River, stroll through one of city's many magnificent gardens, or hop on any of the city's historic trams to experience the enchantment of Melbourne.
The arts scene in Melbourne is likewise very active. The Melbourne World Comedy Festival is one of the highlights. Find Melbourne attractions here. Melbourne has an annual international film festival in August. Trying to increase their exposure to nature? Just outside the hustle and bustle of the city, you'll find a wealth of worthwhile day trip options.
Read up on the must-see attractions and fun things doing in Melbourne before you set off on your trip. Rush's grand Victorian architecture is a reminder of the city's prosperity from the Gold Rush, and the town's tree-lined promenades and network of secret laneways make exploring the area a pleasure. Before you embark on a sightseeing tour in Melbourne, make sure you've checked out our suggested sights & activities below.
Top Melbourne Tourist Attractions
Melbourne is a cosmopolitan hub with a busy port. It's simple, and that's why Melbourne is frequently referred to as "Australia's cultural capital." Melbourne is home to numerous museums, galleries, and parks. What's more, there's a wide range of interesting architecture to explore, from Victorian-era landmarks to brand-new avant-garde creations.
When it comes to Australian vacation destinations, Melbourne is without a doubt the best. This page will serve as a guide to the top Melbourne attractions.
The Royal Botanic Gardens
Melbourne, Australia is home to the world-famous Royal Botanic Gardens. The gardens were first established around 1846 and cover both Melbourne and Cranbourne.
Located in the middle of lush parkland that spreads south of a River, Melbourne's gardens are about three kilometres from the CBD. These 38 acres of land are home to over 10,000 different species of native plants from around the world, many of which are critically endangered.
Highlights include the tranquil Fern Gully Very well Health Garden and the Ian Potter Fund Children's Garden, which teach the next generation about gardening. Our Aboriginal Heritage Walk is dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich cultural legacy of Australia's indigenous peoples.
Summertime in the gardens is when you may catch both a live performance and a movie under the stars. Have a traditional English high tea at the Terrace café, or have a picnic just on vast grounds and watch the plentiful birds.
The gardens are beautiful year-round, and it is one of the city's nicer free activities.
The Melbourne Gardens cover 94 acres and are a haven for rare, valuable, and diverse plant species, making them an oasis in the middle of Melbourne's metropolitan sprawl. You may rest your tired feet by one of the three cafes on the verdant lawns or beside the peaceful lakes after a day of exploring the gardens.
Tourists from all over the world flock to Melbourne to see its many sights. Come to Melbourne solely for the purpose of getting some advice on how to have the best holiday possible.
Victoria's National Gallery
When it comes to cultural attractions, Melbourne's Art Gallery of Victoria stands out as the best of the best. It's the oldest and most visited public art gallery in Australia. There are more than 70,000 works of art here from Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Americas.
Since its opening in 1968, the building on St. Kilda Road has been home to the international collection. Guests were welcome to spread out on the carpet in the Great Hall and see the stunning stained-glass dome that serves as the building's focal point.
The Ian Potter Gallery in Federation Square houses a wide range of Australian artworks, from Aboriginal art to contemporary mixed media. One of its many appealing features is the monumental triptych format it adopts.
Seeing that there is always anything fresh to look at, the National Gallery in Victoria is a fantastic destination to visit. The museum has 40 annual exhibits and regularly schedules tours, workshops, and other programmes for children. There is no admission fee to see any of the regular exhibits, which is a huge plus.
More than 73,000 works of art are on display at Australia's oldest and most popular art institution, namely National Gallery of Victoria (NGV).
Visit the museum to see works by famous Australian artists including Tom Roberts, who Shearing with Rams is a crowd pleaser. In addition, the NGV presents programmes including Friday Nights on NGV and Melbourne Winter Masterpieces.
You shouldn't miss out on Federation Square. When Federation Square opened in 2002 to commemorate Melbourne's centenary and the maturation of the nation, it was received with a variety of opinions from people. People were split on whether they loved it or hated it.
Whatever the case may be, "feed square" is today a vital part of a city, a focal point for residents, and a recommended introduction to the rest of the city for visitors.
