12 Incredible Things to Do in Melbourne

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12 Incredible Things to Do in Melbourne

Melbourne
By Lauren Juliff
We may earn a commission from purchases you make after clicking links on this site.

Welcome to Melbourne: my favourite city in the world!

As a Melburnian local, I might be a little biased, but trust me, this place has everything. I’ve lived here long enough to know the hidden gems, the must-dos, and all the quirky spots that make Melbourne so special. Whether you’re here for a weekend or planning to stick around for a while, I’m here to give you the inside scoop on what to do, where to eat, and how to experience the city like a true Melburnian (and no, it doesn’t require you to know what “flat white” means, but it helps).

First of all, let’s talk about Melbourne’s vibe. It’s got that perfect blend of cosmopolitan cool and laid-back charm. You can spend your morning getting lost in a gorgeous botanical garden, then grab an amazing coffee from a laneway café (Melbourne coffee culture is a real thing, and I’ll help you get in on it). In the afternoon, head to one of our bustling markets or quirky galleries, and by night, there’s a whole world of rooftop bars, hidden laneway restaurants, and historic pubs to hang out in.

From the iconic sights like the MCG and Flinders Street Station to the lesser-known treasures, like the hidden bars in Fitzroy, Melbourne’s got it all. And because I live here, I’m not about the tourist traps. I’m all about giving you the recommendations that will make you feel like a local by the time you leave.

Whether you’re all about food, art, history, or just soaking up the city’s endless cool factor, I’ve got you covered. So, grab your sneakers (or your black, Melbourne-chic boots), and let’s dive into this adventure together.

Ready?

Let’s go!

Take a Tour of the MCG

My family and I had the best time ever on our MCG tour!

If there’s one thing I recommend every visitor to Melbourne do, it’s take a tour of the MCG. And yes, I’m saying this even if you couldn’t care less about sports. Trust me: this place is way more than just a stadium.

Melbourne is the sports capital of Australia, playing host for major events throughout the year, like the Australian Open, the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, the Melbourne Cup, the Boxing Day Test, and the AFL Grand Final.

People often joke that sports is a religion here in Melbourne, and if that’s the case, the MCG is the city’s cathedral. This is a place where legends are made, records are broken, and Melburnians regularly lose their voices while barracking for their teams.

So what is it that makes the MCG so special? For starters, it’s absolutely enormous. With a capacity of 100,000, this is one of the biggest stadiums in the world. If you’re lucky enough to snag yourself a seat for a popular game while you’re in town — you can view the events calendar on the MCG website — the atmosphere is going to blow you away.

In fact, when Taylor Swift brought her Eras Tour to the MCG last year, she played to the largest crowd of her career: an incredible 96,000 people!

If you can time your visit to Melbourne with a major sporting event, I’d absolutely recommend buying tickets to experience the atmosphere for yourself — but if you’re here during a quieter time of year, you must sign up for a guided stadium tour. It’s $35 per person, and you can easily book through GetYourGuide.

Tours of the MCG are run by volunteers, which means they’re all super-passionate about showcasing what makes the MCG so special.

Our guide was brilliant, sharing all kinds of behind-the-scenes stories, giving us a full tour of the grounds — the player changing rooms, media centre, plus the hallowed turf itself — and reminiscing about some of the most iconic games held there. Amazingly, he’d attended his first game at the MCG in 1957, so had seen firsthand just how much history had taken place here.

We were all so impressed by the experience! Even my mum — who’s absolutely not a sports fan –labelled it the highlight of her trip to Melbourne.

Visit the Old Melbourne Gaol

The Old Melbourne Gaol is such an atmospheric building!

If you’re keen to spend a couple of hours diving into some of the more gruesome tales in Melbourne’s history, the Old Melbourne Gaol is going to be a must-visit destination.

This historic jail first opened in 1842, and executed 133 of the country’s most infamous outlaws over its 80 years of operation. Most notable of all, controversial criminal Ned Kelly was hung for murder within these walls at the age of just 25.

This place is as spooky as it is fascinating: you’ve got cold stone walls, tiny bleak cells, and not a whole lot of light. It’s atmospheric, unsettling, and — apparently — more than a little haunted.

I wasn’t sure how much there would be to see within the Gaol itself, but I was impressed by just how much information was on display. Inside most of the cells were displays and photos, sharing stories of the prisoners who were locked up here, the crimes they committed, and what life was like for them behind bars.

Part of the Gaol were quite confronting, as you’ll get to see the gallows where the prisoners were executed, the ropes that were used to hang them, plus an array of death masks (a cast of the prisoner’s face post-execution), including Ned Kelly’s.

Entrance is pretty pricey at a cost of $38 ($22 for kids), with an additional $5 to do the Watch House tour (which sounded a bit lame, so I’d recommend skipping that).

