Places to Visit in Melbourne

Queen Victoria Market, the iconic landmark of Melbourne, Australia was publicly opened on March 20, 1878. This marketplace has been serving the residents of the city for over 140 years. It has undergone numerous changes and of late, been included in the National Heritage List. It’s one of the most prominent places to visit in Melbourne, the capital of Australia and the country’s most significant fresh product market.

Queen Victoria Market popularly called Queen Vic or Vic Market is a major attraction in the heart of Melbourne and stretches across two city blocks. A pulsating and lively marketplace where you can let loose your shopping spree at more than 600 small stores selling everything from fresh vegetables, fruits, local, imported epicure food, souvenirs, and garments.

The market remains open for five days in a week, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Queen Victoria Market operates seasonally, especially on Wednesday nights. The timings being 5 pm to 10 pm, when you can hang around mid-week with your family and friends to savor mouth-watering street food, beverages, as well as live entertainment.

The market place has taken many green initiatives so that shoppers can buy stuff keeping the environment and sustainability in mind. Vic Market implemented a countrywide ban on the usage of plastic bags as well as straws in May 2019. The shoppers have an array of choices to shop conveniently sans the use of plastic bags. These include hiring a trolley from Market Espresso, filling a cardboard box right from Pick-A-Box spots on I Shed and Queen Street, or purchasing a recyclable bag from Vic Market itself.

The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is Australia’s oldest and pre-eminent public art museum, hosting blockbuster exhibitions and one of the world’s finest art collections. The collection encompasses treasures from ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome and the pre-Columbian period, in addition to an Oceanic gallery dedicated to the indigenous cultures of the Pacific area. 

The collection also includes nearly 16,000 international prints and drawings, a distinguished array of European and Asian decorative arts, and a gallery space dedicated to 4000 works representing the art of Asia. You will also find an outstanding collection of European and British paintings dating from 1200 to today, fashion and textile exhibits, photography, furniture and sculpture. 

Dining options include Persimmon, the Gallery Kitchen, and the Tea Room. The National Gallery of Victoria, popularly known as the NGV, is an art museum in Melbourne, Australia. Founded in 1861, it is Australia's oldest, largest and most visited art museum.

Location: 180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne VIC 3006, Australia

Entry fee: Free

Timings:  10am–5pm

Before the Royal Botanical Gardens Melbourne was established by Lieutenant General Charles La Trobe in 1846, the area in which the garden now exists was a mundane stretch of swampland. The area on the South Bank of the Yarra River was filled with craggy rocks, outcrops, marshland and weeds and it is one of the best places to visit in Melbourne.

The first director of the garden- Ferdinand von Mueller- was appointed in 1857. He was also one of the most renowned botanists of the 19th century and was responsible for bringing exotic plants to the Botanical Gardens from all parts of the world.

Mueller was succeeded by the second, and most remarkable director of the Botanical Gardens- Willian Guilfoyle- who was responsible for changing the look and structure of the whole area, to turn it into the natural spectacle that it is today.

He took the National Herbarium, established by Mueller, and the several plants that he brough, and turned the garden into a sprawling mass of winding paths, lakes, pleasant gardens and walkways. Guilfoyle’s efforts to renovate the garden into a modern tourist attraction and natural retreat were aided by the pleasant and mild weather conditions prevalent in Melbourne.

The weather allowed both tropical and temperate plants to flourish, which has led to more than 12,000 plant species thriving in this facility. It has also created a stable, natural ecosystem for local birds and animals to build their homes in, while the people who visit can take advantage of the natural beauty of the trees, as well as interact with indigenous animals, first hand.

An expansion effort was undertaken in 1960 when a piece of land adjacent to the Melbourne Botanical Gardens was purchased. This led to the establishment of the Cranbourne Gardens in 1970, which opened to the public in 1985.

The “Royal” prefix was added to the name of the garden in 1958 by Queen Elizabeth II. Today, both the Melbourne Garden and the Cranbourne Garden constitute the Royal Botanical Gardens Melbourne.

Federation Square or the Fed Square is Melbourne's leading hub of significant cultural attractions and world-class events. It is located at the intersection of Flinders and Swanston Streets on the edge of the Melbourne central business district and opposite Flinders Street station and it is one of the best tourist places in Melbourne.

It opened in 2002 and since then, it has been a major point of attraction in Melbourne and has seen millions of visitors per year. It is also named the 6th Best Public Square in the World and won several awards for its architecture and design.

Fed Square is an open square with nine elaborately designed and attractive buildings surrounding it and is spread over an area of 3.6 hectares. It has two civic spaces; one is a huge Plaza with an open-air amphitheater that boasts of being capable of hosting up large gatherings at a time, while the other is an Atrium that is exquisitely glazed and comprises a glass-walled theater on the south side.

