7 Best Places to Visit in Melbourne

Melbourne, Australia, a frequent contender among the most livable cities in the world, is a tourist destination that never fails to mesmerise the senses of travel enthusiasts. After seeing the vibrant culture, coffee, and colours, you’ll realise why this city has become such a popular destination in the world.

Whether you are a foodie, an art lover, or a thrill-seeker, you will get your fix from this beautiful city, Melbourne. The experienced Aussie chefs of the city can serve you delicious and authentic Indian, Italian, and Greek cuisine that will leave you craving more while you get the adrenaline pump from insane adventures.

Not to forget about the impressive museums and art galleries that have captured the hearts of many art lovers. Simply put, Melbourne has something to offer everyone, and if you plan to travel to this beautiful city, you will leave a bunch of unforgettable memories for a lifetime. However, before you visit this city, you must plan where to go first and where to end your trip.

Keep reading this blog to learn about the top tourist attractions in Melbourne so that you can plan your trip accordingly (whether you are travelling alone or with your friends) and don’t get distracted during your wonderful trip.

1. National Gallery of Victoria

Founded in 1861, the National Gallery of Victoria (aka NGV) is an art museum and top tourist attraction in Melbourne. This art gallery is home to over 70,000 works of American, Asian, European, and Oceanic art and is a perfect destination for artistic people. Being Australia’s oldest public art gallery, it is most visited by art lovers all across the globe.

NGV has a vast encyclopaedic art collection at two sites; the St. Kilda Road Building, which houses an international collection and is well-known for The Great Hall. In this building, visitors are motivated to lie on the floor in order to gaze at the stunning, colourful, glass-stained ceiling.

The second building of the National Gallery of Victoria is located near Federation Square and is known as the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia. It features the history of Australian art. You get to see a wide array of artworks in this building, from contemporary media to aboriginal arts to the Heidelberg School.

NGV presents over 40 exhibitions a year, not to mention other special events, tours, children’s programmes, and performances. National Gallery of Victoria tickets can be bought online from the official website. The best part about this place is that you get FREE entry to permanent exhibitions.

Name	National Gallery of Victoria (NGV)
Address	180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne VIC 3006, Australia
Website	ngv.vic.gov.au
Distance from CBD	(3.9 km)
Directions	maps.app.goo.gl
Google Ratings	4.7 out of 5
Opening Hours	Monday : 10am-5pm Tuesday : 10am-5pm Wednesday : 10am-5pm Thursday : 10am-5pm Friday : 10am-5pm Saturday : 10am-5pm Sunday : 10am-5pm
Social Links	Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn
Contact Number	+61 3 8620 2222
Entry Type	Free

Google Reviews – “This place is a Melbourne institution – definitely worth a visit! We were here for the winter masterpieces but we come down every other month. The paid exhibitions are great but the free stuff and other events are always worth while. Great gift shop, good cafes and event spaces. Definitely worth a visit!” – Rigoniman

2. Melbourne Zoo

The Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens (aka Melbourne Zoo) is the oldest zoo in Australia and one of the most popular Melbourne tourist spots. It was established in 1862 and has more than 320 species of animals from all across the world and Australia. A very large part of this zoo is inspired by the London Zoo (the world’s oldest scientific zoo) and other astonishing exhibits such as Butterfly House, The Trails of Elephants, Orangutan Sanctuary, etc.

You can take your kids to Melbourne Zoo, which will not only help in the initial development but also let them breathe in the fresh and good air. Taking them away from the hustle and bustle of life and letting them interact with nature is one of the best things that you can do for your kids and that will benefit them throughout their lives. The best thing about Melbourne Zoo is that it offers an exclusive tour feature that allows visitors to interact with the zoo inhabitants, including kangaroos, giraffes, and zebras.

In addition, you can learn about the lives and feeding of the animals as you converse with the keepers of the zoo while on your visit. You don’t have to worry about anything if you are a foodie, as you can dine at the zoo’s best restaurants, where delicious food delights are served after meeting with the zoo inhabitants.

Name	Melbourne Zoo
Address	Elliott Ave, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia
Website	zoo.org.au/melbourne
Distance from CBD	(4.2 km)
Directions	maps.app.goo.gl
Google Ratings	4.4 out of 5
Opening Hours	Monday : 9am-5pm Tuesday : 9am-5pm Wednesday : 9am-5pm Thursday : 9am-5pm Friday : 9am-5pm Saturday : 9am-5pm Sunday : 9am-5pm
Social Links	Facebook,Instagram, X
Contact Number	+61 1300 966 784
Entry Type	Paid ($19 for kids and $38 for adults)

Google Reviews – “I loved this zoo. The enclosures were big and full of enrichment for the animals. The baby elephants were adorable! The giraffes were another highlight. The paths through the enclosures weren’t too packed even on a midday weekend. Some of the animals were sleeping when I went, the lions, snow leopards and red pandas. If you love animals it’s a must when you visit Melbourne.” – Erin Secomb

3. Royal Botanic Gardens

Royal Botanic Gardens is an astounding green space in Melbourne where you can find the tranquillity you seek, reduce stress levels effectively, and boost your mental well-being. You will surely have a delightful experience in this beautiful garden that is home to more than 8500 species of beautiful plants and is spread over 38 hectares of land.

