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It is alleged that Melbourne is the best metropolis in Australia, and after visiting we agree! Melbourne has frequently been named probably the most habitable metropolis in the world and it’s on the prime of many individuals’s bucket lists of locations to go to in Australia. We had the possibility to participate in a number of the greatest issues to do in Melbourne whereas on a street journey by way of Victoria, and we are able to attest, that if we had the possibility to stay in Australia, we’d choose Melbourne as our house too!
Best Things to do in Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne is the capital metropolis of the state of Victoria and is an excellent jumping-off level to discover Southern Australia and the Great Ocean Road. But it’s additionally a metropolis the place you possibly can spend days stress-free and having fun with the funky metropolis vibe. If you might be planning a visit to Australia don’t restrict your self to Sydney alone. So, why go to Melbourne? Let’s check out the entire wonderful issues to do!
1. Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight Over the City
Melbourne is likely one of the few locations on earth you’ll be able to go hot-air ballooning over a metropolis. It’s the biggest city middle for decent air ballooning and the journey is spectacular.
The morning begins earlier than dawn when your information picks you up at your lodge earlier than heading out to a area for take off. It’s all arms on deck so ensure to costume comfortably and bear in mind, despite the fact that it’s heat outdoors, it may well nonetheless be brisk and chilly in the sky. So put on layers.
The 45-minute flight takes you proper over the town and provides a birds-eye view into the soccer, cricket stadium, and tennis courts. The flight is adopted by a champagne breakfast. To ebook your sizzling air balloon flight over Melbourne, go to Global Ballooning for bookings
Winds change always in Melbourne so flights could possibly be canceled on the final minute, so just remember to have a few days on both facet of your reserving. That means you may get on the following day as soon as the climate improves. That’s what occurred to us, however we managed to stand up in the air and had the journey of a lifetime earlier than most individuals had even woken up.
2. Queen Victoria Market Tour
I’ve by no means been one for market excursions however the Queen Victoria Market Tour was a blast! We had a lot enjoyable assembly the distributors at this historic market that has been working since 1878.
Taking the Queen Victoria Market Tour gave us perception into the historical past of the market (do you know it was constructed on a cemetery?) and allowed us to work together with the house owners of retailers whereas sampling their wonderful meals like native cheese and honey, oysters, wine, beer, and chocolate. You received’t go away the market hungry that’s for certain.
Everything is high-quality right here. The Market is focused at cooks and eating places, so that you solely get the most effective. Visit the Victoria Market web site for extra particulars.
2. Graffiti Lanes Street Art
The Hidden Secrets Lanes and Arcades Tour offers you a style of the Graffiti lanes of Melbourne. Melbourne is thought for its avenue artwork and the 2 standard lanes for avenue artwork are Hosier Lane and Union Lane.
These lanes are devoted to graffiti so artists aren’t tagging across the metropolis. There is lots of political and social commentary in the graffiti and you’ll almost definitely see an artist at work should you cling round lengthy sufficient.
3. Hidden Secrets Lanes and Arcades Tour
This is the unique lanes tour in Melbourne with greater than a dozen yr’s expertise. Here you’ll uncover quirky cafés like Melbourne’s smallest espresso store, unbiased designers, and specialty retailers.
Melbourne is full of slender lanes and lined arcades. One can get misplaced exploring all of them and also you received’t really recognize their which means and historical past except you’re taking the Hidden Secrets Lanes and Arcades Tours.
Like the Queen Victoria Market Tour, you’ll have the possibility to speak with store house owners and discover the world in a extra in depth means than you’d wandering by way of the streets alone. It’s a superb means to get oriented to the town/
4. Eureka Sky Deck
A metropolis tour wouldn’t be full with out going up to a excessive lookout. Like most worldwide cities, Melbourne has its personal excessive lookout on the Eureka Sky Deck at Eureka Tower. It’s an awesome view of Melbourne and the river, nevertheless it does have a singular function that we’ve got but to see in different metropolis viewpoints.