If you’re braver than I am, choose to visit the Melbourne Gaol at night. The ghost tours (run on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays) here are next-level spooky: think shadowy corridors, eerie whispers, grisly stories, and a whole lot of “Did you just hear that?!” moments.

Then Hit Up the State Library

Imagine to get to study in this beautiful building!

I always recommend combining a visit to the Melbourne Gaol with a trip to the city’s library; the two sites are just one block away from each other!

The State Library of Victoria is free to enter and is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. Think grand old architecture, soaring domed ceilings, and a reading room that’ll have you feeling like you’ve stepped on to the set of a period drama.

I am, of course, referring to the La Trobe Reading Room, a vast, octagonal space that somehow makes even procrastination look elegant. This is the spot: the one you’ve probably seen in every Melbourne travel guide ever. Once you enter the reading room, take the lifts up to the sixth floor, where you can replicate my photo above.

Most visitors to the State Library take their photos in La Trobe, then head back out to the city streets, but this building is more than just books and Instagrammable views. This is Australia’s oldest public library, one of the first free libraries in the world, and is home to dozens of exhibitions.

Start with Ned Kelly’s original suit of armour in the Redmond Barry Reading Room, then follow it up with one of the world’s largest collections of chess-related materials in the Ian Potter Queen’s Hall. The Rennie Ellis photography exhibition is a must-see, too, full of iconic photos of Melburnian life from the 70s and 80s, from the city’s punk scene to its beach culture, sporting events, protests, and visiting celebrities.

Shop With the Locals at the Queen Vic Market

You can’t go to Melbourne and not hit up the Queen Vic Market!

When I decided to move to Melbourne, I had one main requirement: I wanted to be within walking distance of the Queen Victoria Market.

This is one of my favourite markets in the world, and I always have to pinch myself when I remember that this sprawling institution is my local grocery store.

The largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere, the Queen Vic is part-market, part-history lesson, and part-inevitable food coma. Constructed back in 1878 — which makes it ancient by Australian standards — this is one of the city’s few Victorian-era markets still standing, and somewhere every visitor has to experience.

But how best to experience it?

I strenuously recommend visiting on a weekday — the market is open from 6 a.m. every day except Monday and Wednesday — and as early as possible, as crowds get overwhelming at lunchtime.

If your accommodation in Melbourne comes with a kitchen, you’ll delight in being able to gather all your cooking supplies from the Queen Vic. With over 600 stalls, you can buy anything you might need here. For something particularly Australian, head to the gourmet sausage stall, where you can buy kangaroo sausages — we always grab a dozen to barbecue up whenever we have international visitors in town!

If you don’t have access to a kitchen, you’re going to want to head straight to the deli section and start gathering supplies for a picnic.

In this part of the market, you’ll find crusty loaves of sourdough, buttery croissants, and golden pastries still fragrant from the oven. There are hundreds of cheeses, too, from creamy bries to sharp cheddars, alongside an endless selection of cured meats, pates, and smoked fish. You’ll find plump olives, marinated artichokes, vinegary anchovies, and jars of homemade dips — the list is endless!

Trust me: there’s nothing more Melburnian than grabbing a heap of local produce from the Queen Vic and devouring it in a sunny park.

But wait, there’s more! There’s also tons of street food stalls in the market, serving every cuisine you could think of. The American Doughnut Kitchen is the most beloved of the options; it’s been standing in this spot for decades. One of my favourite spots is Bratwurst Shop & Co, where you can choose from half a dozen bratwursts and even more sauces and toppings.

Take in the Views From the Eureka Skydeck

And if you’re feeling courageous… get yourself over to the Edge

If you want to get yourself a bird’s eye view of Melbourne, there’s no better place to do so than the Eureka Skydeck.

Sitting on the 88th floor of the Eureka Tower, this is the highest observation deck in the southern hemisphere; unsurprisingly, you’ll be greeted by excellent views in every direction. You’ll be able to point out many of the landmarks in this guide, too: the MCG, Flinders Street Station, the Royal Botanic Gardens and Shrine of Remembrance, the Yarra River, and all the way to the Dandenong Ranges and Port Phillip Bay.

Up on the 88th floor, there’s floor-to-ceiling windows and a dozen fixed binoculars, directed towards Melbourne’s most famous landmarks. Plan to spend an hour circling the floor in full, and then you have a decision to make: will you take your chances with the Edge?

I’ll confess that as somebody who is not entirely comfortable with heights, I absolutely did not enjoy the Edge!!!

It’s basically a transparent glass cube that you stand inside, then wait while it travels outside the building until you’re fully suspended over Melbourne with nothing but glass beneath your feet. It’s a fun, unique experience, but if you’re anything like me, you can expect your legs to tremble, your palms to sweat, and your eyes to stay firmly anywhere but down.