You shouldn't miss Fed Square. It is directly opposite the city's principal transportation hub, Flinders Metro Station. This structure is a radical departure from the neighbouring Victorians in that it is a prototype of both open and enclosed spaces.
People travel from far and wide to attend the stage shows that are often presented. The main outdoor amphitheatre & smaller indoor rooms host and over two thousand events per year, from big festivals to more small concerts. In addition, there is a wide variety of both high-end restaurants and cosy cafés to suit your tastes. Fed Square is a wonderful choice, as it is home to one of the largest public Wi-Fi networks in all of Australia.
Southbank And South Wharf Are Great Places To Get Your Culture Fix.
In search of some cultural stimulation? Visit the Southbank area. Along the banks of a Yarra River, a short distance from Flinders Stn, lies a gorgeous district filled with restaurants, shops, and landmarks. In any season, a stroll down the riverbank is a treat.
Want to know what to do after dark in Melbourne? South Wharf is home to a number of the city's top pubs and clubs, which have been established in repurposed warehouses. When night falls and the city lights reflect off the rivers, the region takes on a spooky air.
Attractive outdoor cafés, quick food joints, and venues with live entertainment can be found throughout Southbank, which is also known for its various festivals.
If clothes shopping is high on your list of must-dos, don't miss the amazing art and craft market that happens every Sunday. It is also home to several fashionable shops and outlet malls such as DFO South Wharf, which allows you to shop until they drop with breaking the bank.
Do you feel like going to a show tonight? Opera, cabaret, contemporary dance, and theatre are just some of the genres represented at the Malthouse Theatre. Visit Southbank Theatre for a performance even by Melbourne Theatre Company. The Art Gallery Melbourne, the city's premier theatre, is also located in Southbank.
Visit some of the local artwork while you're here, including the steel statues of The Travellers alongside Sandridge Tunnel or the Queen Bee atop the Eureka Tower.
Do we need suggestions for family-friendly activities in Southbank? The Polly Woodside, docked in South Wharf, is one of the few surviving tall ships from of the nineteenth century.
The National Sports Museum
Considering Melbourne's status as Australia's unofficial "sporting capital," it's not surprise that a football stadium is among the city's most popular tourist attractions. In terms of venues, the Melbourne Cricket Pitch (MCG) is among the very best. It has been in service since 1853 with a capacity of 100,000. It's the largest and oldest sporting arena in Australia.
The "G" is woven into the very fabric of Melbourne's Australian rules football history as the stadium that hosted the first ever Test match, the 1956 Olympics, as well as the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
Tours at the National Sports Museum, which really is home to the Australian collection of photographs of Sport and Olympic Museum, are offered everyday and take tourists on a nostalgic trip through the annals of sporting history.
You may watch cricket in the summer and football in the winter.
The Australian Open tennis tournament, held in January, takes place in Melbourne Park, directly across from the MCG. In addition to tennis court rentals, we also host concerts year-round.
FAQs Best Tourist Attractions In Melbourne
Multicultural Melbourne frequently tops the list of the world's most livable cities. Visit this vibrant city at the head of Port Phillip Bay, and you'll see why. Australia's second-largest metropolis exudes an unmistakably European feel.
Grand Victorian buildings recall the city's Gold Rush riches, and tree-lined promenades and a tangle of hidden laneways make exploring the city especially rewarding.
Melbourne's culture is vibrant and alive. A city that incites inspiration, it's a melting pot of creativity expressed in its arts, design, fashion and events.
You will discover that from theatre shows and live music to comedy clubs and fashion shows, Victoria celebrates a vibrant artistic culture, ready to be explored.
In 2019-20 the state's tourism industry generated $23.4 billion (directly and indirectly) in Gross State Product, accounting for 5.0 percent of Victoria's economy. Tourism in Victoria generated 232,000 jobs in 2019-20, equating to 6.8 per cent of employment in the state.
Tourism is a significant economic driver for Victoria. Visitors to and within Victoria generate both direct and flow on impacts across industries to deliver and support visitor experiences and consumption in the state.
