Melbourne has always been a popular tourist destination in Australia, with its cuisine, arts, and culture attracting visitors from all over the world. I've previously introduced "15 Top Recommended Attractions in Melbourne City," which includes various spots that can be visited in a day. Today, we'll introduce "10 Top Recommended Attractions in the Suburbs of Melbourne," along with a map to quickly guide you through these must-see places, making your trip planning smoother and more enjoyable!
1. Great Ocean Road
How can you visit Melbourne without experiencing the "Most Beautiful Road in Australia"?
The Great Ocean Road, hailed as a "must-visit destination in a lifetime" by many travel magazines and tourists, boasts stunning coastal landscapes and scenery. Along the way, you'll encounter numerous characteristic towns and attractions, such as Bells Beach, Lorne, Apollo Bay, Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge, and the most famous 12 Apostles. The breathtaking views will surely be unforgettable!
◎ Address: Great Ocean Road, Anglesea VIC
◎ Transportation: Drive from Melbourne City to Torquay (about 1 hour) and follow the coastal road (Find Car Hire Deals | Car Rental in Australia)
◎ Recommended itinerary 1: Great Ocean Road Day Tour｜Great Ocean Road Skydiving｜Great Ocean Road Classic Day Tour｜Great Ocean Road Reverse Tour
◎ Recommended itinerary 2: Great Ocean Road Day Tour｜Great Ocean Road & Otway Rainforest｜Great Ocean Road Sunset Tour
◎ Official website: Great Ocean Road
◎ Nearby accommodation: Booking | Agoda | Hotels | Expedia (Compare & Save)
(The Twelve Apostles are the most famous attraction along the Great Ocean Road and a symbol of this iconic route. It's a must-visit for tourists!)
2. Puffing Billy Railway
The Puffing Billy Railway in the suburbs of Melbourne is Australia's oldest steam train and one of the best-preserved among its contemporaries. Known as a "living museum," it gains fame for allowing passengers to extend their arms and legs out the windows to enjoy the forest scenery. With approximately four trains daily, it's suitable for families, couples, and various types of travelers. We highly recommend experiencing it!
◎ Address: Puffing Billy Railway, Old Monbulk Road, Belgrave VIC
◎ Tickets: One-way adult $37, child $19; Return adult $61, child $31.5
◎ Transportation: Take a train from Melbourne City to Belgrave, then transfer to the sightseeing train (Find Car Hire Deals | Car Rental in Australia)
◎ Money-saving tips: Puffing Billy Railway Discount Ticket 1｜Puffing Billy Railway Discount Ticket 2
◎ Recommended itinerary: Puffing Billy Railway & Yarra Valley Day Tour｜Steam Train & Penguin Island Day Tour｜Penguin Island & Puffing Billy Railway & Dandenong Ranges｜Steam Train & Penguin Island & Healesville Zoo
◎ Official website: Puffing Billy Railway
◎ Nearby accommodation: Booking | Agoda | Hotels | Expedia (Compare & Save)
(The Puffing Billy Railway was originally built to serve mountain residents, transporting passengers, timber, potatoes, and plants. Now it has transformed into a tourist train, attracting visitors from all over the world.)
3. Phillip Island
Phillip Island, also known as "Penguin Island," is similar to "Penguin Island" in Perth as they both serve as habitats for the world's smallest "Fairy Penguins." Every year, up to 5 million visitors flock to the island to witness the "Penguin Parade." In addition to this spectacle, the island also features a koala conservation center, the Nobbies Centre, and the Phillip Island Historical Society Museum. These attractions offer opportunities to observe koalas, dolphins, seals, whales, various bird species, taste wine, savor fresh farm produce, and even learn about local maritime history and indigenous culture. It's a popular leisure destination for locals as well!
◎ Address: Phillip Island, Victoria
◎ Transportation: About a 90-minute drive along M1/C422/M420/B420 highway from Melbourne city center (Find Car Hire Deals | Car Rental in Australia)
◎ Recommended Itinerary 1: Phillip Island Penguin Parade & Attractions Package | Phillip Island Day Tour | Phillip Island Chocolate Factory Tickets | Steam Train & Penguin Island Day Tour | Phillip Island Seal Watching Cruise
◎ Recommended Itinerary 2: Penguin Island Day Tour | Phillip Island 3 Park Package | Penguin Parade, Chocolate Factory & Zoo | Nature Park Tickets
◎ Official Website: Phillip Island
◎ Nearby Accommodations: Booking | Agoda | Hotels | Expedia (Compare & Save)
(Small penguins come ashore on the southwest beach of Phillip Island, which is the world's largest wild penguin conservation base. They usually come ashore at sunset and leave before sunrise. Many tourists wait here for the penguins to return home [Photo by Larry Koester via Flickr])
4. Mornington Peninsula
Dubbed "Australia's Most Beautiful Resort," the Mornington Peninsula is best known for its 28 natural "Peninsula Hot Springs." These springs include cave pools, lakeside pools, and Turkish baths, offering visitors scenic views, SPA treatments, and luxury accommodations. Additional attractions on the island include Ashcombe Maze & Lavender Gardens, Polperro Winery, Arthurs Seat Eagle cable car, and Mornington Peninsula National Park. With its diverse tourism features, it has been recognized by National Geographic as one of the "Must-See Peninsulas in the World." Don't miss it when visiting Melbourne!
