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Poking its elegant head up on the ‘most liveable cities in the world’ list year after year, anyone who calls Melbourne home needs no convincing that it deserves the accolades.
There’s an indefinable quality that gives the city its edge, but it’s no secret that creativity, cuisine, and eclectic culture play a key role in making the Victorian capital more than a little bit special.
There are many iconic experiences to be had, so it’s a task and a half to distil them down to a shortlist. But every one of the following has woven its way into the fabric of the city’s character, and helped define its depth, colour, and irrepressible vitality.
Here’s a checklist of our top ten things to do in Melbourne on a first visit.
Watch our video of ten top things to do in Melbourne:
Top 10 Things to Do in MELBOURNE, Australia in 2025 (Cheap to Chic!) | Ultimate Travel Guide
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1. Ride the City Circle tram
This one comes first, simply because doing a loop on the City Circle tram (aka route 35) is one of the best ways of getting an orientation of the CBD. You can hop on one of the heritage W-Class trams at any of the designated stops around the circuit (they run in both directions every 30 minutes), and trundle around the city for absolutely nix. The recorded audio commentary gives you an introduction to Melbourne’s history and points out the major attractions along the way. While the loop takes about an hour to complete, you can hop on and off at your leisure — so it might take a good deal longer!
2. Have coffee at a laneway cafe
Melbourne coffee is among the best (possibly the best) in the world — and there’s no better place to savour the liquid gold than in the CBD’s famous network of laneways. Tucked away in the most unexpected places, cafes here come in all shapes and sizes — and you might find yourself squatting on a milk crate with the hipster crew, reclining in a vintage armchair, or rubbing elbows with suits as you enjoy your brew. The most atmospheric laneways are arguably Centre Place and Degraves Street (on either side of Flinders Lane). A confusion of chairs and tables spill out onto the cobbled thoroughfares and the heady aroma of freshly ground coffee fills the air. Make ours a latte.
3. Browse the NGV’s collections
Set over two sites on either side of the Yarra River, the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) has been at the centre of Melbourne’s cultural scene since 1861. Divided into the NGV International and the NGV Australia (The Ian Potter Centre), the superbly curated gallery has some of the most noteworthy collections in the country. With everything from painting and sculpture, to architecture and fashion, the gallery also hosts major international touring exhibitions and events throughout the year. Make a plan to see specific artworks, or just wander around and enjoy the buildings themselves. There’s never a wrong turn, and the best thing is it’s all absolutely free. (Admission charges may apply for temporary and touring exhibitions.)
4. See some street art
Melbourne also embraces a very different kind of art, and its aforementioned laneways are the canvas for the work of many extremely talented street artists. Some of the best places to see their vibrant creations are Hosier Lane, AC/DC Lane, Centre Place, Duckboard Place, and Union Lane. If you really want to get under the gritty skin of Melbourne’s street art scene, a walking tour with a working artist is the way to do it.
5. Shop at the Queen Victoria Market
The grand old dame of Melbourne’s markets has occupied the same spot for over 140 years, and no visit to the city is done and dusted until you’ve experienced the assault upon your senses that is the Queen Victoria Market. Open Tuesday, and Thursday through to Sunday, more than 600 stall owners ply their wares of fresh produce, smallgoods, seafood, arts, crafts, fashion, homewares, sporting goods, and the list goes on. And on. Whatever you’re in the market for, you’ll find it at ‘the Vic’, and the buzzing atmosphere and host of characters you’ll encounter are the best bargains of all.
6. Take in a show
Melbourne is awash with live theatre: everything from comedy and musicals, to fringe works and highbrow plays. Snag yourself a ticket to an MTC (Melbourne Theatre Company) production and you’ll quickly understand why this cutting-edge company has earned its stellar reputation. For a healthy discount on unsold seats for various shows, check out Halftix in Little Collins Street.
7. Order a cocktail at a rooftop bar
OK, rooftop bars are not exclusive to Melbourne, but the city has practically claimed the concept as its own — and it does it oh-so-well that the presumptuousness can be forgiven. Check out stalwarts Loop Roof, QT Rooftop, Siglo Bar, and Good Heavens for starters.
8. Go behind-the-scenes at the MCG
The legendary Melbourne Cricket Ground (if you want to sound like a local, just call it ‘the G’) has been hosting sporting clashes since 1853. In fact, it’s been around almost as long as the city itself! Over the decades, the ground has played host to a huge range of sporting and entertainment events, including football, cricket, World Cup soccer, rugby union, international concerts, and even an Olympics. If you time it right and you’re in town for a big game, the atmosphere is like no other. But even if the great ground is silent, you can book in for a behind-the-scenes tour and get an intimate taste of its longstanding traditions.
9. Enjoy some top notch nosh
A world of dining experiences await you in Melbs! Wander through Chinatown for dumplings, along Lygon Street for Italian (read reviews first!), and down Victoria Street in Richmond for Vietnamese (it’s an easy tram ride there and back). If the budget permits, treat yourself to one extra special meal during your stay. Attica brings the concept and ingredients of Indigenous food to fine dining, while the perennial Flower Drum offers a very different experience to your cheap-and-cheerful Chinese.
10. Snap a selfie under ‘the clocks’
It’s unmistakeable, inimitable, and defines Melbourne like no other landmark: Flinders Street railway station. Cornerstone of the city since 1854, the Art Nouveau-style building you see today was completed in 1910. The famous row of clocks across the front facade date back to the 1860s and inspired the phrase ‘meet you under the clocks’. It’s a worthy spot for a selfie if you can get the angle right!
Need a place to stay?
There are hundreds of hotels across the CBD and suburbs, along with a wide range of serviced apartments in Melbourne. The latter are a great choice for independent travellers. An apartment will give you plenty of space, access to laundry facilities, and the ability to self-cater if you choose to. If your choice of accommodation is not within walking distance of the city centre, make sure it’s close to a station/stop on the extensive suburban rail and tram network.
This post was published thanks to RNR Serviced Apartments.
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Additional images: Bigstock
About the writer
Julietta Henderson is a Melbourne-based travel writer and author. Originally planning to visit London for six months, she ended up staying for ten years and now divides her time between her home in Australia and several months of the year in the UK, Italy, and France. Julietta has travelled extensively through Europe, North America, Indonesia, New Zealand, Australia, and Russia, and believes the keys to a great travel experience are an open heart, an open mind, and an open-ended ticket. Her first two novels — The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman and Sincerely, Me — are now available in bookstores.
About the writer
Adam Ford is editor of Top Oz Tours & Travel Ideas, and a travel TV presenter, writer, blogger, and photographer. He has travelled extensively through Europe, Asia, North America, Africa, and the Middle East. Adam worked as a travel consultant for a number of years with Flight Centre before taking up the opportunity to travel the world himself as host of the TV series Tour the World on Network Ten. He loves to experience everything a new destination has to offer and is equally at home in a five-star Palazzo in Pisa or a home-stay in Hanoi.
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