Top 5 Activities To Do In Melbourne

Whether you are a cultural connoisseur, a shopaholic, a foodie, a wine lover, a cinephile, or a music aficionado, the world’s most livable city has a practically infinite number of things on offer. Here’s a list of things you should definitely make time for during your five days in Melbourne.

Browse Melbourne’s Many Markets

Melbourne is home to dozens of popular markets; it can be said that Melbourne is the shopping hub of Australia.
Queen Victoria Market is one of the hottest markets in Melbourne: a favorite place for both locals and tourists, providing fresh local produce and souvenirs among many other things. This busy market also holds a night market every Wednesday, called Suzuki Night Market, featuring live music, food, and entertainment.

Another market famous for fresh, quality food is the Preston Market, located 30 minutes outside of the CBD. The fresh food and multi-cultural hub of Melbourne’s north produces some of the best fresh seafood and local produce.

Visit Famous Art Galleries and Museums

Melbourne’s art scene has flourished and provides a look into the city’s culture and history. If you want to get lost in a world of Melbourne culture, then spending a day at the many galleries and museums is the right choice.

The National Gallery Victoria is home to thousands of pieces, including Indigenous artworks, Australian artworks that offer insight into the past, and many other cultural artworks from other countries.

Melbourne is home to a number of museums; Melbourne Museum, which has just about everything in it from dinosaurs to history exhibitions, is one of the most popular attractions in Melbourne.

Science Works is also another fascinating exhibition, which includes an array of activities for children. The Immigration Museum displays the history of immigration in Australia, while sports lovers and fanatics will love the National Sports Museum.

The Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), located at Federation Square, started life as the State Film Centre in 1946. ACMI has evolved from being a collection-based institution to an internationally recognised hub for screening, screen education, industry engagement, and audience involvement. Its video art and new media presents the most innovative pieces in Australia, delivering a memorizing experience to viewers.

Explore Melbourne Via Transportation or On Foot

One of the easiest ways to travel and view the city is on the City Circle tram. Melbourne provides a free service tram the runs right around the city, all day, which is useful for those who love sightseeing at their own speed.

The tram was introduced in April 1994, and covers Melbourne’s central business district, offering an accessible and affordable overview of Melbourne’s city and history.

The tram provides details of city landmarks and major attractions such as the City Museum, Parliament House, Docklands, Federation Square, Melbourne Aquarium, and the Princess Theatre.

Located near the Docklands is the popular Melbourne Star. This popular tourist attraction allows people to view Melbourne in a beautiful new light. Its night bookings are very popular with the public.

Federation Square, located across from Flinders St Station, is popular for its events. Each year it holds over 2000 events, and the area includes numerous cafés and restaurants.

Other sights to explore are Melbourne’s famous gardens, located around the city, which include the Royal Botanical Gardens, Alexandra Gardens, and Fitzroy Gardens. All present Melbourne’s finest landscapes, allowing for a great day out for the family or some space for relaxation among nature.

Bamboo at Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne

Take a Day Off from the City and Explore the Outskirts

Melbourne is great, but the suburbs are just as exhilarating and alluring. Wineries, walks, gardens, and beaches, among other attractions, prove that there is a place for everyone.

The Yarra Valley is full of wineries, which offer tours, tastings, and even lunch. The beautiful landscapes and scenery allow for a lovely day out for the whole family, or even a romantic escape.

Sightseeing and historical sites can be had at places such as Daylesford or Macedon Ranges. Daylesford is spa central. However, it is still worth going to visit for its historic buildings, antique shops, and stunning surroundings. It is also known mostly for ‘The Convent’, a building which looks out over Daylesford and includes a café and gallery.

A scenic drive through Macedon Ranges leads to Victoria’s historical Hanging Rock. Hanging Rock is a sight to see in itself, with many paths that lead to the top giving you a breathtaking view of the ranges.

Another town offering glimpses of Victoria’s history is Ballarat. It is home to a number of preserved buildings and galleries. Ballarat has its own historical theme park, called Sovereign Hill, which allows tourists and locals to travel back in time to get a feel for what Victoria was like during the gold rush in the 1850s and ’60s.

Taste Melbourne’s Unique Dining

Melbourne is home to some of the best cafés and restaurants in Australia, all of which are unique in their own way. From cheap to expensive, Melbourne has something for everyone.

One of the more expensive treats in Melbourne is the Colonial Tramcar restaurant, which brings a new meaning to dining with its luxurious four-course meal, to be eaten while touring the city. You can make reservations for lunch, early dinner, and late dinner.

Love themed restaurants? The Croft Institute is for you. It’s science themed, and the dim lighting, black and white tiles, and shelves crammed with beakers and test tubes creates a surprisingly intimate setting. The Grain Store is another classic among Melbournians; its fresh and organic food provides a healthier option.

Croft Institute & the graffiti in and around Croft Alley

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.

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