Melbourne City Local Guide: 16 Best Things To Do, Eat + More!

Melbourne is a city that we keep coming back to… it is an easy drive from Adelaide (our home town), a city that has many international flights, and overall a city that is easy to get around once you’re there.

Melbourne is the best coffee place I know, it has so many great attractions and is a really interesting blend of history vs the modern world. It doesn’t take much to see this reflected in the architecture. Heritage-listed houses next to ultramodern homes.

If you’re looking for a guide for the best things to do in Melbourne city centre, check out our list here. I’ve included the iconic must see places, along with our own personal favourites.

Let’s start with a bit of info about Melbourne, so you can get the most from your visit. If you’d like to skip to any section, just use this table of contents.

About Melbourne

You find Melbourne on the southern coast of Australia, it’s the capital of Victoria, and widely known as the country’s cultural, sporting, and coffee capital. The city centre (or “CBD”) is a bustling hub laid out in a convenient grid, making it incredibly easy to explore on foot or by its iconic tram system. (However, if you’re walking across the city, just FYI, it is slightly sloped!)

It’s a city for foodies, art lovers, sports lovers, and families. There’s something for everyone. The only thing you can’t count on is the weather! So, make sure you pack a jacket and a t-shirt – the saying in Melbourne goes ‘4 seasons in 1 day!

Weather in Melbourne

Talking about the weather, to help you narrow down what you need to pack, here are the average temperatures to expect:

• Dec, Jan, Feb: Min 14 degrees, Max 25 degrees
• Mar, April, May: Min 10 degrees Max 19 degrees
• June, July, Aug: Min 6 degrees, Max 14 degrees
• Sept, Oct, Nov: Min 9 degrees, Max 19 degrees.

It rains, on average, 100 days per year, so pack an umbrella! As Melbourne is situated on the Southern Coast, it can get cooler than other capital cities in Australia. However, I find that the buildings are made for the cooler weather, so inside is generally warmer compared with other areas of Australia.

Best Things to Do in Melbourne

Here are the best 16 things to do, divided into family outings, non-kiddy outings, and free things to do.

Top Family Experiences

1. SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

Perfect for a rainy day (which, as you saw in the info above, Melbourne has a few) or a great activity for the family, SEA LIFE Melbourne is fantastic. Located right on the Yarra River, it features several distinct zones, from the really cool Oceanarium with its massive sharks and stingrays to the adorable Penguin Playground.

My favourite was the huge aquarium, which has a tunnel you can walk under. This means you watch the sharks, stingrays, turtles and other fish swim above you, around you, and it’s just awesome!

My recommendation is to book online. It is cheaper, and you are also assured of entry at your chosen time. This is how SEA LIFE Melbourne keeps the visitors to a reasonable number to ensure everyone has a great time. We wrote up our full visit in our SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium review if you want more detail before you go.

➡️Check the prices here and book today for SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

2. Build an Adventure at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre

If you’re travelling with kids aged 3-10, this is a non-negotiable stop! It’s important to note this isn’t in the CBD, it’s located at Chadstone Shopping Centre, which is around 20 mins drive or bus ride. However, I’ve included it as it’s something really unique, and our kids loved it!

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre has a 4D cinema, Lego workshops, build and test racetracks, and more. (Homeschool parents, hint – this is great for some sneaky education!)

Travelling without kids, but love Lego? LEGOLAND Discovery Centre has adults-only nights, where you can enjoy Lego without kids running around! Similar to SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium, LEGOLAND operates on timeslots ,so make sure you book online to secure your preferred time.

➡️Book your entry to LEGOLAND online here for the best prices.

3. See the City from the Eureka Skydeck

For the best views of the city and beyond, head to the Eureka Skydeck on Southbank. You’ll shoot up 88 floors in record time! The 360-degree views are breathtaking, especially at sunset.

There is a bar and a restaurant, with possibly the best views in Melbourne! Unless you plan to stay for a bite to eat and drink, allow 45 minutes to an hour to view the surroundings.

➡️ Book your tickets to Eureka Skydeck here and check your session times.

4. Explore the Melbourne Museum

Located in the beautiful Carlton Gardens (a great spot for a picnic), the Melbourne Museum is a must-visit for families. It’s huge and has something for everyone.

There is a whole section dedicated to kids, with interactive displays, a forest gallery, a dinosaur walk and more. And, did you know that this museum even has a restaurant and a few cafes! Plan to be here for a few hours, and for a low admission entry, it is really worth it.