This beautiful botanic garden has specially curated living collections that are made up of documented, accurately identified, and labelled plants for display, education, conservation, and research. The diverse plant collection of the Royal Botanic Gardens includes cacti and succulents, herbs, Californian species, rainforest flora, roses, cycads, plants from south-eastern Australia and many threatened and rare species collections.

It also ranks among the top sunrise spots in Melbourne. Overall, this botanic garden is a perfect place for all nature lovers and families who want to give their kids the ultimate education and a vocabulary that will help them throughout their journey through life. While seeing the beauty of nature, you can also treat your stomach to delicious food items at the cafes that offer seasonal lunches and delicious coffee.

So, what are you waiting for? Plan a picnic with your friends and family at this best Melbourne tourist spot amidst the green foliage and immerse yourself in the tranquillity.

Name	Royal Botanic Gardens
Address	Melbourne VIC 3004, Australia
Website	rbg.vic.gov.au
Distance from CBD	(2 km approx)
Directions	maps.app.goo.gl
Google Ratings	4.8 out of 5
Opening Hours	Monday : 7:30am-5:30pm Tuesday : 7:30am-5:30pm Wednesday : 7:30am-5:30pm Thursday : 7:30am-5:30pm Friday : 7:30am-5:30pm Saturday : 7:30am-5:30pm Sunday : 7:30am-5:30pm
Social Links	Facebook,Instagram, X
Contact Number	+61 39252 2300
Entry Type	Free

Google Reviews – “Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria is delightful. It’s the perfect place to escape from the busy city for a while and find comfort in the beauty of nature. There are plenty of spots to stop and rest and there’s a cafe for you to enjoy breakfast or lunch while admiring the beautiful scenery.” – Lis

4. Federation Square

Located at the edge of the Melbourne CBD, Federation Square (or Fed Square) is one of the best public squares in the world. This public square covers 3.2 ha of land and is a venue for various cultural, artistic, and public events. It has won many awards for its design and architecture and millions of visitors come to see the beauty of this building every year.

Fed Square is one of the best tourist attractions in Melbourne, owing to its unique design and capability of hosting the biggest gatherings. Upon arriving at this public square, you can head off to the best restaurants and bars to fill your tummy with flavorful food items and delicious wine.

While shopaholics can satisfy their cravings with specialty stores, if you get in the mood for something thrilling, you can hop on river cruises and explore Melbourne by water. You can also stroll around the public square while watching the sports events on a giant TV screen or enjoy the FREE Wi-Fi facility.

In other words, Federation Square has something to offer everyone, whether you are a shopaholic, a thrill-seeker, or a big foodie searching for delectable dishes to satisfy your deep cravings.

Name	Fed Square
Address	Swanston St & Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Website	fedsquare.com
Distance from CBD	(1.3 km)
Directions	maps.app.goo.gl
Google Ratings	4.5 out of 5
Opening Hours	Monday : Open 24 hours Tuesday : Open 24 hours Wednesday : Open 24 hours Thursday : Open 24 hours Friday : Open 24 hours Saturday : Open 24 hours Sunday : Open 24 hours
Social Links	Facebook, LinkedIn, X
Contact Number	+61 39655 1900
Entry Type	Free

Google Reviews – “Among the many beautiful places to see, this is one of a beautiful city delights in Melbourne City. Located at the heart of city centre, very picturesque; concert hall; skyscraper lookouts; restaurants and cafes near by, and many more to see. This place is never silent, always filled with people, city folks; events and activities. This place is alive day and night.” – Dipen Khadka

5. Melbourne Skydeck

Every big city in the world is recognised for its spectacular architecture and that’s what attracts tourists to visit the city and contribute to its growing economy. Melbourne has the Eureka Tower, which is a 297.3 m skyscraper that took more than 4 years to complete. This tower is named after a rebellion during the Victorian Gold Rush, the Eureka Stockade.

Despite its stunning architecture, this is not the main attraction point, Melbourne Skydeck is what people know Eureka Tower for, which offers a wide range of activities, including Bar 88 to experience dining at the city’s highest bar, Sky High Romance, where you can create memories for a lifetime, VR Plank, a theatre, etc.

However, the experience of standing on a glass cube almost 300 metres above the ground is only available at the EDGE. You get an opportunity to push your boundaries as a thrill-seeker at this unique and stunning adventure place. However, this thrilling adventure is only for daring guests and if you are one, face your fears at this amazing place above the world only at this best tourist attraction in Melbourne.