The Edge is likely one of the world’s solely transferring glass constructions that strikes out and dangles over the sting of the Sky Deck on the 88th ground. Unlike Toronto’s glass ground which is free with entry, you have got to pay $15 additional to enter the SkyDeck.
If you have got a worry of heights, you’ll undoubtedly get the fun you might be searching for. We had a younger woman in the Sky Deck with us and he or she beloved each minute of it. It is a neat concept to be locked in an elevator-type room, moved out from the primary constructing, after which have the flooring appear to fall away at your toes.
The Eureka Sky Deck is open every day from 12 pm to 10 pm, final entry 9:30 pm. For extra info go to the Eureka Sky Deck web site
5. Federation Square
Federation Square is simply concerning the coolest metropolis sq. we’ve occurred upon. Sure there are flashy squares in the world, however Federation Square has lots happening. Giant screens are arrange for folks to watch outside occasions. Pop-up theatre performances happen in again alleyways and artists hang around on the road displaying off their abilities.
There are artwork galleries, eating places, cafés, and rooftop bars. Federation Square is the place to be. During the Australian Open, they’ve massive screens arrange in Federation Square so you’ll be able to watch the occasion.
6. Sunset Over the Yarra River
Take a Walk alongside one of many many bridges or ebook a sundown boat tour to watch the solar go down in Melbourne. The metropolis lights up to perfection because the solar goes down and also you don’t need to miss it while you’re there.
There are many eating places and bars alongside the river the place you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of the sundown. We loved the view from the rooftop patio at Transit Rooftop Bar on the Transit Hotel positioned simply above Taxi Kitchen.
7. St. Kilda Beach
Speaking of the Beach, you have to make your means down to St. Kilda Beach for some Stand-Up Paddle Boarding, strolling alongside the boardwalk, and penguin watching.
The Pier of St. Kilda Beach is a historic Edwardian constructing that has been renovated and is price strolling out alongside the lengthy pier to view. A colony of penguins lives out right here as properly so chances are you’ll get fortunate and spot one.
It was sizzling whereas we have been there so the penguins have been both staying cool beneath rocks (we noticed many a again and backside) or out in the water someplace trying to find meals. There was little question about it although, the scent was 100% that of a penguin colony.
8. Take the Free City Circle Tram
Melbourne has a singular function the place vacationers and locals alike can take the free City Circle Tram anyplace inside the metropolis circle of Melbourne. It’s straightforward to hop on and hop off and it’ll take you to nearly all of locations you need to go to in the town middle.
There are historic trams and newer trams, however each are free. If you need to strive the entire loop for some metropolis sightseeing, the tram takes 45 minutes to full the loop. Check the City Circle Tram web site for particulars.
12. Melbourne Museum
The Melbourne museum is a good place to study extra about Australian historical past and the Aboriginal folks. There are loads of displays on social, scientific, and environmental features of Australian historical past. The dinosaur and bug assortment is a must-see right here and a favourite amongst kids.
Make certain to take a guided tour of the Royal Exhibition Building subsequent door to see the Dome Promenade. It was the primary constructing in Australia to be awarded UNESCO World Heritage standing and the Dome Promenade gives excursions to give guests the chance to overlook the gardens and consider the Melbourne skyline. It had been closed
13. Royal Botanic Gardens
Take a break from the push of Melbourne and delight in nature on the royal botanic gardens. This stunning park that’s house to 8500 species of crops and timber, a variety of birds, and different wildlife. The gardens span 96 acres alongside the Yara River
While entry is free, having an knowledgeable information is one of the simplest ways to discover the expansive gardens. You can
14. Flinders Street Station
The clock at Flinders avenue railway station is one in every of Melbourne’s oldest and most iconic landmarks. The outdated Victorian-era constructing that’s flinders avenue station is simply as spectacular. Not only for its outdated age (dates way back to 1854) but in addition for its spectacular structure.
Learn extra concerning the prepare station’s historical past or hop onto a prepare and discover the Melbourne metropolis.
