Melbourne, Australia's second-largest city, is bursting with world-class attractions.
When you're mapping out your travel itinerary, Melbourne is one place you won't want to leave off it.
It's a destination that has it all, from cultural and architectural landmarks to stunning outdoor spots. Here's our very personal pick of Melbourne's top attractions and the sights nearby:
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City Circle Tram
The City Circle Tram is a wonderful way to see Melbourne.
The City Circle Tram is a fantastic way for a first-timer to get their bearings, or for Melbourne veterans to simply ride along and soak up the views.
Running through the Central Business District, the loop travels both clockwise and counterclockwise, passing many of the main tourist attractions, with unlimited stops and hop-ons, and it's free!
An audio commentary will also fill you in on the basics of the key sights.
Federation Square
Federation Square is relatively new, yet it has already become a central gathering spot for locals and tourists alike.
New York has Times Square. Melbourne has Federation Square. It has only been open since 2002, but it has already grown into a key hub for residents and visitors chasing sunshine, fun and food.
Set right in the heart of the city, you can enjoy contemporary art, plenty of restaurants and bars, no end of special events and some quality people-watching. It's also within walking distance of other key attractions, such as the Eureka Tower (see below). (Corner of Flinders and Swanston streets, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000; +61 03 9655 1900)
Royal Botanic Gardens
You can enjoy the fountains and greenery of the Royal Botanic Gardens every day from 7:30 a.m. until sunset.
A gathering place for tourists and residents alike, the Royal Botanic Gardens is home to more than 8,500 plant species from around the world.
Plan your visit and book walking tours around the Ornamental Lake, learn about the impact of climate change and much more. Or you can simply show up on a whim and enjoy the beauty.
Got the kids with you? Then the Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden is a popular stop within the grounds, while the Aboriginal Heritage Walk lets you see the land through the eyes of its first inhabitants. (Birdwood Ave, South Yarra VIC 3141, Australia; +61 3 9252 2300)
National Gallery of Victoria
The National Gallery of Victoria boasts an impressive collection and is the largest art museum in the country.
The National Gallery of Victoria is a two-for-one. It's made up of two buildings a few minutes' walk apart.
As the name suggests, NGV International (180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC 3006, Australia; +61 3 8620 2222) showcases art from around the world, while The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia (Federation Square, Flinders and Russell streets, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia; +61 3 8620 2222) keeps everything homegrown.
Either one, or both, makes for a pleasant break for art lovers, especially on a rainy day.
State Library Victoria
The La Trobe Reading Room at State Library Victoria is simply breathtaking.
This visit isn't really about borrowing books, it's about taking in the magnificent building that houses them.
State Library Victoria sits in a stunning 19th-century building, and the La Trobe Reading Room, with its white domed ceiling, is a must-see.
The library also hosts permanent and temporary art exhibitions. (328 Swanston St., Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia; +61 3 8664 7000)
Mjølner Melbourne
This isn't a list of restaurants, but sometimes a place to eat becomes an attraction in its own right. And that's exactly the case with Mjølner Melbourne, which runs with a Thor/Viking theme.
The restaurant's dimly lit spaces blend traditional Nordic touches with a 21st-century vibe, and the menu is rich with meat dishes. (106 Hardware St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia; +61 3 8393 9367)
Melbourne Zoo
Eastern barred bandicoots, small nocturnal members of the marsupial family, are hand-raised at Melbourne Zoo.
It's hard to beat watching animals in the wild, but if a deep trek into the Australian bush isn't on your agenda, the well-regarded Melbourne Zoo can help fill your wildlife gap.
Beyond the local kangaroos, koalas and emus you'd expect to see at an Australian zoo, you can spot elephants from Asia, lemurs from Madagascar and Sumatran tigers, along with other animals from far-flung lands. (Elliott Ave, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia; +61 1300 966 784)
Eureka Tower
Eureka Tower (seen in the center) opened in 2006 and gives visitors a bird's-eye view of Melbourne.
Plenty of "best of" attraction lists include a bird's-eye observation deck. Melbourne's entry in this category is the Eureka Tower, which offers its visitors the highest view from a building not only in Melbourne, not only in Australia, but in the entire Southern Hemisphere.
For the boldest members of your travel group, there's The Edge, a glass cube that juts out from the 88th floor to offer a moving view you'll never forget. If you prefer a calmer way to take in the skyline, stick to the more traditional observation deck. It's open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. (7 Riverside Quay, Southbank VIC 3006, Australia; +61 3 9693 8888)
Melbourne Museum and Royal Exhibition Building
A selfie opportunity! The Royal Exhibition Building is one of the finest examples of late-1800s architecture in Australia and makes a stunning backdrop for a photo.
This is another of Melbourne's great combined experiences.
The Melbourne Museum covers a wide range of natural and cultural interests. You'll discover everything from beetles and dinosaur skeletons to a detailed history of the city. (11 Nicholson St., Carlton VIC 3053, Australia; +61 3 8341 7777)
The Royal Exhibition Building is a must-see for architecture lovers. Built in the late 1800s, its striking dome and whimsical murals create a special atmosphere for trade shows and fairs. (9 Nicholson St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia; +61 3 9270 5000)
Yarra River
You can take a cruise along the Yarra River or enjoy a stroll along its banks. It runs right through the heart of the city before emptying into Port Phillip Bay.
