Things to do in and around Melbourne

Top Things to Do in and around Melbourne: Best Attractions, Day Trips & Experiences

From world-class galleries and riverside dining to scenic walks and wildlife encounters, Melbourne and its surrounds offer something for every kind of traveller. Beyond the vibrant laneways and cultural hubs of the CBD, Greater Melbourne’s suburbs and nearby regions deliver easy day trips packed with nature, history, and flavour.

Wander through the leafy Dandenong Ranges with its misty forest trails and heritage Puffing Billy steam train, or sip and sample your way through the renowned wineries and wildlife sanctuaries of the Yarra Valley. Head west to Werribee for an open-range safari, a tour of the grand Werribee Mansion, or a stroll through its immaculate rose gardens. Along the coast, explore historic Williamstown, relax on the beaches of Altona, Sandringham, or Black Rock, or take in quiet waterside charm at Tooradin on the Western Port side.

Nature lovers will find plenty to explore in the outer eastern suburbs’ gardens and reserves, as well as along the scenic Yarra and Maribyrnong River precincts. Even near Melbourne Airport, hidden gems like Woodlands Historic Park and the unique basalt formations of Organ Pipes National Park invite short and surprising adventures.

All within 90 minutes of the city centre, Melbourne and its surrounds blend urban energy with natural beauty, making it easy to turn your stay into a series of unforgettable experiences.

Explore more regional highlights across the state: Discover Things to do in Victoria.

🏖️ Best Beaches & Coastal Walks in Melbourne

Attraction
Description
Address / Location
Key Info
Altona Beach
Calm waters and walking paths along the urban coastline.
Esplanade, Altona VIC 3018
Family, Accessible, Sunset
Sandringham Beach
Popular for picnics and coastal walks with views over Port Phillip Bay.
Beach Rd, Sandringham VIC 3191
Scenic, Relaxing, Photography
Williamstown Beach
Historic maritime village with promenade and beach access.
The Esplanade, Williamstown VIC 3016
Heritage, Family, Beach
West Gate Punt
Pedestrian ferry with skyline views—great for cyclists and walkers.
Spotswood Jetty ↔ Port Melbourne Jetty
Scenic, Unique Transport, Active
Brighton Bathing Boxes
Iconic colourful huts on a photogenic stretch of sand.
Esplanade, Brighton VIC 3186
Photography, Iconic, Beach
Half Moon Bay
Red Bluff cliffs, shipwreck snorkelling, and calm waters.
Beach Rd, Black Rock VIC 3193
Snorkelling, Scenic, Local
Ricketts Point Sanctuary
Rockpools, marine life, and snorkelling in a protected zone.
Beach Rd, Beaumaris VIC 3193
Nature, Family, Educational
Elwood Beach
Flat path to St Kilda, ideal for families and casual cycling.
Ormond Esplanade, Elwood VIC 3184
Family, Accessible, Active
Brighton Bathing Boxes

🌇 Best Views & Scenic Spots in Melbourne

Attraction
Description
Address / Location
Key Info
Eureka Skydeck
88th-floor observation deck with breathtaking city and bay views.
7 Riverside Quay, Southbank VIC 3006
Scenic, Paid, Indoor, Iconic
Shrine of Remembrance
Stunning elevated balcony views with solemn atmosphere and gardens.
Birdwood Ave, Melbourne VIC 3004
Scenic, History, Free, Accessible
SkyHigh Mount Dandenong
Lookout and gardens offering panoramic views to the city and bay.
26 Observatory Rd, Mount Dandenong VIC 3767
Scenic, Family, Café, Paid
Williamstown Botanic Gardens
Lush historic gardens with views toward the Melbourne skyline.
Osborne St, Williamstown VIC 3016
Gardens, Scenic, Accessible
Princes Pier
Long timber jetty with remnants of old pylons—perfect for sunsets.
Pier St, Port Melbourne VIC 3207
Photography, Scenic, Free, Sunset
Parliament House Steps
Grand entry stairs with framed views down Bourke Street.
Spring St, Melbourne VIC 3002
Iconic, Architecture, Free

