City guides
Australia
Victoria
Things to do in Melbourne
Melbourne has a wide range of attractions to suit every traveller. Whether visitors are interested in art, history, culture or the outdoors, there's something in the city for everyone.
Art lovers can visit the National Gallery of Victoria, while those interested in history can explore the Old Melbourne Gaol, one of the city's most famous landmarks. The Melbourne Museum and the Chinese Museum both provide fascinating insights into the city's diverse cultural heritage.
For spectacular views, the Eureka Tower's Skydeck on the 88th floor gives visitors a sweeping look across the city and beyond. Families will enjoy the Melbourne Zoo, which is home to more than 350 animal species, and the Royal Botanic Gardens, a peaceful retreat close to the city centre.
Travellers planning to visit several attractions may want to buy a Melbourne iVenture Card. These cards offer combined entry and savings on a range of tours and experiences.
Cooks' Cottage
Located in Fitzroy Gardens, Captain Cook's Cottage is one of Melbourne's most charming historic landmarks. Built in 1755 by the parents of the famous explorer in Yorkshire, England…
Cooks' Cottage
Located in Fitzroy Gardens, Captain Cook's Cottage is one of Melbourne's most charming historic landmarks. Built in 1755 by the parents of the famous explorer in Yorkshire, England, the cottage was brought to Australia in 1934, brick by brick, by Melbourne philanthropist Sir Russell Grimwade. Even the ivy that climbs its walls grew from cuttings taken from the original plants in England. Inside, visitors can explore rooms furnished in 18th-century style and view displays about Captain Cook's life and voyages, offering a captivating glimpse of the past in the heart of modern Melbourne.
Yarra River
No visit to Melbourne is complete without time along the Yarra River, the city's defining waterway. Often teased for its brown colour, the river isn't dirty but naturally tinted by…
Yarra River
No visit to Melbourne is complete without time along the Yarra River, the city's defining waterway. Often teased for its brown colour, the river isn't dirty but naturally tinted by fine clay sediment. In recent years its banks have been transformed with modern buildings, promenades and parklands. The best views are from Princes Bridge on St Kilda Road, or by taking a scenic cruise from Princes Walk. For a quieter experience, visitors can enjoy a walk or picnic in one of the nearby riverside parks such as Birrarung Marr or Alexandra Gardens.
Website yarrariver.melbourne
Old Melbourne Gaol
Victoria's oldest surviving gaol offers a powerful insight into prison life in 19th-century Melbourne. Behind its thick bluestone walls, more than 130 men and women were executed, …
Old Melbourne Gaol
Victoria's oldest surviving gaol offers a powerful insight into prison life in 19th-century Melbourne. Behind its thick bluestone walls, more than 130 men and women were executed, including the notorious bushranger Ned Kelly in 1880. Visitors can see the Hangman's Box, the Particulars of Execution book and the eerie death masks once used in the study of phrenology. The Women in Prison exhibition reveals the stories of female inmates and their crimes. The gaol also runs guided and night tours that bring its grim history vividly to life, offering an unforgettable glimpse into a darker chapter of Victoria's past.
Website www.oldmelbournegaol.com.au
Dandenong Ranges National Park
Just 29 miles (40km) east of Melbourne, the Dandenong Ranges National Park feels a world away. Shrouded in cool mist and filled with the scent of eucalyptus, its forested slopes ar…
Dandenong Ranges National Park
Just 29 miles (40km) east of Melbourne, the Dandenong Ranges National Park feels a world away. Shrouded in cool mist and filled with the scent of eucalyptus, its forested slopes are home to towering mountain ash trees, fern gullies and the superb lyrebird, famous for its uncanny ability to mimic the sounds of the bush. Visitors can explore walking trails, picnic among the trees, or ride the historic Puffing Billy steam train as it winds through the foothills. Nearby villages such as Sassafras, Olinda and Belgrave offer charming cafés, gardens and galleries, making the Dandenongs a perfect day escape from the city.
