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Flinders Street Station

Ultimate Guide to Melbourne

Guide To Melbourne

Queen Victoria market

Queen Victoria Market officially opened on 20 March 1878. This means that the market has been serving the people of Melbourne for more than 140 years. Throughout the years there have been many transformations which have all lead to the appearance that we now see today. The market is commonly known as either the ‘Vic Market’ or ‘Queen Vic’.

Queen Victoria Market is a historic landmark that is spread over two city blocks – a vibrant and bustling inner-city Market where you can shop at over 600 small businesses. You can find everything from Australian fruit and vegetables, local and imported gourmet foods, clothing and souvenirs. The best thing about the market is that you are supporting local businesses and people. It is just like your regular markets that you would find elsewhere in Melbourne but just on a larger scale. 

The QV Market is open five days of the week – Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There is also the Night Market, which runs seasonally on Wednesday nights from 5 pm-10 pm. The Night Markets can occasionally have special themes for them. Each of them is amazing to go to. Highly recommended to visit if you are on the northern side of Melbourne.

The market is committed to sustainability. It has implemented many initiatives to enable shoppers to shop with sustainability and the environment in mind.

Arts Centre

The Arts Centre is a performing arts centre consisting of a complex of theatres and concert halls in the Melbourne Arts Precinct located at 100 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne.

Sitting beneath the iconic Spire, is is Australia’s largest and busiest performing arts centre.

The Art Centre boasts that each year they stage more than 4,000 performances and public events and that over those 4000 performances they welcome over 3 million people through their doors.

Melbourne is rated as one of the cultural capitals of Australia. The Art Centre itself is a cultural and architectural landmark. Over the past 30 years, they have showcased some the best of Australian and international performing arts.

The Arts Centre is the proud home to The Australian Ballet, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Theatre Company and Opera Australia. There is a range of other presenters who collectively bring their stages and spaces to life.

Below are the opening hours of the two buildings that make up the Arts Centre.

Theatres Building

  • Monday to Friday: 7:30 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Saturday: 8.30 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Sunday & Public Holiday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Hamer Hall

  • Monday to Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Sunday & Public Holiday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

National Gallery of Victoria

The National Gallery of Victoria, popularly known as the NGV, is an art museum in Melbourne. Founded in 1861, it is Australia’s oldest, largest and most visited art museum.

The NGV houses an encyclopedic art collection across two sites – NGV International, which is located along St Kilda Road in the Melbourne Arts Precinct of Southbank, and the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, located nearby at Federation Square.

ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image)

The Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) is Australia’s national museum of film, TV, video-games, digital culture and art. Since opening their doors in 2002, ACMI has become one of the most successful museums of its kind in the world.

ACMI can be found on the edge of Federation Square. It is a short walk from the Flinders Street Train Station and is easy to locate by walking through Federation Square.

ACMI celebrates the past, present and future of the moving image. Brandishing a vibrant program of exhibitions, screenings, installations and commissions, festivals, and public, industry and education programs. They state that their vision is ‘a connected community of watchers, players and makers sharing in the wonder of the moving image.’

Federation Square

World-class art galleries and installations. A diverse range of food and drink. Thrilling, extraordinary events that capture the hearts of Melburnians year after year. Fed Square is anything but square.

More commonly known as ‘Fed Square’, is located at the intersection of Flinders and Swanston Street. Built above busy railway lines and across the road from Flinders Street station.

The square incorporates major cultural institutions such as the Ian Potter Centre, Australian Centre for the Moving Image and the Koorie Heritage Trust. In between these large facilities you can find cafes and bars. All are in a series of buildings centred around a large paved square, and a glass-walled atrium.

Hosier Lane

A short walk from Federation Square you can find yourself staring up Hosier Lane. Hosier Lane is famous bluestone laneway where you can admire the street art that has made the Melbourne urban art scene known across the globe. Take in the dizzying array of colours, characters and shapes created by local and international artists alike. Pick out everything from stencils and paste-ups to murals and installations. You can either take a wander on your own or join one of the popular walking tours to get some background on the artists and their work. Another idea is to take a detour around into Rutledge Lane. There you can explore the work lining the walls, windows and wheelie bins of this sister ‘gallery’.

