100 Things to Do in Melbourne That are Actually Cool

You read that right: 100 things to do in Melbourne. Go ahead, count them; there are truly enough things to do in Melbourne to last a hundred lifetimes. If you don’t know me already, Melbourne is one of my favorite cities in the whole world. It’s truly something special – it’s a hub for amazing food, coffee, fashion, live music, museums, festivals, events, galleries, and more. The only thing you CANNOT enjoy in this city is predictable weather! 😛

After living in Melbourne for over 2 years, working as a tour guide in the city, exploring every inch of Victoria, and writing dozens of articles about my experiences, I finally bring you my comprehensive list of 100 things to do in Melbourne. I’ve organized them by category and always linked to specific guides for certain places so you can have ENDLESS information.

Make sure to check out my 50 Places to Visit in Melbourne article for a similar travel guide that is broken down by location rather than the category of things to do. The guide above has an introduction to Melbourne with important info to know before you go, so open that one up in a new tab if it’s your first time to Melbs and you’re ready to dive right on in.

Must-Do Top 10 Things to Do in Melbourne

Here are my top 10-ish things to do in Melbourne. These are the most popular Melbourne activities and the things that most tourists will want to get done while here.

Before you arrive, make sure you have the correct Australian visa and pack for all kinds of weather – sunshine and storms included!

Explore the Colorful Street Art Laneways in the CBD

Melbourne is nearly synonymous with colorful laneways these days because of the sheer amount of them in the Central Business District (CBD). Some of the most popular are AC/DC Lane, Hosier Lane, and Presgrave Place for street art. If you want to sit down for a meal, check out Degraves St, Hardware Lane, and Block Pl.

Visit Federation Square and Museums

Federation Square can be considered the ‘main’ square and open space of Melbourne. Constructed with experimental designs and interesting architecture, ‘Fed Square’ is home to three different museums, many restaurants and bars, and a huge concert/live event area with big screens. It’s basically Melbourne’s small times square!

Locate Some Amazing Hidden Laneway Bars

Finding hidden laneway bars is one of the top 5, not top 100 things to do in Melbourne. If you love a bit of a mystery/adventure and love a very high-quality cocktail or interesting experience, spend some time visiting ‘hidden’ bars in the city and Fitzroy. Luckily I have created an entire guide to the best hidden bars in Melbourne here.

Eat a Real Melbourne Brunch

Melbourne is known for its food – and especially for its amazing and creative breakfast and brunch dishes. It’s easy to find a high-quality cafe in any part of the city, but the CBD and Southbank have them nearly on every corner. Check out my guide to the best breakfast and brunch in Melbourne CBD to choose your favorite.

Visit St Kilda Beach and Soak Up Some Sun

St Kilda is Melbourne’s ‘local’ beach and is a cultural center in itself. The beach isn’t the most picturesque in the world, but it’s an integral part of Melbourne and worth visiting. Spend some time on the sand, walking along the beach boardwalk, visiting the famous clown-faced Luna Park, picnicking in Catani Gardens, or exploring bars and restaurants along Acland and Fitzroy Streets.

Queen Victoria Market

Any trip to Melbourne is incomplete without shopping at Queen Victoria Market. It is an open-air market that was established nearly 120 years ago. Spend your day strolling through the market and exploring a variety of stalls, such as for food, clothing, veggies, fruits and many more small goods. It is popular for locals to get their weekly shopping done.

This place is going to be your big time investment as the market is so huge that you cannot cover the whole of it in a single day.

Explore the Hipster Area of Fitzroy

Melbourne is also famously hipster, and you really can;t get more hipster than on Melbourne’s ‘north side,’ specifically an area called Fitzroy. Fitzroy is known for grungy bars, amazing food, rooftops, street art, and markets, and is worth a visit to get a different Melbourne vibe than the city center. Check out my guide of things to do in Fitzroy, or if you are into cool bars, a map and guide to the best bars in Fitzroy.

Take a Train to Flinders Street Train Station

Flinders Street Train Station is perhaps the most iconic building in Melbourne, with its red and yellow brick and green dome top. This main strain station has a fascinating history (and even a scandalous legend that its plan was swapped with the famous Mumbai Victoria Station), and is one of the top things to see in the Melbourne CBD.

Eat Some Dumplings in Chinatown

Melbourne has one of the oldest Chinatowns in the world, as it welcomed many Chinese immigrants during the gold rush of 1851. Chinatown stretches for a few blocks of the CBD on Little Bourke Street, and is home to many hidden bars, a Chinese Museum, and most notably TONS of Chinese food! There are dumpling houses around every corner, and they will be cheap and authentic.