◎ Address: Mornington Peninsula Shire, VIC
◎ Transportation: About a 1.5-hour drive along the M1/M3/M11 highway from Melbourne city center (Find Car Hire Deals | Car Rental in Australia)
◎ Recommended Itinerary: Mornington Peninsula Day Tour | Peninsula Hot Springs Tickets | Peninsula Hot Springs & Bathing Boxes Day Tour | Peninsula Sightseeing & Bay Cruise Day Tour
◎ Official Website: Mornington Peninsula
◎ Nearby Accommodations: Booking | Agoda | Hotels | Expedia (Compare & Save)
(Photo by Stevenhoyk via Wikimedia Commons)
5. Brighton Bathing Boxes
Before arriving in Melbourne, many people will discover this must-see photo spot: the Brighton Bathing Boxes. Over 80 colorful huts line the Brighton Beach, each with a history of more than 100 years. Originally intended for beachgoers to change clothes, these huts have become popular attractions due to their unique and colorful designs, featuring Australian flags, kangaroos, surfing, and other local cultural motifs. Nearby are various cafes and shops, making the area a famous local holiday destination.
◎ Address: Brighton Bathing Boxes, Esplanade, Brighton VIC
◎ Transportation: From Flinders Street Station, take the Sandringham line train to Middle Brighton Station, then walk for 10 minutes (Find Car Hire Deals | Car Rental in Australia)
◎ Recommended Itinerary: Peninsula Hot Springs & Brighton Bathing Boxes Day Tour | Brighton Bathing Boxes & Phillip Island Day Tour
◎ Official Website: Brighton Bathing Boxes
◎ Nearby Accommodations: Booking | Agoda | Hotels | Expedia (Compare & Save)
(Interestingly, the entire row of Brighton Bathing Boxes is now privately owned and quite expensive, even pricier than regular houses. It's fair to say that Brighton is indeed one of Melbourne's most upscale residential areas.)
6. Werribee Open Range Zoo
Part of Melbourne's trio of zoos, which includes "Melbourne Zoo" in the city and "Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary" in the suburbs, Werribee Open Range Zoo is an "open concept" zoo. With no fence barriers, visitors can immerse themselves in nature and interact with animals.
The most famous areas are the "African Animal Zone" and "Werribee Mansion", where visitors can enjoy various animals as if they were in Africa and admire 19th-century mansion designs. The zoo also offers an official Safari Tour, a highly recommended activity for visitors. Following the adventure vehicle around the park will provide a unique experience compared to other zoos!
◎ Address: Werribee Open Range Zoo, K Rd, Werribee South VIC
◎ Admission: Adults $42, Children $31.5; for other ticket prices, click here
◎ Transportation: About a 40-minute drive along the M1 highway from Melbourne city (Find Car Hire Deals | Car Rental in Australia)
◎ Money-saving tips: Werribee Zoo discount tickets | Werribee Zoo off-road vehicle tickets | Sunset hunting tour
◎ Official website: Werribee Open Range Zoo
◎ Nearby accommodation: Booking | Agoda | Hotels | Expedia (Compare & Save)
7. Sovereign Hill
Located in Ballarat, Sovereign Hill is a gold-mining town established during the 19th-century gold rush. It now preserves the original town appearance, facilities, and activities such as gold mining, horse-drawn carriages, and mining carts. The "Gold Museum" provides detailed information about local history and culture. Visitors can still find traces of gold here, so if you're interested in experiencing gold-mining culture, don't miss this attraction that has won the "Australian Tourism National Award" twice!
