Visit Federation SquareMust-See SightsFederation Square sits at the corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets and acts as Melbourne's central meeting point. The patterned zinc-and-glass facade is divisive; the free galleries and events inside are worth checking.0 Add to listVisit Federation SquareMust-See SightsFederation Square sits at the corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets and acts as Melbourne's central meeting point. The patterned zinc-and-glass facade is divisive; the free galleries and events inside are worth checking.0 Add to list
Walk Hosier Lane's Graffiti-Covered AlleysMust-See SightsHosier Lane in the CBD is Melbourne's most famous graffiti alley, with constantly rotating street art. Worth a look, though it's rarely quiet. AC/DC Lane and Caledonian Lane nearby are good follow-ons.0 Add to listWalk Hosier Lane's Graffiti-Covered AlleysMust-See SightsHosier Lane in the CBD is Melbourne's most famous graffiti alley, with constantly rotating street art. Worth a look, though it's rarely quiet. AC/DC Lane and Caledonian Lane nearby are good follow-ons.0 Add to list
Browse Queen Victoria MarketMust-See SightsWith KidsSummerA large working market a short walk from the CBD, open most days except Monday and Wednesday. Good for fresh produce, deli goods and a browse — busier on weekends, and there's a night market in summer.0 Add to listBrowse Queen Victoria MarketMust-See SightsWith KidsSummerA large working market a short walk from the CBD, open most days except Monday and Wednesday. Good for fresh produce, deli goods and a browse — busier on weekends, and there's a night market in summer.0 Add to list
Stroll the Royal Botanic GardensMust-See SightsWith KidsFree gardens a short walk from the CBD with lake walks, a kids' garden and good city views from the southern end. Easy with kids, good for a slow hour away from the streets.0 Add to listStroll the Royal Botanic GardensMust-See SightsWith KidsFree gardens a short walk from the CBD with lake walks, a kids' garden and good city views from the southern end. Easy with kids, good for a slow hour away from the streets.0 Add to list
Explore the National Gallery of VictoriaMust-See SightsPaidThe National Gallery of Victoria on St Kilda Road is Australia's oldest and most-visited public art museum. Free permanent collection; ticketed major exhibitions. The water wall entrance is worth seeing.0 Add to listExplore the National Gallery of VictoriaMust-See SightsPaidThe National Gallery of Victoria on St Kilda Road is Australia's oldest and most-visited public art museum. Free permanent collection; ticketed major exhibitions. The water wall entrance is worth seeing.0 Add to list
Tour the MCGMust-See SightsWith KidsPaidThe MCG is one of the world's largest cricket/football stadiums. When there's no game, guided tours run daily and cover the players' rooms and the National Sports Museum. Worth it if sport history interests you.0 Add to listTour the MCGMust-See SightsWith KidsPaidThe MCG is one of the world's largest cricket/football stadiums. When there's no game, guided tours run daily and cover the players' rooms and the National Sports Museum. Worth it if sport history interests you.0 Add to list
Ride Up to Eureka SkydeckMust-See SightsPaidThe Eureka Skydeck is on the 88th floor of the Eureka Tower in Southbank. Ticketed, with a glass-floor 'Edge' box if you want the extra thrill. Good views, though Melbourne's flat skyline means there's not much variety.0 Add to listRide Up to Eureka SkydeckMust-See SightsPaidThe Eureka Skydeck is on the 88th floor of the Eureka Tower in Southbank. Ticketed, with a glass-floor 'Edge' box if you want the extra thrill. Good views, though Melbourne's flat skyline means there's not much variety.0 Add to list
Walk the St Kilda Pier and EsplanadeMust-See SightsWith KidsSt Kilda has a pier, a beach esplanade, the heritage Luna Park at the gate and a strip of cafes on Acland Street. Easy to reach by tram from the CBD and a good afternoon stop.0 Add to listWalk the St Kilda Pier and EsplanadeMust-See SightsWith KidsSt Kilda has a pier, a beach esplanade, the heritage Luna Park at the gate and a strip of cafes on Acland Street. Easy to reach by tram from the CBD and a good afternoon stop.0 Add to list
