Some call Melbourne Australia’s cultural capital, with its melting pot of inhabitants and European ambience—not to mention its art galleries, nightlife, and delightful brunch scene. Global audiences fill coveted seats at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Etihad Stadium, but the essence of the city lies in its neighborhoods. Each enclave showcases the best things to do in Melbourne: cool bars and eateries in the CBD, flashy shops in South Yarra, and sandy beaches in St. Kilda. And, some of Victoria’s most stunning natural attractions are just a day trip away.
Melbourne may be famous for its unpredictable day-to-day weather, but summers (December to early March) in the capital of Victoria get swelteringly hot at one point or another. Still, this time of year is when many of the city’s biggest events are held, from the Australian Open to Moomba. A more balanced alternative is to visit the city in fall, as Melbourne is cooler then and does look awfully good decorated with autumn leaves.
There are very few parts of the city that you can’t reach with Melbourne’s extensive public transport network. Melbourne’s trams remain an uncomplicated way of traveling its inner city streets, especially thanks to the free tram zone covering the Central Business District (CBD). Getting around by train is also easy thanks to the City Loop and suburban lines, with buses—including the special Skybus to the airport—filling gaps in the system.
The historic Chinatown area, located along Little Bourke Street, is a safe choice when looking for somewhere to eat in the CBD, as it has a central location and caters to all budget types. Empress of China is a no-nonsense pick for dumplings, and you’re welcome to bring your own drinks, which you can pick up at any of the nearby liquor stores. The surrounding laneways are also littered with bars, from the eclectic Berlin Bar to the relaxed Ferdydurke.
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Cosmopolitan Melbourne rivals Sydney for the title of Australia’s cultural capital. Consistently topping the list of the world’s most livable cities, Melbourne may have a distinctly European ambience, but it has its own unique vibe, thanks, largely, to its 230-plus laneways where street art and cafe culture flourish.
...MoreYou should aim for a minimum of three days in Melbourne to soak up the city’s atmosphere and see all the most important attractions. If you plan on exploring the surrounding area, and take a day trip to Phillip Island, for example, give yourself five days or more.
...MoreLuna Park, the National Gallery of Victoria, and Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria are all top Melbourne attractions. One of the best things to do is to stroll around the city’s diverse neighborhoods and through the laneways running off the main streets—they are filled with bars, cafes, and street art.
...MoreMelbourne is filled with cultural activities, from seeing Australian, European, and Asian art at the National Gallery of Victoria to checking out street art on a guided tour of the laneways. Outdoor lovers will enjoy strolling around the Royal Botanic Gardens and Fitzroy Gardens and hitting St. Kilda Beach.
...MoreSome of Melbourne’s top attractions are free to visit, including the National Gallery of Victoria, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, and State Library of Victoria. You can also take a ride on the City Circle Tram, a free hop-on, hop-off service that runs between Melbourne’s major attractions.
...MoreRather than a specific dish, Melbourne is known for its diverse culinary offerings. Melbourne’s multicultural population has left its mark on the city’s food scene, and so its food options are endless, from Italian and Greek to Vietnamese and Chinese. The coffee is famously good here, too.
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