At first glance, Melbourne may seem like another expensive big city. However, there are many free things to do in Melbourne to keep visitors (and a traveling teacher) busy! All of the following places have free admission are were a ton of fun to visit.
Want a guided tour to start out your trip and get acclimated to the city? Then check out Guru Walks for a free guided tour. You can book online to reserve your spot and pay what you wish when you get there. Check out the tours in Melbourne here.
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TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Melbourne hotels here!
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Visa for Australia
In order to visit Australia as a US Citizen (and many other countries), you need a visa to enter. I recommend buying one through iVisa prior to visiting so it will be one less thing you have to worry about.
The City Circle Tram (Route 35)
One of the greatest things about Melbourne is the city circle tram. Both locals and visitors can ride the city circle tram for free! It takes 55 minutes to ride the tram around the main parts of Melbourne. You can hop on and off as many times as you would like. The city circle tram also offers commentary along the way. This was the easiest way to get around the Central Business District (CBD) of Melbourne.
The Parliament Building
The legislative council and assembly of Australia both meet in this building. Visitors can get a public tour during the week when Parliament is not sitting. Best of all, these tours are free of charge! Teacher tip: Make sure to show up at least 15 minutes prior to the tour to ensure a spot. Tours are limited to 25 people. The city circle tram stops right in front of Parliament.
The Old Treasury Building
Another one of the free things to do in Melbourne is the Old Treasury Building. Located next door to the Parliament building, the Old Treasury Building hosts exhibits on the history of Australia and the Melbourne and Victoria Gold Rush. The exhibits are spread throughout the various historical rooms of the building.
The State Library of Victoria
This library opened in 1856. Its most famous feature is the massive domed reading room. As well as the reading rooms and books, this library hosts various exhibits to explore. Plan to spend a couple of hours looking at all the neat features of the library.
The Shrine of Remembrance
This war memorial was built to honor the men and women who served in all of the Australian wars. The shrine offers great views of the Royal Botanic Gardens. Inside are also a few exhibitions to view.
The Royal Botanic Gardens of Melbourne
The Botanic Gardens are located next to the Shrine of Remembrance. These gardens provide a nice place to relax, have a picnic, or take a stroll. The entrance is free to the gardens. Make sure to check out the various lakes and gardens throughout the park.
The National Gallery of Victoria
General entry to the National Gallery is free. This art museum hosts Asian, Australian, and other international artists. Notable artists displayed are Bernini, Monet, Picasso, Rembrandt, and Renoir.
The Carlton Gardens
The Carlton Gardens is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This Victorian landscaped designed area is a great place to relax or take a walk. The area also includes the Royal Exhibition Building, the Melbourne Museum, and an Imax Cinema.
The St. Kilda Penguins
Every day after sunset, the St. Kilda penguins waddle back to their homes on the rocky shores of the St. Kilda beach. Visitors can view the penguins by standing along the pier. Make sure to arrive early to ensure a good viewing spot. There are St. Kilda Earthcare volunteers who help monitor the crowds and answer any questions.
There are a ton of free things to do in Melbourne that can keep visitors busy for several days on top of the other Melbourne attractions. Interested in other cities in Australia? Check out my other recommendations for Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef!
9 thoughts on “Free Things to do in Melbourne, Australia”
I’d love to spend more time in Melbourne, I’ve only ever been for work and the jetlag had me so zonked out I only got to see the Philip Island penguins (slept all the way there and back) and Flinders Street station/Federation Square.
Melbourne was such an amazing city. I would recommend spending more time there if you can!
Love visiting free sites in cities- need to save these suggestions!
Right!? Free is always great!
The tram is free!? Woooah how many cities have good public transport that you can use for free!? That is amazing. It doesn’t even look crazily busy in your photo!
I love the sound of all of these options, but you saved the best to last! St. Kilda penguins right in the city!? I have a feeling I would love Melbourne!
Yes! I was so shocked too when I found it. You can take it all around the CBD for no cost. We were there in winter so I’d imagine it’s a little busier in summer.
I would love to visit Melbourne and I would have never guessed there was so much to do for free! I have always heard its expensive so its nice to know there is still plenty to do.Also, loving the photos!
I had always heard that too so I was shocked with how inexpensive I felt things were.
Good to know you can enjoy some of the city for free! My goal is to move to Melbourne at some point this year so good info to have – especially the free tram!