Top 7 Things To Do in Melbourne

Have you ever visited Melbourne? If not, then this is the time to pack your bags and go on a vacation to Melbourne. You should take a tour of this place at least once in your life. Melbourne is a beautiful place in Australia and also the capital of the Australian state. We will provide you with some of the finest places to visit where you can have a lot of adventures and historical and sports activities. This city has a place suitable to the interest of every person.

You can visit these places alone, or you can go with friends and family, making this trip a family vacation. There are a lot of fun activities to do and a bunch of places to visit that attract tourists from all over the world, and the number of tourists is rising every year. This blog will list down some of the best things to do and the most famous places to visit in Melbourne.

1. Explore the Melbourne Zoo

The first thing that comes to our list of top things to do in Melbourne is visiting the Melbourne Zoo. It is located in The Royal Park in Parkville and is approx 4 km (2.49 miles) long. Melbourne Zoo was established on October 6, 1862. This massive zoo has 3742 animals with 243 species from all around the world. The main activity of the zoo is to observe wild animals up close.

Tiger Experience: Have the experience of watching ferocious beast like tigers up close. These Sumatran Tigers are an endangered species, and the population of these tigers are decreasing rapidly. So the passionate zoo keepers are working hard to take care of them.

Giraffe Experience: There are two giraffes, Nakuru and Klintun in the zoo. Watching each of them can give you a unique experience. As the keepers give both of them free space to grow and to glow.

Seal Experience: Meeting the seals can be a fun experience as they are said to be very playful with humans. Your kids might become friends with the seals as these animals are considered to be quite friendly.

Reptiles Experience: Seeing the variety of reptiles is a great opportunity to learn about them. You can see snakes, lizards, and tortoises. The zoo is taking care of endangered species like the Grassland Earless Dragon and the Southern Corroboree Frog.

Macaw Experience: Macaw is a beautiful parrot species that comes in multiple colours. These birds are said to be intelligent and talented. You can see them performing their training exercises and health checkups. They can be pretty loud so make sure you come prepared.

This zoo has plenty of other animals like lions, wolves, crocodiles, hippopotamus, elephants, deer, and zebras. This will be an amazing place to visit with your family and your children, it will be a good experience for them to watch and learn about animals. Apart from the animals, This zoo also contains good cafes and restaurants to satisfy your hunger needs. You are allowed to bring your food into the zoo. But, it is strictly restricted to feeding food to the animals.

Name	Melbourne Zoo
Website	https://www.zoo.org.au/melbourne
Address	Elliott Ave, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia
Directions	https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZX28nb9M9sJmUwnb9
Distance From Melbourne CBD	4.3 km
Opening Hours	Open daily 9am to 5pm
Phone Number	+61 1300 966 784
Nearby Attractions	Melbourne Skydeck Carlton Gardens Melbourne Cricket Ground

Google Review – “We had a beautiful time in Melbourne zoo. They have a lot of different type animals and I was surprised how big is the zoo. The best thing of the zoo is that you can watch the animals really close. Definitely a good plan for a family or any person to visit :)” – Elena Aguiar Ramos

2. Visit Melbourne Museum

For all history lovers, there is a Museum in Melbourne City, located in the Carlton Gardens. This Museum was opened to the public in the year 2000 and was able to win the Best Tourist Attraction at the Australian Tourism Awards in 2011. This museum exhibits a variety of attractions such as:

Dinosaurs, animals, and ancient relics: Looking at the fossils of ancient animals and dinosaurs is an incredible way to learn about them, it is also beneficial for kids to gain knowledge and develop an interest in learning more about the primitive times.
A skeleton of a pygmy blue whale: A subspecies of blue whales, pygmy blue whales are smaller than the largest members of the main blue whale species, yet they are still significant. This massive creature’s length is about 19.2 m (63 ft) and weighs an average of 52.5 tons.
Dynamic Earth: An exhibition based on “Dynamic Earth” could cover topics like plate tectonics, seismic activity, volcanic eruptions, and further geological elements that mold the planet’s surface. It can utilize the use of multimedia presentations, interactive displays, and models to help visitors understand the dynamic forces at work on our planet.
Bugs Alive: Viewing the grace and beauty of living butterflies is made possible by the existence of a butterfly garden or wall. These displays frequently highlight the delicate relationship that exists between insects and blooming plants, highlighting the essential role of insects as pollinators.
Marine life: The museum’s goal of developing understanding and caring for the natural environment is reinforced by the marine life exhibits, which feature everything from vibrant coral reefs to fascinating deep-sea species. Numerous exhibits showcasing various marine creatures, environments, and their distinctive adaptations can be found.

