Few cities are as effortlessly cool as Melbourne, thanks to its heritage architecture, numerous cultural diversions, and plentiful pockets of nature, not to mention its world-famous dining, coffee and bar scene, chic design credentials and stylish locals.
Those flying to Melbourne for the first time may feel overwhelmed or unsure on how to spend their time in Victoria's capital city have come to the right place for planning the perfect trip. Fill your itinerary with a range of indoor and outdoor activities that are sure to pique the interest of all – Melbourne has something for everyone. From the famous attractions to local haunts, there’s so much more to uncover on a Melbourne city escape.
Top 10 things to do in Melbourne – Attractions
1. Federation Square
Located on the river’s edge of the Melbourne CBD, Federation Square is an expansive modern piazza that’s both a popular meeting place and a buzzing hub for major events and annual festivals, cultural attractions and a range of dining, shopping and entertainment options open day and night.
Here, you’ll find cultural institutions and other popular Melbourne attractions, such as The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia gallery, ACMI national museum of screen culture and Koorie Heritage Trust Aboriginal Victoria exhibit space, rubbing shoulders with multicultural festivals, brand launches and outdoor global event broadcasts all year round. You’ll never know what you might stumble across in Fed Square!
2. Flinders Street Station
Housed in a distinctive historic building with an esteemed heritage as Australia’s first steam rail station, Flinders Street Railway Station pulls out all the stops as one of Melbourne’s most recognisable landmarks and a still-working train hub.
With a green copper dome atop the yellow Edwardian façade, towers, clocks and arched entrance, the heritage-listed Flinders Street Station is still one of the busiest metropolitan rail stations in the Southern Hemisphere with around 1,500 trains and 110,000 commuters passing through on weekdays. Grab your myki Card and get on board to ride the rails.
3. Hosier Lane
In a city pulsating with cultural appeal and creativity, the heavily graffitied Hosier Lane is one of the most popular and accessible art spaces. The pedestrian-only laneway doubles as Melbourne’s free alfresco street art gallery – full of ever-evolving graffiti artworks, public murals and clever paste-ups from local and international creatives.
Connecting Flinders Street with Flinders Lane, you would almost walk right past Hosier Lane if it wasn’t for the multitude of visitors taking selfies and photos as well as artists contributing new artworks. The constantly changing laneway acts as a public barometer of sorts, reflecting the local zeitgeist and trends, so every visit yields new pieces to see.
4. Royal Botanic Gardens
Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne is a 38ha living green oasis in the Melbourne CBD with more than 8,500 native and non-native plants from around the globe among serene lakes and specialised gardens, providing a verdant haven for locals and visitors.
Head to the Visitor Centre to find out what’s on from free nature-based activities to curator-led and self-guided tours for a small fee. Kids can also get hands-on in the inspiring and interactive Children’s Garden, which features a kitchen garden, waterplay, a magical forest, a wetland zone and other themed areas.
One of two Royal Botanic Gardens sites in Melbourne, the CBD location also houses the National Herbarium of Victoria, Melbourne Observatory and Shrine of Remembrance as well as the Tan – a former horse track turned running loop. While the Royal Botanic Gardens are beautiful to see all year round, spring is the best time to visit Melbourne to see the flowers in full bloom.
5. Melbourne Cricket Ground
Australia’s largest sporting stadium needs no introduction as the hallowed ground of Aussie Rules football aka AFL, test cricket and other top sporting codes as well as home to the Australian Sports Museum. The MCG also hosts major concerts, accommodating more than 100,000 music lovers at a time.
Just a short 10-minute walk from Melbourne CBD, it’s hard not to get caught up in the excitement of the crowd on gameday, all dressed in team colours on their way to the ‘G.
If you’re not in town for an international act or sporting event, take a guided MCG Tour to go behind the scenes and visit the Australian Sports Museum to see memorabilia from not just cricket but more than 3,500 pieces representing 95-plus sporting activities.
