Head for the sun in Málaga, even in the middle of winter, with direct flights from Ostrava
43 €
What to do in Melbourne
What is there to do in Melbourne? Where can you go on day trips or for a spot of shopping? What activities are worth travelling to Melbourne for?
Australia’s second-largest city is brimming with cultural activities and boasts a very high concentration of museums, galleries, theatres and a wide range of concerts, sporting events and other happenings. Although, at first glance, it may seem to be in the shadow of the more famous Sydney from a tourist’s perspective, Melbourne is simply buzzing with life all year round.
The city is ideal for a2–4-daystopover before travelling further around Australia.
Book a hotel in central Melbourne
Culture – galleries, events and museums
Melbourne is the cultural capital of Australia and Oceania.
A variety of temporary cultural events and activities take place here every week and, during peak season, every day.
The highest concentration of cultural events takes place in the Arts Precinct, where, amongst other things, you’ll find the famous National Gallery of Victoria.
Melbourne is also home to several museums; of these, we have visited and recommend the following:
- Shrine of Remembrance – a memorial and museum honouring Australian soldiers who served in all wars since the First World War
- Old Melbourne Gaol – the old prison
- Immigration Museum
- Melbourne Museum – a natural history museum
Viewpoints and skyscrapers
The panorama of Melbourne’s Central Business District (CBD) – as city centres are known in Australia and Oceania – is truly monumental.
With more than 80 buildings over 150 metres tall, Melbourne has by far the most skyscrapers in the whole of Australia and Oceania. Sydneycomes second, with around 60 skyscrapers.
Views of the Melbourne skyline can be enjoyed from many places; we would particularly recommend the following locations:
- The pedestrian promenades along the Yarra River – from here you can see the skyscrapers up close, as the river flows right through the city centre
- St Kilda Pier– a view from the pier of the city centre, some 5 km away
- Docklands – superb views, particularly from the Ferris wheel in the northern part of Newquay
The most popular skyscraper viewing platform is the Melbourne Skydeck, situated 285 metres above ground on the 88th floor of the Eureka Tower.
Beaches and swimming
The long coastline of Port Phillip Bay is almost entirely lined with spacious beaches of fine, light-coloured sand.
Whilst Melbourne’s beaches may not be as famous as Bondi Beach in Sydney or Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, they are nonetheless among the best city beaches in Australia.
One of their advantages is that they are never overcrowded, even in peak season.
Where are the best beaches in Melbourne?
The further south you go (Elwood, Chelsea, Frankston and beyond), the fewer people there will be on the beaches.
A common feature of all Melbourne’s beaches is a gentle slope into the water and very calm seas, as Port Phillip Bay is completely sheltered from the open ocean.
Sights and history
Although Melbourne, with its skyline of 80 skyscrapers, appears at first glance to be an ultra-modern city, appearances can be deceiving, and you will soon discover that Melbourne boasts the highest concentration of historic landmarks of any Australian city.
Most of the monuments date from the period of British rule, particularly the 19th century.
Here are some landmarks you shouldn’t miss:
Take a ride on a historic tram
In terms of the number of kilometres of track, Melbourne has the most extensive tram network in the world, and trams are inextricably linked to the city and its history.
Take the special tram route 35, which is operated exclusively by historic trams, and be transported back several decades in time.
Route 35 follows the edge of the city centre and the so-called Free Tram Zone, so travel along the entire length of this circular tram route is free of charge.
The route is circular, and trams on line 35 run clockwise only, with services every 12–20 minutes from approximately 9.30 am to 4.45 pm.
A detailed timetable can be found on the websiteptv.vic.gov.au/route/timetable/35.
Information on travelling around Melbourne is provided in the Transport section.
Parks and gardens
Melbourne is often nicknamed garden city, as it is indeed one of the greenest cities in the world.
Visit the famous Fitzroy Gardens and don’t miss the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria.
