Melbourne: 15 Best Attractions in the City
Melbourne is the second largest city in Australia, rich in history, famous for delicious food, full of world-renowned tourist attractions, etc. It has always been a must-visit city for many travellers, but what is the fun of visiting Melbourne? What are the recommended spots?
Today I want to share with you the 15 recommended attractions of Melbourne city centre (the CBD), all of which are accessible by tram or on foot. A convenient Google map is attached in the end of this article with all the attractions labelled, and it will be extremely helpful for everyone to arrange the trip in Melbourne CBD smoothly!
1. Royal Exhibition Building
The Royal Exhibition Building is the first building inscribed onto the World Heritage List in Melbourne. It is also the world's last exhibition hall built in the 19th century. The building is open to everyone daily even if there are no exhibitions, and it is worth a visit for the magnificent architecture itself. The Carlton Garden and the Museums Victoria nearby are also highly recommended for everyone to spend some time with. They are some of the popular places to spend weekends among Australians.
◎Ticket: Adult AUD$10; Child AUD$7
◎Transport: Tram route 86 or 96 to stop 11 Melbourne Museum/Nicholson St ( Public transport guide｜Car rental price )
◎Itinerary recommendation: Half-day tour｜Melbourne city guide｜Museum tickets
◎Official website: Royal Exhibition Building
◎Nearby accommodation: Booking︱Agoda︱Hotels︱Expedia ( Price comparison｜Recommended accommodation)
2. Queen Victoria Market (QVM)
Are you a fan of local market? Then surely you can't miss the Queen Victoria Market! QVM is the third largest open-air market in the world and also the largest marketplace in the southern hemisphere. It covers an area of 7 hectares and has been in operation since the 19th century. Visitors can purchase seafood, meat, vegetables, fruits, clothes and souvenirs there. Seasonal night market on certain days held in Winter and Summer is also very popular. Queen Victoria Market is definitely a must-see tourist attraction for all tourists.
◎Transport: Tram route 58 to Queen Victoria Market ( Transport guide｜Car rental price )
◎Itinerary recommendation: Half-day tour｜Melbourne city guide｜Ultimate foodie tour｜City half-day tour｜Morning sightseeing half-day tour
◎Official website: Queen Victoria Market
◎Nearby accommodation: Booking︱Agoda︱Hotels︱Expedia ( Price comparison｜Recommended accommodation )
3. Melbourne Zoo
When you come to Australia, how can you not watch koalas and kangaroos? Melbourne Zoo is the oldest zoo in Australia, which was opened in 1862. It is home for more than 320 species of animals from Australia and around the world. Melbourne Zoo is under the management of the Zoos Victoria Organization, which also administers the other two major zoos in Melbourne, the Healesville Sanctuary and the Werribee Open Range Zoo. If you are an animal lover, don't miss it!
◎Tickets: Adult AUD$38; Child aged 4-15 $19 on weekdays, free on weekends and holidays; Child under 3 years old free
◎Transport: Tram route 58 to stop 26 Melbourne Zoo/Royal Park ( Transport guide｜Car rental price )
◎Itinerary recommendation: Discounted tickets｜Discounted tickets 2｜Encounter experience with kangaroos
◎Official website: Melbourne Zoo
◎Nearby accommodation: Booking︱Agoda︱Hotels︱Expedia ( Price comparison｜Recommended accommodation )
4. Melbourne Central
Melbourne Central is a shopping mall integrated with a train station, famous for its convenience and diverse entertainments. There are various gourmet restaurants, cinemas, electronics stores, and souvenir shops here. Aside from the shopping experience, the biggest characteristic of Melbourne Central is the unique Glass Cone, which was built to protect one of the landmarks in Melbourne, the 50-meter-tall Coop's Shot Tower, formerly known as a bullet factory.
Another must see here is the world's largest watch, the Marionette Watch, which was connected to a two-tonne chain when debuting (now has been removed). But today, you can still enjoy the mechanical Waltzing Matilda dace from the watch every hour. Visitors are also welcomed to participate in a free Melbourne Central tour to experience the heritage vibe and learn more about its history.
◎Transport: Take the Blue Line train to Melbourne Central Station or tram route 1/5/6/16 to Melbourne Central Station ( Transport guide｜Car rental price )
◎Official website: Melbourne Central
◎Nearby accommodation: Booking︱Agoda︱Hotels︱Expedia ( Price comparison｜Recommended accommodation )
(Fun fact, many students and residents often use the "watch" as a meeting point.)
5. Flinders Street Railway Station
Many tourists who visit Melbourne will be deeply attracted by this iconic landmark, which is also the oldest and busiest train station in Australia. There are 4 extremely well-known attractions around this area including Flinders Street Train Station, St Paul’s Cathedral, Federation Square and the Young & Jackson Bar, crowded with visitors all year round.