Eureka tower

Eureka Tower is a 297.3 m skyscraper located in the Southbank precinct of Melbourne. Shoot to the dizzying heights of Eureka Skydeck and enjoy the most spectacular floor-to-ceiling, 360-degree views in Australia. It is the highest viewing tower in the Southern Hemisphere.

Take a look around and see some of Melbourne’s finest views from almost 300 metres in the sky. Albert Park Lake, Port Phillip Bay, the Dandenong Ranges and beyond. Around the Skydeck, you are able to find 30 viewfinders. They viewfinders offer a close up aerial view of some of Melbourne’s popular attractions and landmarks. Such as the MCG, Sealife Aquarium, Federation Square and Flinders Street Station just to name a few. At those heights, you can experience Melbourne from a different perspectiv

Museums:

Melbourne Museum

Melbourne Museum is a natural and cultural history museum located in the Carlton Gardens in Melbourne, Australia. Located adjacent to the Royal Exhibition Building, it is the largest museum in the Southern Hemisphere.

Inside the museum you will find:

  • The Forest Gallery, the living heart of the museum and home to tall trees and wondrous wildlife.
  • The Science and Life Gallery at the west end, where you’ll find bugs, dinosaurs, fossils, animals, human biology and more.
  • The Melbourne Gallery located at the east end. It tells the story of Melbourne as a city and is the stable of famous racehorse Phar Lap.
  • The Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre. A place imbued with the living traditions and knowledge of Koorie people and other cultures from around Australia.
  • Te Pasifika Gallery, a bright soaring space filled with treasures from the Pacific Islands.
  • The Children’s Gallery is packed with things for little kids to see and do.
  • The Touring Hall, where we display major exhibitions from around the world
  • 3D documentaries and Hollywood blockbusters on the giant IMAX Melbourne screen

The museum is an amazing place to view all of Melbourne’s history. The Melbourne Museum is one of the largest museums in the Southern Hemisphere. Because of its size, it can fit in an exceedingly large amount of exhibitions, as you can see above. Every time I take the time out to explore the Museum I find out something more about my beloved city.

Immigration Museum

Through our rich collections, exhibitions, events, education programs and digital content, we explore themes of migration, identity, citizenship and community through multiple perspectives. We engage with communities and creative practitioners to produce powerful opportunities for social interaction, empathy and debate.

The Immigration Museum opened in 1998 within the Old Customs House. The museum is located on the bank of Birrarung (Yarra River). The Old Customs House is the former administrative centre of immigration and trade for the city of Melbourne. It is steeped in historical significance and complexity, it makes it the perfect location for the Immigration Museum.

Old Melbourne Gaol

The Old Melbourne Gaol is a former jail and current museum on Russell Street. The Gaol consists of a bluestone building and courtyard, although not incredibly large it is steeped in history. It is located next to the old City Police Watch House and City Courts buildings.

It was first constructed starting in 1839, and during its operation as a prison between 1842 and 1929, it held and executed some of Australia’s most notorious criminals. Including bushranger Ned Kelly and serial killer Frederick Bailey Deeming. In total during the time of operation, some 135 people were executed by hanging.

Science Works

Scienceworks is the science museum of Melbourne, located at 2 Booker Street, Spotswood on the western side of the city. It is a collection of connected museums that have cultural and scientific collections of the State of Victoria on display.

Scienceworks was opened in 1992, the vision behind the museum was to create ‘a place for young people to play with science’. The building itself is a connection between Melbourne’s industry, heritage and applied technology. A new building looking across the arena to the century-old Pumping Station, all of which are found under the grand arc of the West Gate Bridge.

Today, Scienceworks is bursting with things to challenge the curious minds of all ages. They want the museum to be an attraction for everyone who visits, regardless of their age. There is always something extra for you to learn. In just one visit, you can stroll among the gigantic machines that once kept the city running, you can enjoy electrifying theatre in the Lightning Room, let your little ones roam safely in enclosed spaces, wander through our immersive exhibitions and drop into deep space in the Melbourne Planetarium.

The Melbourne Planetarium shows are informative and entertaining for a wide range of audiences. Each show runs for 30–45 minutes and includes a live presentation of the current night sky and the major astronomical objects that can be seen. The information presented in these sessions allows anyone to go into their backyard at night and experience the joy of astronomy. Everyone loves looking up at the night sky on a clear night. There is so much that you can see with the naked eye but under a telescope so much more can be seen.