Pat the Stolen DogFun Side QuestsAt the corner of Swanston and Collins, a bronze dog called Larry La Trobe sits on a plinth. The original was stolen in 1995 and never returned — this is the replacement. Small but genuinely funny to know about.0 Add to listPat the Stolen DogFun Side QuestsAt the corner of Swanston and Collins, a bronze dog called Larry La Trobe sits on a plinth. The original was stolen in 1995 and never returned — this is the replacement. Small but genuinely funny to know about.0 Add to list
Find the Miniature Art Gallery in Presgrave PlaceFun Side QuestsPresgrave Place off Howey Place in the CBD is lined with mismatched picture frames, tiny figurines and small installations. Takes five minutes to walk through. Easy to combine with a Hosier Lane visit.0 Add to listFind the Miniature Art Gallery in Presgrave PlaceFun Side QuestsPresgrave Place off Howey Place in the CBD is lined with mismatched picture frames, tiny figurines and small installations. Takes five minutes to walk through. Easy to combine with a Hosier Lane visit.0 Add to list
Order Watermelon Granita at Pellegrini's on Bourke StreetLocal FoodLocal RitualsPellegrini's at 66 Bourke Street has been open since 1954 and looks unchanged — vinyl stools, Italian bar food, a coffee machine that hasn't moved. Order the watermelon granita. The neon sign outside is heritage-listed.0 Add to listOrder Watermelon Granita at Pellegrini's on Bourke StreetLocal FoodLocal RitualsPellegrini's at 66 Bourke Street has been open since 1954 and looks unchanged — vinyl stools, Italian bar food, a coffee machine that hasn't moved. Order the watermelon granita. The neon sign outside is heritage-listed.0 Add to list
Salute Bon in AC/DC LaneFun Side QuestsAC/DC Lane is Melbourne's only laneway officially named after a band. The Bon Scott sculpture is at the far end — a good air-guitar photo stop. The laneway also has a few bars and live music venues.0 Add to listSalute Bon in AC/DC LaneFun Side QuestsAC/DC Lane is Melbourne's only laneway officially named after a band. The Bon Scott sculpture is at the far end — a good air-guitar photo stop. The laneway also has a few bars and live music venues.0 Add to list
Grab a Bagel at Manchester Press in Rankins LaneLocal FoodManchester Press is tucked down Rankins Lane near Bourke Street and does chewy New York-style bagels. The fit-out uses old printing equipment from the press that used to operate here.0 Add to listGrab a Bagel at Manchester Press in Rankins LaneLocal FoodManchester Press is tucked down Rankins Lane near Bourke Street and does chewy New York-style bagels. The fit-out uses old printing equipment from the press that used to operate here.0 Add to list
Look Up at Coop's Shot Tower in Melbourne CentralFun Side QuestsInside Melbourne Central shopping centre, a full 1889 brick shot tower stands under an 84-metre glass cone. It's one of the stranger heritage preservation decisions you'll encounter — look up when you enter.0 Add to listLook Up at Coop's Shot Tower in Melbourne CentralFun Side QuestsInside Melbourne Central shopping centre, a full 1889 brick shot tower stands under an 84-metre glass cone. It's one of the stranger heritage preservation decisions you'll encounter — look up when you enter.0 Add to list
Find the Mad Scientist's BarFun Side QuestsThe Croft Institute is a bar in Croft Alley behind Chinatown, styled as a science lab — drinks come in beakers and syringes. Finding the door in the alley is the first challenge.0 Add to listFind the Mad Scientist's BarFun Side QuestsThe Croft Institute is a bar in Croft Alley behind Chinatown, styled as a science lab — drinks come in beakers and syringes. Finding the door in the alley is the first challenge.0 Add to list
Hunt the Glowing-Eyed FlowersFun Side QuestsBullens Lane near the CBD has murals by artist Mimi Leung — quirky characters and flowers painted across the alley walls. Short and easy to walk through; worth five minutes if you're laneway-hunting.0 Add to listHunt the Glowing-Eyed FlowersFun Side QuestsBullens Lane near the CBD has murals by artist Mimi Leung — quirky characters and flowers painted across the alley walls. Short and easy to walk through; worth five minutes if you're laneway-hunting.0 Add to list
