Melbourne Attractions

• Melbourne Zoo - An internationally acclaimed zoo that takes great pride in recreating the natural habitats of its precious animals.
• Melbourne Aquarium
• State Library of Victoria - The largest reference and research collection in Victoria, containing over a million books and journals, a large newspaper collection and hundreds of pictures, manuscripts and other items.
• Melbourne Observation Deck - Offers spectacular views from the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Australian Stock Exchange - View the latest developments on the share market.
• IMAX Theatre - Home to the world's biggest screen. Take the journey of discovery with state of the art technology and crystal clear images.
• Chinatown - A Chinese settlement that has been in existence since Victoria's gold rush of the 1850's.
• Hamer Concert Hall - The venue for a wide variety of performances including gala events and symphonic concerts.
• Parliament House - Houses the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly.
• Sidney Myer Music Bowl - An open-air auditorium for events such as 'Carols by Candlelight'.
• Royal Botanic Gardens - One of Victoria's most popular attractions, featuring sweeping vistas, rolling lawns, elegant lakes and pleasant picnic areas. Guided and self -guided audio tours are available.
• Yarra and Flinders Park - 56 hectares of parkland, home to Olympic Park, the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the National Tennis Centre.
• Flagstaff Gardens - The resting place of Melbourne's earliest pioneers.
• Fitzroy and Treasury Gardens - Home to Cook's Cottage, J.F. Kennedy memorial, the Conservatory with its floral displays, a model Tudor Village and a dolphin fountain.
• Melbourne Park - Home to 26 tennis courts as well as the Australian Open Tennis Championships.
• Olympic Park - A sports complex with soccer, rugby, basketball, athletics, and concert facilities.
• National Gallery of Victoria - The focal point of an exciting variety of international blockbuster art exhibitions. It also hosts a rich Australian collection.
• Museum of Victoria - Features Aboriginal exhibits, dinosaurs, the Melbourne Planetarium, the Children's Museum and touring exhibitions.
• Museum of Chinese Australian History - Traces the history of the Chinese people in Australia.
• Immigration Museum - Discover stories about the dreams, aspirations, achievements and disappointments of people from all over the world who have re -settled in Victoria from the early 1800's to the present day.
• Old Melbourne Gaol - Victoria's oldest surviving penal establishment depicting prison life in the 19th Century. Displays include the death masks and memorabilia of some of Melbourne's most notorious criminals.
• COMO Historic House and Garden - Explore the life and social history of the Armytage family as it was in the 1920/30's.
• Cook's Cottage - Commemorates the voyages of the famous Captain James Cook.
• Latrobe's Cottage - A living reminder of the history of the colony of Victoria.
• Old Treasury Building - Symbolises the wealth of the gold rush era, and showcases a diverse ongoing program of exhibitions.
• Shrine of Remembrance - Commemorates those persons who served for Australia in the war.
• St Francis's Church - The oldest Catholic Church in Victoria and the original cathedral church of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne.
• St Patrick's Cathedral - A splendid example of Gothic Revival Architecture.
• St John's Southgate - A building integrated architecturally and functionally with the Southgate Complex.
• Royal Mint - Contains important collections belonging to the Royal Historical Society of Victoria.
• Southgate Sunday Market - Offers high quality arts and crafts.
• Bourke St Mall - Contains a range of shops and arcades as well as two large department stores.
• Melbourne Central - Houses over 160 stores including restaurants and boutiques.
• Victorian Arts Centre - The focal point of Melbourne's social and cultural scene. Features include performances of music, drama, ballet and opera.
• Queen Victoria Market - The largest outdoor market in the world with over 1000 traders on display. Items include food, fashion, plants, crafts, souvenirs and fresh produce.
• Melbourne Cricket Ground - Famous for all top cricket and football events and concerts.
• St Paul's Cathedral - A gothic style Anglican cathedral containing mosaics, carvings and stained glass

Top Local Activities

• Tram Rides - Take a tram ride on the FREE City Circle Tram service which takes in some of Melbourne's major attractions.
• Tours of Government House - Take a tour through the first Government house and the present one.
• River Cruises - Take a cruise either towards the historic Port Melbourne or upriver past the scenic river gardens to Herring Island.
• Shopping - Shopping at Bourke St Mall and Melbourne Central. Also discount outlets located in Richmond, Fitzroy, Niddrie and Cheltenham.
• Live Entertainment - Melbourne is home to a number of entertainment complexes including the Crown Entertainment Complex, The Melbourne Concert Hall, the Playhouse, the Sidney Myer Music Bowl and the State Theatre.
• Swanson Street Walk - Provides the perfect location from which to explore the many shops and cafes where you can relax and be entertained.
• Williamstown Bay and River Cruises - Offer spectacular views of the city of Melbourne.
• Alexandra Park. - Walking, cycling and jogging in Alexandra Park.
• Dining - Melbourne has many great restaurant precincts with food from practically every nation. Riverside Apartments is surrounded by numerous choices of cuisine.
• Wineries - Day trips to the wineries in the region surrounding Melbourne.
• Day Tours - to famous Penguins and Phillip Island, Puffing Billy, Scenic Great Ocean Road and The Grampians.