Luna Park

Overlooking the famous Port Phillip Bay, in the beachside suburb of St Kilda, this historic park has been a destination for Melbourne families for the past century. It opened on 13 December 1912, with its formal opening a week later. The park has been operating almost continuously ever since. In 2012 they celebrated 100 years of fun-filled adventures.

You are initially greeted by a giant face – Mr Moon. As soon as you pass through his giant mouth, you enter a land filled with the screams of children………happy screams!

The most famous of the park’s attractions is The Great Scenic Railway – a large wooden roller coaster that travels at high speed around the outside of the entire park. It boasts the title of being the oldest continually operating wooden roller coaster in the world. It is also said to be the only one of its kind with a standing brakeman in control aboard its moving carriages.

Luna Park offers a range of rides and attractions for all ages. Who doesn’t enjoy going to an amusement park and riding all of the rides? So many things to do throughout the park from the free-spinning mini roller coaster Speedy Beetle and relaxing Ferris wheel Moon Balloons, to old classics such as Dodgems and nail-biting thrill rides like the Pharaoh’s Curse and Power Surge. A day at Luna Park cannot be missed when visiting Melbourne, no matter your age. Every time I visit there I feel like I am once again a kid, visiting there for the first time. I try and ride on each and every one of the rides.

Food:

Melbourne has so much to offer in the way of food and eating out. If I were to try and list off all of the best places that you can find to eat, I would be writing for hours. I have listed below several of the areas in which you can find some of the nicest places to eat. 

Centre Place

What better way to spend an afternoon than by wandering the bluestone cobbles of Centre Place and become part of a Melbourne postcard scene. In doing so you might recognise it from the stereotypical images of the city’s famous laneways. Centre Place still surprises and delights all who visit it.

There are so many small shops and sights to see in this area, from the ever-changing stencil art and graffiti or squeezing into Jungle Juice for an international coffee. Soups and crepes will tempt, as will the dumplings at ShanDong MaMa Mini. You might think to browse threads and accessories at one of Melbourne’s iconic fashion stores. The Melbourne fashion house Kinki Gerlinki form there you might consider to climb up the narrow steps and come across Hell’s Kitchen. Why not stop there and survey the scene below over a nice cold afternoon beer.

Once you have had your fill in Centre Place cross over Flinders Lane to Degraves Street for more coffee, eats and treats, and then soak up the arty, subway vibes of Campbell Arcade. There are many little nooks and crannies that you can find by wandering from street to street.

Flinders Lane

Flinders Lane could be considered to be Melbourne’s laneway HQ. It is the centre to where most other enjoyable laneways branch-off. Flinders Lane is a mecca for award-winning fine diners and boutique bars, contemporary galleries and local fashion labels. Walking along this street you are spoilt for choice when it comes for food and drink. Every choice that you make would be a good one.

It’s one of the city’s best eat streets, with the CBD’s highest concentration of award-winning fine diners and popular eateries. There are so many places that are worth listing but the list would continue for too long. So here are some places that you should make sure not to miss. Cumulus Inc., Supernormal, Coda, Chin Chin, Ezard, Cecconi’s and Kenzan. 

But if you are looking for something more in the form of drinks, why not try and seek out the secret entrances Hihou and Trinket, you could also sneak down Malthouse Lane to Eau de Vie, or Higson Lane to GoGo.  A good choice for coffee in the area would be from Dukes at Ross House.

For more cafes, bars and boutiques, turn into Centre Place and Degraves Street. You can rest your weary legs at the City Library and neighbouring cafe Journal. Or you could stop for the night at the laneway hotel with the coolest pool, the Adelphi.

Degrave Street

Just across Flinders Lane from Centre Place, you can find yourself in Degraves Street. This little laneway can be found on many of the posts that feature Melbourne. It is truly a postcard kind of location. If you take a moment to view the situation you’ll view a wide range of people, from students and shoppers, tourists and lunchtime workers. All of them use this pedestrian walkway which links the city’s fashion precinct with that of Flinders Street Station.

If you wish to have the full-on Melbourne cafe experience then why not take a look at Degraves Espresso. The laneway gives off the feeling of being Parisian but the dining on Degraves veers towards Italian, with Il Tempo and Andiamo leading the charge. But for those who are more of a sweet tooth then Little Cupcakes and Waffle On are just for you.

