Ah, Melbourne – a city I called home for years and a place that never ceases to amaze me. Known for its laneways, eclectic cafes, and a dynamic arts scene, there’s truly no place quite like it.
In order to share all the love that I have for this city, I have created this ultimate Melbourne travel guide that will take you through the best things to do in Melbourne City and have included some practical information at the end so as to help you organize your Melbourne trip more efficiently.
Let’s get to it – here’s my list of the top twelve things to do in Melbourne:
1. THINGS TO DO IN MELBOURNE CBD
There are countless Melbourne city attractions to enjoy and see, and the smartest way to go about it is by taking one of the amazing Melbourne walking tours! Most walking tours take you through the Melbourne business city district.
I recommend checking out this 2.5 hour Melbourne city tour, in which a knowledgeable guide will take you through Melbourne’s top sightseeing spots including Federation Square, Flinders Street Station and more!
NOTE: If you are not the type of person who enjoys walking, did you know there is also the option to hop on the free tram that goes through the city centre?
2. HOP ON A TRAIN AT FLINDERS STREET STATION
Being the busiest suburban railway street of the Southern Hemisphere, Flinders Street Station is, out of all the places of interest in Melbourne, a must-see!
While you’re at Flinders Street Station, you can admire the beautiful yellow victorian building, explore its interiors and get lost going up and down the floors. On the third floor, there is an eerie old abandoned ballroom that is, unfortunately, closed for visitors! However, you can always take a leap of faith and kindly ask an employee to let you in!
Finally, make sure to also check out Federation Square, which is just across the street.
FUN FACT: Flinders Street Station opened in 1854, which made it the first railway station in an Australian city!
PRICE: Free
3. EXPLORE QUEEN VICTORIA MARKET
Melbourne is full of BIG things! For instance, Queen Victoria Market has 7 hectares and it’s the biggest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere!
This market was built in the 19th century and it has since become one of the biggest Melbourne tourist attractions; it’s also a great place to get fresh produce!
FUN FACT: Here’s an interesting story so you can get a better image of the way Australians are: In the 1960s, the mayor of Melbourne wanted to destroy Queen Victoria Market in order to build a parking lot, but the neighbors reacted and forced him to turn the building into a national trust, so that it could never be destroyed!
You can also check it out with this 2-hour foodie tour that will take you through the amazing world of Queen Victoria Market. Great for every food loving people out there!
PRICE: Free
4. TRY THE FAMOUS MELBOURNE COFFEE
Did you know that Melbourne is worldwide famous for its coffee? Not for growing it, but for making an exceptionally good one!
And drinking it is one of the best activities to do in Melbourne! There are so many cafés in Australia’s cultural capital that the chances of you not coming across one of them are almost non-existent.
PRO TIP: You can try out the most delicious coffees on this 3-hour coffee walk.
5. BECOME AN ART EXPERT AT NATIONAL GALLERY OF VICTORIA (NGV)
What to do in Melbourne when you want to admire some local art? It’s simple, head over to the National Gallery of Victoria!
Once again, another landmark in Melbourne makes it to the Guinness World Record Book! The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is Australia’s largest, oldest and most visited art museum and art gallery!
The National Gallery of Victoria displays a permanent exhibition of international art from all over the world that will only take you a couple of hours to see. They have some events from time to time as well, which you can also check on their website!