Apart from the above-mentioned points, there are many other things to see in the museum. All this makes it the best place to visit if you love to see historical things and it provides a lot of knowledge to knowledge seekers. Going to this museum alone or taking your family or kids will be a great idea as it develops an interest in history and knowledge in kids to learn more and more about things.

Name	Melbourne Museum
Website	https://museumsvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum
Address	11 Nicholson St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia
Directions	https://maps.app.goo.gl/5LZA8U7cSHLJrws29
Distance From Melbourne CBD	2.2 km
Opening Hours	Open daily 9am to 5pm
Phone Number	+61 131102
Nearby Attractions	National Gallery of Victoria Melbourne Museum Shrine of Remembrance

Google Review – “This is a fantastic place for all ages. Fun, educational and interesting play area for children. Stunning and informative exhibits – I also really enjoyed the mini mega model museum ❣️ We will definitely go again!” – Heleen de Jager

3. Attend a Sporting Event in Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)

For all sports lovers, especially Cricket lovers, there is a gigantic stadium in Melbourne City, located in Yarra Park. It is considered the largest stadium in the Southern Hemisphere and the 11th largest stadium in the world. This stadium is known as the birthplace of Test cricket. Going to a stadium and watching and cheering for your team will surely be a memorable day in your and your family’s life.

Non-match day events: When there is no match day, this place becomes a meeting place for your business event. It can turn into a social celebration place on the terrace of the MCG. There are two terraces, The Robert Flower Terrace and the David Neitz Terrace are named after two players. They serve cocktail packages and dessert canapés
Avenue of Legends: This place is made to honour some of the legendary players. There are approximately 17 sporting statues around the MCG. You can find statues of Kevin Bartlett, Norm Smith, John Coleman, Shane Warne, Dick Reynolds, Bill Ponsford, Betty Cuthbert, Shirley Strickland, Keith Miller, Ron Barassi and many others. So make sure you check out this place.
Food and Refreshments: The food that is cooked in the MCG is none other than the famous chef ‘Guy Grossi’. The restaurant is called ‘Committee Room By Grossi’ and is open for lunch services from Tuesday to Friday. It has an exclusive menu that surely gives customers the experience to enjoy the delicious meal and the hospitality.
Bars and Cafes: The MCG has several bars and cafes for you to enjoy the drink and get a bite to eat. The Founders Bar, Barassi Cafe, Haydn Bunton Sports Bar, and the Paddock Cafe are some of the famous places to visit. All of them provide you with a mass variety of drinks and meals that you can enjoy.
MCG Shop: This shop provides you with the MCG merchandise. You can buy a jersey of your favourite team along with other things such as caps, shoes, jackets and many more. This place is perfect for shopping you can buy some gifts and souvenirs for yourself and your kids. So, don’t forget to check out this place when you visit the MCG.

The Cricket ground is popularly known as the “G” by the local fans because of its largest cricketing venue in terms of seating capacity of over 100,000. For all the people who love Cricket, the MCG is a must-visit place. It is highly visited by tourists from all over the world. This is surely a place to visit to have a splendid experience of watching a cricket match.

Name	Melbourne Cricket Ground
Website	https://www.mcg.org.au/
Address	Brunton Ave, Richmond VIC 3002, Australia
Directions	https://maps.app.goo.gl/a2fDrxJdWJBFDr7E7
Distance From Melbourne CBD	2.6 km
Opening Hours	Monday: 10 am–3 pm Tuesday: 10 am–3 pm Wednesday: 10 am–3 pm Thursday: 10 am–3 pm Friday: 10 am–3 pm Saturday: 10 am–3 pm Sunday: 10 am–3 pm
Phone Number	+61 3 9657 8888
Nearby Attractions	National Gallery of Victoria Melbourne Skydeck Queen Victoria Market

Google Review – “The MCG is the biggest and most spectacular sports precinct in Australia. It’s such a vibrant venue, delivering one of the best sports atmospheres in the world. I would recommend visiting even if you’re not a sports person as this place is all about the experience. Facilities are great, and the stadium is easily accessible via public transport. Food and drinks are reasonably priced for a sports venue.” – Matt T

4. Explore Federation Square

The next place to visit is Federation Square or as the local people call it ‘Fed Square’. It is located on the other side of the Historic Flinders Street Station. This is an iconic place that provides a venue for events such as arts, sports, culture, and craft festivals. It is considered one of the city’s most important spaces.

