Things to do in Melbourne – Activities, Experiences & Tours
You’re searching for the best activities to do and places to visit in Melbourne? Cooking, classes, wine tasting or surf lessons, Melbourne is a great city to discover and has many experiences to offer its visitors. Whatever the length of your stay, check out our list of the most popular things to do in Melbourne.
Adventures
Looking for adrenaline-pumping experiences? Skydiving at St Kilda Beach, enjoying a balloon flight at sunrise or doing a road trip through the great ocean road, Melbourne is a great place for adventure-seekers.
Guided Tours
What could be better than discovering the city in the company of a local? Discover Melbourne and its secrets in the best possible conditions and take home unforgettable memories of your stay.
Workshop and Classes
Discover the most creative workshops in Melbourne. Art, design, crafts or cooking, develop new skills during your stay in Australia and meet other travellers!
Day Trips
If you're staying long enough in Melbourne, enjoying a day trip is one of the best way to discover the city. Give a visit to Phillip Island Penguin, be part of a wine tour or discover the Great Ocaen Road's outstanding sights.
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Things to know before travelling to Melbourne
You're heading to Melbourne? Please find below all the things you need to know before travelling to make the most out of you trip.
Key takeaways:
- Melbourne is mostly known for its quality of life and has outstanding sport, food and art scenes.
- There are many places outside of the CBD which are worth a visit, such as Fitzroy or St Kilda. The city centre is quite compact so it's easy to walk in Melbourne to each the main attractions.
- If you spend enough time in Australia, go to the Great Ocean Roads to admire mind-blowing Australian landscapes.
- Melbourne can be quite expensive if you're planning to do many activities. We advise you to exchange NZD to AUD before travelling to Australia.
- A 3-day trip to Melbourne is the minimum if you want to discover the main areas of the city. We advise you to extend your stay to at least 5 days if possible.
What is Melbourne best known for?
Located in the south-west of Australia, Melbourne is the capital of Victoria. With 5,207 millions inhabitants, it is the second-most populous city in the country.
Melbourne has been crowned the “World’s Most Liveable City” for seven years in a row and scored a perfect 100/100 in Healthcare, Infrastructure and Education.
Melbourne is considered the world’s sporting capital and welcomes each year numerous important events, such as:
- The Australian Open
- The Australian Grand Prix
- The Boxing Day Test
- The Hamilton Island Race Week
On top of its passion for sport, Melbourne also has a world-famous food scene, with a blend of various styles of cuisines. With 501 highly-rated restaurants, the city is considered the capital city for food and drinks in Australia.
The art scene is also a key feature of the city. Many artists, drawers, designers and musicians from all around the world are established in Melbourne. The National Gallery of Victoria is the most visited museum in Australia, with a huge Asian, Australian and international collection of prints, drawings and photographs.
How do I spend a day in Melbourne?
As far as possible, avoid confining yourself to the city centre. The city covers almost 10,000 km² and is home to many districts that are well worth a visit.
Head to Fitzroy to take advantage of the many shops in the area. Return to Flinders Street Station with a detour to Carlton, known as Melbourne's "Little Italy".
From Flinders Street Station, you can walk to the National Gallery of Victoria and discover the many exhibitions on display.
Take the time to visit the beaches of St Kilda, one of the city's liveliest districts.
Finally, take advantage of the Queen Victoria Market to grab a bite to eat at one of the many foodtrucks on offer.
If you're staying long enough to get out of the city, try the Great Ocean Road, which runs along the Australian coast to the south-west of the city. There are breathtaking views and plenty of hostels to stay in along the way.
Is Melbourne expensive?
Due to its quality of life and amazing features, Melbourne is the second most expensive city to live in Australia. Therefore, you will need to make sure to bring enough AUD with you to fully enjoy your stay. The cost of a trip to Melbourne depends on the activities you’re planning to do, but is usually between AUD$65 and AUD$595 per day for one person.
Finally, we advise you to exchange NZD to AUD before heading to Australia. Exchange rates are usually higher when you get your travel money abroad. Reserve your AUD online and collect them in one of our branches in Queenstown, Auckland or Wellington.
Is 3 days enough in Melbourne?
As you can see, Melbourne has many secrets to reveal, and you won't have time to get bored during your stay. A 3-day stay seems to be the minimum to discover the city in its broadest sense. We recommend a 5-day stay to really soak up the atmosphere of the city and avoid any kind of frustration.
Is Melbourne a walkable city?
Melbourne is a great city for walkers. There are many footpaths throughout the city and you can enjoy free tickets for the tram in the main parts of the CBD.
The city centre is quite compact and most attractions can be reached by walking. You can easily explore the National Victoria Gallery, walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens and discover the CBD in one day.
Table of contents
- What is Melbourne best known for?
- How do I spend a day in Melbourne?
- Is Melbourne expensive?
- Is 3 days enough in Melbourne?
- Is Melbourne a walkable city?