The Best Unique Experiences In Melbourne

Melbourne is the cultural capital of Australia, with its thriving arts, music and culinary scenes second to none. There are plenty of ways to explore the city – but break away from tradition and see it in a whole different light with these unique recommendations.

Melbourne has both natural beauty and culture in spades, and for that reason it draws the crowds. But there are ways of getting around the crowds. The answer? Joining on tours with 10 or less like-minded travellers, taking to the road first thing and heading out on evening excursions.

Our list of recommendations allows you to experience Melbourne from a different view. The highlights include a lantern-lit evening trip to a wildlife sanctuary, a running tour that allows you to see its fabled street art, and a vegan restaurant half-day tour. One thing to note is that as group sizes are small, it’s first come, first served.

1. Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay Helicopter Tour

Tours

Melbourne city and coast flight for approximately 25 minutes. View Melbourne from a different perspective! Fly out from Moorabbin Airport via the coast toward Melbourne CBD, sights of the coastline include Cerbrus Shipwreck, Point Ormond, St. Kilda beach, Albert Park Lake, Station Pier and much more.

3. Melbourne Laneway Discovery Running Tour

Tours

Discover Melbourne’s best living art galleries. Melbourne’s famous street art culture is unlike any other and on the Laneways Discovery Tour you will explore Hosier Lane, AC/DC Lane and a few other laneways that we’ll keep as a surprise for you during the tour. This eight-kilometre (five-mile) running adventure will take you laneway hopping, seeing the iconic shops, bars and cafes that Melbournians love to flock to, so you’ll feel just like a local. Learn more about Melbourne’s rich history as we share stories from the past, present (and future) and fun facts about the city with you. Witness Melbourne’s distinct variation between the modern high-rise architecture and older Victorian style buildings, learning how the two mesh and how both are quintessential in shaping Melbourne’s culture. As we run past the landmarks that shape Melbourne, there will be an ample amount of time to make sure you get that Instagram-worthy photo.

4. Tree Ropes and Zipline Experience in The Dandenong Ranges

Activities

Experience Melbourne’s first treetop ropes & zip line adventure. Spend two hours soaring through Victoria’s rarest trees hidden among The Dandenong Ranges. The courses feature a variety of aerial challenges including tight ropes, a wooden bridge, a tunnel or a flying fox. Located next door to The Puffing Billy Railway Station.

6. Great Ocean Road Reverse Itinerary Tour

Tours

Are you the kind of person that enjoys losing your breath sometimes? Are you ready for the beauty of this storm-carved coastline?If you said yes, you’re ready to join us on this awesome Great Ocean Road Small Groups Tour.Things you will see and do: • Travel inland in the morning straight to the Twelve Apostles. • At least four attractions at the 12 Apostles Coast: London Bridge, Loch Ard Gorge, The Razorback and the Twelve Apostles.• Coastal towns: Apollo Bay, Lorne and lots of other stops for pictures. • Reverse itinerary to avoid the crowds – we mean it! We get there earlier. • Good music, Good vibe, more attractions, more stops, more fun!

9. Sports Lovers' Tours of Melbourne

Tours

City sightseeing with a difference. Visit the venues that host some of Australia’s favourite sporting events.Explore Flemington Racecourse, home of the Spring Racing Carnival and The Melbourne Cup – the horse race that stops the nation.Drive through the Commonwealth Games Athletes Village and around Albert Park, on the Melbourne F1 Grand Prix Circuit.Café-style lunch included at Marvel Stadium/Docklands Precinct.Choose one of the following options: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) OR Australian Open Behind The Scenes Tour OR Australian Sports Museum.If you would like to choose more than one option, please see our 3/4 Day Sports Lovers’ Bus Tour of Melbourne or our Ultimate Sports Lovers’ Bus Tour of Melbourne.A fabulous way to explore Melbourne’s sporting culture.

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.