Melbourne

Add These 10 Activities to Your Melbourne Itinerary

Other than roaming the Victoria Market and admiring the National Gallery, there’s a myriad of activities worth adding to your Melbourne bucket list.

The vibrant city of Melbourne is known to be filled with plenty of charming parks, cultural events, delightful cafés, and busy streets. And as a traveler, you know how challenging it is to create an itinerary when you have a seemingly endless list of options to choose from.

So, take note of the top 10 things to do in Melbourne while you’re there.

1. Climb the Eureka Skydeck

_{Ytimg.com. (2023). Available at: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/2ngUlh5Ihjw/maxresdefault.jpg}

Get on the fastest elevator ride of the Southern Hemisphere and reach the dizzying heights of the 935-feet high Eureka Skydeck. It’s the best place to get a spectacular 360-degree view of Melbourne.

The observation deck will reward you with some of the finest views of Albert Park Lake, the Dandenong Ranges, and Port Phillip Bay. Take a short break there to plan the rest of your trip, try to find your hotel from up high, or get a snack from the on-site kiosk.

For those feeling adventurous, step on The Edge – a glass cube that suspends you 900+ feet above Melbourne from the 88^th floor of the tower.

2. Visit the Dandenong Ranges National Park

_{Visitvictoria.com. (2023). Available at: https://www.visitvictoria.com/-/media/images/yarra-valley-and-dandenong-ranges/things-to-do/nature-and-wildlife/parks-and-gardens/national-rhododendron-gardens-couples_yvdr_r_supplied-yrt_1150x863.jpg?ts=20150828370228}

Looking for fun family things to do in Melbourne?

Get going to this stunning rainforest getaway that’s just at the city’s doorstep. Steep volcanic hills and the world’s tallest flowering tree are just a short train ride away.

The Dandenong Ranges National Park is a great place to get to know the Aboriginal cultural landscape. Don’t be dissuaded by any rain – the Olinda and Sherbrooke Falls are most scenic after a decent rainfall.

The park also features a famous 1,000 step bushwalk, an adventurous steep trail for runners and everyone who’s up for a scenic rainforest walk.

3. Explore the Iconic Degraves Street

_{Facebook.com. (2020). Available at: https://web.facebook.com/blueherringfun/photos/a.497737733570114/3321819467828579/?type=3&theater}

You wouldn’t be doing justice to your Melbourne visit without strolling down the bustling Degraves street. In fact, some will go so far as to call it the center of Australia’s café world.

All coffee lovers will have to get in there and check it out for themselves. One thing’s for sure – everywhere you turn, you’ll be enticed by the freshly ground coffee aroma.

So, take your family for a casual afternoon snack and drink in the many cafés giving off Paris or Rome vibes. This short and narrow laneway is a thoroughfare for the restless shoppers heading from Flinders St. to Flinders Lane.

4. Watch the Sunrise While on a Hot Air Balloon

_{Visitvictoria.com. (2023). Available at: https://www.visitvictoria.com/-/media/atdw/melbourne/things-to-do/tours/ba633eb52aafe4a70c81ae12a6d1a199_1600x1200.jpeg?ts=20180710050238}

Are you up for a surreal early morning experience? Then taking a hot air balloon ride at sunrise may just be what you need.

You can choose between several destinations, though the two most popular ones are over the city itself and the magical Yarra Valley.

Check out Global Ballooning Australia for any of the rides and prepare to set aside at least four hours for the whole experience. Most of the rides will have you flying around for one hour, while the rest of the time goes on transport, preparations, and packing up.

5. Attend an Opera at the State Theatre

_{Twimg.com. (2023). Available at: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FBEwKSOVQAImIvf?format=jpg&name=4096×4096}

If you see a poster about a grand opera in town, know that a majestic event is on its way. With a stage that’s equivalent to eight suburban houses, exquisite costumes, and an elaborate set design, even those not keen on opera will have a great time.

And as you wait for the show to commence, you can try your hand at counting the tiny brass cups on the ceiling. Rumor has it that there are 75,000 in all – good luck verifying that fact.

6. Visit the Royal Botanic Garden

_{Galaxy.tf. (2023). Available at: https://image-tc.galaxy.tf/wijpeg-3xpat2nchybnz4pmunyat3uaq/royal-botanic-gardens.jpg}

Visit the city’s botanical research center and enjoy a dose of tranquility in the heart of Melbourne. If you’re looking for fun family things to do in Melbourne, you and the little ones can enjoy numerous educational resources on-site.

With an area of over 38 hectares and more than 8,500 species of plants from around the globe, visitors can lay eyes on the world’s fauna from as far away as California and Southern China under one open roof.

