Melbourne Top 10 Things to Do | Must-See Attractions & Experiences

Melbourne Top 10 Things to Do | Must-See Attractions & Experiences

Melbourne the Capital City of Victoria, is one of Australia’s most exciting and dynamic cities, where culture, creativity, history and incredible food come together effortlessly. From iconic landmarks and grand heritage buildings to colourful laneways, tranquil gardens and world-class museums, there is always something new to discover.

Whether you’re visiting Melbourne for a weekend getaway, a city break between road trips, or a longer stay exploring Victoria, the city offers an endless mix of experiences.

These are our top things to do in Melbourne, showcasing the highlights that make this vibrant city so special.

Discover the Melbourne Skydeck

For unforgettable views across the city, head to the Melbourne Skydeck, the highest observation deck in the Southern Hemisphere.

The Melbourne Skydeck is located in the Eureka Tower, a striking 297-metre-high skyscraper at 7 Riverside Quay in Southbank. The Eureka Tower is currently the third-tallest building in Australia, and at its base you’ll notice an interesting art installation featuring gold bees and a beehive, a nod to the gold rush history.

The Melbourne Skydeck is open daily from 12 noon to 10 pm, with tickets available online or in person. Once inside, you’ll take the fastest lift in the Southern Hemisphere up to the 88th floor, where the city opens up beneath you.

From the Skydeck, enjoy breathtaking 360-degree views over Melbourne’s skyline, the Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay. You can also step outside onto The Terrace, a small open-air viewing area that can be very windy. At Bar 88, relax with cocktails, drinks, coffee or snacks while soaking up the views.

For an added thrill, you can experience The Edge — a transparent glass cube that extends out from the building, leaving you suspended nearly 300 metres above the streets of Melbourne.

The views are spectacular during the day, but Melbourne truly comes alive at night and looks absolutely stunning after dark. A return Skydeck ticket within 36 hours can be purchased for just $10.00, making it great value.

👉 Click here to get your Melbourne Skydeck Tickets.

Browse the Queen Victoria Market

The Queen Victoria Market is the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere and one of Melbourne’s most iconic attractions. It’s open five days a week — Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday — and is a bustling hub for food lovers and shoppers alike.

With more than 600 stalls, the market is packed with fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, seafood, gourmet produce and flowers. It’s the perfect place to soak up the atmosphere and sample local flavours.

Don’t miss the iconic American Doughnut Kitchen, a Melbourne institution that has been serving hot, jam-filled doughnuts from its vintage van since the 1950s. These doughnuts are perfectly crisp on the outside and warm with raspberry jam inside.

Beyond the food, the Queen Victoria Market offers a huge variety of stalls selling handcrafted jewellery, leather goods, new and vintage clothing, colourful homewares, gifts, pet products and fun souvenirs.

👉 Click here for more information.

Wander around the Royal Botanic Gardens

The Royal Botanic Gardens is a 38-hectare oasis of lush landscapes, tranquil lakes and diverse plant life. Open every day of the year from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., the Gardens are home to more than 8,500 plant species from around the world.

Fern Gully provides a cool, shady sanctuary with a gentle stream flowing through it, raised boardwalks and even a swinging chair tucked among the greenery.

The grassy areas surrounding the ornamental lake are perfect for relaxing or enjoying a picnic, or you can dine at The Terrace restaurant. From September to May, you can also enjoy punting on the lake — a serene cruise in an elegant wooden punt while a guide shares stories about the Gardens’ history and wildlife.

Guilfoyle’s Volcano is one of the most unique spaces within the Gardens. Located at the highest point, it features a fascinating collection of cacti and drought-tolerant plants arranged within a former water reservoir.

Visit the National Gallery of Victoria NGV

The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is Australia’s oldest and most visited art gallery, spread across two impressive locations — NGV International at 180 St Kilda Road and the Ian Potter Centre at Federation Square.

We visited NGV International, which is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. General entry is free, although some exhibitions and special events require tickets.

The gallery features an extraordinary range of international and Australian art, with exhibitions covering everything from historic masterpieces to contemporary works, fashion, design, architecture, sound and performance art.

Established in 1861, the NGV houses more than 76,000 works spanning thousands of years and countless artistic styles. One of the highlights is the Great Hall, famous for its stunning stained-glass ceiling.

Discover Street Art

Melbourne’s laneways are world-famous for their vibrant street art, transforming hidden alleys into ever-changing outdoor galleries. Wandering these laneways reveals a side of Melbourne that’s creative, edgy and constantly evolving.

Hosier Lane, located opposite Federation Square, is one of the most well-known spots, with colourful murals lining the cobblestone laneway.

