Melbourne in Australia is undoubtedly one of the hippest cities in the country. Known for its many coffee bars, trendy restaurants and fun museums, it is also the ideal starting point for a road trip Down Under! Therefore, a visit to Australia’s cultural capital cannot be missed during your tour. Even though Australia is known for not being the cheapest travel destination, we discovered that a day in Melbourne does not have to be expensive at all. After all, you can do a lot of fun things here that are also completely free! Quickly discover what to do in Melbourne, Australia and feel free to leave your wallet at home.
7 best things to do in Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne is the largest city and capital of the state of Victoria in Australia. For many it is the starting point of a tour of Australia but the city itself also has a tremendous amount to offer! Melbourne is considered the cultural capital of Australia, so you can easily spend several days here. To see the best of Melbourne, we recommend 2-3 days ! Even though Australia is not the cheapest vacation destination, to our surprise you can do a lot of fun things in Melbourne without paying blue! We are already listing for you the best things to do in Melbourne that are completely free and incredibly fun to do!
1) Free Walking Tour
It’s a classic, but nothing like discovering a new city with a free walking tour. And the tour we did in Melbourne was one of the most fun we’ve ever done! Our enthusiastic local guide from Guru Walks led us around for three hours, showing us the city’s best spots while sharing the history of Melbourne and Australia in a super engaging way. It’s the perfect way to kick off your Melbourne adventure. You’ll not only get a great first overview, but also plenty of chances to return to your favourite places later and to ask your guide for the best food tips along the way.
TRAVEL TIP: Although a “free” walking tour does not cost you money, it is customary to tip at the end. But trust us, it’s worth a good tip!
2) Victoria State Library
The Victoria State Library is one of those places you probably visited on the free walking tour, but definitely want to visit again! This 1956 library is a beautiful blend of ancient and modern architecture. We thought it was one of the most beautiful libraries we have ever seen. Be sure not to miss the La Trobe Reading Room which is the centerpiece of the library. From here you have a good view of the six floors in the high domed space. Be sure to go upstairs to admire the library from a higher level! If you want to learn more about this library, ask at the information booth about the free tours organized by volunteers.
Victoria State Library opening hours: daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
3) Royal Botanic Gardens
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and descend to the Royal Botanic Gardens. This green lung of Melbourne is a wonderful place to walk, jog or picnic. You’ll find no less than 8,500 plant species here. You will also find the Shrine Of Remembrance, an impressive memorial of for the soldiers served during WWI. And from the Shrine Of Remembrance you have a fantastic view of the Melbourne skyline. During the summer months, you can also come to the Royal Botanic Gardens to watch the outdoor cinema. This is not free, but it is definitely one of the best things to do in Melbourne!
4) Street art in Melbourne
You can feel Melbourne’s artistic vibe as soon as you start walking its streets. The city is full of alleys and cobblestone lanes covered in colourful street art. One quirky artwork follows another, all while you pass trendy coffee bars and boutiques. The best places to admire Melbourne’s graffiti are Hosier Lane, AC/DC Lane and Union Lane. Hosier Lane is the most famous, so it can get crowded, but at AC/DC Lane we practically had the whole place to ourselves!
5) Queen Victoria Market
The Queen Victoria Market or ‘Vic Market’ is the largest open-air market in the southern hemisphere. Founded in 1878, it is also one of the oldest markets in Melbourne, and you can tell by the cute architecture. Spend a few hours here as you stroll among the many rows and buildings. At the Vic Market you can find all kinds of things: fruits, greens, meats, books and all kinds of other stuff. You can visit the Queen Victoria Market completely free. Still, we recommend you bring some cash so you can buy a tasty snack or nice souvenir here on the spot!
6) Visit one of the many museums
Melbourne is packed with fantastic museums, perfect for rainy days or when it’s just too hot outside. In the larger ones, like the National Gallery of Victoria and the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), you can even visit the permanent exhibitions for free. At ACMI, you’ll find a super fun exhibit all about TV, film and digital culture that’s definitely worth a visit. And in the National Gallery of Victoria, you can admire the world’s largest leadlight stained-glass window, an impressive 51 metres long. If you want to explore the temporary exhibitions as well, you can purchase tickets for those separately.
7) Head to the beach in St. Kilda
St. Kilda is a neighborhood outside the center of Melbourne and is where you should be for a day at the beach. Besides beautiful beaches, every Sunday you will find the Esplanade Market from 10 am to 4 pm where you can buy fun and local items. Afterwards, go and lay out your towel on the St. Kilda Beach to relax. Or head to the further up Brightbon Beach where you can find the colorful Brighton Beach Boxes. These beach houses are each decorated with fun drawings and from here you also have a great view of the Melbourne skyline.
Best restaurants in Melbourne
Unfortunately, we haven’t found a place to eat for free in Melbourne, but if you must spend your money on something do it at one of the many trendy restaurants in Melbourne! Melbourne is known for its amazing food scene and skipping them would be a shame. Good to know is that you’ll find free drinking watr all over the city (so pack your refillable bottle!). Here are some of the best restaurants and bars to check out in Melbourne:
- Attica: one of the world’s best restaurants focusing on Australian ingredients
- Chin Chin: delicious Thai dishes in a modern twist
- Ponyfish Island: cozy waterfront bar with a view of the city
- Rice Paper Scissors: Asian Fusion at its best where you share several dishes
- Mamasita: lively Mexican restaurant with the best quesidillas
Where to stay in Melbourne
Melbourne has several neighborhoods to stay in. For a first time Melbourne, it is best to stay in the CBD or Central Business District. Here you will find the most important sights and everything is within walking distance. Stay at the modern Best Western Queen Victoria which offers excellent value for money! Or pamper yourself and stay at Rydges Melbourne where you’ll have a fantastic view of the city. A nice alternative is the St. Louis neighborhood. Kilda. Here we recommend The Prince to stay just a 5-minute walk from the beach.
How to get to Melbourne
Melbourne has a major international airport and is often the starting point of a road trip Australia. From the airport you can take the Skybus that runs every 15 minutes. For $22AUD, this bus will take you into the heart of Melbourne. Melbourne itself has good public transportation and from the CBD you can easily reach suburbs such as St. Petersburg. Kilda. Within the CBD, you have the City Circle Tram that you can take for free as a tourist. So if you don’t feel like walking you can jump on the tram from one attraction to another just fine. Just make sure you are in the “free tram zone”.
Best time to visit Melbourne, Australia
The best time to visit Melbourne in Australia is from November through March as Melbourne has long summers. The busiest months are December and January when it can also get very hot. There is also a lot to do then such as festivals, the Australian Open and outdoor cinemas. So if you want to avoid the crowds, it’s best to come in November or February. But you can also do a lot in Melbourne in the other months. In fact, thanks to a maritime climate, Melbourne has mild winters. You do have more chance of rain, but fortunately you can dress for that!
What would you like to visit in Melbourne, Australia? Let us know in a comment below! Looking for more information about your next trip? Please do not hesitate to contact us or send an email toinfo@snoezelsontheroad.com
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