Changed
Changed
From art-filled laneways to roaring sports stadiums, gastronomic delights and chic boutiques, Victoria’s capital city Melbourne delivers something new every time you visit.
It’s a city with many layers – where the quintessential Melbournian vibe is stylish but laid-back, buzzing with creativity, packed with flavour and unexpected discoveries.
Whether you're a foodie, fashion-lover, sports nut or art buff, here’s our bucket list of things to do, see and experience in Melbourne.
Explore Melbourne attractions and outdoor experiences
The seaside suburb of St Kilda is only a short tram ride away and invites you to play. Take an exhilarating ride on a rollercoaster at the iconic Luna Park, catch a live band at the The Esplanade Hotel (affectionately known as The Espy) and take a dip in the heated seawater pools at the St Kilda Sea Baths.
The Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne are walking distance from the city centre and offer an oasis of greenery and calm outside the hustle bustle. Take a tour, roll out a picnic rug or simply relax in the sun surrounded by nature.
Step back in time to Australia’s early convict days at the Old Melbourne Gaol. Located in the city centre, the prison operated between 1842 and 1929 and was the site of execution for many infamous criminals including Ned Kelly. See artifacts, hear spooky stories and keep your eyes peeled for ghosts.
Discover Melbourne’s art scene and street art hotspots.
Art is everywhere in Melbourne – on the streets, in world-class galleries, tucked into laneways and pulsing through the city's cultural calendar.
Be surrounded by a kaleidoscope of colour and snap some seriously cool selfies in Hosier Lane, Melbourne’s urban art epicentre. You’ll walk the cobblestone path that thousands of local and international artists have laid their tools on to create towering walls of colour – from stencils and paste-ups to murals and installations.
In juxtaposition to street art, the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) International is Melbourne’s blockbuster art gallery housed in an architectural landmark. The NGV International features art from Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania – think classical masters like Picasso, Monet, Rembrandt – as well as contemporary art and bustling public spaces.
Where to eat in Melbourne: Best food spots and markets
Pack your appetite because Melbourne’s food scene goes from hot to hotter every single year. It’s one of the best cities for dining out, whether you like cult-status bakeries, fine dining or late-night dumplings.
Dotted along one delicious stretch of road, Flinders Lane is home to some of Melbourne’s most popular restaurants. Chin Chin’s Pan-Asian snacks of kingfish sashimi and curries are queue-worthy, Kisume’s intimate modern Japanese is where artistry and traditionalism meet, and Cumulus Inc is an all-day eating house where a European-inspired seasonal menu is served up in share-plates for you and your crew.
Melbourne’s foodie markets are a wandering treat for all the senses – both for fresh produce and multicultural flavours. Head to Queen Victoria Market for piping hot jam doughnuts, freshly shucked oysters and sizzling gozleme, while South Melbourne Market is bursting with truffle toasties, a burrata bar and seafood paella.
Major sporting events and stadium tours in Melbourne
Melbournians live and breathe sport. It’s more than just a pastime; it’s a passion and way of life. Getting in on the sporting action is a way to truly immerse yourself in the atmosphere and iconic moments of the city.
Take your pick from the events calendar – AFL and cricket or international concert performances at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), the Australian Open at Rod Laver Arena, the Formula 1 Grand Prix at Albert Park or Spring Racing Carnival at Flemington.
If getting to the beating heart of Melbourne’s sports scene if what you’re after, a guided tour of the MCG is an intimate look at one of the world's most iconic stadiums. With a capacity of 100,000, it’s one of the biggest in the world and you can see the players change rooms, media centre and even walk alongside the turf.
Where to shop in Melbourne: Boutiques, malls and markets
Shopping in Melbourne is as much about finding your style as it is about the clothes. The fashion capital is the ultimate place to explore and express through designer labels, sustainable threads or quirky vintage.
In the CBD, Bourke Street mall is where local and global brands meet across several shopping centres. Glide through the architectural Emporium Melbourne for on-trend designer labels, wander the QV for urban attire and head to heritage shopping centre The Block Arcade on nearby Collins St or the streets of Prahran for one-of-a-kind boutiques.
Circular fashion fans will want to visit Brunswick Street in Fitzroy as the main drag is packed with vintage clothing stores, Melbourne fashion labels and second-hand consignment stores.
Day trips from Melbourne: Mornington Peninsula, Great Ocean Road, and Phillip Island
Set your GPS for to the Mornington Peninsula and in only an hours’ drive you’ll be on the doorstep to some of Australia’s most stunning beaches, wineries, wellness retreats and charming seaside towns. Whether you’re a grape or golf connoisseur, or a little of both, there’s endless ways to indulge in this slice of Victoria.
Alternatively, the Great Ocean Road is one of the most scenic coastal drives in the world and starts in Torquay, just 1.5 hours drive from Melbourne. Drive along cliff-hugging roads and past landmarks like the Twelve Apostles en route to rainforests, beaches and charming surf towns.
Don’t mind if the daytrip takes you off the mainland? Just two hours drive from Melbourne, Phillip Island is your golden ticket to swap city streets for salty breeze, with a small (40-45cm tall, to be exact) bonus of penguin parades! Whether you’re strolling alongside cliff-top views or snapping pics of the world’s tiniest penguins, this is a daytrip that delivers a breath of fresh air from the usual suspects.
Getting there
Getting there
Accommodation
Research and book accommodation with Booking.com