Places to Visit in Melbourne

The National Gallery of Victoria, or NGV, is located in Melbourne, Australia. Founded in 1861, it is the oldest museum in the country and archives an abundance of heritage showcased through its magnificent collection of over 70,000 exemplary art compositions! The collection bears witness to the various ideas, styles, and disciplines of art across centuries and cultures in the country.

Royal Botanic Garden in Melbourne is home to over 50,000 plants like camellias, rainforest flora, succulents, cacti, Californian species, herbs, plants from Southern China, and many more species. Catch sight of the Guilfoyle’s Volcano and Melbourne Observatory. Visit the Terrace or Jardin Tan cafe to relish delicacies and the Gardens shop to pick botanical souvenirs. Lakes and natural wildlife complete the natural aesthetic of the garden.

Built in the mid-19th century, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, or simply the MCG, is the Australian Cricket Team's primary and largest home stadium. It is a world-renowned stadium with world-class facilities and has borne witness to some of the best cricket matches in the world. The first test match in the sport's history was played here in 1877. It has seen many renovations and upgrades, always keeping up with international cricket standards.

The Shrine of Remembrance is the National War Memorial of Victoria and a landmark of Melbourne. Originally dedicated to the bravery of the servicemen of Victoria in World War I, it is currently a tribute to all the brave Australians who served in the war for the country and is among Australia’s largest war memorials.

The Eureka Tower, at a staggering height of almost 300 metres tall, was once the tallest structure in Melbourne, Australia. Opened in 2006, it is a residential highrise that is quite popular for its viewpoint, the Skydeck 88. From Skydeck 88, panoramic views of the city skyline can be viewed far out into the distance. In addition, a popular event called the Eureka Climb, which started in 2012, is held annually to see who can climb the tower fastest to the top level.

Home to over 500 species of aquatic animals, the Sea life Melbourne aquarium is located in central Melbourne. The majestic king, gentoo penguins, and the world's largest crocodile are some of the aquarium's main attractions. Experience dining under the massive oceanarium among stingrays, sharks, and many multi-coloured fishes. 4D aquatic cinema shows, hands-on wave touch pools, feeding shows, and other programs help visitors virtually interact with marine life as well.

Built in 1880, the Royal Exhibition Building is a UNESCO World Heritage Sight and was the first building in Australia to get this status. Its magnificent architecture and imposing size make it a popular tourist attraction. It is one of the only remaining exhibition buildings in the world and was built during the wave of the international exhibition movement to host the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1881. Today, the stunning building serves as the prime location in Melbourne to host all sorts of shows, exhibitions and events.

Queen Victoria Market, carrying its 140+ years of legacy, is situated in Melbourne. It serves as a one-stop destination for fresh veggies, clothes, snacks, beverages, souvenirs, hand-made products, imported finds, and awakening coffee to taste! Stretching across two city blocks, the market is home to 600 small businesses and is a significant landmark of the central business district of Melbourne, serving as a retail and wholesale hub since the late 1860s.

The Flinders Street Station is the central railway station of Melbourne and an icon of the city’s culture and history. Designed in the historical Art Nouveau style in 1910, it is Australia’s oldest and busiest railway station. Once the busiest station in the world, today, it attracts over 90,000 daily commuters and large crowds of tourists who come to admire its iconic green copper dome and beautiful facade.

Situated in the centre of Melbourne’s CBD, Block arcade is a luxury shopping arcade with branded fashion outlets, cafes, bakeries, vintage jewellery, gift stores, and art. It is home to the original Hopetoun Tea Rooms and renowned traders like Basement Discs, Sol Alpaca, and Haigh’s Chocolates, Australia’s premium chocolatiers! Private functions are held at the venue, and a guided tour twice every week showing around the luxury food outlets and artisan cafes, explaining the rich history behind the 100-year-old building.

Within the Royal National Park in Parkville is situated the Melbourne Zoo or the Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens. Home to over 320 species of wildlife, visitors can spot Tigers wandering, Monkeys swinging, Orangutans, the Trail of Elephants, Wombats, Asian pachyderms, African Zebras, and Savanna Giraffes. One can also witness marine life creatures like Penguins and fur seals and also closely interact with Australian Koalas and Kangaroos in their natural habitat.

Popularly known as the ‘local village market’, the South Melbourne Market, located in Melbourne, Victoria, is famous for its coffee, cafes, and restaurants serving food from locally procured ingredients. The highlight of this market is the four-day Moomba festival held annually. Merchandise like local handicrafts, homeware, garments, books, and fashion equipment are also available. In addition, live concerts, exhibitions, and offerings display support for their rich heritage.

Situated in the central region of Victoria, The Organ Pipes National Park is famous for its geological location and the Organ Pipes hanging off a cliff. The Rosette Rock, Keilor Plains, and Tessellated Pavement, with fossils dating back to 4 million years, are notable attractions of the park. Native plants and rich wildlife with animals like Kangaroos, Echidnas, and Platypus are sited here. Trails are tailored to show around corners of the park. Camping, fishing, hiking, and picnicking are everyday activities one can try their hand at while visiting the park.