15. Melbourne Cricket Ground
Affectionately referred to because the ‘G’, a tour of Melbourne cricket floor is a must-do for cricket lovers. It is arguably the biggest and oldest stadium in Australia in addition to the Southern hemisphere.
The Melbourne cricket floor has been host to many memorable video games and live shows through the years. The stadium is host to quite a lot of sports activities matches akin to; Australian guidelines soccer and rugby and never simply cricket.
With a paid tour, you get a glance into all that goes on behind scenes, entry to the pitch, the media room, altering rooms, and the terrace. Also inside the MCG is the National Sports Museum.
A sports activities and Olympic museum stuffed with shows and memorabilia from all of Australia’s sporting legends.
16. National Gallery of Victoria
Expect nothing however the most effective from Australia’s oldest gallery.
Located in the center of the town middle, there are literally two galleries. The NGV: International which focuses on artwork items from world wide and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia which focuses on artwork items from Australia and is positioned on the opposite facet of the Yarra river.
The aboriginal artwork items at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia are a must-see.
Marvel on the completely different traditional and modern items. The National Gallery of Victoria is actually an artwork lovers’ paradise with items from well-known artists akin to; Picasso and Monet.
17. Immigration Museum
Located in the outdated customs home, the immigration museum helps to inform the tales of immigrants to Australia from pre-colonial occasions all the best way to the current. This museum, one in every of a form in the world, is properly price a go to.
The tales are generally facet, comfortable, and generally enjoyable, these tales provide an awesome perception into immigrants and the way they’ve formed Australia’s historical past and tradition.
Some of the shows are interactive, you’ll be able to even check out the Australian citizenship take a look at. Lots of audio guides, and movies to maintain you knowledgeable.
18. Royal Exhibition Building
Located in Carlton gardens, the royal exhibition constructing is likely one of the oldest and few remaining exhibition buildings in the world.
Built in 1880, the royal exhibition constructing was constructed solely as an exhibition pavilion for commerce exhibits and festivals. Today, it hosts way more than simply industrial exhibitions.
The constructing is a high quality instance of Victorian structure and has acquired a UNESCO itemizing. Carlton gardens on which the buildings sit is simply as spectacular and value a go to when in Melbourne.
19. Australian Centre for Contemporary Art
The Centre is unquestionably a hidden gem. Art lovers will get pleasure from its massive assortment of distinctive artwork items that vary from work to sculptures, ceramics, and way more.
As with modern artwork, the purpose is to shock and problem on a regular basis perceptions. Must-see listed below are the thought-provoking aboriginal artwork items that inform of the struggling of the primary nations folks.
20. Fitzroy Gardens
Located on the fringe of Melbourne CBD is Fitzroy gardens. An spectacular inexperienced house so shut to the town but simply as peaceable and tranquil.
The Fitzroy gardens are an awesome place to chill out as you admire the greenery. Have a picnic on the garden or take a stroll by way of the gorgeous pathways as you admire the Elm timber.
A must-see right here is the floral shows, the mannequin village, the hand-carved fairy tree, and Captain Cook’s Cottage. Captain Cook’s Cottage was introduced to Melbourne in 1934 from Yorkshire England. It was transported to Melbourne to honor Captain Cook who “discovered” Australia in 1770.
21. Phillip Island
Visit Phillip island for a singular expertise with wildlife, sandy seashores, motorsports, and water actions. While the island is perhaps small, there’s something for everybody. Watch lovely penguins or stand up shut with koalas on the conservancy. Or higher but, get pleasure from a soothing day on the seashore as you admire the shoreline.
22. Chinatown
Located alongside little Bourke avenue between Swanson and spring avenue, what began as a small Chinese group middle has grown right into a cultural attraction in Melbourne.
Fun reality, Chinatown Melbourne is likely one of the oldest in the world and dates way back to the 1850s. Lots of locations to eat and store. There is a good collection of eating places to match all varieties of budgets and tastes.