The Events: The Federation Square is planned for a specific purpose and that is to hold the space for the events. This place is considered a public arena for sports events. It also hosts community festivals. A lot of local and international events are broadcast on the big screen so that people can enjoy the game for free.
The Food: Fed Square has plenty of good cafes, restaurants and bars. You can find food dishes from all parts of the world like the Bokchoy Tang place that specializes in Chinese foods. The Chocolate Buddha in Japanese, and Il Pom in Italian foods. You will surely have a variety of options to choose from.
The Ian Potter Centre: It is a gallery dedicated to Australian art. It is a major gallery that showcases over 20 galleries. It has a wide variety of art collections consisting of approximately 25,000 pieces of art. That includes works from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities. This is a perfect place to go if you have an interest in the arts.
Federation Square Book Market: This place is famous for being the largest book market that occurs every week in the Federation Square’s Atrium. For the people who love to read books, this is the best place to visit. You will surely find something interesting to read. This place has book dealers who sell new and second-hand books.

Name	Fed Square
Website	https://www.fedsquare.com/
Address	Swanston St & Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Directions	https://maps.app.goo.gl/6gohHs2wTtziF1Tm6
Distance From Melbourne CBD	1.1 km
Opening Hours	Monday: Open 24 hours Tuesday: Open 24 hours Wednesday: Open 24 hours Thursday: Open 24 hours Friday: Open 24 hours Saturday: Open 24 hours Sunday: Open 24 hours
Phone Number	+61396551900
Nearby Attractions	Melbourne Skydeck Coles Fountain.

Google Review – “Federation Square is a place open to the public, there can be presentations of all kinds, a giant screen for sports, stage events, and it also shares a place with good entertainment venues and its museum that you should visit. It is the reference point for everything. In December visit its giant tree with music and its spectacular decoration.” – Charly Bz

5. Visit the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV)

Here comes the fifth thing to do in Melbourne, which is exploring the National Gallery of Victoria. The National Gallery of Victoria, also known as NGV, is the oldest and the most visited art museum. This Art Gallery is located on St Kilda Road in the Melbourne Arts Precinct of Southbank. Don’t forget to add this gallery to your itinerary if you have a real love for art.

Triennial: It is an exhibition of hundred plus (100+) projects, and every one of them is exceptional. The amazing paintings, sculptures and drawings are made by over 120 artists and designers.
Wurrdha Marra: The meaning of its name is ‘Many Mobs’ in the language of Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung. The NGV supports and shares its space with the first class artists. These arts are passing cultural knowledge.
Watercolour Country: This exhibition has a total of hundred (100) works of art from Hermannsburg. Some of them are made by ‘Albert Namatjira’ one of the most well-known artists in Australia. This collection shows the beauty of Aranda Country.
Rififi: It is an art gallery made for children. It shows art that is inspired by underwater life. The sea art attracts from youngest to oldest visitors. This amazing art was made by the artist named ‘Jean Jullien’.

This art gallery provides you with all kinds of international art, like Asian art and Australian art. There are paintings, drawings, sculptures, and decorative arts with a collection of over 150,000 items. The most famous art piece in this museum is The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan van Eyck. So, if you love art, you can’t miss the opportunity when in Melbourne.

Name	National Gallery of Victoria
Website	https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/
Address	180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne VIC 3006, Australia
Directions	https://maps.app.goo.gl/7CniaLVC8yCrUMPK7
Distance From Melbourne CBD	2.2 km
Opening Hours	Monday: 10 am–5 pm Tuesday: 10 am–5 pm Wednesday: 10 am–5 pm Thursday: 10 am–5 pm Friday: 10 am–5 pm Saturday: 10 am–5 pm Sunday: 10 am–5 pm
Phone Number	+61 3 8620 2222
Nearby Attractions	Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) Melbourne Skydeck Shrine of Remembrance

Google Review – “Amazing! It’s a combination between art from this century and art from some centuries ago, it’s just amazing, you can spend hours going around in the different sections. Staff is super polite and helpful I would visit this museum every day of my life if I could. Simply amazing.” – Juan Marin

6. Take a Trip to the Great Ocean Road

If you are a fan of road trips or long drives, then you can’t miss taking a drive through Great Ocean Road. It has one of the most spectacular driving routes in the world. The Great Ocean Road is 664 km (413 miles) long, from Torquay to Allansford, which can take a 3-day drive tour.