➡️ Secure your tickets to the museum here for a fun-filled (and educational, but don’t tell the kids, day!)

5. Become a scientist at Scienceworks

Both kids and adults will find Scienceworks interesting. There is so much to see, learn and explore at the interactive exhibition. You’ll find sports science, forces, space, and much more. There are a couple of cafes if you want to stop for a bite to eat.

You can even visit a planetarium; it is for an extra fee, but ask when you get there if you’re interested. We didn’t visit the planetarium this time as our kids don’t like to sit still (even for a few moments!), and they were also having too much fun exploring the other exhibits! Subscribe to our newsletter, and when we are able to take them, I’ll let you know how it was! 🙂

➡️Book your Scienceworks tickets here to avoid the line up

6. Go to the Zoo!

Who doesn’t like a Zoo visit! The Melbourne zoo is a great place to visit, they have a wide range of animals to see, lots to learn, and it can easily be the best part of the day spent at the zoo. You can find almost any animal, from lions to butterflies!

We have an annual pass to the Adelaide zoo, so we could enter for free with our reciprocal membership. Keep the annual pass in mind if you do like visiting zoos – it allows entry to most Australian zoos. Otherwise, grab your tickets here. Sometimes the Melbourne zoo offers free entry for kids on weekends and school holidays, so check any deals that are on here.

➡️ Book your Melbourne Zoo tickets here.

Great for Adults

7. Tour the MCG

The Melbourne Cricket Ground is a world class sporting venue, and full of history. While kids can attend this tour, it may be more suited for adults. Our kids are 5 and 7 and weren’t interested, but older kids might find it more enjoyable.

The tour will take you behind the scenes, into the media areas, locker rooms and more. There is an interactive sports area where you can test your cricket skills! Grab your ticket online to avoid the queues.

➡️Book your MCG tour tickets here today

8. Visit the Old Melbourne Gaol

Again, I’ve added this experience here as it’s not suitable for our kids yet, but older kids would find it interesting (so would the adults – especially the after-dark tours!) Our kids are going through the ghosts are real stage, so we’ll postpone this visit for a little bit! No need to have more sleepless nights! 😛

Anyway, why I wanted to visit the Old Melbourne Gaol is for the history, the crazy stories, and I guess just a strange intrigue. Once you’re there, you can have guided tours about Ned Kelly, ghost tours and others. It is part of the National Trust of Melbourne, and they do excellent exhibits. Although this one is eye-opening in terms of history…

➡️ Book your tickets to the Melbourne Gaol here.

9. Spirit of Melbourne 4-Course Cruise with Drinks

For one of the best ways to take in the city sights, and have a lovely dinner, jump onboard the Spirit of Melbourne. Cruise along the Yarra River while looking at Rod Laver Arena, Royal Botanic Gardens and more.

The best part, the boat is fully enclosed – remember I talked about the weather! You’ll be comfortable, well fed, and entertained as you watch the skyline. The food is amazing, it starts with a tasting plate, main, dessert and, coffees and drinks.

➡️Book this highly recommended experience now, you’ll have a wonderful evening 🙂

10. Melbourne 3 Hour Foodie Walking Tour

Melbourne is well known for its food. Wherever you head in the CBD, you’ll find a restaurant with delicious food. But, to keep things easy, why not join a walking tour.

This tour guides you from Little Bourke Street in the city and takes you around various cafes, bakeries, restaurants, and bars. Some tastings are included in the price. If you’re looking for the out of the way, interesting, local knowledge only places, this tour is for you.

➡️Grab a spot on this tour with a difference here.

Best Free Things to Do

11. Explore the Famous Laneways and Street Art

You haven’t truly seen Melbourne until you’ve got lost in its laneways. Start at the famous Hosier Lane, which is a living gallery of incredible street art, stencils, and murals that change almost daily.

Other must-sees include AC/DC Lane (a tribute to the iconic Aussie rockers), Centre Place (for its unique cafe scene), and the beautiful Block Arcade (for its stunning 19th-century architecture).

12. Browse Queen Victoria Market

The “Queen Vic” is the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s completely free to wander, but dare you not to buy anything! You’ll find all sorts of interesting things, but I love the fresh fruit and veg. Markets are always great to wander around, but there is so much to see at this one!

➡️For open times and more info, check out the Queen Victoria Website

13. Walk the Royal Botanic Gardens

When the city hustle gets too much, the Royal Botanic Gardens are your inner-city oasis. Just a short walk or tram ride from the CBD, these huge gardens are stunningly beautiful and completely free to enter.

