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Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in MelbourneVibrant, elegant, and multicultural, Australia's second largest metropolis frequently tops the list of the world's most liveable cities. With its tangle of hidden laneways, tree-lined promenades, and grand Victorian buildings funded by the 1850s Gold Rush, the city has a distinctly European feel. Foodies will also find plenty to love. Famous Aussie chefs flaunt their talents here, and you can feast on everything, from Greek, Italian, and Indian cuisine to Spanish and Vietnamese fare.But perhaps Melbourne's biggest claim to fame is sports. The famous Melbourne Cup horse race, held on the first Tuesday in November, brings the entire nation to a standstill, and Australian Rules football elicits an almost religious reverence here. Catch a game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground; explore the city's diverse galleries, chic cafes, and shops; stroll through beautiful botanic gardens; cruise along the Yarra River; or hop aboard a heritage tram to discover Melbourne's magic. On top of all these exciting things to do, rewarding day trip adventures lie a short drive from the city buzz.See also: Where to Stay in MelbourneNote: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues.1 Federation SquareFederation SquareFederation Square Share:When Federation Square opened in 2002 to commemorate 100 years of federation, it divided Melburnians. There were those who loved it and those who hated it. Either way, it has become an integral part of the city and a great place for tourists to start their sightseeing. Located opposite Flinders Street Station, a major public transport hub, the building's ultra-modern design of open and closed spaces contrasts with the surrounding Victorian architecture. With more than 2,000 events annually, you can always find entertainment in the central outdoor performance space and intimate indoor venues. Federation Square also houses the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, dedicated to Australian art, and the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI). More commonly called "Fed Square," it is also one of the largest free Wi-Fi sites in Australia.Location: Corner Swanston and Flinders Streets, MelbourneOfficial site: Fed Square2 Royal Botanic GardensRoyal Botanic GardensRoyal Botanic Gardens Share:In the heart of green parkland extending south of the Yarra River, about two kilometers from the CBD, the Royal Botanic Gardens are among the finest of their kind in the world. Established in 1846, the gardens encompass two locations: Melbourne and Cranbourne. The Melbourne Gardens cover an area of 38 hectares with more than 8,500 species of plants, including many rare specimens. The Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden is designed to encourage the next generation of gardeners, and the Aboriginal Heritage Walk is a popular tour that looks into the rich heritage of indigenous Australians. Visiting the gardens is one of the best free things to do in Melbourne. In summer, live theater is a highlight of the gardens, and a moonlight cinema is set up under the stars. This is also a popular spot for a picnic by the lake or a traditional high tea at The Terrace cafe.Location: Birdwood Ave, South YarraOfficial site: Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria3 Melbourne Cricket Ground and the National Sports MuseumMelbourne Cricket Ground and the National Sports MuseumMelbourne Cricket Ground and the National Sports Museum Jeffrey / photo modified Share:Melbourne is the sporting capital of Australia, so it's no surprise that a sports stadium numbers among the city's top tourist attractions. With a capacity of 100,000 and a history dating back to 1853, the MCG is considered one of the world's greatest stadiums. As the main stadium for the 1956 Olympic Games and 2006 Commonwealth Games, the birthplace of Test Cricket, and the home of Australian Rules Football, "the 'G" is woven into the fabric of Melbourne. Daily 75-minute tours take visitors for a trip down a memory lane of great moments in sporting history and incorporate the National Sports Museum, including the Australian Gallery of Sport and Olympic Museum. You can also catch a game of cricket in summer or football during winter.Directly opposite the MCG is Melbourne Park, home of the Australian Open tennis tournament, held every January. You can hire a tennis court, and many concerts are held here during the year.Address: Brunton Ave, East MelbourneOfficial site: Melbourne Cricket Ground4 Southbank and Arts Centre MelbourneSouthbank and Arts Centre MelbourneSouthbank and Arts Centre Melbourne Share:On the banks of the Yarra River, a short stroll from Flinders Street Station, this area is packed with cultural attractions. Southbank promenade is filled with indoor/outdoor cafés, restaurants, and live entertainment. An excellent arts and crafts market is held every Sunday, and the area is also home to many festivals throughout the year. Easily recognizable by its spire, the Arts Centre incorporates a range of theaters and spaces, including the State Theatre, Playhouse, Fairfax Theatre, and Hamer Hall, the premier performance space for the revered Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.Address: St. Kilda Road, MelbourneOfficial site: Home5 National Gallery of VictoriaNational Gallery of VictoriaNational Gallery of Victoria Daniel / photo modified Share:The oldest public art gallery in Australia, the National Gallery of Victoria holds more than 70,000 works of art in two city locations. The