6. Queen Victoria Market
Pack your appetite – the ‘Queen Vic’ is dubbed Melbourne’s marketplace for good reason. The expansive heritage-listed landmark has been around since 1878 and purveys a mouthwatering array of handpicked fresh produce, smallgoods, dairy, meat and fish as well as multicultural delicacies and gourmet finds across two city blocks.
In addition to foodie finds, Vic Market also contains many other specialty retail stalls from pet attire to second-hand books, souvenirs, clothing and arts and crafts. The free Night Market also runs during select seasonal events, such as Melbourne Fringe Festival, dishing up evening food and entertainment.
7. National Gallery of Victoria
The National Gallery of Victoria usually refers to the NGV International art museum site but there is also The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia in Fed Square, which concentrates on Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian art and history. NGV International is known for attracting major exhibitions from global and nationally renowned artists alongside its vast cache of 70,000 acquired artworks and artefacts.
Housed in the Southbank Arts Precinct and a short walk or tram ride south from the CBD, NGV International offers an immersive visual arts experience with temporary displays, curated collections, talks, free guided tours, kids’ programmes and the popular NGV Friday Nights late-night event series for over-18s.
8. Melbourne Skydeck
The Melbourne Skydeck at Eureka Tower offers a sky-high view of the cityscape, Yarra River and surrounds from 88 storeys above the city. The Southern Hemisphere’s highest observation deck at almost 300m provides a variety of ways to drink in the panoramic view, including Bar 88 dining experiences and a 3D interactive model of Melbourne.
Level up your Skydeck outing with the brand-new immersive VR Voyager Theatre, Edge and Plank Experiences for an additional cost. The world-first Edge dares visitors to see the sights from a suspended glass cube, while the Plank ride virtually transports thrillseekers on a narrow beam soaring 285m above Melbourne.
9. St Kilda Beach
Melbourne’s famous city beach, St Kilda has plenty on offer in and out of the water. Anchored by the iconic grinning Luna Park façade, revellers can get among the funfair vibes by the beach with rollercoaster rides and thrilling attractions for all ages.
When the weather in Melbourne is in top form, beachy keen visitors can enjoy ocean and pool swims, sunbaking or simply chilling in the sand along with shore activities, including kiteboarding, standup paddleboarding, beach volleyball and cricket. Keep your eyes peeled for fairy penguins, too.
Walk, skate, cycle or rollerblade along the foreshore, which also hosts the St Kilda Esplanade Markets every Sunday, wander along the boardwalk and St Kilda Pier, or kick back in the buzzing beachfront bars, restaurants and pubs, including many famous live music venues.
10. Melbourne Museum
Melbourne Museum is a natural history, science and cultural museum, showcasing many facets of the state’s living history from prehistoric times to the modern day. Located in Carlton Gardens, visitors can explore different galleries sharing the origin and evolution of life in Victoria with highlights such as a living rainforest, towering dinosaurs, Phar Lap’s story, the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Culture Centre and an interactive Children’s Gallery for the littlies.
Temporary exhibitions complement the always-on displays, including tours of the Royal Exhibition Building’s Dome Promenade. Adults can also check out the monthly Nocturnal Museum After Dark curated event program of themed talks and tours accompanied by DJs and drinks.
Top 10 things to do in Melbourne – Activities
1. Experience the coffee culture
Melbourne takes its coffee scene seriously, so you won’t be left wanting for the perfect brew on your visit. Shaped by migration and honed by taste, locals also take pride in the city’s coffee roasters and independent cafes that imbue a flavour that’s unique to Melbourne. Soak up the ambience at Degraves Street and Rankins Lane or head to Carlton, South Melbourne, Fitzroy and South Yarra for suburban cafe culture.
Locally based coffee roasters to seek out include ST. ALi, Padre Coffee, Seven Seeds and Proud Mary Coffee, which also has its own cupping room, Aunty Peg’s, in Collingwood. Can’t wait? You can get your coffee fix from the moment you touch down at Melbourne Airport at Axil Coffee Roasters and ST. ALi Coffee.
