If you’ve recently moved to Melbourne, you’re just going through for a visit, or you’ve lived there for years, it can be difficult to know the best things to do in Melbourne!
From the gorgeous beaches and impressive parks to the street art and sporting events, Melbourne is a city that can meet many different interests.
Stay in the city centre, a key hub for activities and transportation in Melbourne, and explore the sports-culture Melbourne is known for and the world-renowned coffee culture. Or, get out of the city a bit to hit Brighton Beach or sip on delicious wine in the Yarra Valley!
No matter what you choose to do, I’m sure you’ll have an amazing time in Melbourne Australia.
Check out this list of 10 fun things to do in Melbourne Australia to get you started!
1. Go Coffee Shop Hopping in South Melbourne
If you’re plugged into coffee culture, you know that Melbourne ranks near the top of the list for coffee lovers.
The coffee culture in Melbourne is spectacular; it’s even known to offer some of the best coffee you can find in the world. The city owes this heritage to the influx of Greek and Italian immigrants following WWII, who brought their love of espresso.
Now, Melbourne is teeming with excellent coffee shops and regularly produces top-ranked baristas, who are coveted for their skill and innovative approach. Make sure you get a taste of this! Coffee shop hopping is one of the best things to do in South Melbourne.
Don’t forget a trip to the famous South Melbourne Market by visiting renowned coffee spots, such as St Ali and Chez Dre!
You won’t regret it!
2. Get Sporty with the MCG
In case you hadn’t yet noticed yet, Australian Rules Football is king in Melbourne! Australian Rule Football is the national sport of Australia, which takes up residence in Melbourne during their autumn and winter seasons.
If you’re in town during this special season, you should catch a game at the MCG (colloquially known as simply “the G”). Even if you’re not a fan of Australian Rules Football, the energy around the sport and the engagement during games makes it worth the visit!
Melbourne Sports Tours offer a comprehensive experience for sports enthusiasts, allowing visitors to explore iconic sporting venues like the MCG, Flemington, and Melbourne Park in a single day, making it an essential part of any trip to Melbourne.
Throughout the year, you can catch other events at the MCG as well, such as other sporting events and concerts. If you can’t find a game that works for you, consider taking a guided tour of the stadium, which will immerse you in MCG’s history and give you a behind-the-scenes look!
Whether you’re a sports fan or not, visiting the MCG for a game is undoubtedly one of the fun things to do in Melbourne CBD!
3. Visit the Royal Botanic Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens are Melbourne’s lush garden getaway in the middle of the city. It is a can’t-miss spot for locals and visitors alike.
Whether you want to take a walk, explore the Ornamental Lake, or try for an urban picnic, you’re bound to find bliss in the Royal Botanic Gardens!
Plus, the garden staff is constantly putting on events and shows to make your time there even more magical.
From daily tours to special nighttime cinema events, these gardens consistently rank as one of the fun things to do in Melbourne.
4. Take a Street Art Tour
Many people in Melbourne overlook this option, since stunning street art seems to be everywhere in the city!
Beginning as an underground arts movement in the 1980’s, street art has had a prominent place in Melbourne’s streets and popular culture for many years.
Story has it the movement truly began with Keith Haring’s mural in the Collingwood Arts Precinct, which depicts a vibrant scene of simple figures on a brick wall.
Now, there is street art all over the city and taking it in is certainly one of the cool things in Melbourne. If you want to get the full story, there are plenty of tour options offered.
If you’d rather explore on your own, starting at Flinders Street Station will give you easy access to several popular street art spots. Make sure you’ve got your camera ready!
5. Lay Out on Brighton Beach and See the Brighton Beach Boxes
If you’re willing to venture out of the city centre, visiting Brighton Beach is one of the best things to do in South Melbourne! Not only is Port Phillip Bay great for taking a swim or laying out for some sunshine, Brighton Beach holds one of Melbourne’s iconic views: the Brighton Beach Boxes!
You may have seen these brightly coloured little shacks on social media. They are some of the most popular real estate in Brighton, coveted as convenient places to store all the goodies needed for a great day at the beach (without having to lug anything around).