Website www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/dandenong-ranges-national-park
Ballarat
This historic city of elegance and charm is the gateway to Victoria's goldfields. Its name, from the Wathaurong word meaning 'resting place,' suits Ballarat's tranquil setting arou…
Ballarat
This historic city of elegance and charm is the gateway to Victoria's goldfields. Its name, from the Wathaurong word meaning 'resting place,' suits Ballarat's tranquil setting around Lake Wendouree and its beautiful botanical gardens. The grand Avenue of Honour, planted with nearly 4,000 trees, commemorates locals who served in World War I.
Steeped in the legacy of the 1850s Gold Rush, Ballarat invites visitors to explore the Eureka Centre, walk the city's heritage streets, and experience the open-air museum of Sovereign Hill. The city is also known for its art gallery, wildlife park, bustling markets, and thriving café scene, blending rich history with modern country charm.
Website www.visitballarat.com.au
Great Ocean Road
One of Victoria's most popular self-drive itineraries, the Great Southern Touring Route links Melbourne with the Great Ocean Road, the Grampians and Ballarat in a spectacular circu…
Great Ocean Road
One of Victoria's most popular self-drive itineraries, the Great Southern Touring Route links Melbourne with the Great Ocean Road, the Grampians and Ballarat in a spectacular circuit. The coastal stretch follows the Great Ocean Road, famed for its dramatic cliffs, lush Otways rainforests and the striking limestone stacks of the Twelve Apostles in Port Campbell National Park. Along the way, travellers can explore resort towns such as Torquay, Apollo Bay and Warrnambool, or detour to historic coastal villages including Port Fairy and Queenscliff. The route also offers whale watching, golf, skydiving and horseback rides, with art galleries, museums and spas adding cultural depth to the journey.
Website www.visitgreatoceanroad.org.au
Grampians National Park
The Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park offers some of Victoria's most impressive scenery, with rugged sandstone ranges, wide valleys and excellent views from a network of lookouts.…
Grampians National Park
The Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park offers some of Victoria's most impressive scenery, with rugged sandstone ranges, wide valleys and excellent views from a network of lookouts. Spanning more than 167,000 hectares, the park supports a remarkable variety of wildlife, including kangaroos, emus, wallabies, koalas and over 200 species of bird, making it an appealing destination for nature lovers of all ages. In spring the landscape becomes especially vibrant, as wildflowers bloom across the hillsides and reach their peak in October.
The Grampians also contain the highest concentration of Aboriginal rock art sites in southern Australia, and several are open to visitors. Walking opportunities range from short, easy trails to more challenging sections of the Grampians Peaks Trail, and the lakes at Bellfield, Wartook and elsewhere provide peaceful spots for picnicking, fishing or kayaking after a day of exploring.
Website www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/grampians-national-park
Eureka Tower
Eureka Tower is one of Melbourne's most recognisable landmarks, rising about 975 feet (297m) above the Southbank precinct. Its public observation level, the Melbourne Skydeck on th…
Eureka Tower
Eureka Tower is one of Melbourne's most recognisable landmarks, rising about 975 feet (297m) above the Southbank precinct. Its public observation level, the Melbourne Skydeck on the 88th floor, offers sweeping 360-degree views across the city and Port Phillip Bay. Visitors can use high-powered binoculars, informative displays and open-air terraces to appreciate the changing skyline. For those wanting an added thrill, The Edge provides a memorable experience. This glass cube extends about 10 feet (3m) out from the building and begins with frosted panels that gradually clear to reveal the height below. The Edge requires a separate ticket, but it remains a popular choice for anyone seeking an unforgettable perspective of Melbourne.
Website www.eurekaskydeck.com.au
Melbourne Museum
Set within the Carlton Gardens, the Melbourne Museum is the largest in Australia and offers a wide range of exhibitions exploring history, culture, science and the natural world. H…
Melbourne Museum
Set within the Carlton Gardens, the Melbourne Museum is the largest in Australia and offers a wide range of exhibitions exploring history, culture, science and the natural world. Highlights include Bunjilaka, which presents the stories and traditions of Victoria's First Peoples, and the Science and Life galleries, where visitors can learn about insects, marine life, dinosaurs and Australia's diverse flora and fauna. The Pauline Gandel Children's Gallery provides bright, hands-on activities designed for younger visitors. Opened in 2000, the museum combines contemporary exhibition design with an adjacent IMAX theatre that screens large-format documentary films, making it an engaging destination for all ages.
