In a nutshell
- Melbourne is, in our opinion, the coolest city in Australia. You’ll find street art and hidden bars tucked between soaring skyscrapers and lush parks.
- There are so many great things to do in Melbourne — from the Skydeck with its breathtaking views to the Shrine of Remembrance and the buzzing Queen Victoria Market.
- In this article, we’ll walk you through the 22 best Melbourne attractions and share our personal tips for each one — so you won’t miss a thing.
- We’ve also got practical advice on getting around the city. For where to stay, check out our Melbourne hotel tips.
The Best Things to Do in Melbourne on a Map
The Top 10 Highlights in Melbourne in Two Days
You should plan for at least two full days in Melbourne’s city center — that’s enough time to discover the most important things to do in Melbourne.
Spend one day exploring the highlights south of the Yarra River and the other taking in the sights north of the river in the CBD (Central Business District).
Federation Square
What you need to know: Federation Square is a central plaza that works perfectly as a starting point for sightseeing in Melbourne. It’s not just an ordinary square either — it’s a striking ensemble of modern architecture. St. Paul’s Cathedral is also right there on the plaza.
Is it worth it? Absolutely! You’ll pass through Federation Square one way or another when exploring Melbourne. Be sure to stop by Princes Bridge next to the square — the view of the city skyline is seriously stunning.
Our tip: If the summer heat gets to be too much, cool off at the IceBar. It’s located at Federation Square and is the only IceBar in Australia.
Melbourne Skydeck (Eureka Tower)
What you need to know: At nearly 300 meters, the Eureka Tower is Melbourne’s tallest building and the second tallest in the Southern Hemisphere. Near the very top there’s an observation deck you can reach by elevator in under 40 seconds — the fastest elevator in the Southern Hemisphere.
Is it worth it? Definitely. From the Skydeck you get a breathtaking 360° view over Melbourne, the ocean, and the Dandenong Ranges. This was one of our absolute favorite experiences in the city.
Our tip: Buy your ticket online in advance — it costs around 33 AUD (about 20 euros) that way. Buying on-site costs more and you may have to wait in line. You can also add on The Edge, which slides you out of the building in a glass cube. At 285 meters up, you look straight down through the glass floor — that’s about 12 AUD (7 euros) extra.
Get tickets for the Melbourne Skydeck
National Gallery of Victoria
What you need to know: The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is Australia’s oldest and largest art museum, focusing primarily on modern art and product design. The permanent collection is free to visit. There are also regularly changing special exhibitions that require paid admission.
Is it worth it? Yes — especially on rainy or scorching hot days, the NGV is well worth your time. For art lovers, it’s a must regardless of the weather.
Our tip: In the futuristic building at Federation Square, a second NGV venue has been open since 2003: the Ian Potter Centre. It also features rotating art and photography exhibitions.
Shrine of Remembrance
What you need to know: On a small hill south of the NGV stands the Shrine of Remembrance war memorial, honoring those who fell in the many wars in which Australia has been involved. You can visit for free, though donations are always welcome.
Is it worth it? Oh yes. The wide path leading up to the shrine is already incredibly impressive. Even better is the panorama over Melbourne from the balcony — alongside the Skydeck, this is the best vantage point in the city.
Our tip: Every year on April 25th, ANZAC Day, the parade honoring fallen soldiers takes place here. Fair warning — on that day, the place is absolutely packed.
Royal Botanic Gardens
What you need to know: The Royal Botanic Gardens sit on the southern bank of the Yarra River. In this 36-hectare park you’ll encounter 50,000 different plant species and maybe even a possum or two. The Government House is also situated within the park, along with a small lake, pavilions, and a few cafés.
Is it worth it? Yes! If you’re into plants, you could easily spend a few hours here. But even if botany isn’t your thing, the gardens are absolutely worth seeing.
Our tip: If you’d like to learn more about the Royal Botanic Gardens and the way of life of the Aboriginal people, join a tour led by an indigenous guide.
Aboriginal Guided Walk in the Royal Botanic Gardens
Street Art Laneways in the CBD
What you need to know: The laneways are one of the things that make Melbourne truly unique. The narrow side alleys in the CBD are packed with street art, cafés, and pubs. While other cities tend to clean these places up, Melbourne actively works to keep them exactly as they are.