Find Blender Lane, the Unmarked AlleyFun Side QuestsBlender Lane is an unmarked dead-end off Franklin Street near Queen Victoria Market. No signage, just a full-coverage alley of stencils and paste-up art. Trust the lack of signs and look for the chaos.0 Add to listFind Blender Lane, the Unmarked AlleyFun Side QuestsBlender Lane is an unmarked dead-end off Franklin Street near Queen Victoria Market. No signage, just a full-coverage alley of stencils and paste-up art. Trust the lack of signs and look for the chaos.0 Add to list
Dine in a Train on a RoofLocal FoodEasey's in Collingwood has two graffitied train carriages on the roof. You eat burgers seven floors up with city views. Take the stairs — there's no shortcut, but the view from the top is the point.0 Add to listDine in a Train on a RoofLocal FoodEasey's in Collingwood has two graffitied train carriages on the roof. You eat burgers seven floors up with city views. Take the stairs — there's no shortcut, but the view from the top is the point.0 Add to list
Run a Lap of the Tan Track Around the Botanic GardensActiveLocal RitualsThe Tan Track is a 3.8km gravel loop around the Royal Botanic Gardens, used heavily by Melbourne runners at lunchtime and on weekends. HeartBreak Hill on Anderson Street is the only real climb. Digital lap clocks are installed.0 Add to listRun a Lap of the Tan Track Around the Botanic GardensActiveLocal RitualsThe Tan Track is a 3.8km gravel loop around the Royal Botanic Gardens, used heavily by Melbourne runners at lunchtime and on weekends. HeartBreak Hill on Anderson Street is the only real climb. Digital lap clocks are installed.0 Add to list
Run the St Kilda Foreshore at SunriseActiveLocal RitualsA paved bayside path runs along St Kilda Beach toward Luna Park. Good early morning run — flat, well-lit and easy to extend in either direction. Acland Street bakeries open from around 7am for a post-run stop.0 Add to listRun the St Kilda Foreshore at SunriseActiveLocal RitualsA paved bayside path runs along St Kilda Beach toward Luna Park. Good early morning run — flat, well-lit and easy to extend in either direction. Acland Street bakeries open from around 7am for a post-run stop.0 Add to list
Splash Through the Ian Potter Children's GardenActiveWith KidsThe Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden inside the Royal Botanic Gardens is free and fenced, with water channels, a tree-house and climbing areas. Open Wednesday to Sunday — check before promising anyone.0 Add to listSplash Through the Ian Potter Children's GardenActiveWith KidsThe Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden inside the Royal Botanic Gardens is free and fenced, with water channels, a tree-house and climbing areas. Open Wednesday to Sunday — check before promising anyone.0 Add to list
Conquer the Birrarung Marr rope pyramidFun Side QuestsWith KidsThe riverside playground next to ArtPlay behind Federation Square has a rope pyramid, spiral slides and a group hammock. Free, right on the Yarra, and easy to combine with a Fed Square visit.0 Add to listConquer the Birrarung Marr rope pyramidFun Side QuestsWith KidsThe riverside playground next to ArtPlay behind Federation Square has a rope pyramid, spiral slides and a group hammock. Free, right on the Yarra, and easy to combine with a Fed Square visit.0 Add to list
Walk Through Mr Moon's Mouth at St Kilda's Luna ParkFun Side QuestsWith KidsPaidLuna Park at St Kilda has a giant grinning face as its entrance — you walk through the open mouth to get in. You can see the face and the heritage Scenic Railway from outside for free. Rides are ticketed.0 Add to listWalk Through Mr Moon's Mouth at St Kilda's Luna ParkFun Side QuestsWith KidsPaidLuna Park at St Kilda has a giant grinning face as its entrance — you walk through the open mouth to get in. You can see the face and the heritage Scenic Railway from outside for free. Rides are ticketed.0 Add to list
