Melbourne Sightseeing

Melbourne has enough top attractions to rival any of Australia’s other major cities, but what it truly excels is in its diverse multicultural feel. With plenty of old world architecture providing a pleasant backdrop to its myriad neighbourhoods, much of Melbourne’s appeal can be experienced by simply wandering around the city and enjoying the ambiance. Star attractions like the zoo, Royal Botanical Gardens, and Federation square are all must-sees, but be sure to blend a visit to these with some casual lingering around the city’s trendy neighbourhoods.

Crown Entertainment Complex
To see how Melbourne entertains itself, visit this extreme version of self-indulgence along the banks of the Yarra River. The main complex has four levels housing dozens of restaurants, bars, and high-end fashion shops. Then there’s the cinema complex with its 24 screens, and of course, the Casino. The Casino is Victoria’s biggest attraction, full of gambling halls, nightclubs and cabaret shows that would make Las Vegas envious. An onsite five-star hotel means you don’t even have to leave this mini-city located in Southbank. Phone: +61 3 9292 8888.

Federation Square
The cultural hub of Melbourne is this massive plaza near the Yarra River. Its quirky architecture and abstractly geometric pavements will certainly catch your attention, but inside the striking buildings that line the square are some of the city’s best cultural institutions. The National Gallery’s two museums are here, as well as the ACMI cinematic centre, an atrium and amphitheatre. Plenty of coffee shops and outdoor cafés are also on hand, giving visitors plenty of incentive to linger. The square is located on Flinders street and stretches to the Yarra River.

National Gallery of Victoria
This recently opened art venue is a masterpiece of architecture in its own right. However, the artwork contained inside is even more impressive. The NGV, as it’s known for short, is Australia’s main repository of international art. Its stunning collection includes gems from Monet, El Greco, Magritte, and dozens of other masters. Perusing the art amid this wonderful environment is a pleasure. The gallery is located on St Kilda road. Phone: +61 3 8620 2222.

Queen Victoria Market
Hundreds of indoor and outdoor stalls make up this Melbourne landmark which covers several blocks near the waterfront. This place is so huge you may get lost once or twice, but that’s half the fun. Many stalls sell little more than junk, but there are plenty of treasures hidden away if you spend the time to slowly explore all the nooks and crannies. Besides crafts, antiques and other durables, there is some incredible food to be had in the eatery section. The market is located on Elizabeth street.

Royal Botanical Gardens
Located in South Yarra and considered among the planet’s finest gardens, these impressive grounds cover 86 acres right in the heart of Melbourne. First established in 1846, the gardens are home to more than 51,000 plants and trees from 12,000 different species, many of which are rare or endangered. Among the highlights are the 120-year-old English elm trees in Tennyson Lawn, a rainforest section and fern gully. This huge park has become the home of countless birds and creatures, adding to the natural splendor of the place. Phone: +61 3 9252 2300.

The Arts Centre
Melbourne’s premier cultural arts centre is this complex based around the iconic Theatres Building with its Eiffel Tower-like spire crowning the top. This is the home of the State Theatre, Performing Arts Museum and the George Adams Gallery, as well as numerous smaller theatre and gallery spaces. Hamer Hall is also onsite, where the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra weaves its magic. Visitors are welcome to wander this impressive complex and linger on the sloping grassy lawns where free concerts are often scheduled during the summer. The centre is located on St Kilda road. Phone: +61 3 9281 8000.

Cruise the Great Ocean Road, one of the planet’s most scenic drives. If you can rent a car, don’t miss the chance to drive this stunning road which runs from Melbourne through some of Victoria’s most beautiful natural and cultural attractions. Dramatic seascapes, rainforests, limestone cliffs and historic villages appear at every turn. You can cover a section of it as a daytrip or spend a few days and drive the whole loop.

Experience the natural side of Melbourne in Grampians National Park, a haven for wildlife in Victoria. The closest national park to Melbourne is this beautifully diverse area which offers plenty of things for visitors to see and do. The mountains and valleys of the Grampians are home to an abundance of wildlife such as kangaroos, wallabies and koalas, as well as one-third of all known plant species in Victoria. Well-preserved Aboriginal rock art sites add a cultural element to the park which reaches its colourful peak during the October wildflower season.

Retrace the steps of Victoria’s Gold Rush pioneers at the historic town of Ballarat. This quaint little town just a short drive from Melbourne is the gateway to the Victorian Goldfields, and makes an excellent daytrip from the city. Botanical gardens and a lovely little lake lie at the heart of this historic town which is dripping in gold rush-era ambiance. A self-guided heritage walk will relate the important sites on Ballarat’s streets, or try the two-mile Eureka Trail leading to other historic landmarks.

See Melbourne from the watery perspective of a boat cruise along the Yarra River. This wide muddy river is a major feature of Melbourne, and the best way to experience it is to take a boat ride from Princes Walk. The views from the river offer a unique look at this lovely city, but if you don’t care for boats there are a number of excellent walking paths along its banks.

Soak in the panorama from the top of Eureka Tower, the tallest structure in Melbourne. On the 88th floor of this imposing residential building is the Skydeck, where the public can enjoy 360 degree views over Melbourne. If you need a little more excitement, test your courage in The Edge, a glass cube that moves 10 feet out from the side of the building. The glass is frosted when you enter the cube, but as it moves out into freefall space the glass clears to the sounds of shattering glass leaving passengers with the sensation of hanging suspended over the city.

Try and scare yourself with a ghost tale at Old Melbourne Gaol. The city’s colonial prison once held some nasty characters, such as the infamous Ned Kelly. Exactly 135 men and women were hung at this gaol. Four nights a week hangman Michael Gately retells the eerie stories that happened in this prison by candlelight. With the creepy ambiance of the stone gaol and the well-versed tones of the hangman, you may find yourself more scared than you think.

Watch a parade of penguins strut their stuff on Phillip Island. One of the most popular wildlife excursions to do from Melbourne is to take a boat ride to Phillip Island. Every evening at sundown the island’s population of penguins makes a fascinating walk en masse back to their nests as tourists look on. You won’t get an intimate experience with the penguins during the ‘penguin parade’, but if you’ve never seen them in the wild this is a good opportunity.