🥾 Best Walks & Lookouts in Melbourne

Attraction
Description
Address / Location
Key Info
1000 Steps Kokoda Track Walk
Iconic forest stair trail with war memorials and fern gullies.
Mount Dandenong Tourist Rd, Upper Ferntree Gully VIC
Fitness, Nature, History, Forest
Dandenong Ranges Forest Walks
Multiple loop tracks with lookouts, lyrebirds, and towering trees.
Access from Olinda, Sherbrooke & Sassafras VIC
Nature, Active, Wildlife
Organ Pipes National Park
Basalt cliffs shaped like organ pipes, plus scenic trail.
Calder Fwy, Keilor North VIC 3036
Geology, Nature, Free, Short Walk
Warburton Rail Trail
Long multi-use trail passing forest, fields, and river views.
Trail starts at Lilydale, ends in Warburton VIC
Cycling, Active, Scenic
You Yangs Regional Park
Granite peaks, 360° lookouts, and native bush walks.
Turntable Dr, Little River VIC 3211
Hiking, Scenic, Wildlife
Yarra Bend Park Loop
Riverside trails with city glimpses, flying foxes, and golf course paths.
Yarra Bend Rd, Fairfield VIC 3078
Nature, Urban Escape, Wildlife

🏛️ Melbourne Iconic & Historic Sites

Attraction
Description
Address / Location
Key Info
Melbourne Town Hall
Heritage-listed civic building with tours and musical events.
90–130 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Architecture, History, Free
Royal Exhibition Building
UNESCO World Heritage site known for its dome, events, and exhibitions.
9 Nicholson St, Carlton VIC 3053
Architecture, History, Indoor
Werribee Mansion
19th-century Italianate mansion with formal gardens and guided tours.
K Rd, Werribee South VIC 3030
History, Gardens, Family
Williamstown Maritime Precinct
Historic port area with maritime museum, ships, and seafront cafes.
Ann St & Nelson Pl, Williamstown VIC 3016
Heritage, Family, Waterfront
Block Arcade & Royal Arcade
Ornate covered arcades with boutique shops and mosaic floors.
Collins St & Elizabeth St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Architecture, Shopping, Iconic
Cooks’ Cottage
Reconstructed 18th-century English cottage relocated from Yorkshire.
Fitzroy Gardens, Wellington Parade, East Melbourne VIC
History, Family, Gardens

🧭 Melbourne’s Laneways: Street Art, Cafés & Hidden Culture

Laneway / Arcade
Description
Address / Location
Key Info
Hosier Lane
Melbourne’s most famous street art alley—constantly changing murals.
Opposite Fed Square, off Flinders St
Street Art, Free, Photography
AC/DC Lane
Rock ‘n’ roll-themed laneway with live music venues and bold murals.
Off Flinders Ln, near Russell St
Street Art, Music, Nightlife
Duckboard Place
Gritty laneway with graffiti, neon signs, and hidden bars.
Off Flinders Ln, behind AC/DC Lane
Street Art, Bars, Urban
Centre Place
Narrow, bustling alley with cafés, boutiques, and blue cobblestones.
Between Collins & Flinders Ln
Food, Trendy, Urban, Photography
Degraves Street
Euro-style café strip with hole-in-the-wall eateries and coffee spots.
Opposite Flinders St Station
Food, Coffee, Local, Atmosphere
Hardware Lane
Leafy laneway with outdoor dining and live jazz in the evenings.
Between Bourke & Lonsdale Sts
Dining, Nightlife, European Vibe
Tattersalls Lane
Asian eateries, rooftop bars, and late-night dumplings.
Off Little Bourke St, Chinatown
Food, Nightlife, Hidden Gem
Block Place
Elegant arcade-style laneway with cafés and boutique shops.
Off Collins St, near Block Arcade
Café Culture, Shopping, Heritage
Guildford Lane
Quiet red-brick laneway with galleries, studios, and a community vibe.
Off La Trobe St, near Queen Victoria Market
Art, Local, Hidden Gem
Presgrave Place
Tiny laneway with framed street art and quirky installations.
Off Howey Pl, near Little Collins St
Street Art, Niche, Free