7. Ride the City Circle Tram

_{Wp.com. (2023). Available at: https://i0.wp.com/wellingtonworldtravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/FullSizeRender-2.jpg?fit=1280%2C703&ssl=1}

There’s no better way to see Melbourne’s major attractions than going on a ride in the City Circle Tram.

Get aboard the iconic W-class heritage tram and follow the audio commentary of city landmarks as you pass them. These include the Docklands, Melbourne Aquarium, Parliament House, State Library, Melbourne Museum, Princess Theatre, and more.

The good news is that the tram operates every 20 minutes and the ride is completely free!

8. Tackle the Cold in Australia’s First Ice Cave

_{Visitvictoria.com. (2023). Available at: https://www.visitvictoria.com/-/media/atdw/melbourne/things-to-do/tours/56e087fcd13c03544d71d8c6ebd7b34c_1600x1200.jpeg?ts=20210610340507}

If you’re looking for invigorating things to do in Melbourne, consider visiting the Mornington Peninsula Hot Springs. The city’s adored wellness center has recently expanded to include a first-of-its-kind ice cave. That means visitors can now experience hot and cold therapy with numerous benefits to the body.

It gets more enjoyable than simply getting into the bath, though.

A 45-minute workshop takes you between the hot sauna and the ice cave. After the ice-cold bath, you may also catch an entertaining performance or attend a yoga or wellbeing class.

9. Get Lost in Fitzroy Gardens

_{Treasuryoncollins.com.au. (2023). Available at: https://treasuryoncollins.com.au/toc/wp-content/uploads/fitzroy-gardens-1000×480.jpg}

Escape the city’s busy streets and reward yourself with a relaxing walk through this immense inner-city garden. Take in the beautiful sights and take a photo or two of Captain Cook’s family home or a model of Tudor Village. Get a glimpse of the surprisingly charming fountains and memorials.

Don’t leave the gardens without stopping by the Spanish-style Conservatory. It’s where you can admire the five floral displays of hydrangeas, begonias, cyclamens, and other plants all year round.

10. Drive Down the Great Ocean Road

_{Luxuryescapes.com. (2023). Available at: https://images.luxuryescapes.com/q_auto:eco/4tgm4tf01jrpzt4aq86}

After a hot day in the city, why not take a scenic road and reconnect with the ocean? The Great Ocean Road snakes along the Victorian coast from Torquay and up to Warrnambool.

Enjoy the beautiful sights by car, on foot, or on bike. The four-hour drive down the road is certain to entice you to make stops such that what seems like a short morning drive can end up taking a whole day (or two).

Explore Melbourne to the Fullest

Many regard the city of Melbourne as Australia’s epicenter of entertainment, sports, and arts. Whether you’re an avid coffee drinker or a foodie, you won’t be disappointed by the gastronomy scene, either.

There’s never a dull moment in Melbourne, no matter the visitor’s age or points of interest.

Up Next

Have an Unforgettable Osaka Vacation with These 10 Activities

Don't Miss

10 Things You Must Do Before Your Leave Santa Barbara

Arts & Culture

What to Do When on a Day Trip to Melbourne

Is your time in Melbourne short? Here’s how you can make the most of it.

It’s much easier to plan a full vacation in Melbourne than decide what to see and do there in a single day. The sprawling city simply has too many attractions and activities, making it hard to choose just a few.

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a blast of a day in Melbourne. Take a look at our list of things to do when on a day trip to Melbourne and discover some great ideas.

1. Go on a Ride with the City Circle Tram

_{Domain.com.au. (2023). Available at: https://static.domain.com.au/domainblog/uploads/2018/07/20171414/CityCircleTramweb.jpg}

The City Circle Tram system in Melbourne is a free and great way to see the city. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or revisiting, the ride’s always a wonderful experience. It’s also convenient, as the City Circle Tram covers the most important points in the city center.

You can find a comprehensive timetable online to help you organize your trip around the city. The tram has stops that are a bit over 10 minutes away from each other. It stops at Waterfront, Central Pier, Docklands Par, and Flinders Street in Dockland. It also passes the Melbourne Aquarium, goes through Flinders Street, as well as other locations in Melbourne City.

The City Circle Tram route is a good start for a well-organized tour around the city. It’s our recommendation that you get on the ride first before you do anything else.

2. View the City from the Eureka Skydeck

_{Melbourneskydeck.com.au. (2023). Available at: https://www.melbourneskydeck.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Melbourne_Skeydeck_211206_IMG-3_1920x1080.jpg}

The Eureka Tower is the highest building in Melbourne. You can find it in Southbank, right across the Yarra River. While it might not seem like a pivotal experience, the view is impressive and memorable.