Is it worth it? Definitely. The most famous is Hosier Lane, which feels more like an outdoor street art gallery. Our personal favorite, though, is AC/DC Lane. Centre Place and Degraves Street are a bit less well known but totally worth a wander.
Our tip: Join a walking tour through the laneways — there are all kinds of versions available. A great local favorite for a bar in a lane is the Loop Roof.
Tour through hidden bars & lanes in Melbourne
Booze Makes History Better Tour
Queen Victoria Market
What you need to know: The Queen Victoria Market is a true Melbourne institution. It’s been around since the 19th century and you can buy just about everything here: fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, clothing, fabrics, and so much more. The market stretches over two blocks, so bring both an appetite and some time.
Is it worth it? Absolutely. We especially loved the deli hall — prices for the goodies are genuinely reasonable, and in some cases even lower than at the supermarket.
Our tip: If you’d like to learn more about the market, the neighborhood, and Australian cuisine, join the Queen Victoria Market Foodie Tour.
State Library of Victoria
What you need to know: The State Library of Victoria looks fairly unassuming from the outside, but inside it’s beautiful and absolutely worth a visit. It holds around two million books and features various exhibitions, including ones dedicated to James Cook and Melbourne’s founder, John Batman.
Is it worth it? Yes! The State Library is a genuine standout in Melbourne — and not just for bookworms. You can also sit down and read or work alongside students, as long as the visitors constantly wandering through don’t bother you.
Our tip: The La Trobe Reading Room and the viewing balcony — from which you can look straight down into the room — are especially beautiful. Both are well-signposted and easy to find.
Flinders Street Station
What you need to know: Flinders Street Station stands next to Federation Square and is one of Melbourne’s most iconic landmarks. From the outside, with its golden facade and green dome, it almost looks like a king’s crown.
Is it worth it? Yes. Even if it is “just” a train station, it ranks among the most important points of interest in Melbourne and is well worth pausing to admire.
Our tip: Several iconic clocks adorn the main entrance, showing the departure times of the next trains. They used to be manually advanced each time — today computers handle that job.
Royal Arcade and Block Arcade
What you need to know: The Royal Arcade and the Block Arcade are 19th-century shopping arcades located almost right next to each other in the CBD. From the outside they look like ordinary shopping passages, but step inside and their full beauty reveals itself — vaulted glass roofs and black-and-white mosaic tile floors that are seriously eye-catching.
Is it worth it? Yes. The grand Victorian atmosphere is absolutely worth seeing. You’ll also find cafés, boutiques, and vintage shops inside — great if you want to do some shopping too.
Our tip: When you enter the Royal Arcade from Little Collins Street, look up. There, alongside a clock that’s over 100 years old, the mythical giants Gog and Magog stand guard over the arcade. Try to be there on the hour — that’s when the two strike their bells.
More Sights in Melbourne if You Have Extra Time
If you’re staying in Melbourne for more than two days, you can explore even more attractions, discover different neighborhoods, and take day trips to the beach and the surrounding area.
Melbourne Museum
What you need to know: The Melbourne Museum is enormous, covering the history, culture, and natural history of Australia. It’s located in the Carlton Gardens — one of Melbourne’s most beautiful parks.
Is it worth it? Yes. Especially on hot or rainy days, the museum is a perfect destination.
Our tip: If you’re on a vacation with kids, the museum is definitely one of the top things to do in Melbourne. There’s a massive blue whale skeleton, several dinosaur skeletons, and a great indoor playground to boot.
Buy tickets: Admission costs 18 AUD (about 11 euros) for adults. It’s best to buy tickets in advance online.
Get tickets for the Melbourne Museum
Cricket Ground
What you need to know: The MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) is Australia’s largest stadium, with a capacity of 100,000. Cricket, rugby, and Australian Rules Football are played here. You can get tickets on Ticketek. The stadium also houses a sports museum where you can learn more about the history of Australia’s most important sports.
Is it worth it? Only if you’re into sports — in that case, both the museum and catching a live event are really worthwhile, and you can often get tickets spontaneously.
Our tip: There’s a special sightseeing tour for sports fans where you’ll explore the MCG with a guide and visit the sports museum.
Guided tour of the MCG and admission to the Sports Museum
Yarra River Promenade
What you need to know: The Yarra River Promenade runs along the southern side of the river and is perfect for a leisurely stroll. A great starting point is Princes Bridge — from there you can walk all the way to the cool Webb Bridge and then explore the Docklands neighborhood, which we’ll introduce you to in just a moment.
