The lively southern city is best known for its coffee culture, mad sports fans, and hip arts scene. Wander Melbourne’s graffiti-laden laneways in search of cool bars, venture to St Kilda for beach vibes and the seaside, and look up the city’s packed events calendar to see what’s happening while you’re in town.
The eclectic cultural capital has something to entertain every type of traveller, and here are some unique experiences to help you build a better bucket list in Melbourne.
But don’t worry, we will also recommend some classic must-do attractions and the best places to stay in Melbourne for first timers, so keep reading.
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Unmissable bucket-list experiences in Melbourne
Take a Street Art Tour in Melbourne
The laneways and arcades that snake through Melbourne CBD conceal a hidden city. If you know where to look, you’ll find one of the world’s most renowned underground art and culture scenes.
While you accidentally see glimpses of it walking around, an organised tour will lead you directly to the most striking art and locations and reveal the fascinating stories behind them.
Once you learn about paste-ups, graffiti, yarnbombing and blanking out, you’ll never look at any city the same way again.
Get tips from your local guide and return after dark to see the laneways in a new light, when the city’s coolest secret underground bars, restaurants and galleries fling open their doors.
Experience the Old Melbourne Gaol Ghost Tour
It’s a creepy enough building during the day, and that’s when it’s just a historical museum. At night, the echo-chamber passageways and thick cells of the Old Gaol reveal a far more disturbing atmosphere.
A convincing storyteller will share true-life ghost stories as you tour through the historic and grim cellblocks. Walk carefully in the dark or else you might trip over more than just your imagination!
The Old Melbourne Gaol is a chilling space that inspires the mind to wander off... The death mask of Ned Kelly, and other convicts hanged on site, certainly add to the dark atmosphere.
Go on Puffing Billy
Old-world rail travel has always been romantic. When this narrow-gauge track was decommissioned in the 1950s, it was reborn as a volunteer-run leisure railway, with steam locomotives taking visitors through the Dandenong Ranges for picnics along the way. Bliss!
Climb aboard Puffing Billy, a nostalgic experience for any Melbournian. On board, it’s a festive and family-friendly atmosphere, with guests encouraged to sit on the edges of the open-air carriages, swinging their legs in the breeze.
Puffing Billy is a Greater Melbourne icon and a must-do list favourite for exploring nature outside the city, especially if you're travelling with the family. You’ll find even more ideas in our guide to things to do with kids in Melbourne.
Step out onto Melbourne Skydeck’s Edge
Get your kicks at the highest public viewing deck in the southern hemisphere. The Melbourne Skydeck gives visitors stellar 360-degree views of the sprawling city, and the most popular attraction puts the streets (and the Oaks Southbank) literally beneath your feet.
The first of its kind, The Edge is a glass cube that extends out from the 88th-floor viewing deck, nearly 300 metres above the ground. Dare to step out into the suspended space, complete with sound effects of glass breaking, adding to the thrills.
It’s the perfect location to dare your mates, face your fears or plan a special moment… a proposal perhaps?
Experience Melbourne Zoo’s Roar n’ Snore Overnight Camp
Some 10,000 people can pack into the world-renowned Melbourne Zoo every day, so imagine having the place to yourself at night when many of the dozy-by-day animals are actually awake.
Melbourne Zoo’s Roar n’ Snore experience not only lets you behind the gates at night, but it also takes you behind the scenes for a special tour with the keepers.
As one of the “animals” sleeping at the zoo that night, you’ll be fed dinner and hear wild animal stories before settling in for the night in the historic Elephant Enclosure.
In the morning, wake up to the call of gibbons and exotic birds and enjoy a quick breakfast before joining a keeper on an early morning run around the park. Get up close to your favourite animals and discover what the life of a zookeeper is like.
If you’ve always wanted the chance to sleep in a canvas tent surrounded by the sounds of exotic animals, this is it. The following day, you’ll have a pass to explore the zoo at your own pace. BYO sleeping bag, pillow and sense of adventure.