Popular locations
Degraves Street – Google Maps
Rankins Lane – Google Maps
Aunty Peg’s – Google Maps
ST. ALi Coffee Roasters - South Melbourne – Google Maps
Padre Coffee South Melbourne – Google Maps
2. Wander through the historic laneways
One of Melbourne CBD’s coolest drawcards is undoubtedly the heritage laneways that form a labyrinthine network in the city. This is where you should always remember to look up and down as you wander the European-style laneways and arcades, which are full of small details and intricate nuances.
Degraves Street and Centre Place is the spot to head for Euro cafes and petite boutiques, Hosier Lane for street art and Manchester Lane for designer fashion. Melbourne CBD also has many ornate arcades, such as the stunning 19th-century Block Arcade with its mosaic-tiled floor, the Art Deco Cathedral Arcade with an arched stained-glass ceiling and Royal Arcade with its giant clock that chimes on the hour.
Take a guided tour to unearth some of the laneways’ hidden gems or embark on a DIY exploration to browse the independent and specialty shops, marvel at street art and murals or spend some time in the charming cafes and tearooms.
Popular locations
Degraves Street – Google Maps
Centre Place – Google Maps
Hosier Lane – Google Maps
Block Arcade – Google Maps
Royal Arcade – Google Map
3. Check out some live music
Live like a local and get along to a gig or two while you’re in town. Melbourne has some legendary live music venues from bandrooms and ballrooms to clubs, pubs and basement digs where you can see local, national, international and emerging acts of all genres any night of the week.
And unlike other cities, the live music isn’t only confined to the CBD. You can rock out in popular live music neighbourhoods such as Brunswick, Fitzroy, St Kilda, Collingwood, Richmond and Northcote.
Melbourne music scene stalwarts include the Hotel Esplanade aka The Espy in St Kilda, Cherry Bar and The Forum in the CBD, The Tote in Collingwood and The Corner Hotel in Richmond where you can enjoy everything from late-night revelry to Sunday sessions and beer garden tunes.
Popular locations
Hotel Esplanade – Google Maps
Cherry Bar – Google Maps
The Tote – Google Maps
The Corner Hotel – Google Maps
Forum Melbourne - Google Maps
4. Embrace the love of sport
Melbourne hosts many annual major sporting events that train the eyeballs of the world on the city, such as the Australian Open tennis grand slam tournament, Australian Formula One Grand Prix and the Melbourne Cup, which is the pinnacle of the Spring Racing Carnival. In summer, cricket and golf also vie for your attention.
In autumn and winter, sport-obsessed Melburnians turn to AFL and football (soccer), and both invoke intense fervour among fans. Locals love their sport and it’s easy to be swept up in the gameday excitement and team colours.
Whenever you visit during the year, you’re sure to find some match, event or tournament to get along and experience what it’s like to be in the crowd in famous stadiums such as the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Marvel Stadium and Rod Laver Arena.
Popular locations
Melbourne Cricket Ground – Google Maps
Marvel Stadium – Google Maps
Rod Laver Arena – Google Maps
5. Attend a theatre show
It’s well-known that Melbourne often attracts highly anticipated Broadway musical and theatrical productions before the rest of the country, making attending a theatre show a must-do. With weekly shows ranging from blockbuster musicals to experimental theatre and comedy gigs, there’s plenty of options to entertain you on your next Melbourne visit.
Melbourne has several major theatres, including the beautifully appointed Princess Theatre and Her Majesty’s Theatre in the East End Theatre District, Regent Theatre in the CBD and Arts Centre in St Kilda. Make it a night out with dinner, drinks and a show.
In addition, the city also stages several world-class annual arts and cultural festivals, such as the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in April, RISING in June and Melbourne Fringe Festival in October, full of thought-provoking performances.
Popular locations
Princess Theatre – Google Maps
Her Majesty’s Theatre – Google Maps
Regent Theatre – Google Maps
Arts Centre Melbourne – Google Maps
6. Indulge in the local food and bar scene
As a multicultural city, Melbourne has many ethnic enclaves that have given rise to areas such as the Italian-flavoured Lygon Street in Carlton, Australia’s oldest Chinatown (Little Bourke Street) and the Greek precinct around Lonsdale Street in the CBD. As such, there’s no shortage of top places to eat, drink and be merry in Melbourne.
