No matter what season you visit Melbourne, there’s constantly something to do! Summer, Winter, rain or shine, you’ll never have a dull moment in this city. (Just make sure you’re always prepared for the ever-changing weather). After spending five months in Melbourne, I’ve come up with a list of my top 10 favorite things to do! Enjoy!
1. Road Trip Down Great Ocean Road
Great Ocean Road has extremely impressive natural beauty. From the unbelievable coast of the Great Australian Bight, to the extravagant hikes past waterfalls and wildlife, to the breathtaking views of the 12 Apostles, there’s never a boring moment along this trip. Rent a camper-van or bring a tent along to take advantage of the many campgrounds along the way!
2. Visit Queen Victoria Market
The Queen Victoria Market is the largest open air market in the Southern Hemisphere! You can find everything from fruits and vegetables, to jewelry and clothing, to local made and imported goods! It’s closed on Mondays and Wednesdays, but occasionally open at night depending on the season! Check their schedule for hours and events!
3. Attend a Game at the MCG
The “G” is one of the worlds greatest sporting venues. With a capacity of 100,000 people, it hosts Cricket in the summer and AFL, “footy” in the winter. Even if you don’t understand the rules of the games, you’ll find yourself screaming “HOWZAT!” and “BALLLLL!” along with the crowd in no time. The stadium also contains the National Sports Museum, which holds some pretty priceless memorabilia in Australian sports history.
4. Watch the Phillip Island Penguin Parade
Book a seat on the beach for sunset and watch the world’s smallest penguins waddle back to their homes in the sand dunes! These penguins arrive at sunset every single night of the year, and although photography isn’t allowed, you can watch them on their live burrow cam! There are many different experience packages to choose from. There’s elevated platforms, commentary by park rangers, and even special night vision technology. Whichever package you choose, this is an experience you won’t want to miss!
5. Snap Some Street Art
Melbourne is famous for its iconic laneways, especially the ones covered in art. Some worth checking out are Hosier Lane, Centre Street, AC/DC Lane, Caledonian Lane, Croft Alley, Rankins Lane, and Stevenson Lane. They’re constantly being repainted so there’s always something new to see!
6. Visit the Brighton Bathing Boxes
There are bathing boxes scattered along the many shores in Melbourne, but the best ones can be found on Brighton Beach. Built back in the early 1900’s, these boxes still hold their original Victorian architectural features. With their many colors and designs, they’ve become the iconic beachscape of Melbourne.
7. Attend a Horse Race
Victoria loves their horse racing, so no matter what time of year, you’ll always find a race to attend. If you happen to be in Melbourne in November, you can catch “the race that stops the nation”, the Melbourne Cup. As one of the world’s richest races, the cup attracts more than 100,000 people. You can also catch races at nearby tracks such as Flemington, Moonee Valley, Caulfield and Sandown throughout the year.
8. Take a Ride on the City Circle Tram
Trams are a big part of Melbourne’s public transportation. The City Circle Tram is a “hop-on, hop-off” tour that stops at many historic buildings, is accompanied by commentary, and is completely free!
9. Visit the Shrine of Remembrance
The Shrine of Remembrance stands as a tribute to Australia’s fallen soldiers and servicemen who sacrificed their lives during World War I and World War II. It’s a site of annual observances on ANZAC Day (April 25th) and Remembrance Day (November 11th), but can be visited from 10am-5pm every day for free.
10. Drink the World’s Best Coffee
Melbourne is the coffee capital of Australia and has some of the best coffee this world has yet to offer (and Melbournians will let you know that). Melbourne has cutting edge technology for sourcing, roasting and brewing specialty coffee. With a strong Italian and Greek influence in Australia, the espresso culture has grown immensely. Whether it’s a short black, flat white or latte, there’s a coffee to satisfy everyone! Just be sure to know what you’re ordering. (The first time I ordered an “iced coffee”, I ended up with a milkshake with coffee in it, but hey, I can’t really complain).