What to Do in Melbourne?

It's official, you're soon heading to Melbourne and you're looking for must-do activities? You've made an excellent choice by opting for one of the most fascinating cities in Australia! A unique blend of culture, art, and urban energy, Melbourne is a true hub of street art, with an artistic character that attracts thousands of visitors each year. But concretely, what to do in Melbourne to discover all the richness of this city? In this article, I reveal my Top 10 activities that you absolutely must not miss during your stay in Melbourne!

What to do upon arriving in Melbourne? Exploring downtown is undoubtedly the first thing to do to soak in the atmosphere. Melbourne is known for its amazing blend of history, culture, gastronomy, and architecture, which will always leave you wanting to discover more!

A must-see, the Melbourne skyline is one of the best spots with tall iconic skyscrapers like the Eureka Tower and its panoramic views from its 360-degree observation deck, as well as the Rialto Towers, icons of the urban landscape. If you're interested, you can climb to the Melbourne Skydeck for around $30 per person.

Stroll through the streets to witness the wide variety of architectural styles, including many historic buildings dating from the colonial era, as well as ultramodern structures. Many other places like Hosier Lane featuring its murals, the Block Arcade, and the Royal Arcade are essential areas for shopping. These buildings also showcase magnificent architecture!

When it comes to museums and art galleries, I highly recommend visiting the National Gallery of Victoria, the oldest and largest museum in Australia, the Princess Theatre for its beauty, and the Melbourne Cricket Ground located in Yarra Park, which hosts many sporting events.

Federation Square is one of the most emblematic and lively squares in the country. Inaugurated in 2002, it quickly became a must-visit gathering place for Melbourne locals. This plaza was designed by award-winning architects and features a modern and innovative style. It's truly something to see!

The square is located near St. Paul's Cathedral and Flinders Street Station, the main train station showcasing splendid French Renaissance architecture. If you're unsure about what to do in Melbourne, Federation Square offers a multitude of attractions, museums, trendy restaurants, bars, cafes, and various cultural events

To discover the very essence of Australian artistic culture, the Ian Potter Centre is the first gallery dedicated to this theme, while the Australian Centre for the Moving Image offers various exhibitions and screenings related to the world of cinema.

Briefly mentioned at the beginning of this guide when discussing Hosier Lane, street art and murals of all kinds have invaded certain neighborhoods in Melbourne. The city is renowned for hosting many urban artists who turn numerous walls and alleys into true open-air art galleries

So, where to see street art in Melbourne? In addition to Hosier Lane, neighborhoods such as Collingwood, Brunswick, and Fitzroy are iconic spots. Among other must-visit places, head to AC/DC Lane, undoubtedly one of the most striking areas. You'll find huge, colorful realistic portraits and various typography messages that will leave you speechless! To catch everything, feel free to join a guided street art tour in Melbourne! Accompanied by a guide, you'll wander through the alleys and learn more about the artists and the stories behind the works. Expect to pay around $44 per person.

Although graffiti and street art are often frowned upon in some countries, Melbourne embraces it with open arms. It encourages artists to express themselves through their art, even to the point of holding a popular event, the Melbourne Street Art Festival.

Let's get straight to the point, why not visit Melbourne with a river cruise? ⛴️ While aboard a comfortable boat, you can discover the most iconic landmarks such as Polly Woodside, West Gate Bridge, Southgate, Princes Bridge, or even Olympic Park from a new angle!

If you like this idea, then I've found a 2-hour river cruise on the Yarra. This activity includes a sightseeing cruise, guided commentary, as well as tea and coffee served on board.

As one of the oldest botanical gardens in Australia, the Royal Botanic Gardens boasts no less than 38 acres of greenery, making it a favorite spot to recharge and enjoy the outdoors. These gardens host a wide variety of plant species, with more than 10,000 specimens from the country and abroad!

On site, you'll find serene lakes, shaded areas, scenic paths, and various artistic creations. If you wish, you can join a guided tour to learn about the history of the Koolin Aboriginal people, discover more about the various floral and plant species while taking a stroll

Where to eat in Melbourne? If there's one place I can recommend, it's the Queen Victoria Market, one of the most iconic markets in the country. Founded in 1878, this market spans approximately 7 acres and hosts no less than 600 vendors offering a wide range of products

Queen Victoria Market, or Queen Vic, is the best place for food lovers looking to grab a bite and fill up on new flavors. Between the meat stalls, cheese varieties, fruits and vegetables, delicatessens, clothing, food trucks, and art pieces, there's so much to see... It's a bustling place worth exploring over a few days.

