Last updated on April 10th, 2024
Yarra River, © Can Stock Photo / rustyphil
Visit Melbourne – Melbourne City
- City Circle Tram – this tourist tram is free.
- Colonial Tramcar Restaurant – dine while you tour the city.
- Queen Victoria Market and Flagstaff Gardens, where you can take the cultural Koorie Heritage Walk.
- Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium
Flinders Street Station, © Can Stock Photo / fla
Visit Melbourne – Flinders St Station
Flinders Street Station – the heart of Melbourne’s transportation network. It’s across the street from Federation Square where you will find restaurants, shops, art, culture and performances. The Melbourne Visitor Centre, Ian Potter Centre and the ACMI Moving Image gallery are located here. Catch a river cruise on the Yarra with three companies to choose from that embark from the square. Cross the Yarra River to Southbank.
Webb Bridge, Docklands, © Can Stock Photo / robynmac
Visit Melbourne – Docklands
Visit the Docklands in the city centre for shopping, restaurants, river and bay cruises, walking and a Sunday market at Harbour Town. See Footy (Australian Rules Football) here at Etihad Stadium. Catch views of the Bolte Bridge and try the pedestrian only Webb Bridge. Check out the Southern Star Observation Wheel.
Visit Melbourne – Southbank & South Wharf
- Eureka Skydeck 88 – for views over the city and dinner at the Edge.
- Southgate Promenade
- Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and the Crown Entertainment Complex with the Crown Casino.
- The National Gallery of Victoria, Polly Woodside Maritime Museum and the Arts Centre Melbourne including the Fairfax Studio and the Melbourne Concert Hall.
- At the eastern edge of Southbank, the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, the Kings Domain and the Queen Victoria Gardens join together to form a gigantic parkland in the city. The Shrine of Remembrance war memorial, Government House and the Sydney Myer Music Bowl are located here. Take an Aboriginal Heritage Walk in the Botanic Gardens.
Melbourne, © Can Stock Photo / Jlye
Visit Melbourne – East Melbourne
- Fitzroy Gardens and the adjacent Treasury Gardens.
- St Patrick’s Cathedral
- Parliament House Victoria
- Rod Laver Arena – Australia’s answer to Wimbledon with the Australian Tennis Open, plus other events throughout the year.
- Birrarung Marr Park is nearby to Rod Laver and across the Yarra River from Queens Park.
- Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) – known simply as “the G”. Also located beside the Cricket Ground are the National Sports Museum. the Australian Gallery of Sport & Olympic Museum Collection and Yarra Park.
Royal Exhibition Building, © Can Stock Photo / frozensage
Visit Melbourne – Carlton
- Carlton Gardens with the Melbourne Museum, the Royal Exhibition Building and the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show located in the park.
- Italian restaurants along Lygon and Rathdowne Streets in Melbourne’s Little Italy.
Visit Melbourne – Hotels
Apartment Rentals are very popular for longer term stays in Melbourne.
- Canvas Suites on William
- Docklands Executive Apartments
- Imagine Marco
Twelve Apostles, © Can Stock Photo / goglik83
Visit Melbourne – Penguin Island
Phillip Island Nature Parks (Penguin Island) – About 2 hours from Melbourne and a popular tourist destination. Watch the penguins return to their nests from the sea each evening. They parade directly past the grandstand. Also see Koala Conservation Centre, Churchill Island and the Nobbies Centre. This is an excellent family destination dedicated to the preservation of Australian native species. Penguin numbers are highest in December. March is most likely the best month for good weather.
Visit Melbourne – St Kilda
- St Kilda Pier and Esplanade – beaches and restaurants.
- Luna Park – amusement park.
- St Kilda Botanical Gardens
- Jewish Museum of Australia
- Astor Theatre
Puffing Billy, © Can Stock Photo / CJP
Visit Melbourne – Urban Melbourne
- Melbourne Zoo
- the Melbourne Grand Prix in March or drive a lap around Albert Park Lake the rest of the year.
- Flemington and Caulfield Racecourses. Australian’s love to dress up for the most important races. The ladies’ hats are often more entertaining than the races.
Bells Beach, Great Ocean Road, © Can Stock Photo / f11b1
Visit Nearby Melbourne
- the Dandenong Ranges National Park – an hour from the city. Ride the Puffing Billy narrow gauge steam train. Visit Sky High Mt. Dandenong and catch views back to Melbourne too. See Olinda Falls and walk in Sherbrooke Forest. Visit the Tesselaar Tulip Farm and Festival and see Yarra Valley wineries.
- Werribee Open Range Zoo – thirty minutes from the city centre. Take a realistic safari to the African savannah.
- Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne, including the Australian Garden. About 45 minutes from the City Centre.
- Soverign Hill – a living museum 90 minutes from Melbourne.
- the Great Ocean Road to Bells Beach, Lorne and the Twelve Apostles, which are 3 hours from Melbourne. Arrange a tour with AAT Kings or Melbourne Tours.
- Ski at Mt Buller in winter. The alpine village is located about 3.5 hours from Melbourne.
Melbourne Weather Map
Melbourne Day Trips
- Phillip Island Penguin Tour
- Great Ocean Road – Twelve Apostles
- Yarra Valley Wine Tour
Shrine of Remembrance, © Can Stock Photo / imagex
Melbourne Weather
Melbourne is located in the Southern Hemisphere, so its seasons are reversed as compared to Europe or North America. Temperatures in the winter months, from May to September, average highs of about 15 C (60 F) and lows of 7 C (45 F). The summer months around December average 25 C (77 F) for highs and 13 C (55 F) for lows. Summer months can experience periods of very hot weather and high humidity. Rainfall is spread fairly evenly throughout the year. December is the best month for penguin viewing at nearby Phillip Island.
Visit Melbourne – Transportation
The airport is 25 minutes northwest of the city center and is accessed by taxi or Skybus. Skybus takes passengers to Melbourne City, Southbank, Docklands, St Kilda and Frankston. The PTV operates trains, trams and buses in the city.
Visit Melbourne – Background
Melbourne is the Garden City and the capital of the state of Victoria. It is also often called the cultural capital of Australia. The city was founded in 1835 and has an urban population in excess of 4 million, making it second in size only to Sydney. It is located where the Yarra River meets Port Phillip. The city prospered during the gold rush of 1851. Today’s architecture is a mixture of Victorian and modern buildings.
Leave A Comment