◎Transport: Take the Blue Line/Purple Line train to Flinders Street Station or tram route 1/5/6/64 to Federation Square/Swanston St ( Transport guide｜Car rental price )
◎Itinerary recommedation: Half-day tour | Melbourne city guide | Four-day food & wine discovery trip
◎Official website: Federation Square | St Paul's Cathedral
◎ Nearby accommodation: Booking︱Agoda︱Hotels︱Expedia ( Price comparison | Recommended accommodation )
6. SEA LIFE Melbourne
Like Sydney, Melbourne also has its own aquarium. The SEA LIFE Melbourne houses more than 10,000 kinds of marine creatures including sharks and saltwater crocodiles, but the most famous feature is the world's largest oceanarium located at the centre of the aquarium, the Mermaid Garden. The aquarium is especially great for family.
◎Tickets: Adult AUD$42; Child AUD$22.4 ;
◎Transport: Tram route 35/70/75 to Melbourne Aquarium ( Transport guide｜Car rental price )
◎Itinerary recommedation: Discount rickets｜Discount ticket 2｜Legoland Discovery Centre & SEALIFE Melbourne pass｜Shark dive xtreme experience
◎Official website: SEALIFE Melbourne
◎Nearby accommodation: Booking︱Agoda︱Hotels︱Expedia ( Price comparison｜Recommended accommodation )
7. State Library Victoria
Can a library be a tourist spot? Yes, the uniqueness of the State Library Victoria is definitely worth a visit. It was established in 1854, made it the oldest public library in Australia and one of the first free public libraries in the world. In addition to its beautiful architectural design and rich collections of books, it also displays many historical relics, attracting more than 2 million tourists every year. How can you miss it?
◎Transport: Tram route 1/5/6/64 to Melbourne Central Station / State Library of Victoria station ( Transport guide｜Car rental price )
◎Official website: State Library Victoria
◎Nearby accommodation: Booking︱Agoda︱Hotels︱Expedia ( Price comparison｜Recommended accommodation )
8. Eureka Skydeck 88
Located on the 88th floor of the Eureka Tower in Melbourne city, the Eureka Skydeck 88 is the highest observation deck in the southern hemisphere. This is the best place to enjoy a panoramic view of the city. The fastest lifts in the southern hemisphere will propel you up under 40 seconds, and you will be stunned immediately by the beauty of Melbourne. If you are a person after something exciting, make sure you don't miss The Edge experience, which allows visitors to walk in a glass cube extended from the edge of the building. I will highly recommend it to anyone who likes photo shooting and sightseeing.
◎Tickets: Adult AUD$25; Child aged 4-16 AUD$16.5; Family (2 Adults & 2 children) AUD$75
◎ Transport: Take a train or tram to Flinders Street Train Station and walk for about 5 minutes ( Transport guide | Car rental price )
◎Itinerary recommendation: Discount tickets | Discount ticket 2 | City tour with Eureka Skydeck 88 pass
◎Official website: Eureka Skydeck
◎Nearby accommodation: Booking︱Agoda︱Hotels︱Expedia ( Price comparison | Recommended accommodation )
(From the observation deck, you can overlook the city and its neighbourhood. City attractions like Melbourne Cricket Ground, Flinders Street Railway Station, and even places far as the Albert Park Lake, Port Phillip Bay, and Mt. Dandenong will be in your sight.)
9. The Shrine of Remembrance
The Shire of Remembrance is located in Kings Domain and was created to commemorate the 110,000 Victorians who died in the World War I. It is also the largest war memorial in Australia. Built with the ancient Greek architectural style, visitors can admire the beauty of the building, learn the war history of Australia, and overlook the city from here. If you have spare time, you can also visit the nearby Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria to experience the leisure life of local families.
◎Tickets: Free
◎Transport: Tram route 5/6/16/64 to Shrine of Remembrance/St Kilda Rd ( Transport guide｜Car rental price)
◎Itinerary recommendation: City half-day tour｜Guided half-day tour｜Morning half-day tour｜Four-day food & wine discovery tour
◎Official website: The Shrine of Remembrance
◎Nearby accommodation: Booking︱Agoda︱Hotels︱Expedia ( Price comparison｜Recommended accommodation )
(The Shrine of Remembrance holds special events every year on ANZAC Day (4/25)" and Remembrance Day (11/11). For tourists visiting during this time, you can also consider planning them to your itinerary.)
10. National Gallery of Victoria (NGV)
National Gallery of Victoria is the oldest, largest and most visited art gallery in Australia. It is divided into the NGV International and the NGV Australia, which display artworks from various countries and local areas respectively. Personally, I recommend the NGV International more to everyone, at where you can find many precious collections. If you enjoy this kind of itinerary, you can also visit the Arts Centre Melbourne next to NGV, fully indulging yourself with the art vibe of Melbourne.