I have strong opinions about observation decks, and it’s mostly that visiting at sunset is one of the worst ways to experience them. It sounds like the perfect way to Skydeck: this way, you can see the city in daylight hours, witness a golden sunset, and then watch the city start to light up. In reality, you spend hours waiting around, can’t see very well with the glare of the setting sun, and then end up with reflections and lights in all of your nighttime photos because the lights remain on at night.

In my opinion, the best time to visit the Melbourne Skydeck is in the late-morning on a blue-sky day. There’ll be fewer crowds, you’ll be able to clearly spot all of the attractions, and there won’t be any glare in your photos.

Roam the Melbourne Botanic Gardens

I always enjoy soaking up the fern-filled vibes at the Royal Botanic Gardens

One of my favourite aspects of living in Melbourne is the sheer number of green spaces we have to enjoy. The one place I always bring new visitors to, however, is the Royal Botanic Gardens, a sprawling area of the city that’s perfect for taking a break from the bustle of the city.

Whether you’re keen for a leisurely stroll, sunny picnic, or a solid chunk of nature therapy, this place delivers. Dave and I often visit for our anniversary, which shows just how much we love it here!

First things first: it’s huge. Thirty eight hectares of gardens, winding paths, and more plant species than you are count. There are towering trees that look like they belong in a fairytale, massive lily pads floating on dreamy lakes, and enough tropical plants to make you feel like you’ve stepped into a jungle.

If you’re a keen runner, you wont want to miss jogging the circumference of the park via the Tan. It’s basically Melbourne’s most famous outdoor gym, and everyone who loves to run has come here at least once. You’ll see runners flying past like they’re training for the Olympics, while the rest of us take a much more casual approach, iced coffee in hand.

Jump Aboard Puffing Billy

Puffing Billy’s not just for kids: it’s one of the most fun things you can do in Melbourne!

I’ll confess that it took me many years of living in Melbourne before I finally stepped aboard Puffing Billy.

This isn’t just any train — it’s an old-school, steam-powered, whistle-blowing, full-on nostalgia trip through the Dandenong Ranges. And the best part? You get to dangle your legs out of the carriage like a kid on a playground. Seriously, when was the last time a train ride made you feel this free?

Puffing Billy has been chugging along since 1900, making it one of the world’s best-preserved steam railways. It winds through towering eucalyptus forests, over impossibly scenic wooden bridges, and past little villages that look like they belong in a fairy tale. The whole ride is an Instagrammer’s dream: think misty mountains, lush greenery, and that classic steam puffing dramatically into the sky.

And if you really want to level up the experience, book one of the special journeys: maybe a first-class dining car situation (because fancy meals taste better on a moving train) or even a murder mystery night, where you can solve a crime while Puffing Billy does its thing. Either way, this isn’t just a ride; it’s an adventure.

Check Out Brighton’s Beach Boxes

Brighton’s beautiful Beach Boxes are so photogenic!

If Melbourne had to pick a spot for its most photogenic real estate, Brighton’s Beach Boxes would win every time. These little wooden huts have been chilling on the sand since the 1800s, standing in a perfect, candy-coloured row like they’re posing for a postcard. And honestly? They’re one of those things you have to see while you’re in town — partly because they’re adorable, but mostly because they’re just so Melbourne.

They might look like the world’s cutest sheds, but these beach boxes are actually prime real estate: some have sold for over $300k, and they don’t even have electricity or plumbing. Yep, people are out here dropping house deposits on a glorified changing room. But can you blame them? That uninterrupted beach access, those iconic stripes, and the bragging rights of owning a piece of Melbourne history? Worth it.

Even if you’re not in the market for a six-figure wooden box, Brighton Beach itself is a stunner. Soft golden sand, crystal-clear water, and a perfect backdrop of the Melbourne skyline in the distance — it’s the kind of place where you can sunbathe, snap a million photos, and pretend you’re in a travel ad. And if you’re feeling fancy, Brighton’s cafés and boutiques are just a short stroll away for a post-swim brunch situation.

Circumnavigate Albert Park Lake

I love walking around Albert Park Lake and taking photos of the skyline

Albert Park Lake is basically Melbourne’s answer to Central Park—a big, breezy, ridiculously scenic green space right near the city, perfect for when you want to escape the concrete jungle without actually leaving it. Whether you’re up for a stroll, a jog (if you’re that way inclined), or just a lazy afternoon by the water pretending you’re an outdoorsy person, this place delivers.

The lake itself is home to swans, rowers, and the occasional overly ambitious paddleboarder, all with the Melbourne skyline towering in the background. It’s the kind of spot where locals walk their very cute dogs, fitness junkies clock their 10,000 steps, and picnic-goers set up with cheese boards that look straight out of Pinterest.

