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Top 5 Activities To Do In Melbourne

Melbourne CBD at night from Eureka Skydeck
Melbourne CBD at night from Eureka Skydeck | © vincentq/Flickr

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.

Queen Victoria Market

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.

The Esplanade market located in St Kilda is a hot spot for creative talent. With endless stalls arranged in line with St Kilda’s palm trees, the market features handicrafts, photography, illustration, jewellery, body products, and stationary.

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.

National Gallery Victoria

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.

Melbourne Museum from Nicholson Street

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.

ACMI

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.

Melbourne’s City Circle Tram

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.

Melbourne Star

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.

Yarra Valley vineyards at Yarra Yering

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.

Hanging Rock

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.

Melbourne Tram Dinner

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

About the author

Isabell Greigeritsch is currently studying journalism at Macleay College. Her passions include writing about food, travel and culture. Isabell loves animals and likes to spend time with her pets. She enjoys learning about new things, being outdoors, reading, cooking and spending time with her family and friends.

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