The Abbotsford Convent is located in Abbotsford, Victoria. It is a preserve of Culture, Learning, and Creativity, a space, home to over 100 art studios, galleries, eateries and cafes, radio stations, a school, open-air cinema, all surrounded by greenery. St. Heliers Street Gallery, an artistically rich space, is a ‘must-visit’. The Convent has educational and social history tours, mysteries podcasts, exhibitions, markets, festivals, private and corporate events, workshops, and performances to celebrate community enrichment.

Situated in East Melbourne, Fitzroy Gardens is home to a wide array of Flora, historical buildings, and sculptures. Sites of Heritage and Tourist Attractions include the Captain Cook’s Cottage, Carved Fairies Tree, the Scarred Tree, Myriad Fountains, Statues, Model Tudor Village, Band Pavillion, Sinclair’s Cottage, and the Rotunda. In addition, scenic water elements are distributed throughout the garden that visitors can spot while on a leisurely stroll.

Located in Melbourne, Flinders Lane is a hotspot for world-renowned fine dining, galleries, and fashion labels. Grill Americano, Supernormal, Coda, Tippy Tay, and Kenzan are popular eateries around the area. Visit the nearby Degraves street for cafes, bars, coffee, and garment boutiques. Anna Schwartz Gallery and Flinders Lane Gallery hold exhibitions. Umpteen handicrafts, jewellery, and homeware authentic to the Victorian era are available here. Do not miss visiting historic buildings like Murray and Chapter House.

The Heide Museum of Modern Art is situated in Bulleen, a suburb of Melbourne. It houses modern and contemporary art. The pleasant garden at Heide serves as a great picnic spot for visitors, and the sculpture park is also one other major attraction within the museum. Exhibitions are held with the Heide Market showcasing works of artistry expertise and handcrafted goods. Learning opportunities are offered too. The cafe Heide serves coffee, breakfast, and lunch made from seasonal produce grown in-house in the kitchen garden.

The State Theatre, located in Melbourne, is part of the Arts Centre Melbourne. The underground space is ideally used for artists showcasing their talents in the form of theatre performances, dancing, and musical talents, specifically Ballet and Opera. The Theatre is equipped with Assistive Hearing System enriching every execution ever! Opera Australia and Australian Ballet host varied events and acts regularly. Do not forget to notice the 75,000 tiny brass cups adorning the ceiling of this gigantic setting.

Bonjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre is situated at Melbourne Museum, Australia. Through the many exhibitions showcasing artefacts, storytelling, and events held, it is a hotspot for Art, Culture, History, and Heritage lovers! Visit the Birrarung Gallery and First peoples, their art space for exhibitions, Milarri Garden Trails, home to flora from the native era, and Kalaya, for performances celebrating the roots of the native Victorians.

Amidst the Kings Domain Gardens in Melbourne, Sidney Myer Music Bowl is a famous summertime location, famous for Carols by Candlelight and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra., their annual event. In addition, it hosts yearlong live concerts, symphony performances, theatre, and more. The music hub has seen some world-renowned artists like Paul McCartney, Neil Diamond, Metallica, Florence, and The Seekers. It was nominated for the Best Venue Award at the Music Victoria Awards in 2021.

The Nicholas Building is located at the intersection of Swanston Street and Flinders Lane, Melbourne. The building is home to shoemakers, milliners, artists, jewellers, architects, and the famous cathedral cafe. In addition, art studios, business offices, galleries, bookstores, Patch Attack, Pasteup, Retro Fashion labels, Sticky Institue for craft supplies, and Brendan Dwyer for leather footwear are notable outlets inside the heritage building.

Located at 187 flinders lane Melbourne, Adelphi hotel is a luxurious boutique hotel famous for its rooftop swimming pool. The exemplary cantilevered glass bottom pool hangs from the ninth story giving the guests an extraordinary swimming experience and an overview of Flinders lane. The hotel’s kitchen Om Nom has an extensive menu offering varied cuisines with its own dessert bar.

Located 5 km north of Melbourne’s CBD, Brunswick East is an inner-city suburb with a wide range of Bars, bakeries, restaurants, and cafes serving diverse cuisines, including Japanese, Italian, Greek, Thai, and much more. The northern end of Brunswick east is a neighbourhood offering vintage shopping and entertainment venues. Monk House Design and Obus Brunswick East are clothing stores, while B. East for burgers, Rumi for Middle Eastern, and Royal Eatery for Indian delicacies are eateries.

Located in North Melbourne, Arts House is home to contemporary performances. It is famous for its artistic and cultural aura. They invest in artists and their creative ideas by conducting artist-centric workshops, programs and gatherings. Live and digital programs are organized, revolutionising culture, art, creativity, and expression via depth of imagination, storytelling and abstraction. Their CultureLab development program support artists of varied disciplines and background, including the disabled class!