Want to know what to do when you visit the world’s most liveable city? Here are 27 fun things to do when you visit Melbourne.
I’ve rounded up the very best things to do, eat, see and visit, explore and discover! And when you’ve finished the list, be sure to shout out your favourites in the comments at the bottom of the page.
1. Play a round of mini golf at Holey Moley
Ever wanted to drink cocktails, listen to epic beats and play a round of mini golf all at the same time? Then Holey Moley is for you!
2. The Night Market
Clear your Wednesday evenings Melbourne, because the Night Market has arrived and they are a must-experience event. Held every week seasonally at Queen Vic Markets, the Night Market is the place to experience true Melbourne culture through eats, drinks, music, design and a hint of lane way style.
3. Head to Luna Park
Luna Park Melbourne is located on the beautiful foreshore of Port Phillip Bay and I have no doubt that all kids (both young and old) will fall in love with the spirit of this historic amusement park as soon as they walk through the iconic giant mouth.
One of the best things about Luna Park is that it’s free to enter, so you and the family can just browse around and take in the exciting atmosphere.
4. Take a Melbourne Laneways Walking Tour
Do you want to discover the hidden secrets of Melbourne’s laneways? Follow the map on a self-guided tour of the CBD to discover the city’s unique fashion stores, cafes, art works, restaurants, bars and history that is hiding amongst the pebbled paths of our lanes.
5. Legoland Discovery Centre
Legoland Melbourne is home to 13 super-fun family attractions, including Miniland – a miniature LEGO® replica of Melbourne’s most loved buildings and landmarks built from over 1.5 million bricks! It’s so cool!
6. Visit the historic State Library
If you live in Melbourne (or love holidaying here) and haven’t already visited the State Library Victoria, well you are seriously missing out!
7. Catch a show at Palais Theatre
The Palais concert venue and theatre is hard to miss when you are visiting St Kilda. Currently undergoing it’s biggest renovation since opening in 1927, the historic art deco theatre stands tall in the middle of the suburb and has played home to many live Australian and International superstars including The Rolling Stones, John Farman, Chris Isaac, Dave Chapelle and the John Butler Trio.
Upcoming shows to mark in your diary are Suzi Quatro and Russell Howard (plus tickets are a great gift idea for friends and family)!
8. Spend a day at Albert Park Lake
Albert Park and Lake is home to some great playgrounds, boat watching, walking tracks, barbeques and picnic areas. It’s the perfect place for jogging, cycling or taking a long walk in the fresh air with strollers or dogs.
9. Check out Melbourne’s iconic Bathing Boxes
The rainbow-coloured bathing boxes of Port Phillip Bay (along Brighton Beach and the Mornington Peninsula) are an iconic backdrop to countless swims and lazy beach days all along our coastline. These bathing boxes are the bay and peninsula’s symbol of summer and are the perfect tourist attraction to visit for an instal-worthy selfie.
10. Take the kids along to Scienceworks
Scienceworks offers a great day out for all the family. A popular science and technology museum, Scienceworks is home to fun interactive exhibitions, the Melbourne Planetarium and the Lightning Room.
11. Rooftop Cinema
Melbourne’s Rooftop Cinema at Rooftop Bar is the perfect way to catch a flick with your bestie this summer. Showcasing classic films, nostalgic favourites and recent releases in a completely unique environment, amongst Melbourne’s beautiful nightlight skyline.
12. Take a Day Tour of the Twelve Apostles
Travel down the Great Ocean Road and see the Twelve Apostles. Discover first hand why this trip has become a tourism pilgrimage for so many, whilst enjoying the incredible coastal views that have made the Victorian Surf Coast world famous.
13. Buy tickets to Harry Potter and The Cursed Child
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a two-part stage play written by Jack Thorne based on an original story by Thorne, J. K. Rowling and John Tiffany. The show is now playing exclusively at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre, and is in one word… SPECTACULAR!
Boasting a $6.5 million restoration exclusively for the production, it is a must-see for all Harry Potter fans, musical fans, or anyone who appreciates the very best in Australian entertainment, costume design, lighting and sound effects.
14. Dine at Eureka 89
The 360-degree panorama views are spectacular and the food exemplary at Eureka 89. If you haven’t dined at Melbourne’s highest restaurant before, be sure to put it at the top of your Melbourne foodie bucket list.
15. Skydive over St Kilda Beach
Experience the unparalleled thrill of free-falling for up to 60 seconds at awesome speeds of approximately 200kph, over one of our most iconic beaches! It’s sure to be one of the most exhilarating experiences of your life… skydiving over St Kilda Beach, the most adventurous way to see Melbourne!