Once you have filled your stomachs why not descend the stairs to underground Campbell Arcade, which connects directly to Flinders Street Station. Check out the artworks in the Dirty Dozen exhibition windows or if you wish to enjoy more culinary and creative adventures try the Cup of Truth, Corky St Claire or the curious zine outlet, Sticky.

The lane ways have so much to offer you. All that you have to do is just open your eyes and see.

South Bank & South Wharf

Regardless of the time of the year, a walk down the esplanade of South Bank and South Wharf is worthwhile. From there you can witness the Melbourne skylines from across the Yarra River. Whether you choose to walk it during the day or night you can see everything Melbourne has to offer.

Pull up at a riverside table at any of the excellent eateries that stretch from Southgate to Crown Entertainment Complex. Each and every one of them will provide you with some of the nicest views of the city skyline.

if you wish to experience further entertainment step right into the luxurious world of Crown. Splurge at one of the A list chef’s signature restaurants or enjoy wandering the international designer boutiques. There is something to do for everyone who ventures through the doors. Indulge yourself at the indoor amusement park, or why not try and catch a movie or better yet meet some friends for a drink or two in one of the many bars.

South Wharf brings new meaning to the humble shed. These heritage sheds have now been restored and they are now housing waterfront bars, restaurants and cafes. Experience both the history of the old city while eating to your heart’s delight. A personal recommendation from me: try at least once to wine and dine along South Wharf Promenade.

Melbourne Star Observation Wheel

The Melbourne Star is a giant Ferris wheel in the Waterfront City precinct in the Docklands area of Melbourne. It is known to be the Southern Hemisphere’s only giant observation wheel. It stands at approximately 120 metres tall and has seven spokes. The seven spokes are meant to reflect the seven-pointed star on the Australian flag.

Melbourne Star brings the whole of Melbourne together. Who doesn’t love seeing a giant Ferris wheel in the skyline of their city? Aboard the wheel, you can witness spectacular views reaching up to 40km from Melbourne’s CBD and Port Phillip through to Mount Macedon and the Dandenong Ranges in the distance.

The Ferris wheel is equipt with 21 spacious, temperature-controlled cabins. Each of these cabins give you an unparalleled, 360-degree view of the city. You are free to walk around and take in the sights from all angles. While you are doing this you can listen to the audio commentary which gives you a brief introduction to the history and significance of the landmarks below.

With its striking scale and innovative design, Melbourne Star is an iconic feature of Melbourne’s waterfront precinct, Docklands. The Melbourne Star has an amazing LED display transforms the wheel into a giant, glittering kaleidoscope of colour. It is said that there are over five million different combinations which can be synchronised with music. To be able to witness that would be utterly spectacular.

The Melbourne Star is one of only four giant observation wheels in the world, and the only one in the Southern Hemisphere. Can you guess where the other ones are?

Melbourne Zoo

It is located within Royal Park in Parkville, approximately 4 kilometres north of the centre of Melbourne. It is the primary zoo that is serving Melbourne. The zoo contains more than 320 animal species from both Australia and around the world.

Melbourne Zoo is one of three zoos in the Melbourne area. The others being the Werribee open range zoo and the Healesville Sanctuary. All of which is a must-see when you visit Melbourne. Of these three Melbourne is the easiest zoo to access from the city since it is so close. When you arrive there you wouldn’t believe how close it actually is to the city.

The zoo is trying to become one of the world’s leading zoo-based conservation organisation. They are doing this by being involved in conservation programs throughout six different countries, eight grass-roots community conservation campaigns, and more than 50 research projects. Just from this, you can see how dedicated to the cause of saving animals. Their aim is to inspire communities to commit to the conservation of wildlife and wild places by connecting people and wildlife. I believe that there is an inherent connection between the survival of an animal and their connection to the community. By getting the community to care about the animals around them, then their chances of survival increase. They have a Wildlife Conservation Master Plan 2019-2024 it is dedicated to the recovery of 27 threatened native species.

Aquarium

Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium is a Southern Ocean and Antarctic aquarium in central Melbourne, Australia. It is located on the banks of the Yarra River beside and under the Flinders Street Viaduct and the King Street Bridge. It is easily visible from the crown plaza and the banks of Southbank.