Now, if you’re into speed rather than serenity, Albert Park Lake has another claim to fame — it transforms into the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix track once a year. Yep, the same peaceful paths where people sip lattes and feed ducks turn into a high-octane race circuit, complete with screaming engines and world-class drivers tearing through at 300km/h.

Basically, Albert Park Lake is the ultimate all-rounder — relaxing and thrilling, depending on when you visit. Whether you’re there for the views, the vibes, or just to power-walk with a coffee in hand like a true Melburnian, it’s an absolute must.

Marvel at Flinders Street Station

Flinders Street Station is one of the most famous landmarks in Melbourne!

Flinders Street Station isn’t just a train station; it’s a Melbourne icon. You literally can’t visit the city without laying eyes on this grand, mustard-yellow beauty with its domed clock tower and arched windows. It’s the kind of building that makes you stop mid-walk and go, wow, that’s a good-looking train station.

But Flinders Street is more than just a pretty facade. It’s Australia’s oldest train station, and at one point, it was the busiest in the world (yes, really). These days, it’s still the beating heart of Melbourne’s public transport system — if you’re catching a train anywhere, chances are you’ll pass through here. And if you’re meeting someone? You’re doing it “under the clocks.” That row of clocks above the entrance has been Melbourne’s unofficial meeting spot for generations: first dates, friends catching up, even protests. If those clocks could talk, ohhh the stories they’d tell.

Inside, it’s a chaotic mix of commuters power-walking to their platforms, tourists staring at maps, and buskers filling the air with music. And fun fact: there’s a whole abandoned ballroom hidden upstairs! It’s been closed for years, but every Melburnian has fantasised about sneaking in at least once.

Basically, Flinders Street Station is more than just a way to get from A to B; it’s Melbourne. Whether you’re catching a train, snapping a photo, or just soaking up the history, this place is a must-see. Just try not to get lost in the rush-hour madness!

Visit the Retro Arcades of the CBD

Melbourne has several historic arcades to wander around!

Wandering through Melbourne’s art deco arcades feels like stepping back in time — but in the coolest way possible. These stunning, heritage-filled passageways are packed with boutique shops, quirky cafes, and hidden gems you’d never have found if you’d stuck to the main streets. If you’re the type who loves discovering secret spots, this is where Melbourne truly shines.

Start with Block Arcade, which is arguably the city’s most beautiful. With its mosaic-tiled floors, stained glass windows, and old-world charm, it’s got serious European elegance energy. It’s also home to Hopetoun Tea Rooms, which has been serving up ridiculously pretty cakes for over a century. If there’s a line out the door, just know it’s worth the wait.

Then there’s Royal Arcade, Melbourne’s oldest, dating back to 1869. It’s home to Gaunt’s Clock, where two giant, mythical figures — Gog and Magog — strike the hour like they own the place. This arcade is packed with fun little shops, including Koko Black for fancy chocolates and Spellbox for a little mystical magic.

Cathedral Arcade — which for some strange reason is marked on Google Maps as “Cathedral Coffee” — is my favourite one to visit, from an architectural standpoint.

Take a Scenic Stroll Along the Yarra

There are so many beautiful sections of the Yarra to explore

A stroll alongside the Yarra River is one of those simple-but-perfect Melbourne experiences that just works: whether you’re after pretty city views, a quiet nature escape, or just an excuse to grab a coffee and wander. The river slices right through the heart of the city, so it’s easy to tack on a walk before dinner in Southbank, after a morning at the NGV, or as a way to justify all the brunches you’re inevitably going to consume while you’re in town.

If you like your riverside walks with a side of city skyline, the Southbank Promenade is a solid pick. It’s all glassy skyscrapers, bustling restaurants, and a buzzy atmosphere. Start at Princes Bridge and amble past Crown, where you can do some casual people-watching . This stretch is great for visitors who want the postcard version of Melbourne: sparkling buildings reflected in the water, buskers setting the mood, and a ridiculous number of gelato options.

If you’re up for a longer adventure, Yarra Bend Park is the move. Just a short tram ride from the CBD, this is Melbourne’s largest bushland park, and it’s absolutely worth the effort. The river bends and loops through rugged cliffs and eucalyptus forests, and there’s even a colony of fruit bats hanging out near Bellbird Picnic Area. You can rent a kayak here if you want to swap strolling for paddling, but honestly, just walking along the riverbank with a coffee in hand is pretty ideal. Bonus points if you end at Studley Park Boathouse for an afternoon tea with scones.

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About the author

One half of the team behind Everything Victoria, Lauren loves road trips, great food, and seeking out the best beaches in the world. Originally from the U.K., she moved to Melbourne after ten years spent exploring the planet as a travel writer; she believes she's chosen the best city in the world to live.

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