For those looking for the perfect mix of Australian culture and a city break, Melbourne is where you need to go. Historic attractions, breathtaking galleries and natural abundance in its suburbs, Melbourne has everything you need. Whether you are someone who loves to eat, someone who loves to watch sports or you’re enthusiastic about nature, this is a city that appeals to everybody.If it’s your first time visiting, it can be quite overwhelming. 

Finding the best Melbourne luggage storage, the best accommodation and knowing how to get around is going to take some time to learn. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t list out all of the attractions you’d like to see while you’re there. Let’s take a look at some of the things that you need to see when Melbourne.

  1. Jump on a Yarra River cruise. Coursing through the middle of Melbourne is the Yarra River. It’s an iconic natural landmark of the city and it flows for over 200 kilometers. For the Aboriginal people it has cultural and spiritual significance and in Melbourne it has formed one of the biggest parts of the skyline, with the city having developed around its waters. Enjoying the boat ride on the Yarra River gives you a chance to admire the city from a unique perspective. You can choose to go by Steamboat, picnic boat, or even a water bike, but the sightseeing will be unmatched regardless.
  2. Take a tour of the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Cricket is central to Australia’s sporting culture and Melbourne Cricket Ground is the largest stadium in the southern hemisphere. It’s a place of heritage for Australians since it was opened in 1853 and it has served as the home of Australian football and the birthplace of Test cricket. If you want to really immerse yourself into Australian sports then there’s a walking tour here that will be for you.
  3. Take a walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens The Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria is an Oasis in the heart of the city. Despite all of the towering building blocks, you’ll find 38 hectares on the banks of the Yarra River that spans all of these gardens that are home to over 8000 plant species from around the world. There are rare Australian species, cycads, cacti and more. You’ll also find plenty of idyllic picnic spots, so when you dump your luggage off for the day, you can go and get some food and soak up the sun.
  4. Admire the art. Cultural connoisseurs will love Melbourne, but you can’t skip a visit to the National Gallery of Victoria. With an incredible collection of over 75,000 artworks, you’ll find art that spans centuries, destinations and mediums. One of the best ways to experience it is on one of the free guided tours, which covers a range of themes and topics. You can truly immerse yourself in an artistic experience this way.
  5. Take yourself on a hidden bar crawl. If you’re a lover of nightlife, then don’t forget that Melbourne has an underground bar scene that you won’t find anywhere else. The city is packed with hidden bars and speakeasies, and each of them have their own distinct character. Finding these hidden bars may be a challenge, but there are plenty of bar crawl tour options that allow you to do a hidden bar walking tour you may not be walking for, so make sure that while you sip on cocktails, you alternate with glasses of water.
  6. Take yourself to the Queen Victoria market. It’s been the go to destination in Melbourne for the precious produce for over 100 years. There are over 600 small businesses that frequent the market and offer everything from specialty food to art pieces and clothing. You’ll meet farmers, designers, chefs and artisans who are passionate about what they do.Don’t forget to bring your bags though.
  7. Go upwards to the Melbourne SkyDeck. If you want to take in the city from review, then the Melbourne SkyDeck is the place to be. It’s the highest sky deck, but it’s also the highest observation deck in the southern hemisphere. Located on level 88 of the Eureka Tower, you’ll be standing nearly 300 meters above the ground. Grab a drink from bar 88 and stand on the edge, which is a glass cube that suspends you in the air.
  8. Go and visit the 12 Apostles. While not technically in Melbourne, the 12 Apostles make for an unmissable day trip and you can take it from the city. It’s a phenomenal coastal formation and it’s a landmark of Victoria itself. If you take up the Great Ocean Road, the drive is 4 1/2 hours, but you can go the quicker inland route if you’re short on time. Take a short walk to the lookout points on your arrival and you’ll be astounded by the scene in front of you. For over 100 years, the powerful ocean has eroded the limestone sea stacks and that creates the 12 apostles.
  9. Head over to Chadstone. One of the largest shopping malls in the southern hemisphere is the Chadstone Shopping Centre. You’ll be browsing and buying for hours with more than 500 stores to choose from. There’s also plenty of restaurants and eateries, so you’ll always have somewhere to sit. And there is fun for the whole family with a Legoland Discovery Centre, bowling and mini golf.
  10. Take a ride in the Arthur’s Seat Eagle. The Eagle Gondola system takes you to the summit of Arthur’s Seat and it’s about 300 meters high in just 15 minutes. From here you can see right across Port Phillip Bay and all the way to Melbourne.It’s an unparalleled perspective in Melbourne and you can see it in a way that nobody really gets to.

If you’re visiting Melbourne, you need to make the most of it, so soak up these 10 things to see and make sure that you report back on your experience.