Melbourne is the capital city of the Australian state of Victoria, Australia, sitting comfortably on the southeastern coast, at the head of Port Phillip Bay. The city is vibrant, fun, and atmospheric.
It is particularly popular amongst creatives, boasting a delectable arts scene, and is known for its many street graffiti murals. Melbourne is a cultural hub not only for the arts, but for food, entertainment, and sports, oftentimes being referred to as ‘the Sporting Capital of the World’.
With so much to see and do, a lovely atmosphere to accompany, and just so much cultural diversity, Melbourne has been listed as one of the most liveable cities in the world. There is truly something here for everyone to enjoy. So let’s delve in! Here are this author’s top ten things to do in the wonderful Australian city of Melbourne! I am sure there will be something that will take your fancy.
Federation Square
Sitting comfortably on the edge of Melbourne’s business district lies Federation Square. Existing as a venue for arts, culture, and public events, and housing many major cultural institutions including the Koorie Heritage Trust, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, and the Ian Potter Centre. As well to these world-famous buildings, the area is home to a seemingly endless array of fantastic cafes, bars, and restaurants, all gathered around a large paved square, within the walls of a glass atrium.
Federation Square is a living promotion of Melbourne’s unmatched cultural scene, showcasing wonderful concerts, events, theatre performances, art exhibits, and fantastic function spaces to provide a venue for anything you could imagine. There is so much to see and do, with Federation Square providing a wonderful starting point for your Australian adventure!
Location: Swanston St & Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
The Melbourne Museum
Located in the Carlton Gardens of Melbourne lies one of the best natural and cultural museums in the world: The Melbourne Museum. Explore through a multitude of wonderful exhibits, teaching you all about history, culture, science, and nature. Not just in Australia, but beyond!
The museum was opened in the year 2000 as a project by the Government of Victoria. The Melbourne Museum is a modern building, with so much to explore inside, for all of the family! Make sure to keep a day free to expand your mind, broaden your horizons, and discover more about the world around you at the Melbourne Museum.
Location: 11 Nicholson St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia
St Paul’s Cathedral
St Paul’s Cathedral is a sight to behold! With awe-inspiring, Anglican architecture, there is so much beauty to behold here. St Paul’s Cathedral exists as the Diocese of Melbourne and the seat of the archbishop of Melbourne and the Province of Victoria and is, therefore, a very important building.
The Cathedral is open every day for pilgrims and visitors for worship, prayer, and general visiting. The quiet sanctity, the wealth of history, and magnificent infrastructure make this attraction one of high popularity amongst locals and international visitors alike. St Paul’s Cathedral is well worth a visit, so make sure to take in its neo-Gothic beauty during your Melbourne adventure.
Location: Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Melbourne Street Art
The main event! Melbourne is a city known for its incredible creative scene, and the vast amount of vibrant street art definitely reflects this. There are so many locations to explore, clad in awe-inspiring art. Three key locations have been listed below, they should provide some great starting points for you! Tour through mural upon a mural of incredible art, created by local and international artists.
Better yet, take part in an actual city tour, usually led by locals, and find out about the meaning behind the murals, the history of the artists, and the names of the wonderful pieces of art. The overflowing amount of street art in Melbourne is one of the city’s greatest attributes, attracting people from all over, all eager to see the colourful and exciting artwork displayed on the city walls. The best place to start is Hosier Lane, oftentimes referred to as the central point of the Melbourne art scene. Then, move on to one of the numerous other locations, two notable ones are listed below!
Location:
Hosier Lane: Hosier Ln, Melbourne VIC, Australia
Centre Place: Centre Pl, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
AC/DC Lane: AC/DC La, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
The Eureka Tower
The Eureka Tower or the Eureka Skydeck provides the very best opportunity for individuals to access breathtaking, panoramic views of the city of Melbourne. Eureka Tower is located in the Southbank precinct of Melbourne, reigning two-hundred and ninety-seven metres above the ground.
Officially opened in 2006, the Eureka Tower offers a Skydeck experience that is, pardon the pun, above all else! Stand as tall as a giant, admiring the fantastic city of Melbourne below. Watch the sunset over the skyline, or view the night sky from the clouds. Sip champagne, paint a picture or sharpen up your photography skills on the Skydeck. Eureka Tower is one of the most amazing experiences in all of Melbourne, so journey to the top today to enjoy the adventure of a lifetime.