Another popular beach destination in Melbourne is St Kilda Beach, known for its vibrant atmosphere and nearby attractions like the iconic Espy pub and tram routes connecting visitors to various points of interest.
Although they were originally places for women to change on the beach, these beach boxes have grown to the level of local lore.
By taking you out of the city centre, you’ll get a glance at one of Melbourne’s most sought-after suburbs and experience the colourful creativity of the beach boxes!
6. Take in the Famous Pink Lake in Westgate Park
This is a fun thing to do in Port Melbourne, if you hit your timing right! Generally, from summer to autumn, Westgate Park has a lake that turns bright pink.
It’s a natural wonder, owing to the lake’s salty conditions that make it the perfect home for a particular type of single-celled algae. When the weather is right, the algae generates pink carotenoids to assist in photosynthesis.
It creates a bubblegum pink look on the lake, which is a truly incredible natural phenomenon!
If you’re a birder, Westgate Park is also a popular spot for bird watching thanks to the regenerated habitats for majestic birds like swans and pelicans. If you hit the right season, check out this fun gem in Port Melbourne!
7. Get Out of Town and Explore the Yarra Valley
You’ll find one of the fun things to do in Melbourne Australia just outside of the city in the Yarra Valley! Within 1.5 hours of the city centre, you’ll get to the Yarra Valley with sweeping views of the vineyards and mountains behind.
On your way to the Yarra Valley, you can enjoy activities along the scenic Yarra River, such as kayaking and biking.
The Yarra Valley is a distinguished wine region in Australia, known for its Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays.
The vineyards in this area stretch back to the 1800’s and have strong infrastructure for wineries and wine tasting. If you want to taste some of the local favourites, check out Domaine Chandon or Yileena Park!
While not technically in the city, exploring the Yarra Valley is one of the fun things to do near Melbourne.
8. Look for Ghosts at Old Melbourne Gaol
For a different sort of night out, head to the Old Melbourne Gaol for an after-hours tour! Located near the State Library Victoria, Old Melbourne Gaol used to be a jail that housed everyone from petty criminals and the homeless to top criminals.
Most known for the hanging of infamous criminal, Ned Kelly, the prison was converted into a penal museum in 1972.
If you visit at night, you can take the Hangman’s Night Tour, which gives you a haunting tour of the prison’s dark stories. Undoubtedly, one of the unique, distinctively Melbourne things to do at night!
9. Check Out Innovative Arcade and Gaming Spots
Melbourne has lots of unique, nighttime activities to do, such as arcades and gaming spots designed specifically for adults! In Newquay, you’ll find Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq Melbourne, which features loads of classic arcade games and full-sized machines. Immersed in this environment, you may even feel like a kid again.
These arcade and gaming spots are especially popular on Saturday night, contributing to Melbourne’s vibrant nightlife. You’ll find lots of people drawn to these arcades as Melbourne things to do at night!
For a more immersive experience, check out Zero Latency for virtual reality games! At their enormous warehouse in North Melbourne, you can battle virtual zombies or beat down robots in space. It is definitely one of the fun things to do in Melbourne Australia, especially if you have a large group in tow!
10. Check the Local Museums Out
Another historical site to visit is the Melbourne Museum, which offers insights into Melbourne’s rich cultural heritage through the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre, showcasing Indigenous stories and artworks.
Additionally, the museum features extensive exhibits on natural history, science, and social history, including the Phar Lap exhibit, where you can see the preserved remains of Australia’s most famous racehorse. The museum’s immersive displays and interactive exhibits make it an engaging experience for visitors of all ages.
Exploring the Best Fun Things to Do in Melbourne
This is just a sampling of the fun things you can do in Melbourne!
Whether you’re a seasoned local, new expat, or visitor passing through, add one of these unique activities to your list for added fun.
As a vibrant festival city, Melbourne hosts a diverse array of events throughout the year, catering to various interests such as food, culture, movies, and books.
No matter what you decide to do with your time, you’re guaranteed to have a great time and discover some of the things that make Melbourne such a special place to live and visit!