Carlton Gardens, in front ofthe Royal Exhibition Building, and Flagstaff Gardens, between the market and Southern Cross station, are also lovely parks.
Shopping, dining and nightlife
Melbourne’s city centre is a shopper’s paradise. You’ll find many shopping centres here, the largest of which is called Melbourne Central and is situated above the city train station of the same name.
A unique shopping experience is offered by the largest market in the Southern Hemisphere – the Queen Victoria Market.
An integral part of the Melbourne experience is also spending time in restaurants and cafés, and in the evening, in the vast number of bars scattered throughout the city centre.
Happy Hours are extremely popular with tourists; during these, usually between 2.00 pm and 6.00 pm, you can get alcoholic cocktails at a significant discount.
The highest concentration of restaurants and bars is on the riverfront along the Yarra River and also in the small, narrow alleyway known as Hardware Lane, right in the heart of the city.
Sightseeing boat trips
Melbourne is a city closely linked to the water. The Yarra River flows through the city centre, and the entire southern edge of the city is bordered by the beaches of Port Phillip Bay.
Enjoy the city from a different perspective and set off on a boat trip.
The Yarra River
Cruises on the Yarra River are the most popular as they take you right through the city centre. You’ll see skyscrapers, stadiums and neighbourhoods that have been transformed from industrial areas into modern, peaceful places.
Cruises are offered by several different companies, most of which have their departure points right in the city centre on the Southbank Promenade (see map).
You can buy a ticket on the spot or compare offers from all the companies, for example via the GetYourGuide website.
The two largest companies are Melbourne River Cruises and Yarra River Cruises.
Examples of prices and cruises:
- Ports & Docklands – 1-hour cruise through theDocklands canals, price 38 aud
- Parks & Gardens – 1-hour cruise eastwards along the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria to the university campus, price 38 aud
- Melbourne Highlights – 2 to 2.5-hour circular tour of the whole city, price 62 aud
- Evening cruise – 1.5 hours at dusk and after dark, price 69 aud
Bay cruises
There is currently a regular ferry service operating in Port Phillip Bay, running between the Port of Melbourne (closest to the city centre) – Williamstown (Gem Pier) – St Kilda Pier.
- Port of Melbourne – St Kilda: 33 aud, journey time approx. 80 minutes
- Port of Melbourne – Williamstown: 20 aud, journey time approx. 30 minutes
- St Kilda – Williamstown for 20 aud, journey time approx. 45 minutes
It is always advisable to book your ferry ticket online atstkildaferry.com.au/book-online.
You can also take the ferry from central Melbourne (Yarra River, Southbank Promenade) to Williamstown, operated byMelbourne River Cruises.
A one-way ticket costs 35 aud.
Visit the nearby national parks
Do you have the whole day to spare, but don’t fancy travelling to more distant destinations that would require an overnight stay?
Why not head to one of the national parks near the city centre?
The nearest national park, with its dense eucalyptus forests, is called the Dandenong Ranges, and you can get there in about an hour by taking a combination of the Lilydale or Belgrave train lines and the number 688 bus. There aren’t many walking trails within the park, and if you set off around 7.30 am, you could easily be back in the city centre by midday.
Sporting events
Melbourne is not only the capital of Australian culture, but also of sport.
In the eastern part of the city centre, along the Yarra River, you’ll find several huge stadiums for various sports, the largest of which is the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with a capacity of over 100,000 spectators – the largest in the whole of Oceania.
Right in the city centre, next to Southern Cross station, stands Marvel Stadium, home to Australian rules football.
Melbourne hosts several world-renowned events every year, including the following:
- The Australian Open tennis tournament
- Formula 1 racing at the Albert Park Circuit – the Australian Grand Prix
- MotoGP Motorcycle Grand Prix
This article may contain affiliate links from which our editorial team may earn commissions if you click on the link. See our Advertising Policy page.
Any questions left?
If you have any questions or comments about the article...
Personally, I definitely recommend to visit the Formula 1 Grand Prix.