Very popular among locals and tourists alike, the Pink Lake is a natural wonder known for its striking pink color. This salt lake reveals a pink hue that surprises thousands of visitors each year, and it's truly something special! But why is this lake pink?

This phenomenon is due to the presence of algae, bacteria, and a high concentration of salt in the water. When sunlight strikes the surface of the lake, it creates incredible reflections that enhance the pink color... Astonishing! In addition to this uniqueness, the Pink Lake in Melbourne is a popular spot for boat excursions, walking trips, and tasty picnics

If you're visiting Melbourne with children, there are great places like the Melbourne Zoo! It is the oldest zoo in the country, featuring beautiful recreated rainforests as well as aquatic areas exclusively for Victoria's penguins and seals from the Australian coast.

Naturally, you'll encounter the iconic kangaroos, orangutans, tigers, koalas, and no less than 460 species of animals from around the world and Australia, including 21 endangered species such as rock wallabies, which are hunted for their fur and meat. This species is also suffering from the gradual destruction of its natural habitat, hence the zoo's commitment to preserving them

The Royal Melbourne Zoo is ideally located just minutes north of downtown, making it very accessible via public transport. You can directly purchase your Melbourne Zoo tickets by clicking the button below Expect about $32 per adult and $16 per child.

If you need to get some fresh air and enjoy beach days, then St Kilda is definitely one of the best places to go! This town, considered a separate neighborhood of Melbourne, is located about 6 kilometers from downtown. It offers a little peaceful retreat away from the urban hustle...

What sets St Kilda apart from other neighborhoods in Melbourne is its long stretch of white sand, diverse entertainment, and its exceptional pier. Here you can enjoy fun at Luna Park, a must-see amusement park, as well as the historic St Kilda Sea Baths.

There are also plenty of high-end restaurants and bakeries offering European pastries along Acland Street and Carlisle Street. Finally, if you are looking for bars and clubs to enjoy Melbourne's nightlife, be aware that St Kilda turns into the party district at night!

Make the most of your stay in Melbourne by taking a trip to Phillip Island, one of the most popular and accessible islands from Melbourne. This stunning wild island, located about 2 hours from downtown, offers a spectacular setting

Among the things to do, you can observe a large colony of seals at Seal Rocks and wait for sunset to watch the Penguin Parade when the little penguins return home after spending their day fishing This species of little penguin is recognized for its very small size! To have a chance to witness this unique moment, you need to head to Summerland Beach.

If you have a bit of time, the surroundings of Melbourne are full of must-visit destinations to explore. Here are some ideas to step out of the city and discover breathtaking landscapes and unique activities <-️

To get to Melbourne from France, flying is the most common mode of transport ✈️ The city is home to Melbourne-Tullamarine International Airport, the second largest airport in Oceania. Many airlines offer direct or connecting flights to Melbourne from airports such as Paris Charles de Gaulle, Paris-Orly, Lyon Saint-Exupéry, and Nice Côte d'Azur. Direct flights generally last between 20 to 25 hours, otherwise expect about 22 hours of travel time with a stopover from Paris.

Depending on the airline you fly with, you may have a layover in major cities such as Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai. These flights can be a good choice for saving money, but it is evident that travel duration is extended. In terms of budget, expect a minimum of $750 per person, but depending on the time of year, the price of a round-trip ticket can rise up to $2,600, so consider booking early!

Considered one of the coldest cities in Australia, Melbourne enjoys a temperate oceanic climate. It offers mild temperatures year-round, and unlike the northern territory, it has reversed seasons. In other words, the summer season runs from December to February ☀️

The best months to visit Melbourne are November, December, January, and February. Temperatures typically range between 22 and 27 degrees Celsius, with a relatively low precipitation rate.

If you haven't yet found accommodation where to stay in Melbourne, here are 3 great hotel recommendations that might please you:

You now have all the useful information for visiting Melbourne. I hope my article has helped you plan your stay If you're considering a road trip in Australia and are looking for places to stay in Sydney and to stay in Brisbane, I also have articles on that!