Fed Square offers multiple tourist attractions, like the National Gallery of Victoria's Australian collection, The Ian Potter Centre, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), and an outstanding array of restaurants, bars, and specialty stores. Here, you get to enjoy free Wi-Fi, free daily health and wellness classes, and free sports events on the giant TV screen.

The Fed Square has become the city's iconic meeting place as there's always something going on here, with an exciting schedule of events and activities happening throughout the year. It lets you delve into the city's acoustic acts through a series of free outdoor concerts and festivals that are held every Thursday during the summer.

It is the perfect place to cherish Melbourne’s matchless cultural scene through eclectic and diverse theatre performances at The Edge, modern art exhibits, and presentations of Australian artworks at the National Gallery of Victoria, and live concerts and yearly events at the Zinc.

All great cities in the world have a great icon. And that icon is a point of recognition for it. And that’s what Eureka Tower is for Melbourne. It is a glistening, urban skyscraper in the modern, cosmopolitan city of Melbourne. It was named after the Eureka Stockade, which was a rebellion during the Victorian gold rush in 1854 and it is one of the famous places to visit in Melbourne.

The Eureka Tower is more than just a tall building, it is a popular tourist spot. The tower stands tall at 297 meters (975 ft.). The building is gold plated and is next to the Yarra River, in the center of the Southbank precinct. The top 10 floors have 24 carat (99.9%) gold plated glass windows. There is a constant system of pumps moving water between the two 300,000 liter tanks so it can beat the wind-induced oscillations.

What makes this a very popular spot for tourists is the amazing view from the Eureka Towers. From the top floors, one can get unrivaled views. This also happens to be the highest observation tower in the Southern Hemisphere. There are a whole lot of things that you can do here. In fact, the towers also have a range of activities available for everyone from kids to adults. There are interactive games, one can dine here and also do some shopping.

These towers are more than just a tourist spot. You get to experience going up at a speed -- quite enthralling. Plus, there’s something very soothing about being at a spectacular height. It still remains to be the third tallest building in Australia, with the Q1 in Queensland and Australia 108 leading the way.

The Melbourne Zoo is also known as the Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens, and it is one of the biggest zoological parks in Australia and one of the amazing tourist places in Melbourne. Located in the Royal Park premises in the Parkville region of Melbourne, the zoo is about 4 km away from the center of the city.

It is the primary serving habitat for many animals in Melbourne and is home to more than 320 species of animals. Some of these animal species are native to Australia, but there are many that are native to other parts of the world as well.

The Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens are an institutional member of the Zoo and Aquarium Association. The gardens are also a part of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, shortly known as the WAZA.

A large part of the zoo is inspired by the London Zoo. It was inaugurated in 1862 on the 6th of October. The 55-acre land area for the zoo was donated by the city. Soon after its opening, the zoo became home to many animals that were previously living in the botanical gardens in the city.

It is set amidst beautiful gardens and picnic areas and is divided into several bioclimatic zones. The African rainforest zone, for instance, is home to many gorillas, pigmy, hippos, and parrots. On the other hand, the Asian rainforest zone houses animals like otters and tigers. 

Some of the most popular exhibits in the zoo are The Trails of Elephants, Butterfly House, Orangutan Sanctuary, Australian Outback, and Predator precinct. For animals’ lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, this is an unmissable destination in Melbourne.

It does not matter whether you are a sports fan or not. For, this magnificent sporting venue of Australia – the Melbourne Cricket Ground would remind you of the sporting legends and the record-breaking history made in the field of cricket, rugby, football and others of the like!

Popularly known as the “G” by the locals, the venue has a century-long legacy for hosting some of the best cricket, Australia Rules Football and rugby matches ever! Right from being an integral part of the 1956 Olympic games, the cricket ground continues to be the hub for Victorian sport.  So, where is this stellar attraction of Melbourne that draws tourists and sports enthusiasts alike and it is one of the best tourist places to visit in Melbourne.

Located in Yarra Park, in Victoria, Melbourne, the Melbourne Cricket Ground or MCG is known for its imposing stature.  Its whooping 100000-odd seating capacity comprises different seating banks such as: Members Reserve, Ponsford Stand, Olympic Stand and the Grand 3-tiered Southern Stand. Adding to the iconic attractions of the ground are: two huge electronic scoreboards, a gallery of sport and a host of media and corporate facilities.

So, it is wonderful to witness the fan-frenzy at the MCG during the cricket and football matches that are held almost 90 days in a year. During the events, food kiosks serving variety fare are set up in the premises for  fans/spectators to grab quick bites, while watching their favourite sports star in action.