23. South Melbourne Market
South Melbourne market is the oldest market in Australia and has been open for slightly over a century. Expect a various collection of items and merchandise.
Locals and guests alike cease by the marketplace for contemporary produce, deli, meat, baked items, flowers, and even pet provides. The market is a good place to meet, eat and drink as you store.
24. Kings Domain Gardens
Located close to flinders avenue station, King’s area gardens are a stretch of inexperienced areas by the Yarra river all the best way down to the botanical gardens. The gardens embody the Queen Victoria gardens, the federal government home, the shrine of remembrance, and the Myer music bowl.
The expansive gardens are stuffed with majestic oak timber with stunning flower beds giving Melbourne its popularity of gorgeous gardens.
Statues of distinguished folks additionally scatter the gardens alongside water fountains.
25. Port Phillip Bay
Commonly referred to as ‘the bay’ by the locals, Port Phillip bay is definitely made up of 16 bays. It serves not solely as a leisure space but in addition as an entrance to one of many busiest ports in Australia.
Lots of actions for outside lovers akin to; exploring shipwrecks, scuba diving, or fishing. You may also study extra about sea life on the marine reserves, spend a soothing day on the seashore, St Kilda pier, or on the close by botanical gardens.
26. State Library Victoria
State Library Victoria has been open since 1854 making it Australia’s oldest library. The library is price a go to for its gorgeous structure – a real masterpiece of its time.
It additionally boosts an enormous assortment of blended media with over two million books, 1000’s of images, audio tapes, movies, and extra. A must-see right here is the La Trobe studying room, some of the photographed areas in Australia.
27. Old Melbourne Gaol
Old Melbourne gaol is the oldest jail in Melbourne. It was as soon as a feared jail however has now been remodeled right into a museum. There are 3-levels of cells with every cell containing info and shows on inmates who as soon as lived there and their dwelling circumstances.
Do not miss out on the interactive tour on the Watch House the place the guides tackle the position of wardens and take the guests by way of the method of what would occur in the event that they have been arrested.
28. Block Arcade
The block arcade is the most effective and hottest procuring arcade in Melbourne. It is a good place to go to for its stunning structure alone.
Fun reality, the block arcade boasts of getting the biggest mosaic ground in the southern hemisphere. Something for everybody right here with distinctive and enjoyable shops
29. St. Paul’s cathedral
Located reverse flinders avenue station, St. Paul’s Cathedral is an oasis of peace in the center of Melbourne. The neo-gothic cathedral is properly price a go to for its grand structure with its stunning stained glass home windows and intricately tiled flooring. It is a Melbourne landmark positioned at one of many busiest locations in Melbourne at Flinders Street Station so ensure to go inside to have a look.
30. Collins Street
Affectionately generally known as the guts of Melbourne, Collins Street is a good place to go to for a enjoyable procuring expertise. The premier avenue is thought for its high-end flagship shops akin to; Chanel, Dior, and Giorgio Armani. You can get there by taking the City Circle Tram or just strolling round downtown from Federation Square. Who doesn’t love peeking into the designer home windows?
31. Day Trip to the Great Ocean Road
There is little question that The Great Ocean Road is Victoria State’s premier attraction. It’s only a three-hour drive from Melbourne and in case you are visiting the town, it’s a must-visit. There are excursions that occur every day, or you’ll be able to hire a automobile to see the 12 Apostles.
The views are well worth the hype, however we advocate giving your self longer than a day to discover. We took half in the four-day Great Ocean Walk to the 12 Apostles and it was magnificent. We’ll be writing about it extra in the approaching weeks.
Visiting Victoria, Australia? Pick up your Lonely Planet Guide for extra concepts of What to do in Melbourne.
As you’ll be able to see, there isn’t a scarcity of issues to do in Melbourne. It’s a metropolis that may maintain vacationers occupied for days.
Have you been to Melbourne?
Our journey to Australia is in partnership with Tourism Australia and Air New Zealand. Air New Zealand gives every day flights from Canada to Australia. All opinions are our personal.
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