You can dine out at everything from starred establishments and celeb chef-helmed eateries to laneway bars and food trucks and even secret carpark diners. Try a brand-new cuisine just for kicks or indulge in a bakery treat (Melbourne’s Lune Croissanterie elicits queues for its flaky pastries for good reason) or go for old-school elegance and soak up the cafe culture or high-tea ambience at dedicated tearooms.
You’ll also find plenty of cosy spots to enjoy a tipple or two or an elevated cocktail experience at a rooftop bar, lounge or speakeasy. Or check out Melbourne’s urban wineries, microbreweries, taprooms and distilleries for a top local drop.
Popular locations
Lygon Street – Google Maps
Chinatown – Google Maps
Lonsdale Street – Google Maps
7. Explore the city by tram
There’s just something so charming and retro about getting around Melbourne by tram – and Melbourne’s iconic tramway network is a must-do to move about the CBD and suburbs. Best of all, the trams are free to ride within the city’s Free Tram Zone – anywhere outside this CBD zone boundary and you’ll need a myki transport card.
With around 1,700 tram stops across 24 lines, simply hop on and off where you want. The free City Circle tram does a loop around major CBD landmarks and attractions.
Other popular sightseeing tram routes for visitors to explore Melbourne’s food, markets and art offerings include the 57 tram from the City to North Melbourne, which includes Bourke Street Mall and the Queen Victoria Market; the 96 from Carlton to St Kilda and the 6 tram.
8. Go vintage shopping
Steeped in arts, history, culture and a love of nostalgia, Melbourne is also a treasure trove for vintage aficionados and antique fossickers – perfect for that one-of-a-kind find. From secondhand books and pre-loved bric-a-brac to vintage fashion and antique furnishings, half the fun is rummaging and searching for that standout item.
Unearth curated collections of vintage clothes, accessories and shoes in Melbourne’s famous laneways and arcades, such as the Royal Arcade, Block Arcade and Nicholas Building, and archival pieces from international designers around Flinders Street, Swanston Street and Queen Victoria Market.
Other areas worth poking around for a vintage collectable or thrifting find include the Chapel Street Bazaar, Greville Street in Prahran and the markets and shops along Brunswick Street in Fitzroy.
Popular locations
Royal Arcade – Google Maps
Block Arcade – Google Maps
Nicolas Building – Google Maps
Flinders Street – Google Maps
Swanston Street – Google Maps
Queen Victoria Market – Google Maps
Chapel Street Bazaar – Google Maps
Greville Street – Google Maps
Brunswick Street – Google Maps
9. Eat, shop and drink along Chapel Street
Melbourne’s iconic inner-east shopping street is a one-stop spot for eating, drinking, shopping and even catching a live music gig. The Chapel Street Precinct is bookended by the petite and eclectic Greville Street in Prahran and bohemian Windsor at the other with the upscale South Yarra stretch in the middle.
Along the bustling length of Chapel Street, you’ll find all your favourite high-street stores along with independent fashion boutiques and specialty stores. Interspersed among the retail outlets are plenty of dining options from gelaterias to gastropubs and global street food to stylish brunch spots, making it one of Melbourne’s top ‘eat streets’, too.
After hours, Chapel Street and surrounds transform into a nightlife mecca with upstairs bandrooms, cocktail lounges, pumping clubs and urbane wine bars to set the scene. There’s even stylish stays and arty accommodation offerings to ensure you’re fully immersed in the Chapel Street precinct.
10. Spend time in a museum
Delve deeper into history or follow your curiosity in one of Melbourne’s many major museums. Traversing natural history and Indigenous culture through to sport, music and immigration, these spaces share the stories of Melbourne’s origin and evolution over the years – and many are also free.