While the sports events draw crowds to the MCG, the sheer grandeur of the venue is an attraction for tourists, even otherwise.  Being a tourist hotspot, there are numerous stays – hotels, guesthouses, budget-stays and sorts within the vicinity of the MCG.

In addition, the location of the venue in Melbourne’s CBD(Central business district) makes it readily accessible by various means of public transport. One cannot but be in awe at the grandeur of the MCG, which talks of a glorious past ever since it was established.

This is one of the important tourist attractions in Melbourne and is a place of historical importance as well.

Highlights – Essentially a war memorial, this shrine was constructed as an ode to the hundreds of Australian men and women soldiers who lost their lives during World War I. The memorial was open to the general public during 11th November 1934 and is currently one of the biggest in Australia. Every year, on the 25th of April, ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) Day is observed here.

Today, tourists who come to this memorial can get a bird’s eye view of historic accidents through the memorial’s exhibition and museums. Lots of educational activities happen regularly to teach people about the richness of their bygone legacy.

Location – Kings Domain, St. Kilda Road, Melbourne.

Timings – 10AM to 5PM daily; closed for Christmas and Good Friday.

Price – Admission is free of cost.

The name ‘Yarra Valley’ denotes the region on the upper bank of the Yarra River in Victoria, Australia. Located to the east of the Melbourne central business district, the valley lies across the river banks stretching towards the Port Phillip Bay and it is one of the best places to visit in Melbourne.

The region is endowed with myriads of natural treasures- from bushlands to ocean fronts, high deserts, and acres after acres of mesmerizingly beautiful vineyards. Owing to the natural features, agricultural produce, as well as the picture-perfect Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail, the valley attracts a large number of weekenders and day-trippers from around Melbourne.

The valley is also a fast-growing wine country, with several vintages and thriving new wineries offering Cellar Door facilities within its perimeters. The area enjoys year-round cool and salubrious temperatures, making it apt for the production of premium-quality chardonnay, pinot noir, and sparkling wine.

Matching up to the quality of premium wines, the food culture too is of note in the Yarra Valley. It is extremely rewarding to discover and share the regional passion for food with multitudes of fresh produce sourced from all corners of the Valley.

In the diverse landscape of the Yarra Valley, you can trek your way up gentle slopes strung with vineyards, stop by for a meditative moment in the secluded ravines across the blue mountains, stroll through forests of conifers, or dip your feet in the sea. Idyllic little villages like Marysville and Warburton make for perfect rest stops, while the diverse wildlife parks bring you close to the endemic Australian fauna.

The award-winning natural hot springs and day spa destination is located on the Mornington Peninsula and is just 90 minutes away from the city of Melbourne. Peninsula Hot Springs features pools and private baths supplied by natural thermal mineral waters. These thermal springs are common on the coastal oasis of the peninsula and provide a quiet and serene place for visitors to relax and rejuvenate their mind, body and soul and it is one of the amazing tourist places in Melbourne.

The peninsula offers several options for its guests. The Bath House is a social area where guests can enjoy an exclusive bathing experience. Some of the most popular techniques employed here include, Turkish hammam, reflexology walk, cave pool, and a hilltop pool offering scenic views of the region around. There is also an amphitheater in the Bath House, which includes seven pools. All of these pools are geometric and offer a relaxing bathing experience. Other facilities and attractions in the Bath House are - ice caves, saunas, cafe, a wellness center, and open-air stage.

Another popular section of the Peninsula Hot Springs is the Spa Dreaming Center. This sanctuary-like place is a blissful retreat from the rest of the world, as it offers you a place to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The center places special importance on tranquil space, and is only allowed for people who are above the age of 16 years. The service offered in the Dreaming Center includes thermal mineral pools, traditional sauna experiences, bamboo showers with massages, cold plunge pools, Moroccan hammams, infrared sauna rooms, Zen Chi massages, and hanging tree pods. You can also enjoy relaxing by the pool at the poolside lounges.

The wellness programs at the Peninsula Hot Springs offer a unique combination of healing waters along with mindful activities to calm your body, soul and mind. You will get to experience a wide range of movements, and enjoy the ultimate calming experience here. There are also several other activities you can choose from, like - body clay, fire and ice, yoga, reformer pilates, and aerial yoga.

A popular and unmissable landmark in the vibrant city of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia is the South Melbourne Market. While it is known as a “local village market,” it is actually a major tourist attraction that caters to people from all over the world who travel to Melbourne and it is one of the best places to visit in Melbourne. The primary philosophy of the market is to procure, sell, display and celebrate local cuisine, local culture and local food. The most popular goods that can be bought at the South Melbourne Market include foodstuff like dairy, eggs, fresh fruits and vegetables that are organically grown, preserves, spices and seafood, all of which is locally sourced.