Kennett River: While driving, some places deserve a stop, like the Kennett River. If you want to see wild koalas, then this is your place. It has become known as one of Australia’s koala-spotting capitals. If you take a look around, then you will be able to see lots of sleeping koalas in the trees

Beech Forest: If you take a detour from Skenes Creek, you will be able to find yourself in a beautiful forest of giant Californian Redwood trees, also known as Beech Forest. You can wander through the towering trees or you and your family can find a place for a picnic.

12 Apostles: It is a collection of limestone mountains located off the shore of Port Campbell National Park. Taking a helicopter rider to watch the 12 Apostles will surely be an incredible experience. The helicopter provides total safety and service that makes this journey memorable.

Thunder Cave: It is located near Loch Ard Gorge. This cave was formed over 20 million years ago. It is a place worth visiting when taking a tour of Great Ocean Road. It got its name because when the waves crash against the cliffs, it makes a loud thunderous noise.

There are many other places to see while travelling from the Great Ocean Road so make sure to keep your eyes on the road and you won’t miss any of the amazing places. When you get hungry, there are restaurants and cafes on the road that serve incredible food. They also have craft beer and regional wine. So, make sure you stop to get a bit before continuing on your journey.

Name	Great Ocean Road
Website	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Ocean_Road
Address	Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia
Directions	https://maps.app.goo.gl/QvwsjamcXxRgB7QN6
Distance From Melbourne CBD	206.6 km
Opening Hours	Monday: 24 hours open Tuesday: 24 hours open Wednesday: 24 hours open Thursday: 24 hours open Friday: 24 hours open Saturday: 24 hours open Sunday: 24 hours open
Phone Number	-
Nearby Attractions	Twelve Apostles Erskine Falls Otway Fly Treetop Adventures

7. Pay homage to the Shrine of Remembrance

Shrine of Remembrance is one of the largest war memorials and is located in Kings Domain on St Kilda Road in Australia. It was built by Phillip Hudson and James Wardrop in 1934 to honour the men and women who served in World War I. If you want to visit this place, then you should plan to visit it on Anzac Day also known as the Day of Remembrance which comes every once a year on the 25th of April. On that day you can join the crowd of people at the dawn services, and marches are held around the country. There are exhibitions to look into as well

Galleries of Remembrance: The gallery contains over 800 photographs, uniforms, objects and artwork to illustrate the experience of the Australians at the time of war.

For Kin and Country: This exhibition shows the history of the people who offered their service in the Australian Defence Force. They are called the First People.

Trenches to Runway: This place showcases the uniforms and military clothing design. It reminds people of how the time of war has influenced the fashion industry.

Anzac Day is a time for all people to recognise all the men and women who have served this country in times of war On 11th November 1918, an agreement to end the fighting of the First World War as a prelude to peace negotiations began at 11 am. So, every year on 11th November at 11 am a ray of sunlight entered the shrine and fell in a marble Stone of Remembrance brightening up the word “Love” which is engraved into the stone.

Name	Shrine of Remembrance
Website	https://www.shrine.org.au/
Address	Birdwood Ave, Melbourne VIC 3001, Australia
Directions	https://maps.app.goo.gl/VJ2AQrLdc3exUppK7
Distance From Melbourne CBD	2.6 km
Opening Hours	Monday: 10 am–5 pm Tuesday: 10 am–5 pm Wednesday: 10 am–5 pm Thursday: 10 am–5 pm Friday: 10 am–5 pm Saturday: 10 am–5 pm Sunday: 10 am–5 pm
Phone Number	+61 3 9661 8100
Nearby Attractions	National Gallery of Victoria Melbourne Skydeck Flinders Street Railway Station

Google Review – “Beautiful monument dedicated to remembering Australian fallen heroes in war. Night view was impressive due to quietness and no crowds. The constant fire is also solemn. There is a visitor centre to learn more. Great location that is easibly accessible by public transportation next to city centre.” – Albert Le

8. Explore Queen Victoria Market

Melbourne City has a nice market known as the Queen Victoria Market. It is located at Queen St, Melbourne VIC 3000, and is 146 years old. This market has more than 600 shops and a variety of goods for the tastes and needs of every kind of buyer. With this one market, you can buy clothes, shoes, and other accessories. This market has a wide variety of bookshops for people who love to read books and novels. This market takes care of your hunger needs as well. There are bakeries to buy cakes and pastries

Food and Drink: This market has some of the most famous shops. ‘Andrew’s Bread Shop’ is famous for making breads, bagels and pastries. ‘Market Espresso & Trolley Hire’ serves some of the best coffee.
Specialty Shopping: Going to shops like the ‘Airbrush Co.’ you can make customised graffiti caps and t-shirts. ‘Akuna Pearls’ shop specialises in freshwater pearls in lots of sizes and colours. ‘Annie’s Creation and Collection’ paints on clothes.
Health, Wellbeing & Beauty: Some shops take care of your health like the ‘Bliss Essentials Aromatherapy’ which offers a wide range of handcrafted products. That includes aromatherapy mists and roll-ons.
Toys & Children: There are shops in which you can buy toys for children. ‘Kasinee Voodoo Dolls’ this shop is famous for making hand-made Voodoo dolls. ‘My Best Toy Shop’ has almost all kinds of toys.

You can buy all kinds of food in the market, including seafood. For people who like to drink, there are liquor shops with a variety of wines, beer, and other drinks. This market also takes care of your health and well-being and provides you pharmacy, medical centre, and even parlours, so that you can look your best. So, visit this market when taking a tour of Melbourne City.

Name	Queen Victoria Market
Website	https://qvm.com.au/
Address	Queen St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Directions	https://maps.app.goo.gl/YD7WwKwa2G6bN7Rw7
Distance From Melbourne CBD	1.6 km
Opening Hours	Monday: Closed Tuesday: 6 am–3 pm Wednesday: Closed Thursday: 6 am–3 pm Friday: 6 am–3 pm Saturday: 6 am–4 pm Sunday: 9 am–4 pm
Phone Number	+61 3 9320 5822
Nearby Attractions	National Gallery of Victoria State Library Victoria Melbourne Skydeck

Google Review – “You can find everything in this market. The place is clean and accessible. It’s well distributed and it’s a big market. Prices are good! I recommend you to go at 1:30 pm or 2 pm because prices are better at that time. You’ll find an Italian bakery inside which smells delicious and the bread is outstanding. All products are fresh and there is a huge variety of fruit and veggies.” – Evelyn Maryori Benigno Esquives

Conclusion

Melbourne, a vibrant city in Australia, is a dream destination for those who love to explore and learn. This city has a plethora of exciting places to visit that offer fun and educational experiences. The blog highlights some of the most popular tourist attractions. It includes the Melbourne Zoo, home to various animals from around the world. The Museum showcases the city’s rich history. The Cricket Stadium, where you can witness some of the best cricket matches.

Not to forget the famous market that sells everything from fresh produce to local art. A massive art gallery housing a vast collection of contemporary and traditional art and outdoor cinema where you can enjoy movies under the stars. And finally, a great road that takes you on a scenic drive. A visit to Melbourne promises to be an unforgettable and lifelong experience. So, if you are planning your next vacation, don’t forget to include any of the above places to have the best vacation of your life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's special about Melbourne?

Melbourne is listed as the third most liveable city in the world and the most liveable city in Australia. The reason it is considered the most liveable city is because of five reasons – Healthcare, education, infrastructure, stability, and environment.

Why is Melbourne attractive?

Melbourne has delicious Aussie food, rich wildlife, and beautiful beaches with a lot of tourist attractions.

Why is Melbourne called CBD?

The full form of ‘CBD’ is ‘Central Business District’. It was first used by the town planner E.F. Borrie on a report of a scheme for business areas of Melbourne City. The report was commissioned and published in 1964.

Why Melbourne is the best place to visit?

Melbourne is certainly known as the cultural capital of Australia. This city is well known for its love for arts, music, dance, food, film, fashion, festivals, and fashion. Most of the events are free.

Which part of Australia is Melbourne?

Melbourne is the capital of Victoria (a state in south-east Australia) and is the second largest city in Australia.

How many cities are in Melbourne?

Melbourne has a total of 31 municipalities that cover the metropolitan area and some nearby rural areas.

Things to Do in Melbourne