You could spend hours exploring the underwater exhibits around the Aquarium. They are spread across 15 themed zones from shark spotting at Shipwreck Explorer to watching the little cheeky penguins dive into the water at Penguin Playground. Who doesn’t love watching the penguins?

The Aquarium much like the Melbourne zoo conducts extensive research into marine species. The Aquarium’s conservation efforts are overseen by the Turtle Rehabilitation and Conservation of Keystone Species

If you purchase your ticket online you can save money on your ticket. Additionally, you are guaranteed to have a spot.

Chinatown

Chinatown is located in the eastern end of the CBD, it is spread across several streets. To be more specific it is centred at the eastern end of Little Bourke Street. From there it extends between the corners of Swanston and Spring Streets. Along the length of the street, there are numerous laneways, alleys and arcades. It was established in the 1850s during the Victorian gold rush. It is said that the Chinatown in Melbourne is the longest continuous Chinese settlement in the Western World and the oldest Chinatown in the Southern Hemisphere.

Melbourne’s Chinatown has played an important role in establishing the culture of Chinese immigrants in Australia. Chinatown is still home to many Chinese restaurants, cultural venues, businesses and places of worship. Today, Melbourne’s Chinatown is a major tourist attraction, known for its architectural heritage, annual festivals and cuisines of Chinese, Thai, Japanese, Indian, Malaysian, Vietnamese and Korean origins.

Shopping areas:

Melbourne has so much to offer in the ways of shopping. Being such a large city there is something for each and every person.

Elizabeth Street & Swanston Street

Both streets are prominent in the Melbourne CBD. They allow for anyone arriving into the city through the Flinders Street station. They can begin walking through the city and experience the beginning of the shopping district which intensifies the further you head toward the centre.

Elizabeth Street is one of Melbourne’s most significant city streets. It is an entrance to Melbourne’s central retail area and a primary city transport route.

Bourke Street Mall

Take a deep breath and dive into the bustling hive of commerce that is the Bourke Street Mall. With all the options that surround you are likely to emerge from the mall hours later carrying a multitude of bags with you.

Melbourne’s retail heart links both Swanston and Elizabeth streets. It is only open to trams and pedestrians, making it an incredibly safe area for those who wish you take a relaxing walk. Make sure that you listen out for the bells of approaching trams as you head between department stores.

Here you’ll find Melbourne’s two main department stores. David Jones occupies three buildings for its vast array of wares, while Myer looms with its nine stories, plus the Lonsdale Street store. Why not travel to the very top and peer out of the windows to the streets below. Check out the Mural Hall for a diversion, and come at the year’s end for the nostalgia kick of the cherished Christmas windows.

Melbourne’s 1864 postal building has been stunningly refurbished and converted into a sophisticated and contemporary retail experience. For those who wish to know it was home to the first Australian H&M retail store. It features two full floors of stark white walls, floors and glass are perfect for displaying the full H&M range of fashion, homewares and cosmetics. If you happen to get a little peckish during your shopping trip check out the delicious eateries in GPO Lane.

The Melbourne Visitor Booth is midway along the Mall, with friendly volunteers and staff who can assist you with directions, shopping and handy tips.

Royal Arcade

The Royal Arcade was built in 1869, the heritage-listed Royal Arcade is the oldest surviving arcade in Australia. The artistic feature to the arcade is its high glass roof and arched windows above each store. The arcade provides an undercover shopping link between Melbourne’s Bourke Street Mall, Little Collins Street and Elizabeth Street. Here you can continue your shopping journey away from the elements.

Over time the arcade became known for its collection of designer boutique stores and specialty shops. Some of the things that have been seen on offer are items such as gifts and jewellery, Russian dolls, and even magic spells. Magic spells. Who would have guessed!

Of course, the best feature of the entire arcade is the Gaunt’s Clock. By its side are two giant statues of the mythical figures of Gog and Magog. Since it was built in 1892, the statues have struck chimes at every hour. The statues can still be heard today.

The Block Arcade

The Block Arcade is another heritage-listed arcade, much like the Royal Arcade, it can be considered a unique Melbourne shopping destination. It was built in 1893, since then it has been considered to be an architectural jewel.

The idea behind the block arcade is that it was modelled after the Galleria Vittorio in Milan, Italy. The arcade features an impressive glass-domed roof, lavish decoration, stained glass windows and an extraordinary mosaic tile floor.