Website museumsvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum/
Federation Square
Federation Square occupies roughly a full city block in Melbourne's CBD, opposite Flinders Street Station and adjacent to the Yarra River. This striking cultural precinct hosts aro…
Federation Square
Federation Square occupies roughly a full city block in Melbourne's CBD, opposite Flinders Street Station and adjacent to the Yarra River. This striking cultural precinct hosts around 2,000 public events annually in its outdoor spaces (St Paul's Court, The Square) and covered pavilion (The Atrium). Designed with a sharply angular geometry, the triangular forms reflect civic and federation themes and contribute to the square's bold character. Offering easy connection to the city and river, Federation Square is surrounded by notable institutions including the Ian Potter Centre (NGV Australia) and the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), as well as cafés, shops, galleries and bars.
Website www.federationsquare.com.au
Queen Victoria Market
Queen Victoria Market is one of Melbourne's most popular attractions and remains the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere. Spread across several city blocks, it's a l…
Queen Victoria Market
Queen Victoria Market is one of Melbourne's most popular attractions and remains the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere. Spread across several city blocks, it's a lively place to pick up fresh produce, with large sections devoted to fruit, vegetables, meat, seafood and deli goods. The market is also known for its wide range of clothing, jewellery, crafts and souvenirs, making it a useful stop for picnics in nearby Birrarung Marr or the Botanic Gardens. Opened in 1878, it has been a favourite place for locals and visitors for more than 145 years, with regular buskers, cafés and weekend activities adding to the atmosphere.
Website www.qvm.com.au
Melbourne Zoo
Melbourne Zoo is Australia's oldest zoological garden, established in 1862 and set within 55 acres (22 hectares) of beautifully landscaped grounds. Home to more than 300 animal spe…
Melbourne Zoo
Melbourne Zoo is Australia's oldest zoological garden, established in 1862 and set within 55 acres (22 hectares) of beautifully landscaped grounds. Home to more than 300 animal species, the zoo showcases both Australian wildlife and animals from around the world. Visitors can meet native favourites such as kangaroos, koalas, wombats and wallabies, explore the award-winning Gorilla Rainforest and Orangutan habitats, and wander through the lush Butterfly House. Several heritage-listed areas illustrate how the zoo has evolved since the nineteenth century. Located just over two miles (4km) from central Melbourne, the zoo remains a popular destination for families and nature lovers, combining conservation work with engaging, carefully designed exhibits.
Website www.zoo.org.au/melbourne/
Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
The Melbourne Cricket Ground is one of the world's great sporting stadiums and is well worth a visit, even for those with only a passing interest in sport. First established in 185…
Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
The Melbourne Cricket Ground is one of the world's great sporting stadiums and is well worth a visit, even for those with only a passing interest in sport. First established in 1853 for the Melbourne Cricket Club, the ground has been redeveloped many times and today offers some of the best sightlines and facilities of any stadium. It also houses the Australian Sports Museum, which features collections from the Australian Sports Hall of Fame, the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame and the Melbourne Cricket Club Museum. The MCG hosts cricket in the summer, including the famous Boxing Day Test, and Australian Rules football in the winter, along with major concerts and other large-scale events throughout the year.
Website www.mcg.org.au
Puffing Billy Railway
The Puffing Billy Railway is Australia's oldest surviving narrow-gauge steam railway, and one of Victoria's most popular family attractions. Operating since 1900, the train still r…
Puffing Billy Railway
The Puffing Billy Railway is Australia's oldest surviving narrow-gauge steam railway, and one of Victoria's most popular family attractions. Operating since 1900, the train still runs along its original mountain track through the scenic Dandenong Ranges, passing tall forests and cool fern gullies between Belgrave and the lakeside station at Emerald and continuing on to Gembrook. The full journey takes just under two hours in each direction, with shorter trips available. Tickets can be purchased in advance, and bookings are recommended for special dining experiences that include meals served in heritage carriages. Departures run several times a day, and children especially enjoy the charm and novelty of travelling by steam train.
Website www.puffingbilly.com.au