Melbourne is famous for its culture, and the National Gallery of Victoria is the jewel in the crown. It's not only the oldest public art gallery in Australia, it's also the most visited. Here, you can admire more than 70,000 works of European, Asian, Oceanic, and American art in two city locations.
Often lauded as Australia's heart of culture, Melbourne's attractions include sporting events, art galleries, live music, festivals and fashion events that are popular with tourists and locals alike.
Skydeck At Eureka Tower
Where could we go to get a good look at the city from above? Take a trip to Southbank's 91-story Eureka Tower. In honour of the 1854 prospector rebellion in Victoria's goldfields, which was known as The Eureka Stockade, this striking skyscraper bears that name.
Skydeck offers the best public view of any building in the Southern Hemisphere, as it is located on the 88th floor. The Boundary, a glass capsule that chute out three metres from the building, is where visitors who don't get dizzy from heights can experience some additional excitement.
Located in the heart of Melbourne, the Eureka Tower is the city's highest lookout point. This is the one and only place in the city where you can get such sweeping vistas. There are two elevators, and you'll take one of them when you visit.
The trip from the lobby to the 88th floor takes less than 40 seconds. Swap the comfort of the Skydeck for the edge of your seat on The Edge, if you dare! As a glass cube with transparent flooring, "The Edge" boasts unparalleled panoramas in every direction.
Eureka Tower, at 297.3m, was the tallest building in Australia for a long time building in Melbourne and ranks third highest in Australia right now. People taking in the panoramic vistas of the city below from the Eureka Skydeck, located on the 88th floor and reached via an elevator ride of just 38 seconds.
Those looking for a heart-pounding experience can also venture out onto "the Edge," a three-meter glass cube that dangles 300 metres in the air.
Wander through Melbourne's Arcades and Laneways
One of the best things to do in a city is to get lost in its maze of streets and alleys popular things to do in Melbourne. The area around Knust, Buckley, and Bourke Streets is the best place to experience the sophisticated, fascinating, and offbeat side of Melbourne.
Most of the most frequented destinations for luxury goods is places to visit in Melbourne is the stunning Collins Street mall Block Arcade. The phrase "doing the block" was coined by the gentry of the late 20th century as they strolled down this street, which features a mosaic floor, period relevant information, and boutique shops. From Haigh's Sweets and antique jewellery to the latest in designer wear, unique presents, and trendy eateries, this place has it all.
Having morning or tea and cake at the Hopetoun Tearooms is also a must-do. This Melbourne icon dates dates all the way to 1892, making it the oldest operating store in the arcade.
Warm cafes beckon from the maze of side streets. A common way to spend an afternoon in Melbourne is to grab a coffee, find a seat, and ppl for a while.
Melbourne's oldest arcade is the luxurious Royal Arcade; other notable arcades include Flinders and Degraves Lanes. Need to assure you see everything that's worth seeing? Multiple tour groups offer strolls through the city's backstreets for visitors.
Melbourne Zoo
Parkville is where you'll find the Melbourne Zoo. The animals at this zoo are housed in habitats that were designed with their needs in mind rather than those of the visitors. The Melbourne Zoo is home to many native Australian animals, but it also houses a number of less common species. If you want to see seals and penguins up close, you should check out the Wild Sea Exhibit. Not to be outdone, the baboon lookout is an incredible vantage point from which to observe a large chimp family. The zoo also features an English carousel from the 20th century that visitors of all ages will enjoy.
Visit Melbourne to help you choose your perfect dream vacation with your kids.
Melbourne Cricket Ground
The Melbourne Cricket Ground is the largest cricket concert venue in Australia and among the largest in the world. The stadium is located in Yarra Park and is commonly referred to as "The G" by locals.
The Melbourne Cricket Ground, which first opened in the middle of the 20th century, is constantly undergoing refurbishment.
Even if you are unable to catch a cricket match during your trip, you can still enjoy the sights and sounds of the country, the Melbourne Cricket Ground is worth a visit. While visiting the National Sports Museum, feel free to stop by and have a look.
Queen Victoria Market
Queen Victoria Market is an iconic Melbourne destination. The origins of this massive outdoor market can be traced back to the nineteenth century.