Is it worth it? Yes — it’s the perfect spot for an evening walk after the sun goes down. Stroll past the many bars and restaurants and take in the stunning view of the CBD sparkling at night.
Our tip: Watch out and don’t pick a fight with the black swans. They call the promenade home and only tolerate you as a guest.
Melbourne's Gardens
What you need to know: Melbourne is woven through with green spaces. We’ve already introduced you to the Royal Botanic Gardens, but you don’t have to venture far from the city center to find a beautiful park. The Carlton Gardens and Fitzroy Gardens are two great options.
Is it worth it? Absolutely. These are great places to catch your breath when you’ve had enough sightseeing. Both parks also feature noteworthy buildings: the Royal Exhibition Building in the Carlton Gardens and James Cook’s stone cottage in the Fitzroy Gardens.
Our tip: A real under-the-radar pick in Melbourne is Birrarung Marr Park. Right in the middle of the park stand the Federation Bells — 39 bronze bells on stilts that are digitized, musical multi-talents. They can play just about anything. On the Federation Bells website you can even compose your own songs for the bells to play.
Cool Neighborhoods in Melbourne
Besides the CBD, it’s well worth wandering through a few other Melbourne neighborhoods. The city has some truly cool areas to offer.
Fitzroy
What you need to know: Fitzroy is probably Melbourne’s trendiest neighborhood. It borders the CBD and the Carlton Gardens, and it’s totally hip and alternative. Plenty of small, independent cafés and restaurants line the streets between art galleries and graffiti — and in between, you’ll find some of the best independent clothing stores in Melbourne.
Is it worth it? Yes! Most of the shopping is along Smith Street and Brunswick Street. If you’re in the mood to go out in the evening, you can bar-hop along Brunswick Street and the surrounding streets.
Our tip: If you’re interested in the history, culture, and street art of Fitzroy, join a guided True Crime tour. It’s seriously cool!
True Crime Tour through Fitzroy
Docklands
What you need to know: The Docklands is a modern residential and commercial district dominated by tall, contemporary buildings and hotels. If you’re into modern architecture, you’ll love it here.
Is it worth it? Sort of. Everything looks sleek, but the area feels pretty deserted.
Our tip: You can walk the Yarra River Promenade all the way to the Docklands and enter the neighborhood via the striking Webb Bridge. The free City Tram also stops there.
Prahran and Richmond
What you need to know: Prahran and Richmond aren’t classic tourist attractions in Melbourne — they’re real off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods worth visiting if you’re spending a few extra days in the city.
Is it worth it? Yes, we really liked both. The Prahran Market, which is over 125 years old and packed with restaurants and stalls, is especially great. Richmond offers affordable shopping and restaurants — on Victoria Street you’ll find the best bánh mì in all of Melbourne and some of the most authentic Vietnamese food around.
Our tip: Richmond is worth visiting in the evening too! Many of the 19th-century hotels now house pubs, and concerts and parties are regularly held there. The Royal Hotel and the Corner Hotel have both made names for themselves.
Beaches in Melbourne
Melbourne is right on the water and you can reach the beach quickly from the city center. True dream beaches are hard to find here — but on hot summer days, a trip to the coast is always worthwhile.
St. Kilda
What you need to know: St. Kilda is Melbourne’s laid-back beach neighborhood. The streets are lined with good restaurants and cafés, you can stroll along the beachfront promenade, and at dusk you might even spot little penguins at the pier if you’re lucky.
Is it worth it? Yes. We especially recommend St. Kilda if you’re visiting Melbourne with kids — Luna Park is a definite highlight. It’s an amusement park featuring the second oldest roller coaster in the world, The Scenic Railway, which still has an operator on board who manually applies the brakes.
Our tip: Treat yourself to a slice of cake or a burger at the St. Kilda Pier Kiosk. From this small restaurant right in the middle of the pier, you get a fantastic view of the city skyline.
How to get to St. Kilda: From the city center, take trams 16 or 96 to St. Kilda Pier, or catch the Sandringham Line train to Balaclava station. It’s about a fifteen-minute walk from the pier, but the stroll through this alternative neighborhood is great.
Brighton
What you need to know: Brighton Beach with its colorful bathing boxes is one of those places that Instagram has made truly famous. The bright, century-old changing huts lined up along the beach seem to exist purely to be photographed.