The boutiques and cafes in the arcade have retained the richly decorated design, from the colour-coordinated plant holders and paintwork to the heritage lighting and translucent glass ceiling.

One of the popular shops in the arcade is the Hopetoun Tea Rooms, with a window of delicious cakes. Or if you are in the mood for something sweeter then why not try Haigh’s Chocolates. They are one of Australia’s premier chocolatiers.

Melbourne Central

Melbourne Central is a diverse shopping and dining destination that invites you to keep exploring. Throughout the shopping centre, there are more than 300 retailers that are spread out over five levels. Melbourne Central is home to a range of Australian and international fashion brands from Nike, Country Road, Forever New, Gorman and Bul to Vans and Nique. Why not take a sugar break at Cupcake Central, or if you feeling like it a beauty break at Mecca Maxima or Sephora or some indulgent time-out at Self Centred Medi Spa. These are just some of the relaxation places that you can find there. Even after day turns into night the store continues to have an aspect of life about it. You can enjoy the visiting either Hoyts Cinema, B. Lucky & Sons, Strike Bowling, The Pancake Parlour and Asian Beer Café all of which can be found on the third level.

Melbourne Central spans two city blocks. in the centre of the giant atrium is the giant Marionette Watch hanging in Shot Tower Square. It is famous for its hourly rendition of the Australian anthem ‘Waltzing Matilda’. The square is named after the Coops Shot Tower. It is a historic building that was built in the year 1889 for the purpose of creating bullets. The brick shot tower still stands in its original place. It is now protected by a modern twist. The ‘Glass Cone’, it was designed in the 1980s by a Japanese architect by the name of Kisho Kurokawa. The glass dome floods the entire area with natural light. It allows everyone to be protected from the elements while enjoying the atmosphere of the centre.

Melbourne Central is extremely convenient to get to, it is located on top of the City Loop. the train line is accessible through the Lower Ground. Alternatively, there is the free city circle tram route at the centre’s doorstep. Melbourne Central also has 822 car parks, this makes it the perfect spot to venture out and explore the city.

Sports Arenas:

Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)

The Melbourne Cricket Ground is steeped in history. It was first established in 1853. For anyone who wants to know that is less than 20 years after Melbourne was founded.

It has been the home of Australian football since 1859 and was the birthplace of Test cricket in 1877 and one-day international cricket in 1971.

It was the main stadium for the 1956 Olympic Games and 2006 Commonwealth Games. It can attract up to 100,000 fans for the annual AFL Grand Final. Another time when the MCG is filled is during Christmas at the Boxing Day Test.

The MCG, known as the ‘G, to us locals, it is considered to be so much more than Australia’s biggest sporting stadium.  It has hosted Papal and Royal visits and housed US Marines, the US Army airforces and our RAAF during World War II. It has also been a concert venue for international and local performers, held open days, charity events, dinners and many more.

Nestled in Yarra Park, about a 10-minute walk from the heart of the city. The MCG is open every day of the year for events and functions and tourists and the general public alike can visit seven days a week.

Marvel Stadium

The stadium is located at the heart of Melbourne, on the western side of the city. Marvel Stadium has welcomed more than 35 million fans through the gates since opening in 2000. In that time it has gone by several different names.

The stadium is known for its retractable roof, it keeps you out of the elements when you are watching the AFL, A-League and BBL sporting events. Marvel Stadium has also hosted some of the biggest international sporting events such as UFC193, Soccer World Cup Qualifiers and International Rugby Union tests.

Throughout its years, Marvel Stadium has hosted many memorable concerts for some of the world’s biggest stars including Taylor Swift, Foo Fighters, Justin Timberlake, AC/DC, Bon Jovi, Andre Rieu and Eminem.

Australian Open Tennis Courts

Melbourne Park & Albert Reserve were the first two Tennis World venues, back in 2007. Now, not only is the Australian Open played at the Melbourne Park. But there are some of the world sporting individuals that train here as too. A fact you may not know about Albert Reserve, it was home of the first-ever Australasian Championships in 1905, back when it was called the Warehouseman’s Cricket Ground. This event later got renamed the Australian Open.

The National Tennis Centre (NTC), opened in 2013 and offers world-class facilities suitable for performance players and beginners.

