20 Unmissable Attractions in Melbourne

Established by the Melbourne Cricket Club in 1853, the MCG or the ‘G as it’s known to locals is the home of Australian sport and considered hallowed ground for AFL fans. With a seating capacity of 100,024 the MCG is the largest sporting facility in the southern hemisphere and every year it hosts the AFL The Grand Final. The MCG also houses The National Sports Museum which celebrates Australian sport.

Victoria’s most notorious criminals including bushranger Ned Kelly and Jack the Ripper suspect Frederick Bailey Deeming were among those imprisoned and executed at the Old Melbourne Gaol. Today, the complex operates as a museum with memorabilia including death masks and Kelly gang weapons on display. Visitors can also take ghostly night tours through the building which is said to be haunted.

Located in the Carlton Gardens, the Melbourne Museum is the largest museum in the southern hemisphere. Roam beneath towering dinosaurs, discover the Melbourne story, see indigenous artifacts at the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre, stroll through the living Forest Gallery and come face to face with Phar Lap. Additionally, the museum features IMAX Melbourne.

Prominently positioned opposite Federation Square and diagonally across from Flinders Street Station, St Paul’s Cathedral was consecrated in 1891 and rests on site where the first Christian service in Melbourne took place in 1836. Designed by William Butterfield, the Gothic style Anglican Cathedral was visited by Pope John Paul II on the 28^th of November 1986.

Captain Cook’s Cottage

Situated in the Fitzroy Gardens Cook’s Cottage is the oldest building in Australia and once belonged to the parents of explorer Captain James Cook, the man who discovered the south-eastern coast of Australia. Deconstructed and shipped over from England, the cottage was reassembled brick by brick in 1934. These days, the building allows visitors to step back into the 18^th century and connect with the history of Captain James Cook.

Since opening in 2002, Federation Square has become the heart and soul of Melbourne. The multi-use piazza features three public spaces including a big screen, 19 restaurants and bars and theatre and event spaces, as well ACMI, the Ian Potter Centre and the SBS Television and Radio Headquarters.

As the largest open-air market in the southern hemisphere, the Queen Victoria Market has a lot to offer shoppers. Wander through the historic sheds and discover fresh produce, hot donuts, souvenirs, homewares and more. QVM also host Wednesday night markets where the historic sheds come alive with food stalls and live music.Queen Victoria Market, 513 Elizabeth St, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 

Described as “the Southern Hemisphere’s only giant observation wheel,” the Melbourne Star is 120 meters high and has 21 cabins all of which offer ever-changing panoramas. During the 30 minute rotation passengers will see the city, Port Phillip Bay, Mount Macedon and Arthur’s Seat.

Famous for being Australia’s oldest public library and one of the world’s first free public libraries, the State Library of Victoria has a collection of over 2 million books. While there are seven reading rooms, the most magnificent is the octagonal La Trobe Reading Room. The library also holds the diaries of Melbourne founders John Batman and John Pascoe Fawkner, and the original armour worn by Ned Kelly328 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC Australia +61 3 8664 7000

Enter through Mr. Moon’s gaping mouth and you’ll arrive at a theme park which has been delighting Melbournians since 1912. St Kilda’s Luna Park features the Scenic Railway, which dates back to the park’s opening and is the oldest continually operating rollercoaster in the world. Luna Park also offers a myriad of fun rides for the whole family including The Ghost Train and The Pharaoh’s Curse.

Modelled after the London Zoo, Melbourne Zoo is Australia’s oldest zoo and is located only four kilometres from the city centre. The menagerie is home to over 320 different animal species, both native and exotic. Among the best exhibits are the magnificent Trails of Elephants and the Tropical Butterfly House. Today, the zoo is dedicated to the conservation of animals.

Situated in Federation Square, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image is ‘Australia’s only national museum of film, video games, digital culture and art.’ ACMI features two cinemas and two exhibition galleries, as well as the permanent interactive exhibition Screen Worlds, which explores the story of the moving image. The exhibition includes hundreds of costumes and props, as well as Cate Blanchett’s Oscar Award.

Geared towards curious young minds, Scienceworks offers immersive presentations and exhibitions that seek to explain the mysteries of the universe. Opened in 1992, the purpose-built museum features a Planetarium, Tesla coil Lightning Room, a historical Pumping Station and Sportswood, which looks at the science behind movement.