AC/DC Lane, named in tribute to the legendary Australian rock band, also features impressive street art and a strong music connection.

As you explore the city, keep an eye out for unexpected murals, sculptures and quirky artworks tucked away down side streets.

See a Show at a Melbourne Theatre

Melbourne has a thriving performing arts scene, and seeing a live show is a must. Iconic venues such as the Princess Theatre, Her Majesty’s Theatre and the Comedy Theatre host world-class productions, from musicals and ballet to drama and comedy.

Check what’s on during your visit and experience Melbourne’s love of live performance.

👉 Click here for the Melbourne Theatre Calendar

Explore Heritage Buildings

Melbourne is rich in 19th-century architecture, with heritage buildings that tell the story of the city’s past.

Flinders Street Station, with its iconic yellow façade and clocks, is one of Melbourne’s most recognisable landmarks. Completed in 1910, it remains one of the busiest stations in Australia.

The Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton Gardens, built in 1880, is one of the world’s oldest remaining exhibition pavilions and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The State Library of Victoria, located on the corner of Swanston and La Trobe Streets, was established in 1854. It’s Australia’s oldest public library and one of the first free libraries in the world.

St Patrick’s Cathedral, located in Cathedral Place, is a stunning Gothic-style church built between 1858 and 1939. Entry is free, and the stained-glass windows are beautiful.

You’ll also see Parliament House on Spring Street, a grand neoclassical building that took more than 70 years to complete.

As you wander through the city, you’ll encounter many more impressive heritage buildings around every corner.

Visit the Melbourne Zoo

Melbourne Zoo, established in 1862, is Australia’s oldest zoo and home to more than 300 native and exotic animal species. Located just minutes from the city centre, it’s open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., including public holidays.

In the Gorilla Rainforest habitat, you can also visit Lemur Island and watch the playful lemurs, along with pygmy hippos and black-handed spider monkeys.

Along the Main Trail, giraffes tower above visitors as they feed on leaves, reaching heights of over five metres when fully grown.

The Australian Bush habitat showcases native animals including koalas, kangaroos and emus.

In Lion Gorge, watch lions relaxing in the shade, spot the elusive snow leopard, and see dingoes in their habitat.

The Wild Sea exhibit is home to seals, fish and seahorses, while the Growing Wild Habitat is a favourite for watching the playful meerkats, with one always standing guard.

👉 Click here for more information

Explore the Melbourne Museum

The Melbourne Museum is the largest museum in the Southern Hemisphere and offers an immersive look at natural and cultural history. Located in Carlton Gardens opposite the Royal Exhibition Building, it’s open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

There is an entry fee for adults and concessions, while children aged 16 and under enjoy free general entry to permanent exhibitions. The museum covers Australian and Victorian social history, Aboriginal culture, science and the environment.

Highlights include the Dinosaur Walk, featuring towering skeletons, and the interactive Bugs Alive exhibit.

The Melbourne Story exhibit explores the city’s history, and you can also see the preserved hide of champion racehorse Phar Lap.

The museum is home to the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre, which empowers Aboriginal people to interpret and share their cultural heritage.

At the heart of the museum is the Forest Gallery, a living environment filled with trees, birds, fish and waterfalls.

Discover Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium

Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium is located on the banks of the Yarra River and focuses on marine life from the Southern Ocean and Antarctica. It’s open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and it’s best to book tickets online in advance.

The Night on the Reef exhibit immerses you in a vibrant underwater world filled with tropical fish, sharks and rays.

The Penguin Playground is home to King and Gentoo penguins. King penguins are the second-largest penguin species and are mesmerising to watch, while Gentoo penguins are curious, energetic and the fastest swimming birds underwater.

You can get hands-on at the Touch and Feel Discovery Rockpools, visit Pinjarra the saltwater crocodile in Crocodile Lair, and admire sea dragons and seahorses at Seahorse Pier.

👉 Click here to book your Sea Life Melbourne Tickets

Why Melbourne Belongs on Every Travel List

Melbourne is a city that effortlessly blends culture, creativity and character. From soaring city views and world-class galleries to hidden laneways, vibrant markets, beautiful gardens and unforgettable wildlife encounters, there’s something here for every kind of traveller.

Whether you’re visiting for a weekend escape or building a longer Victorian road trip, Melbourne’s mix of iconic attractions and local experiences makes it a destination you’ll want to return to again and again. It’s a city best explored at your own pace — one laneway, coffee stop and cultural highlight at a time.

👉 Click here to Discover the Best Melbourne Tours including walking tours, street art tours, foodie tours, day trips from Melbourne and so much more...