international collection is housed in the St. Kilda Road building, originally opened in 1968 and extensively renovated in 2003. The building is renowned for The Great Hall, where visitors are encouraged to lie on the floor and gaze at the colorful stained glass ceiling. The extensive Australian collection is held in the Ian Potter Gallery in Federation Square, featuring the history of Australian art from Aboriginal works through to the Heidelberg School, and contemporary mixed media. One of the highlights is the large triptych format, The Pioneer by Frederick McCubbin.Address: St. Kilda Road, Melbourne and Federation SquareOfficial site: NGV6 Eureka TowerEureka TowerEureka Tower Share:Named in recognition of The Eureka Stockade, the 1854 rebellion of prospectors in the Victorian goldfields, the Eureka Tower stands 91 stories above ground in the heart of Southbank. The skyscraper's gold crown and gold-plated windows add to the theme and literally sparkle when the sun catches the top of the building. Skydeck, on the 88th floor, affords the highest public view in any building in the Southern Hemisphere. Adding to the experience is The Edge, a glass cube that slides out three meters from the building for vertigo-free visitors.Address: 7 Riverside Quay, SouthbankOfficial site: Best Things To Do & See in Melbourne City | Eureka Skydeck7 Arcades and LanewaysArcades and LanewaysArcades and Laneways Alpha / photo modified Share:Wandering the labyrinth of lanes and alleyways around Flinders, Collins, and Bourke Streets reveals elegant, interesting, and quirky Melbourne at its best. The jewel in the crown is the magnificent Block Arcade in Collins Street. With its mosaic floor, period details, and unique shops, this is the place where late 19th-century gentry promenaded, coining the phrase, "doing the block." It's worth lining up for a morning or afternoon tea at the Hopetoun Tearooms. This Melbourne icon dates back to 1892 and is the only original shop still in the arcade today. The opulent Royal Arcade is Melbourne's oldest arcade, and Flinders and Degraves Lanes are also well worth exploring. Several companies run guided walking tours of the lanes and alleyways.8 Melbourne Museum and Royal Exhibition BuildingMelbourne Museum and Royal Exhibition BuildingMelbourne Museum and Royal Exhibition Building Share:A short tram ride from the CBD, the Melbourne Museum is surrounded by beautiful gardens and parkland. This modern purpose-built museum houses a diverse collection depicting society and cultures. Highlights include Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre; the Phar Lap exhibit, about Australia's greatest racehorse; and the Children's Gallery, a series of hands-on activities designed to stimulate and engage youngsters.Adjacent to the Melbourne Museum is the elaborate Royal Exhibition Building. Built in 1880 to host Melbourne's International Exhibition, the building also held the first Commonwealth Parliament of Australia in 1901. Regular tours are available, and the building is still used for exhibitions and special events.Address: 11 Nicholson Street, CarltonOfficial site: Melbourne Museum9 City Circle Tram TourCity Circle Tram TourCity Circle Tram Tour Share:Trams are a big part of Melbourne's public transport system, and the City Circle Tram offers tourists a free and easy way of seeing the CBD. Accompanied by a commentary, the hop-on, hop-off heritage tram passes many of the grand historic buildings, including Parliament House, the Old Treasury Building, Princess Theatre, and the Windsor Hotel. The trams run every 12 minutes and take about 50 minutes to complete the entire loop.10 Melbourne ZooMelbourne ZooMelbourne Zoo safetypinheart / photo modified Share:Although the 22-hectare Melbourne Zoo dates back to 1862, the 320-plus species of animals have the best of modern facilities in state-of-the-art enclosures. The award-winning Trail of the Elephants is an insight into the lives of the resident Asian elephants in a traditional village-garden setting. Another highlight is the Orang-utan Sanctuary, where the animals live in their treetop home. With many wild encounters, including "roar and snore," twilight music concerts, and behind-the-scene tours of some enclosures, Melbourne Zoo offers animal-lovers a fun-packed experience.Address: Elliott Ave, ParkvilleOfficial site: Melbourne Zoo is open!11 Captain Cook's Cottage, Fitzroy GardensCaptain Cook's Cottage, Fitzroy GardensCaptain Cook's Cottage, Fitzroy Gardens Share:Captain Cook's Cottage was brought to Melbourne from Captain James Cook's native home in Yorkshire, England and erected in Fitzroy Gardens. The quaint cottage is an insight into the life and times of Cook's seafaring adventures and exploration of Australia and other parts of the world.Also in the beautiful Fitzroy Gardens is the magnificent Spanish-mission style conservatory that is always filled with a vibrant floral display. Children will love the tiny Tudor village and Fairy Tree.Address: Wellington Parade, East Melbourne12 Yarra River CruiseYarra River CruiseYarra River Cruise Rexness / photo modified Share:A river boat cruise is not only the perfect way to see the sights, it's also an insight into the history of the Yarra River. Many cruise companies can be found along Southbank, and it's a relaxing and fun way to get your bearings before you set out to explore the city on foot. While you're gliding down the river, keep an eye out for Birrarung Marr, originally called "Birrarung," meaning "river of mists and shadows," a waterfront parkland celebrating Aboriginal ties with the Yarra River. If you're short on time, the one-hour