# The Best Things to See in Melbourne: Spots That Make a Holiday Unforgettable

> We rounded up the best of Melbourne, Australia's second-largest city: its cultural scene, headline landmarks and ideas for a holiday you'll never forget.

- URL: https://langandtrip.com.ua/en/article/luchshye-dostoprymechatelnosty-melburna-mesta-kotore-sdelaiut-vash-otpusk-nezabvaemm/
- Language: en
- Published: 2025-10-22
- Categories: Culture, Historic Sites, Leisure, Museums, Tours, Australia

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Melbourne, Australia's second-largest city, is bursting with first-rate attractions.

When you're mapping out your travel itinerary, Melbourne is one place you shouldn't leave off it.

It's a destination that has it all, from cultural and architectural landmarks to stunning spots in the great outdoors. Here's our personal pick of Melbourne's top attractions and the places just beyond the city:

## The City Circle Tram

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The City Circle Tram is a brilliant way for a first-timer to get the lay of the land, or for seasoned Melbourne visitors to simply get around and take in the sights.

Running through the Central Business District, the loop travels both clockwise and anticlockwise, passes many of the major tourist attractions, offers unlimited hop-on, hop-off stops, and it's completely free!

Audio commentary will also fill you in on some of the basics about the key landmarks.

## Federation Square

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New York has Times Square. Melbourne has Federation Square. It has only been open since 2002, yet it has already become a go-to hub for locals and visitors chasing sunshine, entertainment and food.

Centrally located, it's the place to enjoy contemporary art, plenty of restaurants and bars, no end of special events and some great people-watching. It's also within walking distance of other key sights, such as the Eureka Tower (see below). (Corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000; +61 03 9655 1900)

## Royal Botanic Gardens

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A gathering place for tourists and locals alike, the Royal Botanic Gardens are home to more than 8,500 plant species from around the world.

Plan your visit and book guided walks around the Ornamental Lake, learn about the impact of climate change and much more. Or you can simply show up on a whim and soak up the beauty.

Travelling with kids? 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 Avenue, South Yarra, Victoria 3141, Australia; +61 3 9252 2300)

## National Gallery of Victoria

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The National Gallery of Victoria is two experiences in one. It's made up of two buildings within walking distance of each other.

As the name suggests, NGV International (180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3006, Australia; +61 3 8620 2222) showcases art from around the globe, while the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia (Federation Square, Flinders and Russell Streets, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia; +61 3 8620 2222) keeps everything homegrown.

Either one, or both, will make for a rewarding outing for art lovers, especially on a rainy day.

## State Library Victoria

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This visit isn't really about looking at the books, it's about taking in the magnificent building that houses them.

State Library Victoria sits inside a breathtaking 19th-century building, and the La Trobe Reading Room, with its white domed ceiling, is an absolute must-see.

The library also hosts permanent and temporary art exhibitions. (328 Swanston Street, Melbourne, Victoria 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. That's certainly the case with Mjølner Melbourne, which runs with a Thor and Viking theme.

The restaurant's dark spaces blend traditional Scandinavian touches with a 21st-century vibe, and the menu is heavy on meaty dishes. (106 Hardware Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia; +61 3 8393 9367)

## Melbourne Zoo

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It's hard to beat watching creatures in the wild, but if a deep trek into the interior 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 spot at an Australian zoo, you can see elephants from Asia, lemurs from Madagascar and Sumatran tigers, along with plenty of other far-flung animals. (Elliott Avenue, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia; +61 1300 966 784)

## Eureka Tower

![](https://test.langandtrip.com.ua/wp-content/uploads/de_import_uploads/june-article-image-154-7-2025.jpg)

Plenty of "best of" attraction lists include a bird's-eye viewpoint. Melbourne's contender in that category is the Eureka Tower, which gives visitors the highest building-based view not only in Melbourne, not only in Australia, but across the entire Southern Hemisphere.

For the boldest members of your travel party, 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'd rather take in the skyline at a gentler pace, stick with the more traditional Skydeck. It's open from 10:00 to 22:00 every day. (7 Riverside Quay, Southbank, Victoria 3006, Australia; +61 3 9693 8888)

## Melbourne Museum and the Royal Exhibition Building

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Here's another of Melbourne's great two-for-one experiences.

