Melbourne Attractions

Home  >  Australia  >  Victoria  >  Melbourne  > Attractions

From world-class sporting events and inspirational discoveries to once-in-a-lifetime experiences, Melbourne attractions are waiting for you to explore. There’s something to suit everyone no matter your mood or interests.

Visit Melbourne's city attractions

Located in the heart of Melbourne city are many splendid attractions ranging from gardens and markets to walking, brewery and scenic river tours.

  • Lose yourself in the city’s laneways and alleys - AC/DC Lane, Hosier Lane and Croft Alley are all must-see’s when it comes to embracing Melbourne’s street art culture.
  • Pay your respects at the Shrine of Remembrance, Victoria’s largest and most-visited war memorial hosing special exhibitions and memorials.
  • Visit the scene of Ned Kelly’s last stand at the Old Melbourne Gaol. The gaol whisks you back to the social depravity of the 19th and early 20th centuries. You can do night tours or even sleep here.
  • Grab a brew at Market Lane Coffee, pick up fresh veg, cheese and dips for a picnic or simply wander the stalls and chat to locals at the Queen Victoria Market, an institution loved by locals and visitors alike.
  • Get your vamp on at the exciting Dracula’s Retro Vampt show. This 70s-inspired fangfest is presented in three acts and punctuated with acrobatic dance, mime and mind-bending staging, all set to funky beats.
  • Pack a picnic and relax in the picturesque Royal Botanic Gardens; or join an informative walk or a relaxing scenic tour.
  • Be captivated as you explore Cooks’ Cottage built by the parents of Captain James Cook and located in the heritage-listed Fitzroy Gardens.
  • Go behind the scenes and explore the home of Australia’s famous beers – Carlton Draught, VB, Fosters and more at the Carlton & United Brewery Tour and Beer Tasting.
  • Enjoy a scenic sightseeing river cruise and discover the best of what Melbourne has to offer, while gently meandering your way through this river city.
  • Join one of the many walking tours around Melbourne and discover Melbourne’s best-kept secrets.

Visit Melbourne’s architectural wonders

Melbourne has the most elaborate Victorian architecture of all Australian cities and the city is the best place to find them.

  • Discover Melbourne’s most beautiful 19th century building, the Old Treasury Building.
  • Visit Victoria’s Parliament House, one of Australia’s oldest and most architecturally distinguished public buildings.
  • Explore Melbourne’s first World heritage-listed building, the Royal Exhibition Building which hosted Australia’s first International Exhibition in 1880.

Family fun in Melbourne

Here are a few activities for the family you can try out next time you’re in Melbourne.

  • Meet some of Melbourne’s most exciting creatures at one of the city’s amazing wildlife zoos and parks.

    - Visit roaming tigers, see eye-to-eye with orangutans and meet a family of elephants at the Melbourne Zoo.

    - Wander through the tranquil tracks and meet iconic Australian animals including koalas, kangaroos, platypus, dingoes, wombats and emus at Healesville Sanctuary.

    - Get on board for a guided safari across the unique open range savannah and spot rhinos, giraffes and zebras at the Werribee Open Range Zoo.

  • Take the kids and get up close and personal with the all kinds of farm animals at the Collingwood Children’s Farm.
  • Enjoy some indoor entertainment with the kids at IMAX while learning about history and science at the Melbourne Museum.
  • Release your inner child at Luna Park where you can enjoy all number of rides.
  • Get up close and personal with SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium’s resident stingray family and other marine animals.
  • Enjoy a traditional excursion train journey on Australia’s favourite steam train, Puffing Billy Railway.

Become an Australian sports fan

Feel like a Melburnian by being a part of the sporting scene at one of the iconic sporting grounds.

  • For an atmosphere like no other, head to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG or the ‘G’) for a weekend game of Melbourne-based Australian Rules Football (AFL).
  • Catch a game or take to the ice and skate at the Medibank Icehouse, home to ice hockey teams, the Melbourne Ice and Melbourne Mustangs.
  • Become a footy star with a behind-the-scenes tour of the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. Explore the inner sanctum of the impressive sporting venue, check out players’ changerooms and walk on the famous ground.

Get a bird's eye view of the city

There’s no better way to see Melbourne that from a bird’s eye view. Here are some of the ways you can do so.

  • Ride above the city with the Melbourne Observatory Wheel, the perfect place to take in spectacular views. Enjoy a 30-minute flight journey at sunset for optimal photo taking opportunities.
  • Shoot up the dizzying heights of Eureka Skydeck and take in the 360-degree views of the city. You can even sight the Dandenong Ranges.
  • For an unforgettable Melbourne experience, take a hot air balloon ride over the city. It’s an early start but worth every minute for a breathtaking view of the city skyline at dawn.
  • Leave your world behind and take in the unforgettable views of Melbourne as you skydive over St Kilda Beach, Yarra Valley or the Great Ocean Road.

Pamper yourself in Melbourne

What’s a holiday without some quality R&R! While in Melbourne treat yourself to a little bit of luxury.

  • Add a little day-time refinement to your Melbourne visit and indulge yourself with a sublime Afternoon Tea at Australia’s oldest luxury hotel – The Windsor.
  • Wind down at the super relaxing Peninsula Hot Springs, the first natural hot springs and day spa centre in Victoria, just 90 minutes from Melbourne.

Explore Melbourne's surrounds

Melbourne is surrounded by natural beauty, historic towns and wildlife sanctuaries. Find the time to explore the surrounding regions.

  • Marvel at the iconic 12 Apostles or be astounded by the natural and rugged beauty of the Limestone Coast as you drive along the Great Ocean Road.
  • Renowned for its adorable penguins, Phillip Island is just a 90-minute drive from Melbourne. Head there for sunset to watch the little penguins march up the beach for the nightly Penguin Parade.
  • Experience a day at the Yarra Valley Wineries, one of Australia’s premium vineyards in the beautiful Yarra Valley only one hour from Melbourne.
  • Learn about Victoria’s gold mining history in the historic town of Sovereign Hill.

Explore more of Melbourne

                                          You are here >    Home  >  Australia  >  Victoria  >  Melbourne  >  Attractions

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!