Melbourne is a coastal city that is the capital of the state of Victoria in Australia. It is full of budget-friendly activities and with
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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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.
Where to Stay
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Melbourne hotels here!
The main area of Melbourne is the Central Business District (CBD). Anywhere around that area is an excellent place to stay, especially if it is close to a City Circle Tram stop. We opted to stay at The Hotel Windsor due to the amazing Priceline express deal I found for this 5-star hotel ($79/night)!
What to See
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 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.
Dejour Jeans: Ever wanted a pair of custom-tailored jeans? At Dejour Jeans, you can get jeans that fit you exactly! First, visitors pick out the pair of jeans they like off the shelf and try them on. Then, a worker will assist you in making the hem and the waistline to fit you. Several hours later, you come back and pick them up. Best of all, most pairs cost about $40!
Great Ocean Road: Take a day trip to this coastal road offers gorgeous views and iconic sites. Make sure to stop at the 12 Apostles for some great shots. You can either rent a car to drive the road
Luna Park: This is part of a chain of amusement parks based upon the original Luna Park in Coney Island, New York. You can buy a day pass for the rides or pay for individual rides.
The National Gallery of Victoria: General entry to the National Gallery is free. This art museum hosts Asian, Australian, and other international art. Notable artists displayed are Bernini, Monet, Picasso, Rembrandt, and Renoir.
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 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.
Queen Victoria Market: This market has been in operation since 1878. Here visitors can find a wide variety of food stalls, produce stands, and various other shops. I got a leather jacket here. In the wintertime, it turns into a night market where you can find seasonal goods such as mulled wine.
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. Entrance is free to the gardens. Make sure to check out the various lakes and gardens throughout the park.
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 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 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.
Yarra Valley: Take a day trip to Yarra Valley for some Australian wine tasting! We went on a group tour with Dancing Kangaroo Tours and it was perfect! We did not have to worry about driving and also made some food stops as well.
Where to Take Your Lunch Break
8bit: 8bit is a burger place that serves delicious burgers, sausages, fries, and AMAZING milkshakes. The meals are big, so make sure to share.
Carlton Brewhouse: The Carlton Brewhouse serves various burgers, salads, and other light eats. You can also opt to partake in a tour of the brewery or choose to do a tasting. There is a large area to sit inside and some tables outside when the weather is warmer.
Naked for Satan: This restaurant and bar is a great place for a light meal or a drink. It has a rooftop patio that provides some great views of Melbourne. They also make their own beer and vodka.
Nando’s: This Portugues chain serves flame-grilled chicken with a variety of sauces and numerous sides.
Queen Victoria Market: This market has a ton of food stalls with various types of food. You can build your own sandwich, have a bratwurst, or some freshly caught fish. It is a great place for a large group because everyone can visit different stalls to get what they want.
Vapiano: This authentic Italian cafeteria-style place serves a variety of pasta, pizzas, and more. The portions are large, so you can always share!
Other Articles You May Enjoy
- Australia Lesson Plan
- Budget-Friendly Day Trip to the Blue Mountains
- Budget-Friendly Activities in Melbourne
- Sydney Study Guide
- Visiting the Great Barrier Reef
- Wine Tasting in Yarra Valley
5 thoughts on “Things to Do in Melbourne”
Love Melbourne and LOVE that you got a picture of the American Doughnut Kitchen bus- I was walking through the market when I smelled those donuts and almost fainted. Then I sat on one of the nearby benches and listened to an amazing band- it’s one of my favorite Melbourne memories.
Great post, and I love all the photos!
Great Melbourne guide, such an awesome city. I’ve visited Melbourne so many times and haven’t seen half of these things … must be time for a return trip!
Good and comprehensive list. I have never been to Melbourne but looks like I have got a blog to start with when I get my chance to visit the wonderful city.
Great guide! I haven’t been to Melbourne but it looks like such a fun city, and somewhere I’d love to explore 🙂