Top 10 Things To Do in Melbourne

Things To Do in Melbourne

With Melbourne's combination of world-class dining, art galleries, homegrown fashion, and a packed sports calendar, it's no surprise Victoria's capital is regarded as one of the world’s most livable cities. Follow this guide to discover its hidden charms both ancient and modern.

Source — Australia.com

1. Drink the world’s best coffee

Melbourne beat out many of the world’s most renowned coffee cities, such as Rome and Vienna, for the title; you’ll certainly know why once you see how committed Melbourne baristas are to their craft.

It’s actually hard to find a bad cup of coffee in Melbourne: the city touts itself as a world leader in coffee and café culture, and the inhabitants are proud to be coffee snobs! Cafes in London even advertise that they have Melbourne baristas, as Australian and New Zealander baristas essentially brought high-quality coffee to the city.

Melbourne even plays host to a coffee expo, and the 2014 world barista champion Pete Licata (from the USA) has described the coffee culture in Melbourne as “incredible”. If you’re a coffee-lover, you’ve come to the right place!

You’ll find great coffee just wandering through the laneways of the city, and there are actually tailored tours available to coffee aficionados: check out Hidden Secret Tours of Melbourne Coffee Tours for details.

According to Yelp, the best cup of coffee in Melbourne can be found at Patricia on Little Bourke Street: it’s a tiny hole-in-the-wall place with no seating and a line-up to get in, but likely the best coffee you will ever taste! The staff is also friendly, and the place deserves the hype.

Source — Thecrazytourist.com

2. Melbourne Zoo

Established in 1862, this compact zoo is the oldest in Australia and the third oldest in the world. It remains one of the city’s most popular attractions and continues to innovate, becoming the world's first carbon-neutral zoo. Set in prettily landscaped gardens, the enclosures aim to simulate the animals’ natural habitats and give them the option to hide if they want to (the gorillas and tigers are particularly good at playing hard to get).

There’s a large collection of native animals in natural bush settings, a platypus aquarium, fur seals, plenty of reptiles and an entire faux–Southeast Asian jungle village built around the elephant enclosures. In some cases walkways pass through the enclosures: you can stroll through some of the aviaries and enter a tropical hothouse filled with colourful butterflies. See if you can pass through Lemur Island without an internal soundtrack of 'I like to move it, move it' turning over in your mind.

Running from late January to early March, the yearly Zoo Twilightsfeature performances by big names and indie talent. Past years included The Presets, Hanson and Rufus Wainwright. From September to May Roar ‘n’ Snore (adult/child from $205/150) allows you to camp at the zoo and join the keepers on their morning feeding rounds.

Source — Lonelyplanet.com

3. Mount Dandenong

The village of Mount Dandenong is a popular destination for day-trippers, offering a cosy café culture, specialty shops, and beautiful accommodation.

Stop by SkyHigh Mount Dandenong to admire the panoramic views over the Dandenong Ranges and greater Melbourne to the Bays. As well as extensive English gardens, mystery fun in the maze and the sculpted Australiana tree, there are public barbeque facilities and a stylish bistro.

The mystical William Ricketts Sanctuary at Mount Dandenong was designed by a talented Australian potter and sculptor of the same name who carved 92 ceramic sculptures of people and animals depicting the Aboriginal Dreamtime. William Ricketts lived and worked at Mount Dandenong from 1934 until his death in 1993, spending more than 50 years creating the sanctuary for spiritual renewal and quiet reflection.

To enjoy one of the region's top picnic spots or viewpoints why not visit The Deli Platter and handpick your own picnic hamper.

Perfect for that weekend escape, why not stay in Mt Dandenong and enjoy all that it has to offer.  Visit our Dandenong Ranges Accommodation page to find accommodation that suits your needs.

Source — Visitdandenongranges.com.au

4. Yarra River

Yarra River is now the undisputed social heart of marvellous Melbourne.

A Melbourne icon, the river is the focus for numerous spectacular events including the famous Moomba festival, rowing regattas, the Melbourne Festival, and Dragon Boat Festivals.

The Yarra River offers a multitude of picturesque settings. The banks of the river have a number of barbecue and picnic facilities, fishing platforms and jettys. In addition, there are trails and paths which cater to cyclists, walkers, and joggers.

Before you go 

Conditions can change in parks for many reasons. For the latest information on changes to local conditions, please visit the relevant park page on the Parks Victoria website.