Queen Vic, or simply Vic Market as it is known to the locals, gets its name not from the monarchy but from its location at the intersection of Queen and Victoria Streets.
The best way to get a feel for the market is to stroll among the stands and shops that sell everything including fresh farm vegetables to handmade jewellery and unique clothing.
Grab something tasty to eat, or pick up a refreshing beverage, and spend the day over in the heart of the city's casual yet exciting atmosphere.
Healesville Sanctuary
Healesville Sanctuary, formally known as Sir Colin Mackenzie Sanctuary, is the best place to see all of Australia's unique animals in one convenient location.
The 40-hectare park, which is situated in a landscape typical of Australia, allows visitors to personal and get up close with the native fauna. Numerous marsupials, including emus, kangaroos, wombats, platypuses, koalas, and dingoes, can be seen at various times of the day.
The majestic wedge-tailed eagle is just one of the soaring birds of prey that can be seen in Spirits of the Sky. At Healesville Sanctuary, you can choose from a variety of healthy menu options in addition to sampling some of the area's finest gourmet fare.
Dandenong Ranges National Park
Time and preparation are needed to fully appreciate all that Downtown Ranges National Park has to offer. The park's 3,215 acres are home to numerous hiking trails, diverse wildlife, verdant fern gullies, and towering mountain ash forests.
The park's scenic hiking trails provide the best access to the park's stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife. Wildlife in the park includes echidnas, tree goannas, but rather black wallabies; at night, you may spot tassel gliders and otherwise yellow-bellied gliders sky rocketing above the trees.
Bike riding, cycling, and birdwatching are a few of the other well-liked park activities. In addition, the magnificent lyrebird, which can imitate the songs of other birds, is worth keeping an eye out for.
Although there are some great dining options in the Dandenong Ranges, many visitors also enjoy bringing their own picnics.
Visitors with an interest in birds should make a stop at Grant's Picnic Ground. Situated deep within Sherbrooke Forest, the area is home to a wide variety of native wildlife, including a large number of cockatoos and rosellas. This is also a major hub from which popular hiking trails radiate.
The Sherbrooke Picnic Ground is another popular destination, and from there hikers can take a pleasant 2.4-kilometer round-trip to the breathtaking Sherbrooke Falls.
In honour of the Australian soldiers who fought in Papua New Guinea during World War II, you can take the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk, a strenuous hike consisting of 1,000 steps.
Puffing Billy Steam Train
With a trip on the historic steam train Puffing Billy through the Dandenong Ranges, you can relive the romance of bygone eras. Powered by the sweat of a large group of dedicated volunteers, this world-class steam train travels the length of a 40-kilometer track on a daily basis.
The train rumbles through beautiful landscapes on its way from Belgrave to Gembrook. Along the way, you'll cross historic wooden bridges, stroll through quaint villages, and see soaring indigenous eucalyptus forests dotted with magnificent mountain ash trees.
With open-air carriages, visitors to this Dandenong Ranges hotspot can take in the scenic views and the invigorating aroma of eucalyptus.
Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden
About 500 metres from Olinda Village, you'll find these beautiful gardens, bursting with 1000s of blooms in pinks, teals, blues, and reds. Popular among tourists, this attraction is a must-see when in the Dandenong region.
Most of the colour is provided by cherries, camellias, azaleas, daffodils, and of course rhododendrons in the spring and early summer, but in the fall, the leaves turn brilliant reds and oranges.
You can choose to take a short stroll through a specific section of the gardens, or you can walk the entire five miles round trip, passing by ornamental plants, fern gullies, and vast lawns. The Yarra Valley and the mountains in the distance make for stunning scenery.
Visit the sensory garden to get more out of your time here by smelling the sweet scent of blooms, feeling the rough bark, hearing the crunch of fronds underfoot, and even tasting some of the plants.
The landscapes are a photographer's paradise and a visual feast for anyone who enjoys the natural world. For the best experience, go early in the day when the illumination is gentler and parking is less of a hassle. You can get in for free, and for a small fee, you can take a tour around the facility in an electric shuttle.