Enjoy a classic museum experience at the Melbourne Museum and tap into scientific mysteries and space at Scienceworks at the Melbourne Planetarium. Sports fans will want to see the Australian Sports Museum at the MCG, while music lovers will adore the memorabilia at The Australian Music Vault. Learn about local Indigenous heritage at Bunjilaka Aboriginal Culture Centre and the Koorie Heritage Trust.
For a different yet memorable outing, check-in to the Old Melbourne Gaol for a spooky overnight stay and check out the 18th-century vampire slaying kit and other crime-fighting oddities at the Victoria Police Museum.
You can also discover the Museum of Chinese Australian History and test your medical mettle at the Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History or Medical History Museum (reopening in April 2025).
Popular locations
Melbourne Museum – Google Maps
Scienceworks – Google Maps
Melbourne Planetarium – Google Maps
Australian Sports Museum – Google Maps
The Australian Music Vault – Google Maps
Bunjilaka Aboriginal Culture Centre – Google Maps
Koorie Heritage Trust – Google Maps
Old Melbourne Gaol – Google Maps
Victoria Police Museum – Google Maps
Museum of Chinese Australia History – Google Maps
Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History – Google Maps
Medical History Museum – Google Maps
Heide Museum of Modern Art – Google Maps
18 more things to do in Melbourne
- Visit the Brighton Bathing Boxes – 82 colourful beach huts on Brighton Beach
- Take a punt and a picnic down the Yarra River on a self-skippered GoBoat
- Splurge on the seasonal degustation menu at Attica
- Cycle the 20km riverside Yarra Trail
- Paint the town rainbow at the Midsumma queer arts and culture festival
- Explore the ‘vertical laneway’ at Curtin House
- Savour the plant-based fare at Smith + Daughters
- Shop the weekly Rose Street Market for all things handmade
- See a free outdoor classical concert at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl
- Embark on a moonlit kayak tour on the Yarra
- Live the bibliophile’s dream in the La Trobe Reading Room at the State Library
- Dive into the heated St Kilda Sea Baths
- Run the iconic 3.8km Tan route in the Royal Botanic Garden
- Snap a selfie and rock on at AC/DC Lane
- Check out the alfresco sculpture park at Heide Museum of Modern Art
- All-you-can-eat weekend yum cha at David’s Prahran
- Knock over pins and a pint at The Keys mega bowling alley and beer garden
- Try Torres Strait Islander cuisine at Big Esso by Mabo Mabo
Best things to do in Melbourne for free
Keep your wallet in your pocket with these top five free things to do in Melbourne that won’t cost a cent.
Top 5 activities for free
- Explore the Royal Botanic Gardens
- Go to an exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV)
- Take a moment at the Shrine of Remembrance
- Ride the City Circle Tram
- Check out the street art in the city’s arcades and laneways
Best things to do in Melbourne with kids
From riding the rails to expending pent-up energy in dedicated play areas, there’s plenty of ways to keep pint-sized travellers entertained in Melbourne.
Top 5 activities for kids
- Ride the Scenic Railway Roller Coaster at Luna Park: You scream, they all screm for funfair action at this iconic St Kilda landmark.
- Check out a bricktastic miniature world at Legoland Discovery Centre Melbourne: Let them build their own dreams with rides and hands-on fun.
- Embark on a historic Puffing Billy steam-train ride: Ride the nostalgia train to Lakeside with the kids in tow – toot-toot!
- Enjoy nature- and water-based play at The Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden: Let them loose among the landscape scaled for littlies.
- Get hands-on at the Museum of Play and Art (MoPA): Geared for kids aged one to seven to inspire creativity and learning through play.
Best things to do in Melbourne for young adults
With hidden hotspots, quirky cool and unexpected activities on tap, Melbourne is full of indie cred that will appeal to the most discerning young visitor.
Top 5 activities for young adults
- Check out a gig at The Forum: See a local or international band play at this heritage space surrounded by classical statues and a starry ceiling.
- Tee off at GlowGolf at the Docklands: Get among 18 glow-in-the-dark themed holes at this indoor mini-golf course for the win.
- Feel the stoke at Urbnsurf: Score consistent rolling waves or learn to stand on a board with confidence at this city surf park.