16. Experience Friday night bevies at Chuckle Park
Give me pretty lights, a caravan bar and cocktail jugs in a trendy laneway, and the chic establishment that is Chuckle Park, in the heart of Melbourne, shoots straight to the top of my list.
17. Walk along Princes Pier
Princes Pier is one of Melbourne’s most instagrammable hot spots. In the summertime, it’s the perfect place to watch the famous bay sunset or simply sit and look across to the docked Spirit of Tasmania ferry.
18. Experience St Kilda Festival
Head along to Melbourne’s biggest free celebration of summer, St Kilda Festival. Held on the second Sunday in February each year, the festival pretty much takes over all of the suburb (the streets are closed to traffic) and there’s a huge line up of entertainment on display over multiple raised stages.
19. Enjoy a Sunday session at one of our famous rooftop bars
Melbourne is a city which needs to be appreciated from above and there’s no doubt the views are best enjoyed with a cocktail or wine in hand, at one of our awesome rooftop bars.
20. Be inspired by Melbourne’s GPO Architecture
Melbourne’s GPO is a former post office situated on the corner of Elizabeth and Bourke Streets and you could say it’s the official centre of the city. A landmark that has seen many reinventions of itself, it has maintained it’s periodical architecture of it’s (nearly) 160 year history. This spectacular heritage listed building is now home to Australia’s first H&M store.
21. Get your shop on at Dandenong Market
Home to over 200 traders, Dandenong Market is one of my go-to markets for sourcing seasonal produce and bargain buys. You too will be charmed by the hidden gems and the vast array of unique and affordable ingredients available for purchase.
Stock up on every ingredient you can imagine (not to mention some you might never have heard of!) with the confidence in knowing where it came from, and great ways to incorporate it into your everyday cooking.
22. Indulge in the ultimate dessert burger
Put on your stretchy pants and get set to indulge in the ultimate fairy floss dessert burger at Long Story Short cafe. It’s the perfect naughty treat to accompany your breakfast porridge and taro latte.
23. Treat yourself to a nights stay at the Adelphi Hotel
If you love the seriously chic vibes and culture of Melbourne’s laneways, then you will love the Adelphi Hotel. It’s the perfect accomodation to indulge in luxury, in art, in texture and in the pure heart and soul of the city.
You’ll find the Adelphi tucked neatly into the centre of Flinders Lane’s shopping and dining precinct. It’s one of the world’s most famous dessert hotels, and they have service levels nailed when it comes to in-room comforts and personal touches.
24. Laugh out loud at Melbourne Comedy Festival
Prepare yourself for lashings of laughter with the annual event, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Taking over the city each autumn with an enormous program of stand-up comedy, cabaret, theatre, street performance, film, television, radio and visual arts.
25. Melbourne Zoo
There are more family attractions in Melbourne than there are laneways and one of our favourite picks would have to be Melbourne Zoo. Nothing beats a fun day out where you can get up close and personal with amazing animals from around the globe. Orangutans, Baboons and Elephants are just some of the international mega stars that you’ll encounter on your visit. It’s a journey through a world of wildlife in the heart of Melbourne.
26. Sip on the Best Smoothies in Melbourne
Nestled in the heart of Elwood, Combi is a petite cafe with a big smoothie reputation. As per the sign tiled into the counter, follow your heart to their yummy offering of health-conscious raw foods and house blend coffee. You’re sure to fall in love with the beach shack vibes, so pull up a seat and get your smoothie on!
27. Eat you way through the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival
Every March, food and wine lovers indulge in events that fill Melbourne’s labyrinthine network of restaurants, laneways, lights-turned-down basements and dizzying rooftops and spill into spectacular regional Victoria.
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is an annual state-wide celebration of Victoria’s food and wine industry that attracts more than 250,000 attendees to a diverse program of 200+ events.
What to Wear in Melbourne
Joy
I need to visit some of these places I haven’t been before, I m going to Mel in couple weeks.
Emily Collie
Enjoy your visit Joy!
Amanda Jones
I really love Melbourne streets graffiti and if someone wants to experience the real Melbourne, then should take a walking tour. based here since my childhood I like this multicultural city and I have also created a blog to share my experience in the city. your blog is really inspirational and I follow since a long time.
Emily Collie
Thanks for stopping by Amanda – you would be a fan of number 4!
All the best with your blog!