Location: 7 Riverside Quay, Southbank VIC 3006, Australia
The Melbourne Star
The Melbourne Star! Melbourne’s infamous observation wheel towers are one hundred and twenty metres above the Docklands area of Melbourne and are very popular amongst international visitors. The wheel offers unrivalled views of the city residing below and is actually one of the largest observation wheels in the entire world.
There are twenty-one spacious, air-conditioned cabins, meaning there is plenty of room for you and your loved ones, family, and friends to experience three hundred and sixty-degree views of Melbourne city. See Melbourne as you never have before from the comfort and safety of one of the wonderful cabins attached to one of the world’s only observation wheels! This is a brilliant experience, make sure to take advantage of it.
Location: The District Docklands, 101 Waterfront Way, Docklands VIC 3008, Australia
Captain Cook’s Cottage
Captain Cook was a British explorer, cartographer, and captain who was known for his voyages across the world, particularly those across the Pacific Ocean and to the country of Australia. Captain Cook’s Cottage exists as the former residence of Captain Cook’s parents, originally built in Yorkshire, England, but nowadays has been moved to the city of Melbourne, Australia.
This two-story cottage is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city, providing visitors with an insight into life in seventeenth-century England. It is a very unique attraction, offering the opportunity to try on traditional fancy dress costumes, enjoy a peaceful atmosphere, and authentically learn about another time period. This is one for the history-nuts, so make sure to stop by Captain Cook’s Cottage during your amazing Australian adventure!
Location: Fitzroy Gardens, Wellington Parade, East Melbourne VIC 3002, Australia
The Shrine of Remembrance
The Shrine of Remembrance is a cultural and historical hub, full to the brim with charm. The shrine was built to commemorate the men and women from Victoria who fought or served in the second world war and is nowadays one of Melbourne’s most important landmarks. Though nowadays also, the shrine differs from its initial remembrance purpose, now commemorating all Australians who died in any war, and is one of the largest war memorials in all of Australia.
The shrine is accompanied by a visitor centre, wherein you can learn all about the history of those who fought and served. The Shrine of Remembrance is both a site of commemoration, remembrance and learning, making it a very popular and very important attraction within the city of Melbourne. What’s more, visiting the Shrine of Remembrance won’t cost you a penny!
Location: Birdwood Ave, Melbourne VIC 3001, Australia
The Royal Botanical Gardens
Boasting a mass amount of natural beauty and greenery, the Royal Botanical Gardens of Melbourne are a sight to behold. The gardens were founded in 1846 and span thirty-eight hectares of land. The land of the garden slopes towards the river basked in mighty trees, garden beds, lakes, and lawns. There is so much beauty to behold and so many opportunities for photographs, for painting, or for simply admiring.
The Royal Botanical gardens possess such a wonderful atmosphere making for a brilliant location to leisurely stroll and soak up all that surrounds you. The gardens are oftentimes described as the living heart of the city of Melbourne, existing as one of the most treasured parts of cultural life in Melbourne for over one hundred and seventy years. There are over eight thousand and five hundred species of plant, including many that are considered endangered, making the Royal Botanical Gardens a fantastic site of conservation. Visit today to soak up all the beauty that Australian nature has to offer!
Location: Melbourne VIC 3004, Australia
The Dandenong Ranges
The Dandenong Ranges are a set of low mountains, rising around six hundred and thirty-three metres at Mount Dandenong. Nowadays, the Dandenong Ranges are used for a multitude of recreational activities. For instance, hiking, picnicking and admiring the incredible natural beauty surrounding you. Numerous tracks have been cleared by forest operations, so there are many routes to choose from.
The landscapes at the Dandenong Rane are stunning and there is so much wildlife to admire and discover. Whether you are taking a hike or simply having a delightful lunch with your loved ones, the Dandenong Ranges are the perfect place for you to explore your wild side, embrace the outdoors, and take part in many recreational activities.
Location: School Rd, Tremont VIC 3786, Australia
