What to do in Melbourne? A Comprehensive Guide

Melbourne is a beautiful city, rich in culture, history, and things to do. From breathtaking architecture to world-renowned activities and food, there’s no shortage of exciting attractions. Whether you’re a resident or a visitor, it can be overwhelming to decide what to do. We have prepared this comprehensive guide full of must-see attractions and interesting activities to help you plan the perfect stay in Melbourne.

Explore Melbourne with a Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

One of the best ways to get acquainted with the vibrant city of Melbourne is by taking a hop-on hop-off bus tour. There are several reputable companies around offering half day (those take around 3 hours) to full day tours (which take up to 8 hours). These tours provide a great value for your money as you get to explore Melbourne at your own pace while receiving a detailed background narrative of the city’s key attractions.

The two main hop-on hop-off companies are City Sightseeing Melbourne and Big Bus Tours. It’s worth noting that both companies offer different routes and experiences so it pays to do your research before opting for one. Generally, hop-on hop-off tours come with complimentary headphones and the majority of bus terminals within the city accept credit cards. It’s a great way not only to see the city highlights but also take some of the stress out of travelling around the city with your own transport.

Essential Attractions for Your Trip to Melbourne

Not sure where to start in this Australian gem? Below you can find some of the must-see attractions during your stay in Melbourne:

Federation Square

Federation Square is a vibrant attraction in the heart of the city and one of its greatest cultural hubs. Home to a host of events, festivals, exhibitions, and live entertainment, it’s also home to many restaurants and cafes as well as The Ian Potter Centre: National Gallery of Victoria, one of the city’s leading art galleries. This buzzing precinct is certainly worth exploring during your stay.

Royal Botanic Garden

The Royal Botanic Garden is an iconic public garden that spans an impressive 38 hectares. The calm and tranquil sanctuary is home to an array of native and exotic vegetation and architecture dotted throughout the grounds. As one of the oldest gardens in Australia, it’s worth taking an hour or two out of your day to simply wander and admire its natural beauty. It also hosts educational walks and guided tours that you can join during your visit.

Eureka Skydeck

Head on up to the 88th floor of the Eureka Tower to some of the most spectacular views over Melbourne. Then once you’re there, the Edge – otherwise known as the world’s highest viewing platform outdoors – can be stepped out on for a thrilling viewing experience. There are multimedia displays both inside and on The Edge as well as two open-air viewing platforms, making aesthetics just as important as functionality at Eureka Skydeck.

Yarra River Cruise

As one of the longest rivers in Victoria, taking the time to explore all the wonders that line its banks is a truly unique experience that should not be missed when in Melbourne. Operated by Riverboats of Melbourne, the narrated cruises hug the Yarra River for over 6km with scenic sights such as local wildlife and landmarks giving every journey a fresh new outlook. From full-day excursions deep into food, wine and sport experiences, to shorter hour jaunts featuring live music – this is a unique way to really explore what Melbourne has to offer from a new perspective.

Unique Nightlife Experiences

Melbourne has long been known for providing fun nights out in some of Australia’s best bars and clubs. A lot of them tucked away in hidden or weird locations that can often be hard to find on your own. For those looking for ultimate nightlife experience, then a tour of some of these hard-to-find hidden bars could be a great option, with Get Your Guide offering a Hidden Bar Tour that also comes with free drinks vouchers! This two-hour experience will help you uncover some of Melbourne’s best bars in addition to learning some trivia along the way – it really can’t be beat when it comes to fun nightlife activities in Melbourne!

All these venues offer up something unique and exciting so we highly recommend checking them out if you have time during your stay in Melbourne. However, if you’re looking for something even more unique, why not book with Get Your Guide for the Melbourne Bar Tour in Hidden. This two–hour tour allows you to uncover some of the finest bars that are very hard to find alone! In addition, get ready for some amazing drinks vouchers so you can continue your night out in style!

For those looking to catch up with friends or colleagues while having after-work drinks or knowledge filled conversations, there are several rooftop bars situated around Melbourne including The Rooftop at QT Melbourne or Naked For Satan where you can enjoy incredible views while indulging in great tasting drinks! For something even more relaxed, why not check out CitySwoon’s Bar Chat where you can meet likeminded individuals at different venues such as Albion Rooftop or Marquee Lounge with their delicious cocktail menu for everyone to enjoy!

Whether you’re looking for a wild night out filled with fun or just simply looking for some more laidback options throughout Melbourne, this guide provides something for everyone. Regardless of what you choose, don’t forget to save money and have an unforgettable time with Get Your Guide’s Melbourne Bar Tour in Hidden. What are you waiting for? Let the night begin!