Apart from its vast array of groceries, you can also buy merchandise that is curated by local artisans, merchants and locals. This includes clothes, handicraft items, furniture, homeware, books and much more. The South Melbourne Market is especially popular for its quaint cafes and restaurants, where you can sample local food that is made with fresh produce sourced locally. There are also frequent live music concerts, events, competitions and exhibitions that are organized here throughout the year.

Apart from being a thriving goods market for vegetables, fruits, spices, seafood, dairy and much more, it is also a historically significant landmark. The market was established in 1867 and has since only grown in size and scale. The market takes place inside a massive Victorian building in South Melbourne that is made of red brick and wood, which adds to the old-world charm of the market. Because of the ever-increasing number of vendors and visitors, the market has been refurbished and renovated many times to accommodate all the stalls, while maintaining its original structure.

Melbourne is one of those cities in the world that provide some entertainment or the other to the diverse range of tourists coming here. Docklands is one such urban development area in the city.

Highlights – Fun, food, entertainment, arts, theatre shows, musicals, shopping, eating out, beauty & wellness treatments, heritage tours, hosting all latest events – you name it and you can experience all of it at Docklands! Come to the Victoria Harbour and Waterfront city and watch the beautiful landscapes of Melbourne from the waters, munching on some delicious delicacies. If you are a sports fan, catch a game if you are lucky, at Etihad Stadium. This place is easily accessible by train, car, foot, ferry and bus.

Location – 2km away from Melbourne CBD.

Timings – Depends on the timings of shops/complexes located here.

 Price – Varies according to buildings.

One of the scenic and beautiful beaches of Melbourne, Sorrento, is an absolute treat to watch during the sunset hours.  Encompassed by a canopy of Port Philip Bay waters on one side and Bass Straight waters on the other side, Sorrento proves to be an awesome tourist spot for people of all age groups. The foreshore that surrounds the beach is replete with absolute natural extravaganza, making it one of the Melbourne’s most beautiful beaches. Added to this, the beach has lots of jetties clear-water rock pools and an incredible coastline that you just cannot get enough of! Visit here during the evenings to time your trip with the sunset, to experience the beauty of the beach in its full form.

Location – Around 90minutes from the Central Business District of Melbourne.

Activities – Awesome walking trails which find lots of early morning walkers and joggers making full use of it daily.

Nowhere in the world can you find a museum that celebrates a nation's rich sporting history like the National Sports Museum at an unmatchable venue like the MCG. In air-conditioned comfort, the museum offers something for everybody all year round with school holiday activities. Interactive gallery and Australia's largest collection of sporting, memorabilia. Across a multitude of sports, the museum features memorabilia from some of the country’s biggest heroes and Highlight moments that have shaped the traditions of Australian sport.

The NSM displays: Australian Gallery of Sport and Olympic Museum, Sport Australia Hall of Fame, Australian Cricket Hall of Fame, Australian Football Hall of Fame, Champions – Thoroughbred Racing Gallery, MCG – The People’s Ground, Melbourne Cricket Club Museum, Backyard to Baggy Green Exhibition (including a Shane Warne 3D hologram), Australian Football Exhibition (including a James Hird 3D hologram), An interactive gallery for visitors of all ages, Game On!

Location: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Brunton Ave, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Timings: 

Providing beautiful views of the commercial landscapes of Melbourne, Williamstown Beach is one of the most-loved beaches in this city by locals and tourists. This beach is situated very close to the main city is often one of the most sought-after weekend getaways for locals. It is fondly addressed as Willy Beach by the locals. Every month local traders put up waterside craft stalls at the Nelson’s Place Point. If you are lucky enough, you can watch the lively ambience in this waterside stall and buy some excellent local handicrafts at reasonable rates.

Location - It is very easily accessible through public transport as it is just about 5 minutes away from Gem Pier Station.

Activities – deep water swimming, paddle swimming, sunbaking, sailing, walking, relaxing strolls, watching fireworks at night during important festival days etc.

Chapel Street is a historic market which aims to provide guests a world-class experience. Chapel Street is not just a tourist hub in Melbourne City. It is also a commercial and residential complex. Therefore, it is always crowded. Chapel Market Street runs about 4.13km in length and houses some businesses like fashion, arts, international-quality restaurants, medical care facilities and many more. All shops have a Gothic style of architecture, which attracts guests to a great extent. If you are looking for vintage items, this is the place to be.

Location – Runs along the Yarra River and covers areas like Brighton and St. Kilda. There are about 980 shops here!

Famous for – Known as Melbourne’s fashion capital Chapel Street is famous for its upmarket fashion stores, jewellery, antique items and more.