You can spend hours here exploring the different plant collections, walking around the ornamental lake, or just finding a quiet patch of grass for a picnic.

There are guided tours that you can join for a small fee, but otherwise the Botanic Gardens is free to enter.

➡️For more info, check out this website.

14. Visit the National Gallery of Victoria

The NGV is Australia’s oldest and most visited art museum, and general entry is completely free! It’s split into two buildings: NGV International on St Kilda Road (don’t miss the “water wall” at the entrance or the stunning stained-glass ceiling in the Great Hall) and NGV Australia at Fed Square, which is dedicated to Australian art.

It’s a world-class cultural experience for zero dollars. Open daily 10am-5pm.

➡️For more info, check out the NGV website here

15. Ride the Free City Circle Tram

The City Circle Tram (Route 35) is a heritage W-class tram that runs a loop around the CBD and Docklands. It stops at all the iconic, must see places in Melbourne.

The Tram runs in a clockwise direction, and you’ll find a tram every 12 minutes at the stops.

➡️Get all the info and up-to-date schedule here

16. Stroll the Yarra River and Southbank

The Yarra River is the famous Melbourne river and a walk along its banks is a perfect free activity.

Start at Fed Square and cross Princes Bridge to Southbank Promenade. This wide boardwalk is lined with restaurants, street performers, and incredible city views.

Where To Stay

To be right in the heart of the action, staying in the CBD, Southbank, or Carlton is your best bet. Melbourne has a fantastic range of accommodation, from luxury high-rises to chic, budget-friendly hotels.

Luxury: Lancemore Crossley St. Melbourne

📍51 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne

If you’re looking to splurge, Lancemore Crossley St Melbourne should be top on your list! Featuring 5 stars, this hotel has a fitness room, a bar and a restaurant. With amazing views, this is the hotel to inspect!

➡️Did you see the extra large beds offered here? This hotel books out often, so book early if you’re looking for luxury.

Luxury: Adelphi Hotel Melbourne

📍187 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

If you want something that is right in the middle of Flinders Lane shopping district, and has one of the highest ratings of comfy beds on Booking.com, check out Adelphi Hotel, Melbourne.

With art deco styling and modern rooms (with a Levassa coffee machine!), you can elect to go exploring or sit back and grab room service!

➡️This hotel is one to see! Check out the features here

Mid Range: Best Western Queen Victoria Market

📍77-79 Capel Street, West Melbourne

The Best Western Queen Victoria Market is located in West Melbourne, making it close to Melbourne Museum, Southbank, Eureka Tower and a railway station.

With comfortable rooms, and modern amenities, the Best Western is a great place to base yourself while you visit Melbourne

➡️ Check the dates here for the Best Western Queen Victoria Market

Budget: Flinders Backpackers

📍35 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne

Flinders Backpackers is located in a very central location in the city, close to Flinders street station. There is a bar, shared kitchen and 24/7 check-in. It is neat, comfortable and great value for money.

➡️ Check to see if your dates are available at the Flinders Backpackers

Melbourne CBD Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some quick answers to the most common queries about visiting Melbourne.

What is Melbourne most famous for?

Melbourne is most famous for its “four seasons in one day” weather, its world-class coffee culture, vibrant street art-filled laneways, and its passion for sports (especially AFL or “footy”). It’s widely considered Australia’s cultural capital.

What is the best way to get around Melbourne?

The tram network is the best way to get around. It’s extensive, reliable, and completely free to ride within the CBD’s “Free Tram Zone.” For anything outside that zone, just tap on with a “myki” card. The city is also very walkable.

How many days do you need in Melbourne?

I recommend a minimum of three full days to cover the city’s highlights. However, to really get a feel for the city and explore different neighbourhoods (like Fitzroy and St Kilda, which are just outside the CBD), five or more days is ideal.

Our Thoughts

Melbourne is a city with endless layers, and the more you explore, the more you’ll discover. You’ll find that once you visit, you’ll be planning on coming again to continue to explore!

There is just so much to see, and impossible to fit it all in in one trip. Choose your top attractions to see, and make sure you plan some relaxing time to take in the views and enjoy the delicious food.

What are you waiting for? Plan your trip to Melbourne today!

Got more time in Victoria? Our 3-day Mornington Peninsula itinerary is an easy next stop once you’ve done the city.

👉If you’re fitting Melbourne into a bigger trip, our Big Lap budget planner is what we use to work out what each stop costs.