Melbourne Bucket List: Best Things You Can't Skip
Melbourne, Australia's cultural capital, is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world visiting the country! In a city like Melbourne, you may find yourself eating all of the food for the duration of your visit. Many visitors to the town come for the tiny laneways filled with some of the best food in the world. The cafe culture that many other countries wish they had, and the beauty that has repeatedly won the title of most liveable city in the world. But what are some of the best tourist places in Melbourne you shouldn't miss?
Melbourne has something for everyone, whether you're a foodie, an art lover, or a sports fan. However, with so much to see and do, it can be challenging to know where to begin. That's why we've compiled this ultimate bucket list of the best things to do in Melbourne.
1. Gaze the City From Eureka Skydeck
Where can you get a good view of the city? In the heart of Southbank, visit the 91-story Eureka Tower. This eye-catching skyscraper was named after the 1854 Eureka Stockade, a prospector rebellion in the Victorian goldfields. The gold crown and gold-plated windows of the building literally sparkle when the sun catches the top of the building, adding to the Gold Rush theme.
The Edge is a glass box that extends three meters from Eureka Tower's 88th floor. As you walk out, cracking glass sound effects are designed to scare you. The sound effects are fake, but seeing the city from the Southern Hemisphere's highest public vantage point is amazing. Skydeck, located on the 88th floor, has the most elevated public view in the Southern Hemisphere. Visit The Edge, a glass cube that slides out three meters from the building for vertigo-free visitors, for even more thrills. Enjoy your visit to Skydeck with a guided tour, and book your tickets at Wotif.
2. Go-Wine tasting in Yarra Valley
It's amazing how quickly suburban Melbourne gives way to the Yarra Valley's lush, rolling green hills. It's one of Victoria's premier food and wine destinations, and it's only a little more than an hour from Melbourne's CBD. The valley is teeming with wineries that offer tours, cellar doors, and gourmet dining experiences: here are the 11 best Yarra Valley wineries. Those looking for more 'kid-friendly' attractions will not be disappointed. A trip to the heavenly Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery will keep the kids (big and small) entertained.
You'll be in heaven if you like wine. Take a winery tour around the region to the best wineries, and then fill up on food to soak up all that alcohol at one of the many amazing restaurants set among the rolling green hills. If you're craving something sweet, stop by the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery for the best sweet treats in the region.
3. Spend a Day at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium is a popular family attraction in Melbourne. With these great value tickets to the must-see aquarium, you can see a dazzling display of marine life for yourself. SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium, located in the heart of Melbourne CBD on the banks of the Yarra River, is home to thousands of sea creatures spread across 12 different zones. See the Antarctic Penguins slide in their exhibit and take advantage of the new 'Ocean Invaders’ exhibit about jellyfish.
Melin Entertainments' aquarium features four zones with unique underwater animals and research projects to protect marine species. SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium has oceanarium tunnels, penguins, and marine mammals. You can visit the venue during the animal feeding schedule if you make prior arrangements. Merlin Annual Gold Pass holders can reserve a time slot on any weekday or business day. Merlin Annual Platinum Pass holders can reserve a slot anytime during the 12-month validity period. Book your digital pass from Wotif and enjoy your day!
4. Enjoy the Yarra River Cruise
A riverboat cruise not only provides a relaxing way to see the sights but also provides insight into the Yarra River's history. There are many cruise companies along Southbank, and it's a fun way to get your bearings before venturing out on foot to explore the city.
Birrarung Marr is a waterfront park that celebrates Aboriginal ties to the Yarra River. The Yarra River, which separates Melbourne city center from Melbourne, has many breathtaking views, and taking a cruise down the river is a great way to experience this vital part of Melbourne. There are numerous cruise companies that operate on the river, so you can pick and choose which one best suits your needs and budget. You can also kayak down the river with a tour operator, but the Yarra's water quality is low, so if you capsize you'll need to shower and change quickly.
5. Shrine of Remembrance Cultural Guided Tour
The Shrine of Remembrance appears to be an ancient Greek temple from the outside, but it serves a very different purpose. The Shrine, which was built in 1934 to commemorate World War I soldiers, is now a memorial for all Australians who served in the war. It's also important to go to places that make you think, remember, and recognize the sacrifices that have made our current world possible. However, over time, it has evolved into a memorial to all Australians who died in every war. The location is beautifully lit, and the architecture is reminiscent of Roman structures. Under the shrine, the Galleries of Remembrance contain photographs, artifacts, and artwork related to Australians at war and peacekeeping missions.
6. Stroll through the picturesque Docklands
Docklands is the city of Melbourne's newest waterfront entertainment district. The satellite village, which has the highest concentration of green-star-rated buildings in the Southern Hemisphere, is filled with cafés, restaurants, tourist attractions, and parklands. At night, it's one of Melbourne's most popular attractions.
Docklands has some of the city's best restaurants, cafes, and bars, as well as entertainment for all ages. Activities include a Hoyts movie theatre, the O'Brien Icehouse, the ArtVo immersive museum, and more. Foodies will love Renzo's Bar Cafe Italiano and The Woolshed Pub. Do you want to go shopping? Every Sunday, an art and vintage market is held along the waterfront, and you can shop until you drop at the open-air shopping mall. Dining is another highlight. You can eat your way around the world, from Turkish and Vietnamese cuisine to modern Australian creations.
7. Animal Meetups at the Melbourne Zoo
Australia's oldest zoo is an inner-city oasis with hundreds of great and small creatures. Watch seals and penguins in the Wild Sea exhibit, then visit the sprawling Orangutan Sanctuary. The 22-hectare Melbourne Zoo has something for everyone, from big cats to butterflies. The zoo dates to 1862, but the 250+ species of animals have modern facilities in state-of-the-art enclosures five minutes from Melbourne's CBD.
The zoo's main attractions include the Reptile House, Butterfly House, Gorilla Rainforest, and Caterpillar Greenhouse, as well as the award-winning Trail of the Elephants, where visitors can get up close and personal with these gentle giants in a recreated Asian village scene. Aside from the opportunity to meander around the grounds and see everything from seals to zebras, kangaroos to kookaburras. A plethora of educational talks and animal feedings are held throughout the day, providing visitors with a better understanding and appreciation of the zoo. Get your digital pass for the entrance by booking at Wotif and enjoy the day at your own pace!
Get sporty at the MCG
With room for 100,000 diehard fans, the MCG is a sporting Mecca, producing unmatched atmospheres from footy, cricket, and the occasional concert or soccer match.
The MCG is one of the world's oldest stadiums still in operation, having hosted Olympic Games, World Cup qualifiers, and rock concerts over its 170 years. Daily tours take visitors on a journey through sporting history, including the National Sports Museum, the Australian Gallery of Sport, and the Olympic Museum. In the summer, you can watch cricket, and in the winter, you can watch football. Originally built in 1853, the stadium has been renovated numerous times. It is now the largest stadium in Australia and the 10th largest in the world: the largest crowd at the MCG is estimated to be around 130,000 people. The Australian Gallery of Sport and the Olympic Museum are also located at the MCG.
Conclusion
When you spend a few days exploring the scenic areas surrounding Melbourne. You can indulge in incredible food and wine, hot air balloon rides, and admire the ancient landscapes. The Economist has ranked Melbourne as the world's most liveable city for 7 years in a row due to its climate, infrastructure, political stability, education, business conditions, and health care services.
Every year, millions of visitors from Australia and other countries visit the city, making it one of the most popular Australian destinations. The historic trams, painted maroon and gold, pass major tourist attractions and connect to the city's larger tram, train, and bus network. This allows visitors to easily enjoy Melbourne's many attractions.