Top Things to do in Melbourne
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What to do and see in Melbourne, Victoria: The Best Points of Interest & Landmarks
Lovely, laid-back Melbourne has something for everyone: family fare, local and international art, haute boutiques, multicultural dining, Australian and Aboriginal history, spectator sports, and pulsing, swanky nightlife. Cruise on the free City Circle Tram loop to check out unique attractions like the Royal Botanical Gardens and the Healesville Sanctuary, which buzzes with local animal species.
Restaurants in Melbourne
1. Fitzroy Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,607 reviews
Fitzroy Gardens is one of Melbourne’s most historic and beautiful Gardens. Originally set aside as a reserve in 1848, the layout follows a classic Victorian–era design, featuring pathways lined with magnificent Elm trees, and a variety of flowers, ornamental shrubs and trees which together with extensive lawns create a diverse and layered landscape. Points of interest include the magnificent floral displays in the Spanish mission style Conservatory. Cooks Cottage, a scarred tree, the Fairies’ Tree and model tudor village, sculptures, fountains and a stormwater cleaning and re-use system. The Fitzroy Gardens visitor centre provides tourism information and entry tickets to Cooks Cottage. A free guided walking tour departs from the visitor centre every Saturday at 10am. Refreshments are available from KereKere cafe at the visitor centre.
Reviewed By saronic - Zurich, Switzerland
Good town planning in Victorian times resulted in several gardens and parks being included in the layout of Melbourne and they were shaped according to the ideas of the time - with lawns, big trees, flowerbeds, ponds, fountains, tree-lined pathways, sculptures and sometimes a few buildings, such as the Conservatory or Cook's Cottage (brought from England) in the Fitzroy Gardens. More recently have been added a café and a tourist information centre. Patient visitors will have the chance to observe wildlife in these parks, mainly different kind of birds or bats at night. In any case all this greenery in the middle of Melbourne makes for nice, relaxing breaks, when wandering through its streets and alleys.
2. Collins Street
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 801 reviews
Reviewed By christoskontas - Thessaloniki, Greece
Connects the historical past with the brilliant present. Visitors will see everything on this road. Historic buildings of fine architecture, luxury hotels, banks, multinational companies, fine shops, shopping malls and central sights. The eastern end of Collins Street has been known as the 'Paris End' since the 1950s due to its numerous heritage buildings, old street trees, high-end shopping boutiques, and for the first sidewalk cafes in the city. Blocks further west centred around Queen Street became the financial heart of Melbourne in the 19th century, with major banks and insurance companies, till now with the most prestigious office blocks and skyscrapers along its length. We had the opportunity to enjoy walking up and down Collins Street daily as our hotel was right here. Charming road, where each Melbourne visitor should be here at least once.
3. Royal Exhibition Building
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 666 reviews
The Royal Exhibition Building is one of the world's oldest remaining exhibition pavilions. On 1 July 2004, it became the first building in Australia to achieve a World Heritage listing. Located in Carlton Gardens, the pavilion was originally completed in 1880 for the first of two international fairs hosted by Melbourne. On May 1st, 1901, the initial Commonwealth Parliament was held here, an event commemorated in 2001, the centenary of Australian Federation. Today, with its meticulously restored interior, expansive galleries and soaring dome, the Great Hall offers an impressive setting for trade shows, fairs and cultural and community events.
Reviewed By christinec793 - Bundaberg, Australia
We had a wonderful time at the garden show in March. The Royal Exhibition Building is a most beautiful building and beautifully restored, situated in the Carlton Gardens, a gem of architectural design.
4. Southbank
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,303 reviews
Lovely riverside walk along the Yarra in Melbourne with lots of nice cafes restaurants and shopping areas. Very up and coming.
Reviewed By 301amitc - Robbinsville, United States
everything that one may need for entertainment is present at Southbank Promenade - water front, cruises, walkways, walking bridges, restaurants, strong night life, picturesque surroundings, fun atmosphere walking bridges to cross the yarra river and even the eureka Skydeck. Location is close to Flinders station and a very short walk from the CBD. Southbank even has a Seven-eleven and McDonalds. There are several seating chairs, restrooms, and enough trashcans. This is a must visit place for clean fun!