River Gardens Melbourne Sightseeing Cruise gives you a relaxing tour past top city sights, like the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne Cricket Ground, and National Tennis Centre.13 Shrine of RemembranceShrine of RemembranceShrine of Remembrance Pascal / photo modified Share:Sitting majestically in Kings Domain gardens, the Shrine was built after the First World War to commemorate Victorians involved in the Great War, either abroad or at home. Today, it serves as a poignant reminder for all servicemen and women and is the central focus for ceremonies on ANZAC Day, held on 25 April, and Remembrance Day, held on 11 November each year. Guided or self-guided tours are available daily, and lighting on the building is particularly beautiful at night.Address: Birdwood Ave, MelbourneOfficial site: SHRINE OF REMEMBRANCE | Shrine of Remembrance14 DocklandsDocklandsDocklands Marc Lee / photo modified Share:Docklands is Melbourne's newest waterfront entertainment precinct. With the highest concentration of green-star rated buildings in the Southern Hemisphere, the satellite village is filled with cafés, restaurants, tourist attractions, and parklands. The view from the giant observation wheel, Melbourne Star, is spectacular, and the area is also home to Etihad Stadium; the Junior Wonderland amusement park; and the Icehouse, a world-class ice sports venue. An art and vintage market is also held along the waterfront every Sunday.Address: Harbour Esplanade, DocklandsOfficial site: http://www.docklandsmelbourne.com.au/15 Queen Victoria MarketQueen Victoria MarketQueen Victoria Market Rexness / photo modified Share:A popular place with locals and tourists, this historic icon has been at the center of fresh produce shopping since 1878. In addition to the magnificent food halls, market stalls sell everything from clothing, art, and toys to that hard-to-find unique souvenir, five days a week. Tours are available, and special events such as night markets, music concerts, and other functions are often held during summer.Address: Queen and Victoria Streets, Melbourne16 Parliament HouseParliament HouseParliament House Share:Open to the public, even when parliament is in session, Parliament House is one of Melbourne's best kept tourist secrets. It was built during the Gold Rush, and its interior is lavishly decorated with gold leaf, chandeliers, and a superb mosaic floor. Free, informative tours are held Monday to Friday on days when parliament is not in session.Address: Queen and Victoria Streets, MelbourneOfficial site: Visit Parliament17 Immigration MuseumImmigration MuseumImmigration Museum eGuide Travel / photo modified Share:Located in the elegant Old Customs House, the Immigration Museum tells real stories of people from all over the world who now call Melbourne home. The permanent collection is interactive and engaging, and special exhibitions add to the museum's appeal. A visit here provides a different perspective of early European settlement, as every person arriving had to pass through customs here.Address: 400 Flinders Street, MelbourneOfficial site: Immigration MuseumWhere to Stay in Melbourne for SightseeingFor first-time visitors to Melbourne, one of the best places to stay is either the city center or Southbank, with its restaurants, cafés, and lively events calendar. These tourist-friendly areas are close to prime attractions such as Federation Square; the Royal Botanic Gardens; and the labyrinth of laneways and shopping arcades around Flinders, Collins, and Bourke Streets. Here are some highly-rated hotels in these areas:Luxury Hotels: Steps away from St. Patrick's Cathedral and Fitzroy Gardens with Cook's Cottage, the plush Park Hyatt is one of the city's best hotels. Shops and restaurants lie a short stroll away, and sports fans can walk to the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Melbourne Park. In Southbank, Crown Towers features spectacular views of the city skyline from its large rooms, as well as a heated indoor pool, fitness center, and two rooftop tennis courts. Also in Southbank, the serviced apartments of Quay West Suites are a favorite with families. For something a little different, St. Jerome's - The Hotel offers a popular glamping experience on the rooftop of Melbourne Central. The luxury tents come with pillow-top beds, air-conditioning, stocked coolers, and tablets with movies.Mid-Range Hotels: A couple of blocks from the famous Queen Victoria Market, the Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens has a tram stop on its doorstep and offers great value within walking distance of shops and restaurants. Also steps away from a free tram and a five-minute walk from outlet shopping, Alto Hotel on Bourke is Australia's first carbon neutral hotel. Its modern apartments are a great choice for families. A five-minute walk from Federation Square, the boutique Adelphi Hotel surprises guests with its contemporary style and personal touches.Budget Hotels: Near Melbourne Park, the family-run City Centre Budget Hotel offers excellent value, with a rooftop kitchen and plenty of public transport options on its doorstep. Within walking distance of Flinders Street Station, the Ibis Budget Melbourne CBD has basic rooms but a fantastic location. Also in the budget price-range, the Tune Hotel lies two tram stops away from the CBD and only a five-minute walk from the Melbourne Museum, IMAX Theatre, and the Free Tram Zone.Tips and Tours: How to Make the Most of Your Visit to MelbourneSightseeing: Fans of the long-running Neighbours TV soap opera can take a "Neighbours" Tour of Ramsay Street to see filming locations and