- Bar-hop Melbourne’s hidden laneway and rooftop bars: There’s nothing cooler than drinking a cold bevvy behind an unmarked door.
- Enjoy the game-day vibes with an AFL or AFLW match at the MCG: Don’t forget the puffer jacket and a meat pie to look like a local.
FAQs about visiting Melbourne
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Is 3 days in Melbourne enough?
With so much to see and do in Melbourne, you can easily fill your itinerary if you’re travelling to Melbourne for a week or more. But if you only have three days in Melbourne, you can definitely cover the city highlights, such as Fed Square, Hosier Lane, Royal Botanic Gardens, Queen Victoria Market and the MCG – all conveniently located in the walkable CBD area.
Across three days or a long weekend in Melbourne, you can tailor sightseeing to your interests and see live music, theatrical productions and blockbuster musicals, while staying longer will also allow you to explore more of the city’s vibrant suburbs.
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What are the iconic things to do in Melbourne?
Melbourne is one of the most sought-after destinations for a city stay with plenty of history, culture, shopping and dining options. The city’s lanes and arcades are a destination in their own right and are synonymous with Melbourne’s independent café, music, boutique and laneway bar culture.
Some of Melbourne’s most iconic things to do also include indulging in gourmet treats at Queen Victoria Market, seeing an NGV exhibition, visiting St Kilda Beach and Luna Park, catching a live music gig and exploring the street art on Hosier Lane.
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What are fun activities for small groups in Melbourne?
Whether you’re hanging with the family or a group of friends, Melbourne has lots of cool activities you can do together. If getting out on the river floats your boat, you can captain a BYO GoBoat, embark on a sunset kayak or waterbike adventure or rent bikes to cycle along the Yarra Trail.
Other outdoorsy options include getting a sky-high view from a hot-air balloon over Melbourne, learning to catch a wave at Urbnsurf and doing hot laps in a rally car.
For indoor pursuits, small groups can get among the arcade action at B. Lucky & Sons or Archie Brothers Cirq Electric Melbourne, enjoy some 10-pin bowling at The Keys or take a swing at themed mini-golf courses such as GlowGolf and Holey Moley.
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Where is 2 hours away from Melbourne?
If you’re keen to broaden your horizons with a day trip or overnight stay, there are several beautiful places to visit in Victoria that are within two hours of Melbourne, each offering a unique experience.
Torquay – Head 1.5 hours from CBD to drive the Great Ocean Road, one of Victoria’s most popular scenic road trips. At four hours in duration, you can drive it in one day, but you’ll definitely want to linger longer with a seaside stay.
Yarra Valley – In less than an hour’s drive from the CBD, you can be in the bucolic Yarra Valley for cellar doors, rolling hills and rural chic.
Phillip Island – Just two hours away from Melbourne, Phillip Island is famous for wildlife parks and an annual Motorcycle Grand Prix, but the main drawcard is the adorable nightly fairy penguin parade.
Dandenong Ranges – Drive just over an hour from Melbourne to land in the lush Dandenong Ranges National Park for verdant fairytale forests, charming hilltop towns, cascading waterfalls and unique birdlife.
Mornington Peninsula – A 90-minute drive south from the CBD nets you beaches, wineries, wildlife, day spas, hot springs and gardens galore.
Bellarine Peninsula – Melbourne’s ‘other’ peninsula offers wineries, craft breweries and distilleries on tap among seaside villages within one hour from the CBD.
Lake Mountain – Only two hours from Melbourne, Lake Mountain Alpine Resort is a winter wonderland for snow bunnies in the cooler months and an outdoor mecca for biking, hiking, bushwalking, picnicking and trail running in summer.
Sorrento – A 90-minute drive from Melbourne’s CBD, take the Sea Road ferry between seaside Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula and beachy Queenscliff on the Bellamarine Peninsula for a taste of both destinations.
Flights to Melbourne
Ready to see and experience all Melbourne has to offer? Virgin Australia offers direct flights to Melbourne from major Australian cities, including:
