25 Must-Sees and Things to Do in Melbourne and the Surrounding Area

We arrived in Melbourne at the beginning of February after traveling along the coast from Sydney, an road trip of about 1.400 km that passes through some of the most incredible beaches in Australia in Jervis Bay, many coastal towns that we loved and places where we were able to see lots of wildlife, including thousands of glowwormsWe had already seen it in New Zealand, but seeing it again in Australia was special.

A little bit of history (and some curiosities)

Melbourne is a young city, but with a rich history. It was established the first settler settlement in 1835 and twenty years later Its population skyrocketed due to the gold rush becoming one of the richest cities in the world. That rapid growth left its mark on its architecture and that elegant air that often leads it to be known as the «Europe from Australia"When we were driving through the neighborhoods, it felt like we were in London."

Gold Rush It attracted people from all over the worldAnd that mix of cultures is still very much present today. Thanks to that immigration, neighborhoods with their own identity emerged, like the Italian neighborhoodChinatown or areas with a strong Greek influence. From this combination also arose many of its current defining characteristics, such as the coffee culture, with the flatwhite as the protagonist, which is said to have been invented here.

Today, Melbourne lives off a highly diversified economybased primarily on services, international education, finance, technology, and creative industries. Added to this is the weight of tourism, gastronomy and major sporting and cultural events, which attract visitors from all over the world and keep the city constantly moving.

¿How many days What do you need to see Melbourne?

To discover the highlights of Melbourne with Two or three days is enough. For the main thing, although undoubtedly, if you prefer to take it easy you have surely already guessed that it is a city that can be enjoyed for much longer.

Besides exploring its center, its beaches, and trying a restaurant, I recommend at least two more days to visit the surrounding area...like the world-famous Great Ocean Road. There are tons of nearby attractions, and in this article we'll tell you about our favorites to inspire you and help you create your ideal itinerary. We know that planning your days in Australia is super difficult!

¿Where to stay in Melbourne?

The best area to stay in Melbourne is the CBD (Central Business District)as it concentrates most of the tourist attractions, restaurants, and public transport connections. Although Melbourne is a very large city, most of the places we recommend in this article are quite centrally located, so it's possible to get around between them on foot or using public transport. Free tram in the city center.

Two good options in CBD are the Hotel Aura, with good value for money and a good location, and the hotel The Victoria, something more classic but even more central.

If you're looking for a more alternative and lively atmosphere, you can stay in neighborhoods like Fitzroy, which stands out for its carCreative character, international restaurants, and incredible cafes that you won't soon forget. A good option here is the hotel The StandardX.

Better things What to see and do in Melbourne

Now yes, let's go with the Best things to see and do in Melbourne on your ownFrom cultural events, markets, historic buildings, lively neighborhoods, and nearby excursions.

📍At the end of the article we leave you a map with all the places which we talked about so you can locatecarthe best and have it on hand during your visit to Melbourne.

1. Join a free tour to learn morecartea in the city

Taking a free walking tour upon arrival is one of the best things to do in Melbourne or any other city in the world. In just a couple of hours, you'll understand how the city is organized, its history, interesting facts about key neighborhoods, and you'll leave with a great understanding. local recommendations which we always find extremely useful. Free tours are truly ideal for getting a first impression.

📸 With this free tour in Spanish You will explore the heart of the capital of the state of Victoria, see the most emblematic sites, a bit of its colonial history, legends of the gold rush and what it is like to live in Melbourne today.

2. Go into the Ian Potter Museum to see Aboriginal art

This was one of those places you go into "for a little while" and end up staying longer than expected. The Ian Potter Centre seemed like the perfect way to see a bit of the australian aboriginal artsymbols, stories, and the relationship with the land. Another place where we were able to learn a little was Uluru, an icon of Australia, but in general, Aboriginal culture is very hidden in the country; it's difficult to find places like Ian Potter.

Plus, the museum is a free plan of things to do in Melbourne!

3. Have several flat whites, one of the most typical things to do in Melbourne

In Australia, coffee is practically a religion, and in Melbourne even more so—almost part of the city's identity. I'm not exaggerating when I say that in Australia we've consumed... the best coffees of our livesStrolling through the CBD (Central Business District), Melbourne's most central area, you'll find lovely cafes that offer a latte art incredible and delicious coffees like Brick Lane Melbourne o Chapter House CoffeeBasically, I think you'll like whichever coffee shop you go into, but keep in mind that many close at midday; in Australia, coffee isn't a mid-afternoon thing.

Of course, don't forget to try the Flat WhiteI like it more than the milk (coffee with milk) because It tastes much more like espresso.The milk layer is smaller and less foamy. Or a Magic a kind of Flat White which is even a little stronger and is only taken in this area of ​​Australia.

4. Have brunch at one of its many cafes

Okay, it's closely related to the previous point, but I think brunch in Melbourne deserved its own section. If drinking coffee is practically a religion, Having brunch is practically a national sport And the best way to recharge your batteries for exploring Melbourne on foot. Again, I think almost no place will disappoint you; there are many in the city center like The Butter Room or in the Fitz Roy neighborhood as Calēre Coffee.

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5. Watch a sunset at St Kilda Beach

St Kilda is a lively coastal neighborhood. If you know Sydney, you could say that St Kilda is to Melbourne what Bondi is to Sydney. Good vibes, people playing sports, sunset picnics…

If you're traveling in summer, it's one of Melbourne's best beaches for swimming, or simply for strolling, whether along its promenade or the pier area, which is ideal for watching the sunset ’s relationship with the Buenos Aires of the Melbourne skyscrapers in the backgroundIt's definitely one of our favorite things to do in Melbourne; the atmosphere is amazing.

???? Something VERY unique about this place is that A colony of blue penguins lives here.Visiting them is free, but you need to book, and getting tickets is really complicated… but Take a look here just in case you get lucky.

Does Sydney's Luna Park, with its distinctive entrance, ring a bell? Well Melbourne also has its own Luna Parkand is located in St Kilda. The highlight is the roller coaster. Scenic Railway which has been operating since the park opened in 1912. That's the year the Titanic sank! Admission to Luna Park plus one ride is $30, or $45 for unlimited rides.

6. Enter The Block Arcade

We return to places to see in the center of Melbourne with The Block Arcade one most beautiful shopping arcades The one we've seen in Australia, its architecture is Victorian with mosaic floors and a glass roof. Although small, it's incredibly elegant and steeped in history, having opened its doors over 130 years ago in 1893.

Although you're unlikely to buy anything since most of the shops are boutiques, it's worth popping in to browse and take some photos. There's a shop selling chocolates and cheeses made in Tasmania if you fancy a sweet treat.

7. Go see Flinders Street Station

You can't stop doingcarte to Flinders station, one of Melbourne's icons y the oldest in all of AustraliaThe current building dates from 1909, although the station was inaugurated almost 50 years earlier in 1854. Furthermore, it's a beautiful building—at least we loved it—and it's centrally located so you can easily reach it on foot.

8. Decide if you think Federation Square is the ugliest square in the world

It's not that we think Federation Square is ugly, it's just that it looks that It was named the ugliest square in the world on several occasionsHonestly, a ranking we didn't even know existed. 

Once there, you can judge for yourself if their avant-garde architecture You may think it's ugly, but what's certain is that you'll pass by it more than once, as it's one of the city's nerve centers and where many free events take place. 

9. Go to one of Melbourne's many events and festivals

Melbourne has an amazing cultural scene, especially in music. I recommend checking out the website of What's On Melbourne To see the events, you'll most likely find them if your route through Melbourne coincides with You'll find something interesting this weekendWe went to a free concert on Saturday afternoon and there was a great atmosphere.

10. Ride the historic tram 35 for free

Tram 35 is a very convenient and free way to get around the city center. In fact, the entire city center of Melbourne has a tram line. 'Free Tram Zone'You can get on as many as you want, you don't need a transport card or anything.

But you absolutely must ride the 35 bus; it's one of the best things to do in Melbourne and it's free! What more could you ask for? The tram is one of the historic ones and it does a kind of tour where they take you briefly telling the story of each place where it stops.

11. Eat Asian food and visit Chinatown

We love Asian food, and Melbourne is a true paradise in that regard. Although The Chinatown neighborhood is smaller than Sydney's. Eating there is a must in Melbourne. We tried some dumplings at Shanghai Villagewhich, as expected, were amazing. 

Although it's not Chinese, another restaurant you're sure to love if you're a lover of Thai food It's Soi 38 Melbourne, it gives you the feeling that you're 100% in Thailand, well of course… until the moment of paying, when the bill is four times more cara. 

12. Photograph the street art of Melbourne

Another great plan to do independently in Melbourne is to get lost in the Laneways Looking for murals. Melbourne is a city full of art and its alleyways are an iconThat's one of the reasons I think it has its own unique vibe. Also, interestingly, the murals are updated quite often; the ones we saw are probably gone now.

Take note of these alleyways!
📍Hosier Lane
📍Oliver Lane
📍AC/DC Line
📍Higson Lane Street Art
📍Croft Alley Graffiti

13. Eat at Queen Victoria Market

Another must-see stop Things to do in Melbourne if you're a foodieOr if you're into local markets, that too. At least for us, strolling through a market is always a good idea, and Queen Victoria Market doesn't disappoint. 

It is divided into two parts, one focused on selling fresh produce y another one intended for trying different dishesOf course, as you would expect in Melbourne, you'll find food from all over the world, from Greek and Thai to fresh seafood and even Sicilian cannoli for dessert. 

Oh, and on Wednesdays they have a night market outside!

Another more local alternative? Spend the weekend in South Melbourne MarketIt was recommended to us while we were here, and it was a great find. Plus, tram 98 drops you off right in front.

14. Discover Fitzroy, Melbourne's trendiest neighborhood

Fitzroy was one of our favorite neighborhoods. Alternative, creative, full of life and art. Cafes, vintage shops and murals all overIt's ideal for wandering aimlessly and experiencing Melbourne's modern side. You can have breakfast there and take the opportunity to stroll around and pop into some interesting shops like Fitzroy Nursery Indoor, full of plants, or the paintings at Outré Gallery.

🥐Lune CroissanterieIf you're craving something sweet, this is a sure bet!

(I.e. Sir Charles, the best (and most original) eggs Benedict I've ever tasted.

☕ ElectricityFor Chai lovers, if you are one, take my advice and go.

🍵The Heart of Carlton, a little far from the neighborhood, but super popular for its spectacular quality-price ratio.

By the way, 💡 The They hold a market on Saturdays and Sundays From 9 am to 15 pm, if you're in the area, don't miss the chance to take a stroll. You'll find crafts, music CDs, clothing, and jewelry. Another great option is to wander through its gardens. The Conservatory It's the prettiest part.

15. Visit Victoria Barracks, one of the most beautiful buildings to see in Melbourne

It might not be one of the must-see attractions in Melbourne, but if you have time, don't hesitate to walk past it. It's... a beautiful stone building covered in vines It was originally built to house British troops. Today it houses a museum, which we didn't go into.

16. Take a walk through Albert Park

Albert Park was one of those places you appreciate after a few days in the city. The lake, the paths, and the skyline views make it a very pleasant stroll. We love exploring Australian parks; they do a fantastic job, and they're usually wonderful spaces. It's also impressive to think that this peaceful park... It transforms into the Formula 1 circuit every year.The Australian Grand Prix has been held there since 1996.

Another really cool place to go for a walk is Southbank PromenadeA lovely stroll along the Yarra River, perfect for both midday and sunset. It's lined with restaurants offering views of the river and the skyscrapers. There's also a shopping center full of outlets in case you fancy a souvenir from Australia that you'll use in your everyday life.

17. Be amazed by the Melbourne Botanic Gardens

Just like the parks, Australian botanical gardens are also fantastic. If you're visiting several cities on your trip around the country, I recommend going to at least one of them. You can wander around Melbourne's botanical garden until you're exhausted; it's Free and a true oasis in the middle of the cityWhether you love flora or not, it's such a beautiful place that it makes it one of the best things to do in Melbourne.