In China, “Flower Drum” is known as a traditional dance famous for its beauty and elegance. In Melbourne, it is a Chinese restaurant that displays the same elements of refinement and delicacy through our concept of fine dining Cantonese cuisine and dedicated service. Flower Drum, the restaurant, is a place that believes in combining great food, fine wine and impeccable service for a unique dining experience each and every time. 

Flower Drum offers private dining to accommodate guests from 12 up to 50 for functions and events with menus created specifically to meet individual needs. With two rooms on offer, the private rooms are ideal for business functions, birthdays or family gatherings. The largest Banquet Room can be booked for functions ranging from 20 guests up to 50. The room can fit five round tables or one long oval table up to 25 guests and it is one of the best places to visit in Melbourne.

The Private Dining rooms do have minimum spend requirements as well as a booking deposit in order to secure the room for the date requested. Flower Drum Chinese restaurant in Melbourne CBD has aged over the decades and also Flower Drum is celebrating 30 years in its current location.

The shopping complex located at Melbourne GPO is a classic example of renovation gone absolutely incredible. During 2004, the ancient postal office building underwent a complete makeover and is today one of most stylish and upmarket boutique shopping destinations in Melbourne. Classical style of architecture, as evident in all the other Victorian Era buildings, adds a unique charm to this place. The clock tower located on top of the building is still an iconic structure in Melbourne. Home to some of the finest dining joints and leading fashion outlets, Melbourne GPO, provides absolute bliss to guests coming here from all parts of the world.

Location – At the corner of Bourke Street Mall, at the intersection of Lonsdale & Elizabeth Streets. Famous for- Chic dining joints, leading international fashion brands, entertainment and other antique items.

Timings – 9.30AM-7PM (Mon-Wed); 9.30AM-9PM (Thurs &Fri); 9.30AM-8PM (Sat) & 10AM-7PM (Sun).

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Located in the small suburbs of Elwood, this beach has undergone a complete transformation in the recent past to look swanky and clean with all kinds of facilities today.

Highlights – Elwood Beach is one of the largest reserves and open areas in the Elwood suburb. It is a perfect location to bring kids to, as there are many activities to indulge in during the weekends and sunrise hours. Recently, the DSE (Department of Sustainability & Environment) invested close to 3millionAUD to completely redevelop the beach. Today, the beach has great fridges, vegetation that is cared for, storm water-filtering techniques, sports & recreational clubs, kiosks, restaurants, and all other basic amenities and it is one of the best tourist attractions in Melbourne.

Location - 8km south of Melbourne CBD.

Activities – Life-Saving Club, Sailing Club, Football Club, swimming, surfing, fishing and wind-surfing (allowed at Point Ormond). Apart from this, fitness enthusiasts make use of the well-constructed walking, jogging and biking tracks of this beach to sweat it out during the early morning hours.

Exclusively known for its bar food and amazing night-life experience, Ecau de Vie in Melbourne, offers some of the best drinks and dishes from the world to its guests.

Highlights – Whiskeys and cocktails offered here are considered to be the best among all the bars in Melbourne. The best thing that you will find here is that the staff members are quite knowledgeable about the menu and will suggest some great drinks for you that you would have never heard of earlier! You have to reserve here in advance on all the days, because the bar gets too crowded within a short time of opening.

 
Location – 1, Malthouse Lane, Melbourne CBD. Price for two – Close to 90AUD. Speciality dishes – Oceanside Cocktail, Nitrogen Espresso Martini, Smoky Rob Roy, espresso zabaione, Kingston, 4 cheese sandwich and many more.

Timings – 5PM to 1AM.

Mother Church of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne and one of the architectural glories of Melbourne’s St.Patrick’s is an integral part of Melbourne, and its history tells us much about the State’s birth and growth. Situated on the fringe of the city grid, close enough to the heart of Melbourne to be a powerful presence and breathe with a life of its own and it is one of the amazing places to visit in Melbourne.

The beauty of the Cathedral speaks of the glory of God. It's peace reaches to our innermost heart, and its welcome to those who pass by is a God who is ever compassionate to us, his people. We are delighted to share a precious part of our faith, culture, and heritage with you. The original front door of St Patrick's Cathedral was a double-arched doorway with a pillar dividing it. 

This was removed before 1868. Its replacement was considered too narrow for ceremonial processions, and it too was replaced by the present doorway in 1939. Melbourne’s St Patrick’s Cathedral, which stands majestically on Eastern Hill, has long established itself as a church edifice of superb grandeur and arguably one of the truly significant cathedrals of the world.