Classic Melbourne must-sees for first-time visitors
Once you’ve ticked off the bucket-list highlights, Melbourne’s must-do classics are waiting.
Play to the gallery
The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is one of the most precious gems in the city, and a cultural highlight that easily belongs on any Melbourne bucket list.
Not only is it the oldest and most visited gallery in Australia, but with its wide range of international and local artists, exhibitions, programs and events, the history collected within its walls spans thousands of years and contains a wealth of ideas, disciplines and styles.
From contemporary art to major international historic exhibitions, the NGV holds more than 76,000 pieces of work, which makes it the most significant collection of art in the region. And it's definitely worth a visit.
A day at the Melbourne Museum
Want to indulge your cultural side? Melbourne Museum, which hosts an ever-rotating line-up of interactive exhibits in Carlton Gardens on the northeastern edge of the CBD, is the perfect place to do so.
From The Forest Gallery to The Science and Life Gallery, this museum has everything you need to explore the natural and cultural history of the area.
Browse the Melbourne markets
One of the world’s most iconic marketplaces, Queen Victoria Market, is another must-see location when you’re visiting Melbourne. Since its opening in 1878, the Market has been serving the Melbourne area for over 140 years.
Often referred to as ‘Vic Market’ or ‘Queen Vic’ by locals, it was added to the National Heritage List because of its connections to the early colonial population of Melbourne. Spread over seven hectares and two city blocks in the CBD, it’s the largest open-air market in the southern hemisphere.
It’s a great way to take a step back in time and appreciate the city’s rich history, while browsing the clothes, gourmet food, and souvenirs sold by more than 600 vendors. . A true bucket-list experience in Melbourne for anyone wanting to discover the city’s authentic character!
Take an ocean-side stroll
Wanting a scenic experience that’s a little closer to the ground? St Kilda Pier and Breakwater is the perfect place to see panoramic views of the Melbourne skyline and Port Phillip Bay.
Dating all the way back to the mid-1800s as an early working jetty, the breakwater was constructed for the 1956 Melbourne Olympics.
Immerse yourself in nature and history, treat yourself to a snack from the heritage kiosk, or try to catch a glimpse of the penguins and rakali (native water rats), either way, you’ll leave feeling invigorated and content.
Explore the Great Ocean Road
Visit the infamous 12 Apostles, get up close and personal to native wildlife, and take in the views of iconic surf breaks, pristine rainforests and misty waterfalls along the Great Ocean Road.
You can go bushwalking, surfing, or mountain biking, or take the cultural route and stop by galleries and museums along the way. Make sure you rug up as this beautiful environmental escape often carries some chilling ocean breezes, especially in winter.
Have a Garden party
Escape the pressures of day-to-day life and immerse yourself in the calming nature at the Royal Botanic Gardens. With historic spots such as Guilfoyle’s Volcano (disclaimer: not an actual volcano) and the magical Children’s Garden, and popular cafés like The Terrace and Jardin Tan, this is the place to sit back and enjoy gorgeous vistas, tranquil lakes and a stunning array of natural flora and fauna.
Catch a match at the MCG
Established in 1853, the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is known amongst locals as the ‘home of sport’. The MCG has been the home of Australian football (AFL) since 1859 and served as the foundation of modern-day Test cricket and one-day international cricket in 1877 and 1971, respectively.
This iconic destination is affectionately referred to as “The G” by locals and is situated in Yarra Park, just a 10-minute walk from the CBD. You can participate in guided tours of this venue to enjoy an exclusive sneak peek at the inner workings of one of the world’s most iconic sports stadiums.
Melbourne, done your way
Of course, this list only scratches the surface when it comes to activities on offer for you to put on your Melbourne bucket list. There’s dozens of options designed to suit every individual, but in our (not so) humble opinion, the locations on this list are some of the best.
If you’re visiting Melbourne for the first time, finding the best place to stay can make all the difference. Stay at Oaks Hotels and give yourself the freedom to visit the city at your own pace, with space to stretch out and settle in when the day winds down.