🛍️ Melbourne Markets, Food & Shopping

Attraction
Description
Address / Location
Key Info
Queen Victoria Market
Iconic open-air market with produce, gourmet goods, souvenirs, and street eats.
513 Elizabeth St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Food, Local, Family, Shopping
Queen Vic Night Market
Seasonal night market with food stalls, live music, and global street eats.
513 Elizabeth St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Food, Music, Seasonal, Social
South Melbourne Market
Heritage market with fresh food, clothing, and the famous dim sims.
322–326 Coventry St, South Melbourne VIC 3205
Food, Indoor, Culture, Local
Prahran Market
Upscale fresh food market with specialty produce and delicatessens.
163 Commercial Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141
Food, Gourmet, Local
Dandenong Market
Multicultural food hub with global street eats and produce.
40 Cleeland St, Dandenong VIC 3175
Food, Cultural, Budget
Chapel Street Precinct
Fashion boutiques, bars, eateries, and vintage finds across neighbourhoods.
Chapel St, South Yarra to Windsor VIC
Shopping, Fashion, Trendy
Emporium Melbourne
Modern city mall with global brands, dining court, and sleek design.
287 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Shopping, Indoor, Fashion
DFO South Wharf
Outlet shopping near the river with dining and city views.
20 Convention Centre Pl, South Wharf VIC 3006
Bargains, Waterfront, Family
Block Arcade
Victorian-era arcade filled with heritage design and boutique shops.
282 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Shopping, Architecture, History

🎨 Melbourne Museums, Art & Culture

Attraction
Description
Address / Location
Key Info
National Gallery of Victoria (NGV)
Australia’s oldest and most visited art museum, with Australian and international exhibitions.
180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne VIC 3006
Art, Indoor, Free, Culture
NGV Australia – Ian Potter Centre
Australian art from colonial to contemporary in an architecturally bold space.
Federation Square, Melbourne VIC 3000
Art, Culture, Indoor
Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia
Dedicated gallery for Australian art housed within Fed Square.
Federation Square, Russell St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Art, History, Indoor
Melbourne Museum
Natural history, Indigenous culture, science, and IMAX cinema.
11 Nicholson St, Carlton VIC 3053
Culture, Family, Indoor
Immigration Museum
Explores Australia’s migration stories in a grand heritage building.
400 Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000
History, Culture, Rainy Day
Koorie Heritage Trust
Aboriginal art gallery and cultural centre.
Yarra Building, Federation Square VIC 3000
Indigenous Culture, Art, Free
Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA)
Striking red-rust building hosting modern art installations.
111 Sturt St, Southbank VIC 3006
Art, Architecture, Indoor
Museum of Chinese Australian History
Exhibitions on Chinese-Australian identity, culture, and gold rush era.
22 Cohen Pl, Melbourne VIC 3000
Heritage, Culture, Educational
Hellenic Museum
Ancient and modern Greek culture in a heritage-listed building.
280 William St, Melbourne VIC 3000
History, Culture, Indoor
Arts Centre Melbourne
Home to ballet, theatre, and concerts—look for the spire.
100 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne VIC 3004
Performing Arts, Iconic, Indoor

☕ Melbourne’s Must-Visit Coffee Shops

Café Name
Description
Address
Key Info
Patricia Coffee Brewers
Tiny standing-room-only spot with exceptional espresso and pour-over.
493–495 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Espresso, Specialty, Hidden Gem
Higher Ground
Architecturally stunning café with brunch and bold coffee blends.
650 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Brunch, Design, All-Day Dining
Dukes Coffee Roasters
Minimalist café with ethically sourced beans and precision brewing.
247 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000
Specialty, Ethical, Espresso
Brother Baba Budan
Quirky ceiling of chairs and Seven Seeds coffee—tiny but iconic.
359 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Espresso, Iconic, Takeaway
ST. ALi
South Melbourne institution with bold blends and brunch classics.
12–18 Yarra Pl, South Melbourne VIC 3205
Brunch, Roastery, Trendy
Little Rogue
Hidden laneway café known for minimalist vibes and matcha lattes.
12 Drewery Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000
Hidden Gem, Matcha, Minimalist
ONA Coffee Melbourne
Canberra-born roaster with a rotating menu of rare and experimental beans.
22 Ovens St, Brunswick VIC 3056
Specialty, Tasting Flights, Modern
Axil Coffee Roasters
Consistent, smooth coffee with multiple locations and great food.
322 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn VIC 3122 (HQ)
Roastery, Brunch, Consistent
Market Lane Coffee
Single-origin specialists with a focus on transparency and quality.
109–111 Therry St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Filter, Ethical, Light Roast
Vacation Coffee
Bright, pastel café with clean design and excellent espresso.
1 Exhibition St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Instagrammable, Espresso, Light

