16 Must-See Attractions in Melbourne

Melbourne is the most populated and the capital city of Victoria in Australia with over five million residents. Wrapped around Port Phillip Bay, there are dozens of beaches and parks where you can enjoy swimming, boating, and fishing. The Yarra River runs through Melbourne too, which is also a great place for water activities.

On land, you can have a lot of fun too with attractions like the Eureka Skydeck where you can see the whole city from the 88th floor. Or see some sharks and other fish at the Sea Life Aquarium. If you like art, take a street art tour. Whatever you do, drop off your bags and backpacks at a Melbourne bag storage site first. 

Museums and Art Galleries

• National Gallery of Victoria

Founded in 1861, the National Gallery of Victoria is also the largest and oldest art museum in Australia. The 1433 Ince Hall Madonna by Jan van Eyck, the 1628 Two Old Men Disputing by Rembrandt, and the 1879 Vétheuil by Monet are the highlights. Also popular are the Aboriginal shields and Asian collection plates. 

• Royal Botanic Gardens 

With more than 50,000 plants in 8,500 species, the Royal Botanic Gardens site was developed in 1846 and has 94 acres to explore. There are 30 different collections, including the Australian Forest Walk, Africa Collection, and the Oak Lawn. The Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden is also a great exhibit.

• Melbourne Museum

The Melbourne Museum is the largest in the southern hemisphere with over 17 million items. They also have the largest IMAX theater in the world, which shows movies and documentaries in 3D. A popular exhibit, the science gallery has fossils from over a dozen dinosaurs, including Protoceratops and Tarbosaurus.

• ScienceWorks

From meteorology to robotics, ScienceWorks has a variety of collections and exhibits that will appeal to everyone. And not everything is “hands-off” as they have a plethora of interactive experiments and displays. The planetarium is also popular with surround sound, reclining seats, and a 52-foot domed ceiling. 

Parks and Beaches

• Organ Pipes National Park

The 300-acre Organ Pipes National Park is named for its impressive array of volcanic rocks that look like organ pipes. They are over two million years old hexagonal basalt columns that are unique to this park. Walk over the sleeping volcano and get some selfies with these amazing geological features. 

• St. Kilda Beach

Along the shore of Port Phillip Bay, St. Kilda Beach is the most popular in Melbourne. The calm waters are excellent for swimming and snorkeling, and you can even do some diving if you have a license. Be sure to look for the fairy penguins that live there too. For more excitement, ride some coasters at Luna Park. 

• Phillip Island

Besides having some amazing beaches, Phillip Island is also a fantastic place for wildlife enthusiasts. Seal Rocks has the largest group of fur seals in Australia. And the little penguins have their own area to play in. There is even a wildlife park where the kangaroos and wallabies run free, and you can feed them by hand. 

• Yarra Bend Park

The largest natural bushland park in Melbourne, Yarra Bend has 642 acres to enjoy. From golf courses to wilderness trails and even a fly-casting pool for anglers, there is something for everyone. The park is also home to a large number of flying foxes, which is a major attraction there with between 3,000 to 30,000 bats hanging around. 

Landmarks and Famous Buildings

• The Eureka Tower

At 975 feet tall, the Eureka Tower is one of the tallest buildings in Melbourne. On the 88th floor, you can see for miles on the observation deck called Eureka Skydeck 88. You can also stand on The Edge, which is a glass cube that hangs almost 10 feet out over the edge. You can get some amazing food with a view on the 89th floor. 

• Federation Square

Check out the underground Melbourne Visitor Centre, explore the Australian Centre for the Moving Image with two cinemas, and enjoy some drinks at the rooftop bar. The Edge is also impressive with views of the Yarra River and Arts Centre. But don’t miss the Ian Potter Centre to see 20 galleries full of art.  

• Docklands

The Docklands has almost 500 acres of land and sea and is known for its stunning artworks and architecture as well as the nightlife. Numerous clubs dot the area and shopping is popular too. Be sure not to miss the Melbourne Star, which is an exhilarating 30-minute ride on one of the tallest Ferris wheels in the world.

• The 12 Apostles

The 12 Apostles are a group of 160-foot limestone stacks you can see off Great Ocean Road. Formed over millions of years by erosion, the ocean turned these pillars into a major attraction. What is unusual is that there were only eight stacks to begin with rather than 12 and they are susceptible to falling from erosion over time. 

Fun Things to Do

• Street Art Tour

Take a Melbourne street art tour and see some of the most amazing murals and graffiti in the city. On Hosier Lane by Federation Square, this cluster of murals is outstanding. At Centre Place between Flinders Lane and Collins Street, you can see cool stencil work. And don’t miss the art on AC/DC Lane, Croft Alley, and Caledonia Lane.

• River Cruise

Take a cruise on the Yarra River where you can see a variety of the major attractions from the water. The cruises range from two hours to half-day tours and may include meals or drinks, depending on your choice. Whether you choose a dinner cruise, a moonlit cruise, or an educational cruise, you should definitely bring your camera. 

• Food Tour

You can choose from a chocolate walking tour, a street food tour, or even an ultimate gourmet foodie tour. They also have wine and beer tasting tours for the adults. Try the 4-hour foodie culture tour and taste all sorts of dishes or the 2.5-hour chocolate and other desserts walking tour for six chocolate tasting stops.

• Melbourne Zoo

With over 5,000 animals in 320 species, the 55-acre Melbourne Zoo has been open since 1862. Take the Trail of the Elephants to see Asian elephants in their own habitat and walk through the butterfly house with thousands of butterflies. The Lion Gorge, African Rainforest, and Great Flight Aviary are popular too.

While you are in Melbourne, be sure to try some of the local cuisines. Both emu and kangaroo meat can be found at many high-end restaurants or even from street vendors. Be sure to try the fairy bread, lamington, or pavlova for dessert as well.