With mosaic-tile flooring, a glass canopy and carved stone, the Block Arcade is one of the finest examples of a 19th-century shopping arcade on the planet. Connecting Collins Street to Little Collins and Elizabeth streets, the heritage, shopping arcade was built between 1891 and 1893, its design modeled on Milan's grand Galleria Vittorio Emanuele

The boutiques and cafes taking up residence in the Block have retained the arcade’s richly decorated uniform design, ensuring a seamless shopping experience from the color-coordinated plant holders and paintwork to the heritage lighting and translucent glass ceiling and it is one of the amazing places to visit in Melbourne.

The arcade's most popular residents include the Hopetoun Tea Rooms, whose windows filled with delicious cakes are as beloved by photographers as by gourmands, and Haigh's Chocolates, one of Australia's premier chocolatiers. The Block is a regular fixture on food tours and leads to the flurry of tightly squeezed cafes lining Block Place. Go behind the scenes on the Block on one of the twice-weekly guided tours, held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1 pm and meeting in front of the Hopetoun Tea Rooms.

Melbourne Central is one of the famous shopping malls in the city of Melbourne, offering unlimited entertainment to guests coming here. A shopping mall constructed over five levels, Melbourne Central is the one-stop solution for your fashion, dining, and entertainment requirements. There are over 300 retail outlets in this mall with most of them being internationally recognized brands as well. The car parking lot of this place has the capacity to accommodate 822 cars at a time. Level 3 of this complex is dedicated to clubs & bars; therefore, during the night hours, the ambiance is absolutely awesome here. 

Location – Cnr La Trobe & Swanston Streets, Melbourne. Famous for - International fashion stores, great dining options, nightclubs, bar, kids’ stores, toys, sports & recreation, specialty stores, health & wellness, Beauty & personal care, and more. 

Timings – 10AM-7PM (Mon-Wed & weekends) 10AM-9PM (Thurs & Fri); 

If you are a lover of theatre, arts, drama, and other dance/musical shows, the Southbank & Arts Centre at Melbourne (previously known as Victorian Arts Centre) should definitely be on top of your must-visit places. Standing tall at a height of 182m, this center was open to the general public during 1984 and has distinct zones within it for various performing arts. Some of the famous venues here are Hamer Hall, State Theatre, Playhouse, Fairfax Studio, and Galleries and it is one of the best places to visit in Melbourne.

You can find legendary pop music artists, ballet dancers from across the globe, exhibitions of exquisite handcrafted clothes and accessories, famous stage plays and other events of great interest staged here at regular intervals. You can also take up one of the many guided tours available here to know more about this place.

 Location – Southbank district.

 Timings – Depend on the timings of a particular show.

 Price – Varies as per show.

Idle in the afternoon away by the Bluestone cobbles at a Degraves Street or Centre Place cafe and become part of a Melbourne postcard scene. Centre Place might supply the stereotypical images of Melbourne's laneways, but even chockablock with happy snappers the laneway-of-all-laneways satisfies and surprises and it is one of the nicest places to visit in Melbourne.

Changing stencil art and graffiti provide a sensory overload best dealt with by squeezing into Jungle Juice for an international coffee. Soups, sushi, and crepes will tempt, but you might want to save room for the delights on offer at Degraves Street, just across Flinders Lane. 

Take your friends from out-of-town to Degraves Espresso, a quintessentially Melbourne cafe experience. Despite the Parisian vibe, cast by the café umbrellas in the shadow of the impressive Majorca House, the dining on Degraves veers towards the Italian, with IL Tempo and Andiamo feeding many. Savor the sugar at Little Cupcakes. An air of creativity blows up from the Degraves Street Subway and the Platform Artist Group's underground displays.

Over the last 200 years, people have journeyed from all over the world to make Australia their home. Hear their moving stories at the Immigration Museum. Explore why Melbourne’s newcomers left their former homes, how they got here, what they found and the mark they made on the city.

The museum creatively re-creates the migrant experience via displays featuring film, audio, memorabilia, and stories. The result is a thought-provoking and moving experience. The museum is housed in the grand Customs House building, which originally looked out onto ships tied up at the adjacent Queen's Wharf and it is one of the best places to visit in Melbourne.

The impressive former Long Room is now the museum's central space, featuring giant Ionic colonnades. The Immigration Museum is a museum primarily displaying Australia's immigration history. It is located on Flinders Street in Melbourne, Victoria, in the Old Customs House. In addition to its work on documenting immigration history, the museum also hosts various traveling exhibitions and also provides educational programs.

Want to go to a place where your friends, family and kids can enjoy at the same time? Want to make the most of a long weekend? Cruise tours along the majestic Yarra River in Melbourne, is one of the solutions for these questions in your mind.