🌃 Melbourne Nightlife & Events

Attraction
Description
Address / Location
Key Info
Federation Square
Central hub for public screenings, live music, and cultural festivals.
Corner Swanston & Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Events, Culture, Free, Family
Laneway Bars
Hidden cocktail bars and speakeasies tucked into Melbourne’s alleys.
Various alleys around Melbourne CBD
Nightlife, Trendy, Couples
Arts Centre Melbourne
Iconic performance venue for theatre, ballet, music, and comedy.
100 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne VIC 3004
Live Performance, Indoor, Iconic
Rooftop Bars
City bars with skyline views, DJs, open-air cinemas, and cocktails.
Rooftop at Curtin House, 252 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000 (and others)
Nightlife, Scenic, Adults
Melbourne Recital Centre
Acclaimed venue for live classical, jazz, and chamber music.
31 Sturt St, Southbank VIC 3006
Music, Indoor, Culture
Comedy Theatre
Grand heritage theatre hosting live comedy acts and touring shows.
240 Exhibition St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Entertainment, Indoor, History
Night Noodle Markets
Annual event with street food, lanterns, and riverside festivities.
Birrarung Marr, Melbourne VIC 3000
Food, Events, Seasonal, Outdoor

🌿 Melbourne Parks, Nature & Wildlife

Attraction
Description
Address / Location
Key Info
Royal Botanic Gardens
Expansive lakeside gardens with walking trails, rare plants, and picnicking lawns.
Birdwood Ave, South Yarra VIC 3141
Nature, Accessible, Family, Free
Werribee Open Range Zoo
African safari experience with open-air vehicles and native wildlife zone.
K Rd, Werribee South VIC 3030
Animals, Family, Paid
Yarra Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
Wildlife encounters and conservation-focused experiences.
3160 Healesville–Kinglake Rd, Kinglake VIC 3763
Wildlife, Family, Nature
Woodlands Historic Park
Bushland park with kangaroos, walking trails, and historic homestead ruins.
Somerton Rd, Greenvale VIC 3059
Nature, History, Wildlife
Treasury Gardens
Tranquil lawns, fountains, and autumn trees near Parliament House.
2–18 Treasury Pl, East Melbourne VIC 3002
Gardens, Relaxing, Free
Yarra Bend Park
Urban bushland with riverside walking trails and a colony of flying foxes.
Yarra Bend Rd, Fairfield VIC 3078
Nature, Wildlife, Free
Fitzroy Gardens
English-style gardens with fountains, flower beds, and fairy tree sculptures.
Wellington Parade, East Melbourne VIC 3002
Gardens, Family, Free
Albert Park Lake
Loop path for walking, cycling, sailing and skyline views.
Aughtie Dr, Albert Park VIC 3206
Urban Nature, Active, Free

🧭 Unique Experiences & Hidden Highlights

Attraction
Description
Address / Location
Key Info
GoBoat Melbourne
Self-drive electric picnic boats on the Yarra—no licence needed.
Banana Alley, 1–9 Flinders Walk, Melbourne VIC
Water Activity, Scenic, Unique
State Library Victoria Dome
Iconic reading room with exhibitions and free architecture tours.
328 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Architecture, Free, Rainy Day
Melbourne Central Clock
Giant animated Marionette clock that plays Waltzing Matilda on the hour.
300 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Quirky, Free, Indoor
Merri Creek Labyrinth
Community-built stone labyrinth for walking meditation.
Merri Creek Trail, Clifton Hill VIC 3068
Nature, Mindful, Hidden Gem
Old Treasury Building
Gold vaults and exhibitions on Melbourne’s colonial past—free entry.
20 Spring St, Melbourne VIC 3002
History, Free, Architecture
Section 8 Container Bar
Open-air laneway bar made from a shipping container.
27–29 Tattersalls Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000
Nightlife, Urban, Trendy
Royal Arcade’s Gaunt’s Clock
Watch Gog and Magog strike the hour in this historic arcade.
335 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Heritage, Quirky, Free
Koorie Heritage Trust
Indigenous-owned gallery and cultural centre at Fed Square.
Yarra Building, Federation Square VIC 3000
Indigenous Culture, Art, Free

Plan Your Melbourne Adventure

Whether you’re exploring Melbourne’s vibrant urban core, strolling along its beautiful beaches and coastal walks, or venturing into the lush Dandenong Ranges and scenic Yarra Valley, this diverse region offers something for every traveler. From world-class art galleries and historic landmarks to wildlife sanctuaries and bustling markets, Melbourne and its surrounds provide unforgettable experiences for nature lovers, culture seekers, foodies, and adventure enthusiasts alike. Start planning your Melbourne adventure today and discover why this dynamic city and its nearby escapes are some of Australia’s top travel destinations.

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