Be bushfire ready in the great outdoors. Refer to the Bushfire Safety section on the Parks Victoria website for tips on how to stay safe.

Source — Visitmelbourne.com

5. Sydney-Melbourne Coastal Drive

The magnificent stretch of coastline between Sydney and Melbourne is one of Australia’s most dramatic and naturally beautiful self-drive experiences. Along its length, the great waters of the Pacific Ocean, the Tasman Sea, and the Bass Strait have carved out dramatic headlands and created beautiful coves and beaches.

The ancient ranges that follow it inland are covered in vast expanses of national parks and forests protecting pristine lakes and rivers. Nestled amongst these natural wonders are dozens of quaint fishing villages, tiny colonial hamlets and thriving rural towns built by the country’s most adventurous settlers. Gippsland Lakes

The coast provides you with the whole range of sensory experiences. You can surf the big Tasman swells, dive the many wrecks, do some blue water sailing, go whale spotting or share the beach with seals, dolphins and sea birds. Or take time out to enjoy the delights of its famous seafood.

As you move along it, the landscape constantly changes its character and moods – from the placid blues and pastoral greens of the NSW coast, to the brilliant white sands of Jervis Bay, the massive, unspoiled wilderness of the Croajingolong National Park and the awesome breadth of Ninety Mile Beach and the Gippsland Lakes, Australia’s largest inland waterway.

The journey climaxes at Wilsons Promontory, the southernmost point of mainland Australia, where you can explore small, hidden bays, see wildlife in its natural habitat, and visit the historic lighthouse. Then you gently wind your way to Melbourne via Phillip Island where you can see the famously cute little penguins parading along the beach. On the Mornington Peninsula, indulge yourself in a luxurious country retreat, enjoy innovative regional cuisine and superb local wines and visit grand gardens.

Source — Visitphillipisland.com

6. Eureka Skydeck

As with many other towers located in cities throughout the world, Melbourne's Eureka Skydeck 88 is a great starting point for a first-time visit by anyone to Melbourne that offers a quick way to get an idea of your bearings while taking in amazing views of the city and its surrounds from the vantage point of the 88th floor of Eureka Tower.

As the highest viewing platform in the entire southern hemisphere, the distance viewable from the top of the tower encompasses not only a 360-degree panorama of Melbourne and its landmarks such as the MCG but also the picturesque ranges of the Dandenong Ranges that stretch out in the distance. Eureka Skydeck 88 is a great starting point for a first-time visit by anyone to Melbourne that offers a quick way to get an idea of your bearings.

Obviously when attending a viewing facility such as this the degree of impressiveness the on display is almost entirely dependent on the weather, so attempting to plan the trip up the tower in accordance with weather reports is generally a good idea as a rainy or highly overcast days can greatly restrict the distance of visibility.

Many who visit the tower often recommend attending in time to see the transition from sunset to nightfall, as the effect that the lighting has on the scenery of both the sky, the city and the mountains makes for a combination that is not to be missed. While the admission price may seem fairly expensive, there are no other options that provide comparably stunning views to what Eureka Skydeck has to offer visitors.

Source — Experienceoz.com.au

7. Federation Square

When Federation Square opened in 2002 to commemorate 100 years of federation, it divided Melburnians. There were those who loved it and those who hated it.

Either way, it has become an integral part of the city and a great place for tourists to start their sightseeing. Located opposite Flinders Street Station, a major public transport hub, the building's ultra-modern design of open and closed spaces contrasts with the surrounding Victorian architecture.

With more than 2,000 events annually, you can always find entertainment in the central outdoor performance space and intimate indoor venues. Federation Square also houses the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, dedicated to Australian art, and the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI). More commonly called "Fed Square," it is also one of the largest free Wi-Fi sites in Australia.

Source — Planetware.com

8. Brighton Beach

Brighton is one of Melbourne's most exclusive suburbs, located south of the city between Elwood and Hampton and fronting Port Phillip with its stretches of beautiful sandy beaches.

Brighton is well serviced with a diverse selection of separate shopping precincts. The major centre of Brighton is situated along Church Street and offers supermarkets, a cinema at the Dendy Plaza Shopping Centre and a selection of high-end fashion and beauty establishments. Bay Street in North Brighton is a historic shopping strip where cafes and restaurants blend in with fashion and gift shops.