Is it worth it? Sort of. The beach houses are definitely charming — but whether you need to make the whole trip just for a photo is another question. Also keep in mind that busloads of tourists sometimes arrive at once.
How to get to Brighton Beach: The ride on the Sandringham Line from Federation Square to Middle Brighton station takes about 20 minutes. For the train — as with all other public transportation in Melbourne — you’ll need a myki Card. We’ll tell you all about it at the very end.
Day Trips and Activities in Melbourne
Melbourne is a great base for day trips and activities in the surrounding area. Here are our three best tips.
Great Ocean Road
What you need to know: The Great Ocean Road is a scenic coastal drive that begins about 100 kilometers west of Melbourne. Here you’ll find rugged clifftops, the famous 12 Apostles (pictured), and koalas. If you’re only in Melbourne for a short time, book a guided day tour along the Great Ocean Road; otherwise, renting a car gives you much more freedom.
Is it worth it? Absolutely. The views are breathtakingly beautiful and the whole road trip is a real highlight. Just keep in mind that with guided day tours, you’ll spend a good chunk of time on the bus.
Great Ocean Road Day Tour from Melbourne
Read all our tips on the Great Ocean Road:
Phillip Island
What you need to know: Phillip Island is a small island south of Melbourne with a truly special draw — it’s home to huge numbers of little penguins! You can also spot koalas and enjoy beautiful landscapes and views.
Is it worth it? Oh yes. The adorable animals alone make the trip worthwhile. On top of that, the island is a wonderful escape from the big city.
Our tip: If you have more time, you can also spend the night on Phillip Island. Our hotel recommendation is the Hilltop Apartments.
Day Tour to Phillip Island from Melbourne
Australian Open
What you need to know: The Australian Open is one of four Grand Slam tournaments and takes place in Melbourne during the last two weeks of January. You can purchase a so-called Ground Pass for each day. With a Ground Pass you have access to all courts except the two main arenas, Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena.
Is it worth it? Yes! If you happen to be in Melbourne at that time, definitely catch a match. The Ground Pass is especially worthwhile during the first week of the tournament — there are many matches each day in the first three rounds, and plenty of well-known players also compete on the smaller courts.
Our tip: There’s also a whole lot going on around the tournament in Melbourne — including a live stage where quite well-known bands perform.
Practical Tips for Sightseeing in Melbourne
Before you start planning your city trip to Melbourne, here are a few general tips for you.
#1 Getting Around in Melbourne
First, let’s explain how to get from A to B in Melbourne.
Free Tram Zone in Melbourne
First, the good news: trams in Melbourne’s city center are free. At each stop, there’s always a sign telling you whether you’re within the Free Tram Zone or outside of it.
Tram line 35, also known as the City Circle Tram, loops around the entire city center and is completely free. All other streetcars within the loop are free as well. Be sure to also check out the Free Tram Zone Map.
The myki Card
For all tram rides outside the free tram zone, as well as buses and trains, you’ll need a myki Card. You can buy one for 6 AUD (about 4 euros) at the machines at the stations.
After that, you’ll need to load money onto it right away. You have the choice between myki Money and myki Pass.
If you’re only in Melbourne for a few days, go with myki Money. This means you load a set amount of money onto your card in advance, which is then deducted as you ride.
A single journey in Zone 1+2 costs 5.70 AUD and is valid for two hours. Simply tap your myki Card against the reader when you board and the correct amount will be deducted.
Note: On buses and trains, you also need to tap your card when you exit. On trams, you don’t.
If you ride more than once in a day, you’ll be charged the daily cap (11.40 AUD).
#2 Where to Stay in Melbourne
For your first visit to Melbourne in particular, look for accommodation in a central location — ideally in the CBD. Otherwise, you’ll waste a lot of time commuting. You’ll also find some affordable hotels right in the city center.
Also read our hotel tips for Melbourne
#3 The Weather in Melbourne
Melbourne’s weather is famous for its wild swings. It’s entirely possible for it to be 40 degrees at noon and then drop below 20 degrees by the afternoon.
There’s a reason people say you can experience all four seasons in Melbourne in a single day.
In general, though, the fluctuations aren’t quite so extreme and weather forecasts are relatively reliable. So check every morning whether it’s worth packing a layer or an umbrella — even if the sun is shining brilliantly outside.