5. Block Arcade
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,064 reviews
Voted #8 of 323 things to do and see in Melbourne by Tripadvisor and winning the 2015 Travellers' Choice Award, join us on a personalised guided walk through one of Melbourne's most grand and historic landmarks,The Block Arcade. Built in 1892 and modelled on the Galleria Vittoria Emanuele in Milan, The Block Arcade is a heritage listed shopping arcade situated on Melbourne's Golden Mile and home to the largest mosaic floor in the southern hemisphere, its magnificent glass dome and the iconic Hopetoun Tearooms. Suitable for all ages, a guided walk through the Arcade will take you on a historical journey back to the early days of the Colony and a glimpse into Melbourne's rich and colourful history. Venture upstairs, which is not accessible to the general public, as you view the Arcade from its many windows and causeway. Tours run twice a week on Tuesdays or Thursdays. 11am - 12pm at $15 p/p 2 - 3.30pm at $22 p/p and includes a Devonshire afternoon tea. For groups of more than 8, prior arrangements can be made for alternative times/days.
Reviewed By Annettee81 - Melbourne, Australia
The Block Arcade got an amazing tinder style history of men lining up around the Block to meet the women of their dreams, then the hand laid mosaic floors by imported Italian labourers, and the yummy cakes at the Hopetoun Coffee shop - be sure to make time to line up.
6. Melbourne Town Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 325 reviews
Completed in 1870, the Melbourne Town Hall is at the heart of the city's cultural and civic activity, hosting theatre, weddings, receptions and exhibitions. So many of the decisions that have helped shape Melbourne were made within the heritage-listed Town Hall. A mix of bluestone and Tasmanian freestone, the classically designed building features a clock tower and fine masonry. To go behind the scenes and visit the grand Council Chambers and stand where the Beatles and Abba waved from the impressive portico, take a Town Hall tour. As well as the Council Chambers, the Town Hall features a large auditorium, which was remodelled following a fire in 1925 and includes panels decorated with sepia figures. The auditorium's Grand Organ has featured in cutting-edge performances by a range of artists including Philip Glass, Paul Grabowski and the Necks. A free lunchtime concert series has been running since 2003, and the Grand Organ Museum offers visitors the opportunity to learn more about the organ and breathe air into its venerable pipes. Join a free Melbourne Town Hall Tour from Monday to Friday with tours departing at 11am and 1pm. Bookings essential.
Reviewed By jrtakesontheworld - Australia, null
The Melbourne Town Hall is certainly decked out around Christmas time. We visited the Town Hall later in the night to view the light show projected onto its facade. Being a 'first-timer', I was entertained by the light show, which is on a rotation, although I suppose you can become jaded by that sort of thing. Well worth a visit.
7. Hardware Lane
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 488 reviews
Reviewed By 2busyoutandabout - Melbourne, Australia
A great place to go for a bite or just a coffee with many restaurants with outdoor seating to choose from to satisfy your needs.
8. 333 Collins Street
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 38 reviews
Reviewed By 619jeffry - Essendon, Australia
Collins Street was, for many years, the pre-eminent address for Australia's dominant corporations. Number 333 Collins Street was the glorious banking chamber of the Commercial Bank of Australia (CBA), intended to display its wealth and stability. You can, in normal times, see its ornate ground floor with comortable Chesterfields for clients. You can also view the magnificent dome. The building is said to be the best serviced office complex in Melbourne.
9. Supreme Court of Victoria
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By Crystalline4u - Traralgon, Australia
This beautifully contrasts against the County Court on the other side of the street... the old and the new... as it should be. If an old building can be maintained, it's wonderful that it is. Erected in 1874-84, the Law Courts comprise two storeys constructed of brick on Malmsbury bluestone footings and faced with Tasmanian freestone. The design is reputed to be based on the design of James Gandon's Four Courts building in Dublin, following a suggestion to Smith and Johnson by Chief Justice Sir William Stawell. The boldness of planning and massing and the mannerist details are highly characteristic of the work of the architect AE Johnson. This is a beautiful building representing the Renaissance Revival style. It can be reached by foot from Southern Cross or there is a bus route that runs up Lonsdale Street.
10. South Wharf Promenade
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 79 reviews
Reviewed By WayneAP - City of Greater Geelong, Australia
The Promenade is a great place for a leisurely walk on a Sunday morning. With the Polly Woodside, DFO and the Melbourne Convention Centre all in close proximity there is always something going on. There are a large number of eateries that have great views while dining and ideally placed to capture the winter sun. Well worth the time to go and enjoy the scenery.
