- Melbourne was the capital city of Australia from 1901 to 1927 while Canberra was being constructed.
- The city's tram network covers over 250 kilometers of track, making it the largest in the world by total length.
- Melbourne is home to the world's oldest operating film studio, which began production in 1906.
- The local 'hook turn' traffic rule is unique to Melbourne's central grid, designed to allow trams to pass through intersections unimpeded.
- Melbourne is the only city in the world to have five international-standard sports stadiums within walking distance of its central business district.
About Melbourne
Melbourne is Australia's coastal cultural capital, globally recognized for its complex network of laneways, coffee culture, and Victorian-era architecture. It hosts the country's oldest public museum collection at the Melbourne Museum and features extensive greenery like the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria - Melbourne Gardens. The city functions as a major art hub, exemplified by the National Gallery of Victoria and the interactive exhibits found at ACMI. Urban transit is anchored by the world's largest operational tram network, facilitating movement between historic sites like the Shrine of Remembrance and high-altitude vantage points like the Melbourne Skydeck.
Highlights of Melbourne
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Museums
It houses the oldest and most visited public art museum in Australia, featuring an expansive collection of international masterpieces.
Parks
These gardens showcase a diverse collection of over 8,500 species of plants across 38 hectares of landscaped grounds.
Museums
Visitors can explore the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre to learn about the history and living culture of Victoria's First Peoples.
Places of interest
This observation deck offers a glass-walled perspective of the city from the highest public vantage point in the Southern Hemisphere.
Historical places
The sanctuary features a precise architectural design where a ray of light illuminates the word 'LOVE' on the Stone of Remembrance every year.
Museums
This facility is dedicated to the history and future of film, television, and digital culture through immersive permanent exhibitions.
Amusement parks
Established in 1912, this seaside amusement park is famous for its historic wooden roller coaster, the Great Scenic Railway.
Venues
This venue is a premier example of Spanish Gothic architecture, known for hosting major international theatre productions.
Top things to do in Melbourne
The 2,106 highest-rated places in Melbourne, ranked by travellers.
1
Museums
The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is Australia's oldest and most-visited art museum, founded in 1861. It operates a...
2
Parks
Established in 1846, Melbourne Gardens is a 38-hectare landscape featuring over 8,500 species of plants from around the...
3
Museums
Melbourne Museum is the largest museum in the Southern Hemisphere, housing extensive collections of natural history and...
4
Zoos
Werribee Open Range Zoo is a 225-hectare wildlife conservation facility focused on African savanna species. The site is...
5
Places of interest
The Melbourne Skydeck is the Southern Hemisphere's highest public observation deck, situated on the 88th floor of the Eu...
6
Parks
Carlton Gardens is a World Heritage-listed site encompassing 26 hectares of Victorian-era parkland adjacent to the Melbo...
7
Zoos
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium is located on the banks of the Yarra River and features a multi-level layout centered around...
8
Historical places
The Shrine of Remembrance serves as Victoria's national memorial to Australians who served in war and peacekeeping opera...
9
Places of interest
The Brighton Bathing Boxes consist of 82 historic wooden structures lining Dendy Street Beach. These boxes date back to...
10
Parks
Fitzroy Gardens is a 26-hectare Victorian-era public park in East Melbourne, formally designed in a gridiron layout with...
11
Museums
ACMI is Australia's national museum of screen culture, located in the heart of Melbourne's Federation Square. The instit...
12
Museums
Scienceworks is an interactive science museum located in a heritage-listed former sewerage pumping station in Spotswood,...
13
Amusement parks
Luna Park Melbourne is a heritage-listed amusement park located on the St Kilda foreshore, established in 1912. It is ho...
14
Museums
ArtVo is an immersive, trick-art gallery located in Melbourne's Docklands district. The gallery features over 80 large-s...
15
Venues
The Regent Theatre is a historic performance venue located in Melbourne's central business district, operating under the...
16
Venues
The Princess Theatre is Melbourne's oldest entertainment venue, originally built in 1854 and extensively reconstructed i...
17
Venues
AAMI Park is Melbourne's premier purpose-built rectangular stadium, featuring a distinctive geodesic dome roof that cove...
18
Venues
Her Majesty's Theatre is a historic, privately owned venue in Melbourne's East End theatre district, recognized for its...
19
Parks
Jells Park is a 127-hectare regional park located in the Dandenong Creek Valley, serving as a significant remnant of nat...
20
Parks
Kings Domain is a 36-hectare parkland located on the southern bank of the Yarra River in Melbourne. It houses several si...
21
Temples
St. Patrick's Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Melbourne and the tallest church in Australia. Designed by arch...
22
Temples
St Paul's Cathedral is a 19th-century neo-Gothic Anglican cathedral occupying a prominent site at the intersection of Fl...
23
Parks
Fawkner Park is a 41-hectare public park in South Yarra, Melbourne, known for its extensive mature elm, oak, and Moreton...
24
Museums
The Old Melbourne Gaol is a historical site and museum operated within a former 19th-century prison complex in central M...
25
Beaches and ponds
St Kilda Beach is Melbourne's primary seaside destination, distinguished by its iconic wooden pier and a resident colony...
26
Amusement parks
The Melbourne Star Observation Wheel is a 120-meter tall giant observation wheel located in the Docklands precinct. It f...
27
Parks
St Kilda Botanical Gardens is a historic municipal park established in 1859, making it one of the oldest botanical sites...
28
Parks
Ruffey Lake Park is a 68-hectare regional park in Doncaster East, designed around the central Ruffey Lake. The park feat...
29
Parks
Edinburgh Gardens is a 24-hectare Victorian-era public park located in Fitzroy North, Melbourne. Established in the 1860...
30
Amusement parks
Funfields Themepark is a large-scale amusement and water park located in the outer northern suburbs of Melbourne. The pa...
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Melbourne on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Melbourne
March to May or September to November, as these shoulder seasons offer mild temperatures and avoid the peak summer heat and winter rainfall.
4-5 days, allowing time to explore the city center's laneways, major museums, and outer suburban parks.
The city center is served by a free tram zone, supplemented by an extensive metro train network and cycling infrastructure.
Stay in the Central Business District for central access to transport and attractions, or choose Fitzroy for a dense concentration of cafes and independent art galleries.
Expensive; costs for accommodation, dining, and transit are high compared to regional Australian averages.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 2,106 curated attractions in and around Melbourne, ranked by traveller ratings.
National Gallery of Victoria is the highest-rated place to visit in Melbourne right now.
The largest category is parks, with 1,020 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Sydney, Brisbane, Perth.
Explore more of Australia
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