18. Climb the Shrine of Remembrance

The Shrine of Remembrance is the Melbourne's most important memorialBuilt to honor the Australian soldiers who fought and died in the First World War, it offers a great viewpoint overlooking the skyscrapers, in addition to its historical and symbolic value. within the botanical garden So if you go for a walk you'll see it.

19. Visit the colorful beach changing rooms

Beach changing rooms are a very typical image of AustraliaIt reminded us a lot of those from Cape Town in South AfricaJust like there, here in Melbourne they are also a social icon, so coveted that They have been sold for more than $300.000...even though they don't even have electricity. Absolutely crazy, if you ask me! The closest ones to the center are in Brighton Beach.

What to do for the Melbourne area

Now that I've told you my must-sees for exploring Melbourne independently, let's move on day trips or longer excursions you can take from the cityWhether you choose to travel independently, rent a car, use public transport, or take an organized tour if you prefer to go with a guide and not rent a vehicle.

20. Take Australia's most famous road trip: the Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road needs no introduction; it's one of Australia's most famous destinations. Cliffs, ocean, wild beaches, forests, the chance to see endemic wildlife like koalas… What more could you ask for? a spectacular little road trip If you're doing it independently, I recommend you dedicatecarGive it a couple of days, or else you can join a guided tour.

21. Go to Yarra Valley for its wines and nature

Another A very complete getaway to do around Melbourne It's Yarra Valley, especially for wine lovers. Just an hour from the city, you'll find dozens of wineries, green landscapes, and absolute tranquility. We did a tasting of 8 wines en SOUMAH for $16 and another of chocolates in Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery for only $4, which we loved.

There is no public transport, so you can only go if you have rented a car or if you cannot join a tour with which you will visit several wineries and eat in one of the vineyards.

22. Spend the day on Phillip Island

Another of the best places to visit from Melbourne is this island connected by carretera a just one hour from the centerYou can get there by public transport, but the connections aren't great, so again, the ideal option is to go by rental car or hire a tour.

On Phillip Island you will find wildlife, a wild coastline and trails. One of its great attractions is the colony of blue penguinswhere every afternoon you can see the little blue penguins returning from the sea to their burrows. It's also perfect for booking a dolphin or whale watching tour (during the winter).

23. Go on a hike to Wilsons Promontory to see wombats

Wilsons Promontory National Park is one of the most spectacular national parks in the area. We spent a full day there and regretted not booking a campsite for the night, as we still had so much to do. It has beautiful viewpoints, white sand beaches, and was where we saw wombats for the first timeIt's also easy to spot emus and dozens of kangaroos; its landscape is so diverse that it even has an area of giant dunes where you feel like you're in the middle of the desert.

It's two hours from Melbourne, so ideally... Go for a couple of days in your own vehicle, doing a bit of off-roading.In addition, the best times to see wildlife are dawn and dusk, but if you prefer you can hire a guide. full day tour.

24. Tour the Mornington Peninsula

The Mornington Peninsula combines beaches, viewpoints, coastal towns, and hot springs. It's a very complete day trip to take from Melbourne to the town of Sorrento with your rental car, taking your time and stopping at different places like the Bushrangers Bay beaches and natural pools.

25. Travel to the gold rush in Ballarat

The last recommendation for what to do in Melbourne and the surrounding area is for history buffs. 120km from the city lies the town of Ballarat, which was one of the key cities during the Golden fever and stage of the Eureka StockadeA pivotal event for Australian democracy. Its main attraction is Sovereign HillIt's an open-air museum that recreates 19th-century mining life. We didn't get a chance to visit it because we'd already passed through many towns with a gold rush atmosphere on our Australian road trip.

Map with The best things to see and do in Melbourne

Here's a map with Everything to see and do in Melbourne and the surrounding area that I have recommended throughout the guide.

That concludes this comprehensive guide with 25 things to see and do in Melbourne. the coolest city in the country and personally my favorite from AustraliaTo continue planning your route, you can read other articles about Australia. And don't forget to follow us! on InstagramIf you have any questions or suggestions, leave us a comment!

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