Whether you plan to travel to Melbourne to experience the cultural heart of the city, visit friends and family or because you are travelling on a low budget, you will find many new things to discover.
Melbourne is one of the most vibrant and multicultural cities in the world and one that knows how to live.
You can choose from high-end cuisine to rock gigs to plays, festivals or sporting events, all taking place across the city full of parks, gardens and historic architecture.
What to do and where to go
Start from the striking design of Federation Square. It is more than a public space; it is the city’s creative hub, boasting Australian art at the National Gallery of Victoria Australia and homages to film, TV and digital media at Australian Centre for the Moving Image.
Take a walking tour and note the magnificent Flinders St station, one of the few Edwardian baroque buildings.
Along the way hit the north bank of Yarra River and check out the aboriginal rock carvings in Burrarung Mar.
The buzzing Southbank promenade is well worth a visit, particularly for its fascinating Sandridge Bridge over the south part of Yarra River.
You can enjoy lovely river views from the cafes and restaurants lined up from Southgate complex to Crown Casino and Entertainment complex.
The variety and splendid city views make it the perfect place for locals and visitors to drink, dine, stroll and watch the occasional street performer.
If you are visiting Melbourne for the first time, go to the 300m Eureka Tower in Southbank, which offers a memorable experience with glorious views.
Another must-see is Skydeck 88, with its 3600 view of the city from the top level.
In fewer than 40 seconds the lift takes you up to level 88 to “The Edge” – a switchable glass cube that slides out from the building with you inside.
Melbourne is also famous for its laneway culture. A great day to explore is to simply get lost in the alleys and side streets, as they are full of hole-in-the-wall cafes, quirky bars, eateries and boutique shops. Most likely you will come across some witty street art along the way.
Take a break from the hectic pace and stroll to the city’s lavish parks and gardens.
Melbourne is ringed by public gardens, including the outstanding Royal Botanic Gardens and the Treasury Gardens. Surround yourself with age-old trees, lawns and abundant wildlife in the middle of this bustling city.
Eating and drinking
Experience Melbourne’s mix of cultures inits myriad of restaurants, bistros, cafes and bars.
Whether you are after modern, traditional, exotic or homespun flavours, the dining scene offers an array of the world’s great cuisines.
Share a drink while snacking on high end tapas in a laneway eatery, take on a Szechuan chilli dish in Chinatown, or break out of the Central District and discover the city’s specialist eating destinations: Richmond for Vietnamese, Carlton’s “Little Italy”, Fitzroy for Spanish and Brunswick for Lebanese.
Beyond Melbourne
There are some lovely day trips out of Melbourne, accessible by public transport, but they are much better when you have a private car.
The Dandenong Ranges and Mornington Peninsular can be reached in a little over an hour.
Philip Island is home to the world-famous Penguin Parade. There are excellent surf beaches and child-friendly beaches on the island’s north side.
A 40-minute drive from Melbourne will take you to Yarra Valley, home of Australia’s premier wine region.
Enjoy a day trip to one of the wineries with a wine expert guide and a great lunch.
If you have the time, take a trip to Great Ocean Road. This is a really great trip with some spectacular views along the way.
Let the surfers blow your mind catching massive waves on Bells Beach, enjoy the pretty villages along the way, or take a helicopter ride over the Twelve Apostles to get the best photo.