◎Tickets: Permanent exhibition is free
◎ Transport: Tram route 1/5/6 to Arts Precinct/St Kilda Rd ( Transport guide｜Car rental price )
◎Itinerary recommendation: Discount ticket
◎Official website: National Gallery of Victoria
◎Nearby accommodation: Booking︱Agoda︱Hotels︱Expedia ( Price comparison｜Recommended accommodation )
11. Chinatown Melbourne
Many cities in Australia have Chinatowns, but Chinatown in Melbourne is the oldest one in Australia. Since its establishment during the Victorian gold rush, it was once rated as one of the best Chinatowns in the world by CNN of the United States. Today, there are many Asian restaurants, clothing stores, and Asian supermarkets here. If you suddenly crave for something from your hometown when travelling, why don't you come here?
◎Transport: Take tram route 86/96 to stop 7 Russell and walk for 2 minutes ( Transport guide｜Car rental price)
◎Official website: Chinatown Melbourne
◎Nearby accommodation: Booking︱Agoda︱Hotels︱Expedia ( Price comparison｜Recommended accommodation )
12. Melbourne Star Observation Wheel
Currently, there are 4 giant observation wheels in the world, and Melbourne Star is the only one in the southern hemisphere. The 21 spacious cabins on the wheel, which can accommodate about 20 people at the same time, will provide you a spectacular 360-degreed view reaching as far as to Mount Macedon, Dandenong Ranges, etc.
◎Tickets: Adult AUD$27; Child aged 5-15 AUD$16.5
◎Transport: Take bus 220 to Moonee Ponds Creek or tram route 35/70/86 to NewQuay Prom/Docklands Dr and walk for 5 minutes ( Transport guide｜Car rental price )
◎Itinearay recommendation: Discount tickets｜Discount tickets 2
◎Official website: Melbourne Star Observation Wheel
◎Nearby accommodation: Booking︱Agoda︱Hotels︱Expedia ( Price comparison｜Recommended accommodation )
13. Hosier Lane
Known as the "the art and culture capital" in Australia, Melbourne is loved by its creative and vibrant art atmosphere. The street art is one of the iconic impressions of Melbourne. Similar to Union Lane and ACDC Lane in the city, Hosier Lane is famous for being the "Graffiti Lane", featuring with many street arts regularly updated by international or local artists. It is definitely one of the most instagrammable places in Melbourne.
◎Transport: Tram route 35/70/75 to Russell St/Flinders St station ( Transport guide｜Car rental price )
◎Official website: Hosier Lane
◎Nearby accommodation: Booking︱Agoda︱Hotels︱Expedia ( Price comparison｜Recommended accommodation)
14. Crown Melbourne
Although this is not exactly a tourist spot, Crown Melbourne, which is located on the south back of the Yarra River, is a place where fine dining restaurants, hotel, bars, casino, and retail stores are gathered all in one location and provide great relaxations for you. If you want to experience Australia Casino culture, you might put it in your pocket list.
◎Transport: Tram route 12/96/109 to Casino/MCEC/Clarendon St station ( Transporta guide｜Car rental price)
◎Itinerary recommendation: Yarra River Tour
◎Official website: Crown Melbourne
◎Nearby accommodation: Booking︱Agoda︱Hotels ︱ Expedia ( Price comparison｜Recommended accommodation )
15. Melbourne Park
Little fun fact here, Melbourne is known as Australia's "Garden State", because there are many beautiful gardens in the city, such as Kings Domain, Fitzroy Gardens, and Flagstaff Gardens, all of which are favorite places for many locals to relax themselves. What's special about Melbourne Park is that this is the venue for the world-famous Australian Open. If you are here for the games, don't forget to spend some time at this beautiful park as well.
◎Transport: Tram route 70 to Rod Laver Arena/Melbourne Park Station ( Transport guide｜Car rental price)
◎Itinerary recommendation: City half-day tour in｜Guided half-day tour｜Melbourne city guide｜Gym tour
◎Official website: Melbourne Park
◎Nearby accommodation: Booking︱Agoda︱Hotels︱Expedia ( Price comparison｜Recommended accommodation )
(There are many sport venues in Melbourne Park, holding professional sport events such as ice skating, cycling, swimming, and racing every year. [Photo by annieb via Wikimedia Common])
◎Map of Melbourne attractions
I have marked all of 15 recommended attractions as well as some other popular tourist spots in suburbs and islands around Melbourne in Google Maps to help you plan your trip. Simply toggle on and off different layers to see the location and basic travel information. Feel free to star and share the map if you like it.
Link: Map of attractions in Melbourne
So here comes the end of the recommendation. In fact, there are many other places also worth a visit, like Royal arcade, St. Patrick Cathedral, Parliament House, Immigration Museum, and Old Melbourne Gaol. Walking around Melbourne City is truly an enjoyment, and you will find many surprises on your way.
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