Highlights – River cruise tours have the potential to make any tour magical. The landscapes of Melbourne look absolutely divine from the waters. The best thing about these tours is that you can mix and match a couple of tours to get the experience of your lifetime.

You can either choose the tour that takes you across various ports and docklands or the tour that takes you to gardens, picturesque places and sporting landscapes of Melbourne.

Location – Yarra River.

Timings – All through the year.

 Price – Around AUD23 per adult and AUD11 per kid.

This is one of the luxury street markets in Melbourne and you should be ready to loosen your purse strings a bit when you want to shop for something here.

Highlights – Toorak is one of those suburbs in Melbourne where you will find luxury everywhere right from the huge palatial buildings that people own here down to the designer outlets that have put up their shops here and it is one of the best places to visit in Melbourne.

Shopping here is a far cry when compared to shopping in the other busy street markets of Melbourne. Most of the time, people come here only for window-shopping as it costs a huge sum of money to even dine in one of the restaurants here.

Location – Toorak suburb.

Famous for – Children’s stores, Florists, Handbags, Footwear, Art Galleries, Jewellery, Men’s and Women’s fashion stores, sports & recreation, gifting outlets, cake shops, restaurants, live music shows and many more.

Timings – Varies as per shops.

Rod Laver Arena at Melbourne Park was completed in 1988 as part of the original National Tennis Centre complex. The arena is the centerpiece of the Australian Open and plays host to a wide range of sports and entertainment events, from tennis matches to international rock stars and motorbike super-cross and it is one of the best places to visit in Melbourne.

The most dynamic transformation Rod Laver Arena has seen was in March 2007 at the FINA 2007 World Swimming Championships when a 50-meter temporary pool was built on the arena’s floor. Rod Laver Arena has a seating capacity of approximately 15,000 and is located within the famous Melbourne Sports Precinct, which also includes the Melbourne Cricket Ground, AAMI Park, and Hisense Arena.

Formerly known as Centre Court at Melbourne Park (original Flinders Park), the arena was named to honor one of Australia’s greatest tennis players of all time. Rod Laver Arena at Melbourne Park was officially named after Rod Lever for his unsurpassed achievements and accomplishments at the Australian Open in January 2000.

 

The City Circle Tram service provides a free and convenient way to get around central Melbourne. Tourists, shoppers, office workers, and families can use the City Circle Tram to travel to major attractions, shops and city events.

An audio commentary provides details of city landmarks and major attractions such as the City Museum, Parliament House, Docklands, Federation Square, Melbourne Aquarium, and the Princess Theatre. The City Circle route is serviced by heritage W class trams decorated in special maroon and green with yellow and gold trimmings. Tourists can spend all day on a City Circle Tram! Information leaflets, including an 'easy to understand' map of the city is available onboard each City Circle Tram.

The City Circle Tram can be used as a 'hop on - hop off' service, this way tourists can enjoy each of Melbourne's sites and have the added bonus of traditional Melbourne transportation. To catch the free City Circle Tram service (route number 35), simply board the tram at any of the specially marked stops on the route.

Named after the famous Brighton Beach in the UK, this one in Melbourne is one of the most-visited beaches in the city.



Highlights – The first thing that will attract you when you come to Brighton Beach, is the colourful bath boxes that are found on the shores. All of identical sizes and structures, these multi-coloured bath boxes are the only types of accommodation available here. With its turquoise blue waters, yellow & soft sands and the golden rays of the sun to accompany you, you can enjoy some relaxing moments here. During summers, the beach gets a little crowded; however, it doesn’t get too claustrophobic. That’s the speciality of this beach. It is easily accessible as well, which makes it friendlier for tourists.

Location - 11km southeast of Melbourne CBD.

Activities – Yachting, Sailing, Swimming, Walking, Biking, Kite-surfing and more.

As the name suggests, Mothers Beach is a favorite amongst locals because of its family-friendly nature and safe shallow waters. An hour’s drive from Melbourne’s CBD, Mothers Beach is sheltered by towering cypress trees and has a number of BBQ and picnic facilities that make for a great day out with the family and it is one of the most loved places in Melbourne.

On the Mornington Peninsula, one is lucky enough to have some of Victoria's best bay and back beaches that are separated by a small stretch of land in between. Some of the beaches are only accessible via coastal walking tracks within National Parks whilst others are located near the main shopping strip along Point Nepean Road.

Mothers Beach is below the Mornington Park and playground so it can be easier to get parking and it overlooks the Mornington pier. There are also toilets and BBQ's. One of the Mornington’s three beaches north of the jetty, this is a stand-out for its family friendly safe swimming and shallow waters. It has a lovely stretch of clean sand and there are picnic tables and barbecues under shady trees.