the original Ramsay Street houses. You also have the opportunity to meet one of the cast members.Day Trips: The most popular excursion from Melbourne is to the Great Ocean Road and the site of the famous limestone stacks known as the Twelve Apostles. The Great Ocean Road Small-Group Eco Tour from Melbourne is an easy and fun excursion. This tour offers hotel pickup and drop-off, morning tea, lunch, transport in a 24-passenger vehicle, and park admission fees for stops at Great Otway National Park for wildlife viewing and Port Campbell National Park to see the Twelve Apostles. You can also upgrade this tour to include a scenic helicopter flight. Another popular day trip is the Phillip Island Little Penguins Parade Evening Tour. This tour takes you by coach to Phillip Island to see fairy penguins make their way out of the ocean and across the sand to their burrows as they come home for the night. The trip includes hotel pickup and drop-off, transportation, and a stop at the Visitor Center to learn about the penguins. Families and wildlife lovers should consider the Puffing Billy Steam Train, Yarra Valley and Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary Day Tour. This full-day tour takes you chugging through the beautiful mountain ash forests of the Dandenong Ranges aboard a historic steam train, with a stop for bird feeding and a traditional Aussie tea. After the train ride, enjoy close-up encounters with loveable native animals at the Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary. Transport by air-conditioned coach with a live commentary, admission fees, and hotel pickup and drop-off are all included.More Travel Adventures near MelbourneMelbourne, the capital of Victoria, rivals Sydney with its rich cultural attractions, and it's also surrounded by spectacular wilderness areas. Day trip destinations include the beautiful Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges and the golden beaches of the Mornington Peninsula. In less than a two-hour drive from Melbourne, you can also delve into the rich Gold Rush history of Ballarat, Bendigo, and the Macedon Ranges, and on the western side of Port Phillip Bay, Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula are the gateway to the Great Ocean Road. Outdoor adventures in the region are abundant. Skiers will find some of Australia's top ski resorts within a day's drive of the city, as well as fantastic fishing and some of the country's best hikes. If you need help planning your trip, see our article on Australia's top itineraries.Subscribe to ourNewsletterDiscover destinations, find outdoor adventures, follow the journeys of our travel writers around the world, and be inspired.email addressMore on AustraliaAustralia Travel GuideAustralia Travel Guide14 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Australia14 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in AustraliaMORE DESTINATIONS11 Top-Rated Day Trips from Melbourne11 Top-Rated Day Trips from Melbourne9 Top-Rated Weekend Getaways from Melbourne9 Top-Rated Weekend Getaways from Melbourne14 Top-Rated Places to Stay in Melbourne, Australia14 Top-Rated Places to Stay in Melbourne, Australia13 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions on the Mornington Peninsula13 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions on the Mornington Peninsula11 Top-Rated Attractions of Geelong & the Bellarine Peninsula11 Top-Rated Attractions of Geelong & the Bellarine Peninsula11 Top-Rated Attractions in Ballarat, Bendigo & the Macedon Ranges11 Top-Rated Attractions in Ballarat, Bendigo & the Macedon Ranges14 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions on the Great Ocean Road14 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions on the Great Ocean Road11 Top-Rated Attractions in the Snowy Mountains, NSW11 Top-Rated Attractions in the Snowy Mountains, NSW15 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Tasmania15 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Tasmania12 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Launceston & Easy Day Trips12 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Launceston & Easy Day Trips15 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Canberra & Easy Day Trips15 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Canberra & Easy Day TripsExploring Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon)Exploring Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon)14 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Hobart14 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Hobart11 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in the Barossa Valley11 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in the Barossa Valley18 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Adelaide18 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Adelaide11 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in the Blue Mountains, Australia11 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in the Blue Mountains, AustraliaRecent Articles12 Top-Rated Beaches in Port Macquarie, NSW12 Top-Rated Beaches in Port Macquarie, NSW11 Top-Rated Things to Do in Lancaster, CA11 Top-Rated Things to Do in Lancaster, CABE INSPIRED19 Best Places to Visit in the United States19 Best Places to Visit in the United States11 Best Luxury All-Inclusive Resorts in the World11 Best Luxury All-Inclusive Resorts in the World15 Best Tropical Vacations15 Best Tropical Vacations16 Most Beautiful Islands in the World16 Most Beautiful Islands in the WorldBE INSPIRED!MORE PICTURES OF AUSTRALIAFOR MORE INFORMATION PL CONTACT [email protected]