AAMI Park

AAMI Park is located about 1km to the east of the CBD. It is nestled between both the Yarra River and the MCG. AAMI Park features a cutting-edge Bioframe design with a geodesic dome roof which substantially covers the seating area. If you are able to see it you would think that it looks like a grouping of soccers balls. According to the designers, their idea was to create a ‘design that spectators will enjoy unobstructed views, free from pillars, walls or other support structures’. This design required 50 per cent less steel than a typical stadium roof of the same size.

Built on Edwin Flack field, AAMI Park rivals the world’s best in becoming a world-class event and sports administration complex. It also features a sports campus, including an elite training centre and office accommodation that rivals the world’s best. AAMI Park provides the missing link in Melbourne’s sporting infrastructure for a medium-sized rectangular pitch stadium.

Shrine of Remembrance

The Shrine is the National War Memorial of Victoria. It is a monument dedicated to all Australians who have served in armed conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

The Shrine was originally built to provide a place to grieve and remember the Victorians who were killed in the First World War. It now provides a place of remembrance for Australian service and sacrifice in all wars since Australia’s Federation in 1901.

They offer education and learning programs. It holds more than 200 commemorative ceremonies each year, including the major Anzac Day and Remembrance Day services. It approximately attracts around 750,000 visitors each year from all over the world.

The Shrine is open daily between 10 am – 5 pm, the last entry is at 4:30 pm. They are only closed several days of the year. Good Friday, Christmas Day and selected maintenance days.

The admission to the Shrine is free and no tickets or bookings are required. However, they say that any kind of donation is appreciated.

There are daily walking tours that last for about 75 minutes. They depart from the Visitor Centre at 11 am and 12:45 pm. To ensure a place in tour book online, or otherwise, you can book through the visitor centre.

The Shrine is located on Birdwood Avenue and St Kilda Road, 1.3km from Flinders Street Railway Station. You can either walk or catch a tram from the city. I would recommend walking if the weather is nice. it is situated in a beautiful garden and being able to take everything in on your way to the Shrine is worthwhile.

Gardens:

Carlton Gardens

The Carlton Gardens is a World Heritage Site located on the northeastern edge of the Central Business District in the suburb of Carlton, in Melbourne.

The 26-hectare site contains the Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne Museum and Imax Cinema, tennis courts and an award-winning children’s playground. There is so much to do if you wish to spend the day there. Even if you wish not to go into any of the buildings just walking amongst the trees is relaxing. It is the perfect spot for a picnic on a nice sunny day.

According to the World Heritage listing the Royal Exhibition Buildings and Carlton Gardens are “of historical, architectural, aesthetic, social and scientific significance to the State of Victoria”. So if you do happen to visit the gardens it is highly recommended that you visit the buildings.

Royal Botanic Gardens

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria are botanic gardens across two sites – Melbourne and Cranbourne.

The Melbourne Botanic Gardens was founded in 1846 when the land was reserved on the south side of the Yarra River for a new botanic garden. The whole garden extends across 38 hectares (94 acres) that slope to the river with trees, garden beds, lakes and lawns. It displays almost 50,000 individual plants representing 8,500 different species. These are displayed in 30 living plant collections.

Cranbourne Gardens was established in 1970 when the land was acquired by the Gardens on Melbourne’s south-eastern urban fringe to establish a garden dedicated to Australian plants. A generally wild site which is significant for biodiversity conservation, it opened to the public in 1989. On the 363 hectares (897 acres) site, visitors can explore native bushland, heathlands, wetlands and woodlands. One of the features of Cranbourne is the Australian Garden, which celebrates Australian landscapes and flora through the display of approximately 170,000 plants from 1,700 plant varieties. It was completed in 2012.

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria is home to the State Botanical Collection which is housed in the National Herbarium of Victoria. The collection includes around 1.5 million preserved plants, algae and fungi, and Australia’s most comprehensive botanical library. For anyone who enjoys learning more about nature then it is highly advised to visit these gardens.

Fitzroy Gardens

The Fitzroy Gardens are 26 hectares located on the southeastern edge of the Melbourne Central Business District in Melbourne

The gardens are one of the major Victorian era landscaped gardens in Australia. The garden also adds more credence to Melbourne’s claim to being the garden city of Australia. Set within the gardens are an ornamental lake, a scarred tree, a visitor information centre and cafe, a conservatory, Cooks’ Cottage, tree-lined avenues, a model Tudor village, a band pavilion, a rotunda, the “Fairies’ Tree”, fountains and sculptures. There is enough space to walk around and enjoy the scenery without feeling crowded. Perfect spot for a picnic when the weather allows for it.