The Eureka Skydeck offers a full view of the cityscape and beyond. Here you can take some amazing photos and even use the viewpoint for easier orientation. There’s a cafe up there as well, so you can sit down for a refreshment high above the Melbourne rooftops.

3. Don’t Forget the Coffee

_{Squarespace-cdn.com. (2023). Available at: https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afde77336099b637495f538/1581552791424-R2N9ZZBQ9ZPGFVAG9IH2/megaphone-04915.jpg?format=2500w}

Melbourne is big on coffee. With respect to the city’s size, it’s the coffee capital of the world. Rather than dropping by coffee shops and getting it to go, the common option for coffee drinkers in Melbourne is the cafes.

You can discover plenty of charming cafes where you can take a break from the fast pace of the city. We’d recommend finding a place near one of the parks, or ideally on the river banks. It’s a welcome pause and the right soul food for a one-day visit.

4. Explore Flinders Street and Station

_{Squarespace-cdn.com. (2016). Available at: https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5cb6cf74c2ff61533cf1e96e/1590634871400-217OKS7KMDO4VYL0ZBDB/133656-56.jpg?format=1000w}

Flinders Street Station is one of Melbourne’s milestones. After all, the fascinating building is over a century old. As a starting point for further exploration, it’s perfect. You’ll recognize its dome, clocks, and overall style long before you approach it. However, don’t forget to check out the interior – it’s as gorgeous as the outside of the building.

Flinders Street is an essential strip. From it, you can get too many of the city’s attractions once you’re done with the shops and other tour offers found on Flinders. Following the street, you’ll get to St Paul’s Cathedral or the iconic Federation Square.

5. Catch as Much Art as Possible at the National Gallery of Victoria

_{Dezeen.com. (2023). Available at: https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2022/03/angelo-candalepas-and-associates-national-gallery-of-victoria-contemporary-architecture_dezeen_2364_col_2.jpg}

Unless it’s the sole reason you’re visiting, there’s no chance you’ll get to see the entirety of the art in the National Gallery. However, it would be a shame to skip the gallery, especially since the entry is free. With over 70,000 works of art, the National Gallery of Victoria is reason enough for multiple revisits to Melbourne.

If your schedule allows for an hour or two at the gallery, you might get a chance to see some of the most important artworks. There are Rembrandts, Picassos, Monets, and those by other important artists in there.

6. Feel the Atmosphere at the Sport Centers

_{Localguidesconnect.com. (2023). Available at: https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/image/serverpage/image-id/1169488i879C8DA60A8DDA5E/image-size/large?v=v2&px=999}

If you’re a sports fan, there are some vital points you can visit in Melbourne.

For tennis enthusiasts, the Rod Laver Arena is a must-see. It’s the main site of the Australian Open, one of four Grand Slam tennis tournaments in the world. Seeing the complex live is an experience both casual and hardcore tennis fans will treasure.

The gigantic Melbourne Cricket Ground is another sports attraction worth visiting. This is the most iconic sporting center in Australia. So the Melbourne Cricket Ground is a milestone you shouldn’t miss.

7. Gaze at the Architectural Wonder of St Paul’s Cathedral

_{Vic.gov.au. (2023). Available at: https://whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au/things-to-do/st-pauls-cathedral}

The Gothic style of the cathedral makes it one of the most fascinating buildings in Melbourne. The cathedral is a rare sight in the urban city environment, especially for its pointy towers that are at once impressive and recognizable on the cityscape.

Inside, plenty of light from the stained glass windows shines on the expansive space among the arches. The stonework and the choice of color will leave a lasting impression on anyone. The St Paul’s Cathedral is expertly, artfully built, and the atmosphere inside is serene and relaxing.

8. Grab a Lunch in a Unique Melbourne Restaurant

_{Theculturetrip.com. (2023). Available at: https://img.theculturetrip.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/campari2016-02-18-campari-house_venue_hr-9222.jpg}

Restaurants in Melbourne offer a great range of international and local cuisines. Whether you’re up for Australian, Mediterranean, or Asian cuisine, there’s a restaurant specialized in it. After all, the numerous immigration waves made Melbourne a melting pot of various cultural influences.

There are fine dining venues in the city, but for a one-day visit, you might want to go for some of the more casual options. In fact, many of Melbourne’s cafes have surprisingly impressive food menus. But for a really magical experience, grab a bite to eat on the Yarra River waterfront.

A Single Day Trip Won’t Be Enough

Melbourne simply has too much to offer for you to see and experience the city in a short time. When you start discovering the wonders of the city, you’ll undoubtedly want to return.

A day trip to Melbourne can be a great escape even if on a business visit. However, it would be a mistake not to revisit the impressive city. Every time you return to Melbourne, it will have even more to offer.