A Melbourne landmark and cultural icon, the State Library is a magnificent 19th-century building with some of the city’s most beautiful heritage interiors. With its majestic domed ceiling, the La Trobe Reading Room is a library highlight and it is one of the best places to visit in Melbourne.

Don’t miss the two free, permanent exhibitions: Ned Kelly’s armor in the changing face of Victoria, and trace the history of books in Mirror of the World. Free guided tours are also available. The State Library's collections include over two million books, hundreds of thousands of pictures, newspapers, maps and manuscripts, and masses of audio, video, and digital material – all reflecting the culture of Victoria over the past 150 years.

You can also enjoy fabulous artworks and exhibitions by visiting one of the free galleries: the Keith Murdoch Gallery, Cowen Gallery, and Dome Galleries. You can also see what's showing on the media wall in Experimedia.

Street markets are one of the greatest attractions in Melbourne City. Bourke Street Mall is one of them.

Highlights – Due to its ultra-busy nature, Bourke Street is known as Melbourne’s second street (the first one being Collins Street). Bourke Street Mall located on this street runs for 2km in length and is one of the main tourist attractions of the city. This mall is home to some of the famous restaurants, bars, and cafes. During the weekends and evening hours, the mall witnesses thousands of people. There are more than 500 business units of various categories like restaurants, entertainment, fashion, household goods, beauty, specialty shops etc. in this mall and it is one of the best places to visit in Melbourne.

Location – 200m towards the north of Swanston Street & Elizabeth Street.

Famous for – International & local restaurants, cafes, and bars.

Timings – Differs as per shops.

Bridge Road in Richmond not only provides you a unique shopping experience but also provides you a sneak-peek into the rich cultural heritage of the place.

Highlights - The history of this market dates back to as early as the 18th century. Formed just a few years after the Europeans settled in Victoria, this place was once the hub of corn and hay stores. Later on, they slowly developed into leading fashion outlets, award-winning restaurants, confectioneries, cafes, furniture, and other stores. Even today, many heritage walk tours are conducted in and around this area. It is easily accessible by foot, car, bike, and public transport and it is one of the best places to visit in Melbourne.

Location – Very short distance from Melbourne CBD.

Famous for – Fashion outlets selling all international styles of clothes, great restaurants, high-quality furniture outlets, community shops, arts, wellness and other retail outlets.

Timings – Varies according to shops.

One of the best street markets in Melbourne, Brunswick Street in Fitzroy, shows cultural integrity at its best. Nomads and professionals are found in large numbers here enjoying music, dance, and food with a large-heartedness that is rare to find anywhere else and it is one of the best places to visit in Melbourne.

Highlights – At the heart of bohemian culture, Brunswick Street is where live music shows, tarot readers, art & music studios, and many more such eccentric lifestyles can be found in addition to the usual stalls There are lots of clubs and bars here, which means, the street gets into a new groove during the nights. Experience nightlife at this place if you get the chance to do so.

Location – Between Victoria Parade & St. Georges North; this market is 2km long.

Famous for – Close to 200 businesses including cafes, bars, restaurants, fashion, entertainment, wines, specialty shops, heath& wellness, personal care, jewelry, household and gift stores.

Timings – Varies as per shops.

Stories that transport you, ideas that transform you at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI). Immerse yourself in the world of film, television, and digital culture in ACMI's permanent free exhibit, Screen Worlds.

As the home of Melbourne's best and most popular film festivals, great Australian and international cinema and regular screenings for seniors, kids, and lovers of cult classics, ACMI present an unparalleled annual calendar. Venture into the world's largest screen gallery to discover inspirational exhibitions all year round, watch quality films in state-of-the-art cinemas or take part in lively discussions with television and film personalities at one of the many screen culture events. and it is one of the best places to visit in Melbourne.

Visit the ACMI Shop, the ultimate store for film buffs or relax in ACMI Cafe & Bar overlooking Federation Square. The Australian Centre for the Moving Image is a state-of-the-art facility purpose-built for the preservation, exhibition, and promotion of Victorian, Australian and International screen content in all forms.

 

Are you looking for a quiet beach to enjoy the serenity of the waters with great peace & tranquillity? Altona Beach, in Melbourne, is the right choice for you.



Highlights – This is not only one of the quietest but also one of the cleanest beaches of Melbourne, which makes it great for swimming for kids as well. Earlier, the beach waters were filled with seaweeds. However, a mass level of cleaning happened and today, the waters are crystal-clear. Altona Pier,which is 500m long, crosses this beach, making it an ideal picnic spot. There are lots of restaurants and small eateries along the shores of the beach.

Location – About 25minutes away from Central Business District of Melbourne and 500m away from Altona Railway Station.

Activities – Swimming, walking, kite-surfing, etc.