Eureka Tower is one of the well-known attractions of this building. Looking at the tallest building with a great vintage point is indeed a treat to your eyeballs and you must learn about it before you go to experience all the above things on your own.

The building has a gold crown, a red stripe, blue glass cladding and white lines that each have some deep meaning; for instance, the stripe represents the blood spilled during the revolt, while the gold crown indicates the Victorian Gold Rush in the year 1854.

Name	Melbourne Skydeck
Address	7 Riverside Quay, Southbank VIC 3006, Australia
Website	melbourneskydeck.com.au
Distance from CBD	(1.9 km)
Directions	maps.app.goo.gl
Google Ratings	4.8 out of 5
Opening Hours	Monday : 12-10pm Tuesday : 12-10pm Wednesday : 12-10pm Thursday : 12-10pm Friday : 12-10pm Saturday : 12-10pm Sunday : 12-10pm
Social Links	Facebook
Contact Number	+61 3 9693 8888
Entry Type	Paid ( Ticket cost for adults- $23, for children $15 and $19 for concession tickets for students, seniors, and patients).

Google Reviews – “By far, the best Hot Springs I’ve been to in the outskirts of Melbourne! Friendly staff, delicious food and drinks, atmosphere is top notch and finally the cleanliness is top of the line. Family and couple friendly! Thank you Peninsula Hot Springs for the memorable time and the opportunity to be in the Hot Springs! 100/10 exceeded my expectations!” – Gabriel Johnson

6. Peninsula Hot Springs

Want to see the spectacular views and Melbourne tourist spots while eating your favourite snacks? Hop on the City Circle Tram! It is a zero-fee tram that runs around the Melbourne CBD in Australia, allowing you to see the top sights in the Central Business District and Docklands. The route of this tram has been designed mainly for tourists all across the globe.

This tram operates in both directions, clockwise and anti-clockwise, which means you can start your journey from anywhere. While riding the tram, you get to see a wide range of Melbourne attractions, including the Windsor Hotel, the Old Treasury Building, and the Parliament House. Additionally, you can hop off at any of the attractions you like to explore, such as Federation Square.

The tram takes around fifty minutes to complete the entire trip and runs every twelve minutes, seven days a week, except Good Friday and Christmas. You can board the tram from any stop along the City Circle route. So, if you happen to be in Melbourne or plan to pay a visit to this beautiful city, do not forget to hop on and hop off the City Circle Tram.

Name	Peninsula Hot Springs
Address	140 Springs Ln, Fingal VIC 3939, Australia
Website	peninsulahotsprings.com
Distance from CBD	(100.4 km)
Directions	maps.app.goo.gl
Google Ratings	4.5 out of 5
Opening Hours	Monday : 5am-2am Tuesday : 5am-2am Wednesday : 5am-2am Thursday : 5am-2am Friday : 5am-2am Saturday : 5am-2am Sunday : 5am-2am
Social Links	Facebook, Instagram
Contact Number	+6 135950 8777
Entry Type	Paid

Google Reviews – “Nice free old style tram service around Melbourne. Runs only during the daytime. Get a history of the city audio description while riding. Be aware that air conditioning on the old trams is not optimal on hot days.” – Geoff B.

7. City Circle Tram

Name	City Circle Tram
Website	ptv.vic.gov.au
Address	Flinders Street Station, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000
Distance from CBD	(1.4km)
Directions	maps.app.goo.gl
Tram Route	D11-Waterfront City/Docklands Dr to D10-Newquay Prom/Docklands Dr
Yelp Ratings	3.9 out of 5
Social Links	NA
Contact Number	1800 800 007
Entry Type	Free

Google Reviews – “I had a fantastic time at the Melbourne Skydeck. While the tickets were a bit pricey, the unique view from the top was well worth it. There are a lot of seating and dining options at the top, and the staff was incredibly friendly. We spent a total of 1 hour there and thoroughly enjoyed every minute.” – Nikita

On the Final Note

Travel enthusiasts planning to visit one of the most livable cities in the world, Melbourne, might get confused about where to start their trip and destinations to include and exclude. This city has a lot to offer to the tourists and getting confused between the destinations is obvious. That’s why we have prepared this exclusive blog that lists the top tourist attractions in Melbourne you can’t afford to visit.

The best places to visit in Melbourne include a wide variety of destinations, including Melbourne Zoo, Eureka Tower, Royal Botanic Gardens, the National Gallery of Victoria, City Circle Tram, Federation Square, and Peninsula Hot Springs. All the information regarding these destinations has been mentioned above in this blog.

So, book your tickets, pack your bags, and fly to explore one of the most livable cities in the world!

Tourist Attractions in Melbourne