Near the Gardenvale station is Martin Street where there's a mix of gourmet food outlets and contemporary retailers. And finally, the coastal thoroughfare of The Esplanade is dotted with a selection of hotels and a small commercial hub opposite the Middle Brighton Baths.

With almost 6 kilometres of coastline within Brighton's suburban boundary, there is a diverse range of attractions and activities for all. A pedestrian and bicycle path runs along much of the foreshore, lined with palm trees, gardens, and open lawns. The Middle Brighton Pier leads to a large marina facility and adjacent to that are the Middle Brighton Baths. These historic sea baths have been enjoyed by visitors since 1881 and the complex includes a cafe, restaurant, gymnasium and function facilities. Designated areas of Brighton's beaches are used by windsurfers and water skiers.

The most famous spot on Brighton's coastline is Dendy Street Beach. The colourful bathing boxes which line this stretch of coast are a well-known Melbourne icon and reflect a bygone era where swimmers and visitors to the beach had private changing and storage facilities. Good views of the bathing boxes and Melbourne's skyline can be enjoyed from the gardens at Green Point.

Visitors can appreciate Brighton's beautiful gardens and historic architecture at a number of locations in the suburb. The Brighton Town Hall Precinct, on Carpenter Street, includes the impressive facade of the town hall building, surrounding lawns, and rose garden.

The local council offices, a library, and theatre are located on the site. The Billilla Historic Homestead in Halifax Street features beautiful gardens which are open to the public. Kamesburgh is a grand Italianate mansion on North Road, set within formal English gardens and water features. 

Elsternwick Park, which borders the neighbouring suburb of Elwood, consists of a series of lakes surrounded by gardens, playgrounds, and sporting ovals.

Source — Travelvictoria.com.au

9. Steavenson Falls

While in the Yarra Valley, take a trip along the Black Spur and explore the charming snow gum woodlands and the dense rainforest in the Yarra Valley. Also, plan a tour to Steavenson Falls and check out one of the highest waterfalls in Australia which has a drop of 84 metres.

Located on the Steavenson River in the Yarra Valley, Stevenson Falls is located just 4 kilometres south-east of Marysville. If travelling from Marysville, take Falls Rd for 3kms and turn off at the carpark.

This breathtaking nature spot has many surprises for visitors. Explore the wide-area which boasts pathways, camping grounds, and walking trails. Escape into the lush setting and view a diverse variety of native foliage or relax at a picnic setting near the falls.

There are walking tracks located around the falls, the easiest taking you to the base of the falls where there is a viewing platform. The 700-metre gravelled path and falls are floodlit between dusk and midnight and the return trip will only take between 15-30 minutes.

Source — Yarravalleypoint.com.au

10. Lake Mountain

Experience the beauty and wonder of the alpine landscape at  Lake Mountain. Only 120kms, which is less than 2 hours, out of Melbourne. It provides sensational views, extremely popular cross-country skiing, and tobogganing during the winter months and fabulous adventure activities and mountain biking during the warmer months. It is the most popular ski resort in Australia, in visitor numbers, due to its proximity to the city of Melbourne. These are mainly from casual visitors. Being Melbourne’s closest and most affordable alpine resort it is ideal for families and first-timers to the snow.

Don't go looking for the lake though, there is no lake at Lake Mountain! The area was named after George Lake, who was the Surveyor-General of the area including the mountain. The Public Works Department initiated the development of the Lake Mountain area in the early 1920s with the construction of a road towards Lake Mountain from Cumberland Road. Construction crews consisted of unemployed relief labour

If you're into cycling then look towards Lake Mountain. It is a popular destination for road cyclists due to the challenging climb up to the resort. Lake Mountain can be climbed from two sides: from Warburton, a grueling 40 kilometres climb up the Reefton Spur, or the more popular route from Marysville. The climb from Marysville is 21.3 kilometres long. It's a steep climb but incredibly satisfying when you get to the summit and take in the valley vistas.

Perfect for that weekend escape, why not stay in Lake Mountain and enjoy all that it has to offer.  Visit our Yarra Valley Accommodation page to find accommodation that suits your needs.

On occasions, due to heavy snowfall, it is necessary to carry and fit snow chains to two-wheel drive vehicles. Check out the daily snow report before you leave in the morning for chain requirements for two-wheel drive vehicles. Chain days are called in the morning around 6am on the day, as snow conditions can be unpredictable days in advance.

Source — Visityarravalley.com.au