Beaches:

The beaches that I have listed below are ones that are closest to the city. There are plenty more down on the Mornington Peninsula. All of these beaches are lovely to visit in their own right but the further away from the city you head the nicer they seem.

The best place to find specific information about any particular beach, head to the site. beachsafe.org.au. Here you will be able to find all the information that you need. It was on this site that I was able to authenticate all the information that I had found. I wanted to provide the most up to date information.

Middle Park Beach

Middle Park is part of a 4 km long beach that runs from the Cowdroy Street drain to the large Station Street Pier. There are three lifesaving clubs on the beach: at Middle Park, South Melbourne and Port Melbourne; together with the Kerferd Road Pier and a small boat harbour.

The Middle Park section is a straight, 1 km long, south-west facing beach, backed by a low seawall, promenade and busy Beaconsfield Parade. Access is available along the length of the beach, with parking limited to the road.

Swimming: The lifesaving club patrols the beach in front of the clubhouse and this is the best place to bathe. Things to keep in mind when swimming is to avoid the rip channels and stay on the shallow bars.

Surfing: When the beach is hit by very strong south-westerlies you can find surf along this beach. The Kerferd Street Pier is the most popular location during these times.

Fishing: The best fishing spots along this beach are rip holes. Otherwise, the drain north of the clubhouse and Kerferd Road Pier can be used for fishing as they have access to the deeper water.

South Melbourne & Port Melbourne

Both the South Melbourne and Port Melbourne Life Saving Clubs patrol the 1.5 km section of beach between the Kerferd Road and Lagoon piers. The reason for having two clubs is because the boundary of South and Port Melbourne crosses the beach midway between each club. The low beach is backed by Beaconsfield Parade, as well as a low seawall and promenade.

Swimming: The beach is considered to be a safe beach when waves are low. However, it is still best to stay on the bar and in the patrolled area in front of each club. On average there are about 5 rescues each year.

Surfing: There is some surf during very strong southerly winds along these two beaches, with waves breaking over the bars at high tide.

Fishing: The piers at each end provide the best location for bay fishing, with easy access to deeper water.

These are the two closest patrolled beaches to Melbourne city. However, the most accessible parking is restricted to Beaconsfield Parade, and hence these beaches are more popular with locals than visitors.

St Kilda Beach

St Kilda Beach has been modified by foreshore development. Today the main beach is 650 m long. The beach abuts the side of St Kilda Marina in the south, with Brooks Jetty also crossing the southern end, while the St Kilda Pier and breakwater form the northern boundary. As a result of these structures, the beach has widened at each end. The beach is backed by the busy Esplanade, however, parking is limited. 

Swimming: The safest section is from the lifesaving club to the northern pier, which is also a No Boating Zone. It is recommended to stay clear of the southern pier and breakwater.

Surfing: When there are strong south-west winds it will produce large enough waves to break over the bars producing a rideable if sloppy surf.

Fishing: The two piers are very popular locations and give easy access to deeper water.

Sandridge Beach

Sandridge Beach is surrounded by piers and port facilities. However, recent redevelopment of the surrounding area, including new beach amenities and landscaping, have produced a reasonably attractive beach. The beach is very accessible, with good parking.

Swimming: A relatively shallow and safe beach. However, seaweed accumulation on the beach and shipping pollution can be a problem when present.

Surfing: A this beach there is usually no surf. Heading further around the bay will lead to better conditions.

Fishing: It is usually shallow off the beach, with the adjoining seawall and breakwaters offering the best access to deeper water.

Kyle Warford

I am an Aussie traveller who wishes to travel the entire world. I have currently been to 29 different countries. That is including my home country. I want to bring everyone along with me on my adventure.

This Post Has 4 Comments

  1. Anna

    I love Melbourne, thanks for the info!

  2. Jan

    Lots of detailed info on this post! My partner is from Melbourne so I’ve been there twice and have seen some of these places. You did a great job to help people who come to visit! 👍🏻

    1. Kyle Warford

      Thank you very much! I tried to be as detailed as possible while also still keeping it interesting

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