◎ Address: Sovereign Hill, Bradshaw Street, Golden Point VIC
◎ Admission: Adults $49, Children $40, Family (2 adults and 4 children) $129
◎ Transportation: Take the train from Southern Cross Station to Ballarat Station, then transfer to bus No. 21 to Sovereign Hill & Gold Museum (Find Car Hire Deals | Car Rental in Australia)
◎ Recommended itinerary: Sovereign Hill discount tickets | Sovereign Hill gold-mining tour | Sovereign Hill day tour | Sovereign Hill & mine tour | Sovereign Hill town tickets
◎ Official website: Sovereign Hill
◎ Nearby accommodation: Booking | Agoda | Hotels | Expedia (Compare & Save)
(Photo by aussiegall via Wikimedia Commons)
8. Yarra Valley
Australia has two main wine-producing regions: one is the Margaret River region in Perth, and the other is the Yarra Valley in Melbourne. With over 80 wineries, such as the oldest winery, Yering Station, and De Bortoli Yarra Valley, visitors can enjoy wine tasting, local fruits, jams, cheese, and salmon. Some wineries also offer fine dining and accommodation options, allowing guests to appreciate the picturesque scenery. Due to the beautiful valley landscape, many tourists also come here for skydiving and hot air ballooning activities, making it a highly-rated comprehensive attraction by locals!
◎ Address: Yarra Valley, Yarra Glen VIC
◎ Transportation: About an hour's drive along the M3/B300 highway from Melbourne city center (Find Car Hire Deals | Car Rental in Australia)
◎ Recommended itineraries: Yarra Valley Skydiving | Yarra Valley Food Tour | Yarra Valley Winery Day Tour | Yarra Valley Hot Air Ballooning | Puffing Billy Train & Yarra Valley Day Tour | Yarra Valley Wineries & Dandenong Ranges Small Train | Yarra Valley Extreme Skydiving
◎ Official website: Yarra Valley
◎ Nearby accommodation: Booking | Agoda | Hotels | Expedia (Compare & Save)
(Yarra Valley, similar to the Gold Coast, is a popular venue for hot air ballooning and skydiving activities in Australia [Photo by Morkkis505 via Wikipedia])
9. Grampians National Park
Almost every city in Australia has a national park, and Grampians National Park is a well-known one near Melbourne, famous for its unique rock formations and waterfalls. Many people come here for hiking, rock climbing, camping, fishing, and more, all while enjoying nature and possibly encountering wild kangaroos and emus!
The park's most recommended attractions include The Pinnacle Lookout, Lake Bellfield, Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre, and the Grampians Grand Canyon. If you want a more in-depth experience in Melbourne, don't miss this park!
◎ Address: Grampians National Park, VIC
◎ Transportation: About a 3-hour drive along the M8/A8/C222 highway from Melbourne city center (Find Car Hire Deals | Car Rental in Australia)
◎ Money-saving tips: Grampians National Park Day Tour | Grampians National Park Day Tour 2
◎ Official website: Grampians National Park
◎ Nearby accommodation: Booking | Agoda | Hotels | Expedia (Compare & Save)
(Grampians National Park, with its rich natural and cultural resources, was listed as an Australian National Heritage site in 2006)
10. Wilsons Promontory National Park
Wilsons Promontory National Park is located at the southernmost tip of the Australian mainland. Like other national parks in Australia, it boasts rich ecology and hiking trails, but it also has beautiful beaches such as Norman Beach and Squeaky Beach. As there aren't too many recommended beaches around Melbourne, this has become a popular vacation choice for locals. Other landmarks include Fairy Cove in Tasmania's Flame Bay, which is great for fishing, surfing, jet skiing, and swimming, offering a fantastic experience!
◎ Address: Wilsons Promontory National Park, Tidal River, Wilsons Promontory VIC
◎ Transportation: About a 3-hour drive along the M1/C422 highway from Melbourne city center (Find Car Hire Deals | Car Rental in Australia)
◎ Money-saving tips: Wilsons Promontory National Park Day Tour | Great Ocean Road & Penguin Island & Wilsons Promontory National Park 3-Day Tour | Wilsons Promontory Hidden Gems Day Tour
◎ Official website: Wilsons Promontory National Park
◎ Nearby accommodation: Booking | Agoda | Hotels | Expedia (Compare & Save)
(It is said that under the right weather conditions and timing, one can even capture the traces of the aurora at Wilsons Promontory National Park!)
Melbourne Attractions Map
Lastly, I have compiled the above "Top 10 Recommended Melbourne Suburb Attractions" along with other attractions in the city and suburbs of Melbourne into a Google Map. It includes basic travel information such as accommodations and discounts. You can toggle layers to view different information, and feel free to bookmark and share the map.
Link: Melbourne Attractions Map
The above is an introduction to the recommended attractions in the Melbourne suburbs. There are many other attractions worth visiting, such as Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park and St Kilda Beach. If you have more time to travel, be sure to check them out as well.