Melbourne Museum spans a broad sweep of natural and cultural interests. You'll come across everything from insects and dinosaur skeletons to a detailed history of the city. (11 Nicholson Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053, Australia; +61 3 8341 7777)

The Royal Exhibition Building is a must-see for fans of architecture. Built in the late 1800s, its striking dome and whimsical painted decor set a special mood for trade shows and fairs. (9 Nicholson Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053, Australia; +61 3 9270 5000)

## The Yarra River

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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 runs boat services, and you can choose from all sorts of sightseeing trips or dinner cruises.

Don't fancy paying for a boat ride? The riverbanks are perfect for walking and cycling, and they're free. (Southbank Promenade near Berth 5, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia; +61 3 8610 2600)

## Abbotsford Convent

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Art lovers and religious-history enthusiasts converge at Abbotsford Convent. This former convent of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, a Roman Catholic order, has 11 historic buildings and gardens devoted to art and nature.

On the banks of the Yarra, Abbotsford is home to studios, galleries, cafes, plenty of green open space and even a radio station. You'll find all kinds of special events here: music, art and even a Brewers' Feast. (1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford, Victoria 3067, Australia; +61 3 9415 3600)

## St Paul's Anglican Cathedral

![](https://test.langandtrip.com.ua/wp-content/uploads/de_import_uploads/june-article-image-154-11-2025.jpg)

In the heart of Melbourne, the grand St Paul's Anglican Cathedral would look right at home in England, even though it was only consecrated in 1891.

Visitors can take a tour or join a service.

For an intriguing cultural experience, you can attend a Mandarin-language service on Saturday mornings. (Flinders Lane and Swanston Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia; +61 3 9653 4220)

## Southbank and South Wharf

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While the individual attractions are wonderful, you truly get to know the soul of a city by exploring its neighbourhoods. A great place to start is fashionable Southbank. This is the area for visitors after fine dining and nightlife. This entertainment precinct is packed with restaurants, galleries and clubs.

Over at South Wharf, you'll find restored sheds now housing waterfront bars and restaurants. Be sure to visit the permanently moored Polly Woodside. Built in Belfast, Ireland, in 1885, it shows you how goods were shipped around the world in the final years of the sailing ships. (21 South Wharf Promenade; South Wharf 3006, Victoria; +61 3 9699 9760)

## Fitzroy and Brunswick Street

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If you find Southbank a touch too polished for your taste, head to the hip Fitzroy district and Brunswick Street, the main artery running through it.

North of the Central Business District, Fitzroy has seen some gentrification, but it still holds on to its own character. Seek out art galleries, shops selling vintage finds and bookstores across all sorts of genres.

You might want to do a bit of a bar crawl along Brunswick Street. The cosy Black Pearl is a favourite, with its comfy couches and signature cocktails. (304 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, Victoria 3065, Australia; +61 3 9417 0455)

## St Kilda

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St Kilda is a bohemian seaside district that's home to an amusement park with a distinct Coney Island feel. So what can you get up to here?

- Hop aboard the Great Scenic Railway, the world's oldest continuously operating roller coaster, at Luna Park, or pick one of its gentler rides. (18 Lower Esplanade, St Kilda, Victoria 3182, Australia; +61 3 9525 5033)
- Watch the penguins on the St Kilda breakwater.
- Stroll, cycle or skate beneath the district's palm trees.
- Catch live music at the Palais Theatre. (Lower Esplanade, St Kilda, Victoria 3182, Australia; +61 3 8537 7677)

## Port Campbell National Park

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Now we head out of Melbourne to some stunning natural wonders nearby.

Near 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 world's most magnificent spots where land meets sea.

Along with hiking and jaw-dropping views, the park lets you take up fishing, canoeing, swimming and diving. (Great Ocean Road, Port Campbell, Victoria 3269, Australia; +61 3 131963)

## Phillip Island Nature Parks

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Let's sum up Phillip Island Nature Parks, about 90 minutes from Melbourne, in a single word: penguins. This is one of those places where you can see them, and the website even has a penguin arrival clock. But honestly, these curious birds are just the start of what you'll spot in this scenic getaway.

You can also set off on an eco boat tour, where you might see seals, or visit the adorable koalas on the boardwalks at the conservation centre. Or you can drop by the historic farm on nearby 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

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All this sightseeing can wear a traveller out, right? That's where Peninsula Hot Springs comes into play. You can unwind in the thermal springs in a lovely 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 have dinner there. (140 Springs Lane, Fingal, Victoria 3939, Australia; +61 3 5950 8777)