Classic Experiences To Have in Melbourne

As Australias cultural capital, there is no shortage of things to do in Melbourne
As Australia's cultural capital, there is no shortage of things to do in Melbourne | | © Rob Arnold / Alamy Stock Photo
Culture Trip Travel Team

There are a number of classic sights you have to see while visiting Melbourne, the capital city of the state of Victoria. There are numerous ways to go about it, including from up above in a hot air balloon or on a historical walking tour.

Melbourne is considered Australia’s unofficial cultural capital, and its street art is a contributing factor to this. A street-art tour is a must while you’re in Melbourne. Equally fascinating is its history: you can trace it on a walking tour where highlights include learning about the gangsters and crime mobs from the turn of the 20th century.

Culture aside, Melbourne is a beautiful city with stretches of beaches and green spaces waiting to be discovered – do so on a four-hour sustainability-focused walking tour.

1. Melbourne Street Art Tour

Tours

Melbourne Street Art Tours showcase the best of Melbourne’s laneways and street art. As the tours are run entirely by street artists, they offer an authentic view into this underground art scene. Learn all about the stories behind the artists and the works, finishing up at the famous Blender Studios where you are treated to a cheese platter and drinks and have the opportunity to meet the studio artists.

3. Melbourne Historical Walking Tour: Crime, Gangsters and Lolly Shops

Tours

Take a walk through downtown Melbourne and learn of an era in which there was much more on offer at the local confectionery store than just lollies and soft drinks. Explore Melbourne’s underworld c.1870s to 1930s, an era in which Melbourne’s downtown slum district, ‘Little Lon’, was mostly run by women. Learn about the battle for supremacy, madams who stood their ground against well-known gangsters such as Squizzy Taylor, and an all-female crime syndicate known as ‘The Combine’. Stop outside buildings which were once brothels and sly grog shops (speakeasies), and hear the stories of what occurred within their walls and on the streets and laneways around them.The tour is designed and delivered by writer and historian, Michael Shelford.

4. Yarra Valley Gourmet Small-Group Ecotour From Melbourne

Tours

Experience all that the Yarra Valley has to offer on a full-day tour from Melbourne. Travel by comfortable mini coach to the Yarra Valley where you will get to taste the local produce from Yarra Farm Fresh, De Bortoli Wines, Rochford Winey, Yarra Valley Chocolaterie, cheese tastings at Yarra Valley Dairy, and more.

5. Melbourne: Craft Beer Lovers' Guide Small Group Drink Tour

Tours

Get acquainted with bohemian beers, bespoke microbrews and salacious local eats on this carb-unfriendly Melbourne walking (or is that stumbling?) tour.

6. Living Legends Champion Racehorse Guided Tour

Tours

Living Legends has been established to bring retired champion racehorses back to the public. Based at Woodlands Homestead in Woodlands Historic Park, Living Legends is only six minutes’ north of Melbourne Airport and about 20 kilometres (12 miles) north-west of the city centre. Come and visit the racehorse Living Legends, the Woodlands Homestead, magnificent heritage gardens, plus wild kangaroos and natural bushland.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Culture Trip Spring Sale

Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.

X
Edit article