Melbourne sits on the banks of the Yarra River, and one of the best ways to see the city is from the water.
Melbourne River Cruises offers boat services, and you can choose from various sightseeing or dining cruises.
Don't want to pay for a boat ride? The riverbanks are perfect for free walks and bike rides. (Southbank Promenade at Berth 5, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia; +61 3 8610 2600)
Abbotsford Convent
Abbotsford Convent is a haven for lovers of art and nature.
Art lovers and connoisseurs of religious history gather at Abbotsford Convent. This former convent of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, an order of the Roman Catholic Church, features 11 historic buildings and gardens dedicated to art and nature.
On the banks of the Yarra, Abbotsford has studios, galleries, cafes, plenty of green open spaces and even a radio station. At Abbotsford you'll find all sorts of special events: music, art and even a Brewers' Festival. (1 St Heliers St, Abbotsford VIC 3067, Australia; +61 3 9415 3600)
St Paul's Cathedral
Melbourne's beautiful St Paul's Cathedral is open for tours.
In the heart of Melbourne, the magnificent St Paul's Anglican Cathedral would look right at home in England, even though it was only consecrated in 1891.
Visitors can join a guided tour or take part in a service.
For an interesting cultural experience, you can attend a service in Mandarin on Saturday mornings. (Flinders Lane and Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia; +61 3 9653 4220)
Southbank and South Wharf
Neighborhoods like Southbank explain why Melbourne shows up on so many lists of cities with a high quality of life.
While individual attractions are great, you truly get to know the soul of a city by exploring its neighborhoods. A wonderful place to start is the fashionable Southbank. This is a district for visitors ready for fine dining and nightlife. This entertainment quarter is full of restaurants, galleries and clubs.
And at South Wharf you'll find restored sheds housing waterfront bars and restaurants. Be sure to visit the permanently moored ship the Polly Woodside. Built in Belfast, Ireland, in 1885, it shows you how goods were carried around the world in the final years of the age of sailing ships. (21 South Wharf Promenade; South Wharf 3006 VIC; +61 3 9699 9760)
Fitzroy and Brunswick Street
Hunting for murals is just one of the pleasures you can find in the Fitzroy neighborhood.
If you find Southbank a little too polished for your taste, head to the offbeat Fitzroy neighborhood and Brunswick Street, the main artery running through it.
North of the Central Business District, Fitzroy has seen some gentrification but still holds on to its edge. Seek out art galleries, shops selling vintage finds and bookstores of every genre.
You might want to work your way along the bars on Brunswick Street. The cozy Black Pearl is a favorite, with its comfy couches and signature cocktails. (304 Brunswick St, Fitzroy VIC 3065, Australia; +61 3 9417 0455)
St Kilda
Luna Park amusement park in St Kilda is just a 15-minute drive from Melbourne's Central Business District.
St Kilda is a bohemian seaside district home to an amusement park with an unmistakable Coney Island feel. So what can you do here?
- Ride the Great Scenic Railway, the oldest continuously operating roller coaster in the world, at Luna Park, or opt for one of the more laid-back attractions. (18 Lower Esplanade, St Kilda VIC 3182, Australia; +61 3 9525 5033)
- Watch the penguins on the St Kilda breakwater.
- Walk, cycle or rollerblade beneath the neighborhood's palm trees.
- Catch live music at the Palais Theatre. (Lower Esplanade, St Kilda VIC 3182, Australia; +61 3 8537 7677)
Port Campbell National Park
The Twelve Apostles, a collection of limestone stacks off the shore of Port Campbell National Park, is one of Australia's most memorable sights.
Now we're heading out of Melbourne to some of the breathtaking natural wonders nearby.
At the top of any list should be Port Campbell National Park, famous for its wave-sculpted rock formations and the Twelve Apostles, one of the most spectacular meeting points of land and sea in the world.
Beyond the walking trails and breathtaking views in the park, you can take up fishing, canoeing, swimming and diving. (Great Ocean Road, Port Campbell VIC 3269, Australia; +61 3 131963)
Phillip Island Nature Parks
Phillip Island is a wonderful and easily accessible spot for a getaway.
Let's sum up Phillip Island Nature Parks, located about 90 minutes from Melbourne, in one word: penguins. It's one of those places where you can see them, and the website even has a penguin arrival clock. But really, these curious birds are just the start of your wildlife spotting in this scenic getaway.
You can also take an eco boat tour where you'll spot seals, or visit adorable koalas on the tree-top boardwalks at the conservation center. Or you can visit a historic farm on neighboring Churchill Island, where you can milk cows, shear sheep and even crack whips! (Penguin Parade: 1019 Ventnor Road, Summerlands, Victoria 3922; + 61 3 5951 2800)
Peninsula Hot Springs
We've kept you on the move enough. How about a relaxing visit to Peninsula Hot Springs?
All this sightseeing can wear a traveler out, can't it? That's where Peninsula Hot Springs comes in. You can unwind in the thermal springs amid a beautiful natural setting.
If you want to do more than just soak, you can enjoy spa treatments, join exercise groups, take an Indigenous cultural walk and even dine there. (140 Springs Lane, Fingal VIC 3939, Australia; +61 3 5950 8777)
