Visiting Melbourne for the First Time? Here's What to See and Do
As Australia’s cultural capital, Melbourne delivers with a cutting-edge restaurant scene, contemporary street art and museums, and historic architecture. If you’re visiting the coffee shop capital of Australia for the first time, here are a few experiences you can’t miss.
Cruise the Yarra River
Get a new perspective on Melbourne.
Admire Melbourne’s green spaces and sleek skyscrapers from the water during a cruise on the Yarra River. Choose between a sightseeing cruise with sparkling wine or coffee, or opt to drive the vessel yourself with boat rental.
Admire the street art in the CBD
Take a tour of the city's best murals.
Melbourne is famous throughout Australia for its street art scene, which spans political statements to kaleidoscopic murals. The best way to discover both well-known and hidden art is on a walking tour that covers Hosier Lane and Caledonian Lane in the Central Business District.
Ride the Puffing Billy steam train
Enjoy the views with ease.
The route taken by the historic Puffing Billy steam train is considered one of the most scenic in Australia. The open-air train takes you past rugged bushlands and ancient woodlands, and a round-trip ride to the first station can be limited to a few hours, making it ideal for time-pressed travelers.
Discover the Great Ocean Road
Take a trip.
No trip to the state of Victoria would be complete without a day trip along the Great Ocean Road, home to the world-famous 12 Apostles rock formations. Taking a tour leaves the driving and navigation to someone else and allows you to spend more time admiring the scenery.
See the city from the Eureka Skydeck 88
And enjoy unparalleled views.
Get panoramic views of Melbourne in its entirety from the Eureka Skydeck 88, home to the Edge and Vertigo—two exhilarating experiences not for the fainthearted. The wait time to get in can exceed one hour, so book skip-the-line admission to save time.
Spend the day at Brighton Beach
Enjoy Australia's world-famous coast.
The brightly colored bathing cabanas of Brighton Beach offer some of Melbourne’s best photo ops. Combine your visit with a trip to Phillip Island, home of the Penguin Parade, to maximize your time outside of the city center.
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Jade is a writer with a passion for travel, drag queens, and baked goods. Her happy place is South America, but when she's not exploring the world, she enjoys cooking and reading Gothic novels in her London flat.