If you are looking for a simple vacation visit Melbourne to help you relax and enjoy the place, this is a great choice.
Hosier Lane
Explore Hosier Lane to add some genuine Melbourne flavour to your trip. Hosier Lane is the jumping off point for random street culture and arts and is located just off the Yarra River.
Artwork is displayed on the walls that flank the stone walkway. You can take in hastily sketched sketches along with murals painted in dazzling primary colours.
Get your camera and take a stroll down the alleyway on your own or with a guide. Since you're already here, you might as well keep on walking till after you reach Rutledge, a gallery street that is less well-known but no less impressive.
Conclusion
Melbourne is one of the world's best locations to live because of its culture and diverse population. One can take a boat ride down the Yarra River, visit one of the many parks, or ride the trams, all of which contribute to the city's distinctly European feel. The Melbourne World Comedy Festival is one of the city's many cultural attractions. Check out the recommended attractions and activities before setting out on a sightseeing adventure. Melbourne is sometimes called "Australia's cultural capital" due to its status as a multicultural metropolis and busy port.
There are many parks, art galleries, and museums to explore, as well as a diverse selection of buildings to marvel at. The Royal Botanic Gardens provide a haven for approximately 10,000 plant species from around the world, including several that are on the verge of extinction. Live performances and movies beneath the stars are both possibilities during the summer months in the gardens. The gardens are one of the city's best free attractions because they are lovely all year long.
Melbourne attracts sightseers from all around the world. Featuring almost 70,000 pieces from Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Americas, the Art Gallery of Victoria is Australia's oldest and most popular public art gallery. A vast variety of Australian art, from ancient Aboriginal pieces to cutting-edge mixed media, can be found at the Ian Potter Gallery in Federation Square. There are 40 new shows each year at Victoria, Australia's National Gallery, which also hosts family-friendly tours, workshops, and other events on a regular basis. Friday Nights on NGV and Melbourne Winter Masterpieces are two of the NGV's most popular series.
Whether you're a local or just passing through, you should definitely start your exploration of Melbourne at Federation Square. It faces the city's busiest subway station, Flinders, making it a convenient starting point from which to explore the city.
Content Summary
- Melbourne consistently ranks as one of the world's best places to live due to its reputation as a multicultural hub.
- Outside of the city's bustle, you can find several interesting day trip possibilities.
- Grand Victorian buildings in Rush attest to the city's affluence following the Gold Rush, and the pleasant experience of wandering the area's tree-lined promenades and network of hidden laneways is a bonus.
- Check out our suggested sights and activities below before you go out on a sightseeing tour of Melbourne.
- Melbourne is often called "Australia's cultural capital" because of this simple fact.
- The city of Melbourne is rich in cultural institutions and green spaces.
- Moreover, there is a great deal of diverse and fascinating architecture to investigate, ranging from venerable Victorian structures to cutting-edge contemporary works.
- When considering possible holiday spots in Australia, there is no competition between Melbourne and any other city.
- Use this page as a map to the best sights in Melbourne.
- Those Beautiful Gardens Belonging to the Queen The Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne, Australia, are among the best in the world.
- Over 10,000 native plant species from throughout the world call these 38 acres of land home, including several that are very close to extinction.
- In the centre of Melbourne's urban sprawl lies the 94-acre oasis known as the Melbourne Gardens, which is home to rare, important, and diverse plant species.
- Melbourne attracts sightseers from all around the world.
- The National Gallery of Victoria If you're looking for a top-notch cultural experience, look no further than Melbourne's Art Gallery of Victoria.
- The Australian public has been flocking to this gallery since the early 1900s, making it the country's de facto cultural mecca.
- A vast variety of Australian art, from ancient Aboriginal pieces to cutting-edge mixed media, can be found at the Ian Potter Gallery in Federation Square.
- The National Gallery of Victoria is a must-see because there is always something new to see there.
- Australia's oldest and most visited art museum, the National Gallery of Victoria, features over 73,000 paintings in its permanent collection (NGV).
- Federation Square is a must-see.
- Federation Square, built to celebrate Melbourne's centennial and the coming of age of the nation, debuted in 2002 to mixed reviews.
