Melbourne is one fascinating city that is truly worth exploring. Beyond the Victorian-era architecture sharing space with some breathtaking contemporary marvel, there is so much to see in this city of gardens and parks by the bay. While its biggest attractions are clustered around the Central Business District, Melbourne has many lanes and alleys you can wander into. Additionally, the city is surrounded by many, amazing day-trip destinations that are worth your while. It may take you weeks to savour everything the city has to offer, but if you only have a short time to visit Melbourne, we recommend that you include these 12 top attractions in Melbourne.
Arts Centre, Melbourne
Arts Centre of Melbourne is a complex of theatres, concert halls, and other performing arts venues. Located by the Yarra River, the Centre is where you can attend regular shows of performing arts companies like Opera Australia, the Melbourne Theatre Company, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and the Australian Ballet.
Carlton Gardens
The Carlton Gardens is a World Heritage Site famous for its wonderfully designed Victorian landscaping. Its network of lanes and avenues are lined with a wide variety of trees native to Europe and Australia, including oaks, elms, poplars, and cedars. Besides, it’s a popular spot for picnics and barbecues, and it’s the home of the Melbourne Museum, Museum Victoria, and the Royal Exhibition Building.
Eureka Skydeck 88 and The Edge
Located on the 88th floor of the Eureka Tower, the tallest building in Melbourne, Eureka Skydeck 88 offers the best views of Melbourne’s skyline and cityscapes. Using their viewfinders, you can see almost all of the city’s famous landmarks from the deck. While you’re there, you should try The Edge. Also, located on the same floor as the Skydeck, The Edge is a cube with glass floors, walls and ceiling suspended some 300 meters above the ground.
Federation Square
Most first-time visitors to Melbourne start their wanderings about the city at Federation Square. Federation Square is a massive collection of culturally and historically significant buildings, museums, event venues, restaurants, bars, and shops. The Square hosts around 2,000 events annually and attracts more than ten million visitors a year.
Flinders Street Station
It is the oldest train station in Australia as well as one of Melbourne’s most iconic landmarks. It is also the busiest transport station not just in Melbourne, but in the entire country. The station’s clocks and wide, sweeping steps are the Origins of the Melburnian idioms “I’ll meet you under the clocks” and “I’ll meet you on the steps.”
Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road, a highway hugging Australia’s southern coastline, is one of the best road trip destinations in the world. It’s also only an hour’s drive from Melbourne’s CBD. Driving or hiking the Great Ocean Road will take you to some amazing spots, including surf haven – Bells Beach, the Great Otway National Park, and of course, the magnificent Twelve Apostles limestone formations.
National Gallery of Victoria
The NGV is Australia’s oldest and largest museum, as well as it’s most visited. It stands on two sites: the Ian Potter Centre at Federation Square and NGV International at the Melbourne Arts Precinct. The Ian Potter Centre showcases works of Australian artists, while NGV International is home to collections of art from different parts of the world, including the works of Picasso, Monet, Gainsborough, Rembrandt, Andy Warhol, and Tintoretto.
Queen Victoria Market
Queen Victoria Market is Melbourne’s largest open-air market and its last surviving 19th-century style shopping centre. This seven-hectare mercantile centre is a place to buy fresh produce, as well as clothes, jewellery, and handicrafts. Its night market and its hot doughnut van are one of its biggest tourist draws.
Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
Considered to be one of Victoria’s most culturally significant gardens. The Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne is a stunning green space on the bank of the Yarra River filled with magnificent trees, picturesque lakes, and wandering pathways. So, you can find some 10,000 individual plant species in the Gardens. Many of which were brought in from different corners of the world.
Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium
One of the 12 top attractions in Melbourne is The Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium. The Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium is four levels of exhibits dedicated to marine life in the waters of the southern hemisphere. It is home to a vast collection of marine species, including different species of sharks and stingrays, turtles, and penguins. It is also a marine research and conservation facility.
Shrine of Remembrance
The Shrine of Remembrance on Kings Domain is a monument designed in the classical style. Featuring columns similar to those of the Parthenon of Athens and a ziggurat roof. The Shrine is dedicated to all Australians who served in wars. One of the most famous features of the Shrine is the Stone of Remembrance, inscribed with the words “Greater love hath no man.”. Thus, every November 11, which is Remembrance Day in Australia, at exactly 11:00 AM, a ray of sunlight enters an aperture and shines upon the word “love” in the inscription.
Yarra Valley
The Yarra Valley is Victoria’s wine country. An easy day trip from Melbourne, Yarra Valley provides opportunities for sampling Victoria’s exquisite food while enjoying the scenic drive.
Make the most of your Melbourne holiday by visiting these 12 top attractions in Melbourne. Don’t forget to drop by this Halal restaurant in Melbourne. Book your trip to Melbourne today.
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