Take in Epic Views for Sunset at the Eureka Skydeck

Whether you are into touristy things to do in Melbourne or not, everyone loves a good view… right?! The Eureka Skydeck is on the 88th floor of the Eureka Tower on Southbank, making it the highest viewing platform in the southern hemisphere. From up there you will get 360 degree views over ALL of Melbourne, the Yarra River, the Olympic precinct, the CBD, ST Kilda, the Botanic Gardens, and more.

I recommend this as one of the first things you do in Melbourne so you get a feel for how the city is laid out before you explore it. Get discounted Tickets Ahead of time Online!

Free Things to do in Melbourne

Everyone loves free, right?! Melbourne may be expensive but these things to do are not.

Check Out the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) Museum

The National Gallery, or the NGV, is probably the most popular museum in Melbourne, with the big white spire in the sky next to it. This museum has tons of different exhibitions of national and international artists, some fascinating traveling exhibitions, and always something exciting to see.

Visit the Shrine of Remembrance Museum + Viewpoint

The Shrine of Remembrance is a free War Museum located in the green botanic gardens on Southbank. It traces each war that Australia has been a part of and features an incredible central tomb and upper-level balcony. The balconies here are actually my second favorite view in Melbourne, as you can see the whole skyline from them. And, they are completely free!

Wander/Picnic the Melbourne Botanical Gardens

Melbourne also has some of the largest Botanical Gardens in the hemisphere, and you can truly get lost in them. You can explore landscapes from that of a desert to jungle, find secluded shade for a picnic, or even catch an outdoor movie.

Visit the State Library of Victoria

Visiting the State Library of Victoria may sound boring, but I assure you it is worth a trip. The State Library has lots of museum exhibits with art and historical artifacts from Melbourne’s fascinating history, and an absolutely incredible reading room. And by reading room, I mean a 5-story skylit dome with millions of books on bookshelves lining it. There are dozens of old wooden tables where you can access free wifi and get some work done in a beautiful setting.

Take a Stroll along the Yarra in Southbank

Southbank is essentially an extension of the CBD on the south side of the Yarra River. Southbank features a beautiful promenade walking area that lines the river for over 2 kilometers. Although this promenade passes by tons of restaurants, bars, and street performers, it’s obviously completely free to stroll along unless you decide to stop somewhere!

Check out some more things to do in Southbank in my Guide to Southbank!

Check for Penguins on the St Kilda Pier

If you don’t have time to make a trip to Phillip Island, you can see Victoria’s famous fairy penguins right near Melbourne on the St Kilda Pier. Arrive at the pier just before sunset, and wait for the tiny penguins to emerge from the water for their nightly sleep just after the sun goes down. It’s a bit of a gamble – some nights you will see dozens, and some only 2. Make sure to bundle up too – it’s cold!

Look for Street Art in the CBD

The Melbourne CBD is famous for street art, and quite a quick turnover for it, too. Wander around the smaller streets (laneways) in the CBD and see what you can find.

Walk/Run around “The Tan” Track

The most popular running trail in Melbourne rings around the Botanical Gardens for about 4km, and it is known as’ The Tan.” Walking along this trail you will see different Melbourne sights and also get a workout in while you’re at it!

Explore the Historic Arcades in the CBD

The CBD has some very historic arcades – or enclosed shopping laneways – that have been around since before 1900. Take a trip down memory lane while walking through the Block Arcade or the Royal Arcade.

Outdoorsy/Adventurous Things to Do in Melbourne

Looking to get outside in the fresh air, or out of the city entirely? These adventurous things to do in Melbourne will take you to new places.

Visit the Flying Foxes Colony in Kew

This is one of the lesser-known 100 things to do in Melbourne; many locals don’t even know about it! If you make your way to Kew (by tram) and locate on Google Maps the “Flying Fox Viewing Platform,” you will be rewarded by an incredible sight – THOUSANDS of huge ‘flying fox’ bats!

These bats sleep all day, and wake up around sunset for their nightly trip around the city to feed (on plants, don’t worry). Come at sunset for quite a show!

Take a Trail walk by the Yarra River in Abbotsford

Abbotsford has some stunning stretches of the Yarra River running through it, with trains on either side perfect for a walk. One side of the river (near the Abbotsford Convent) has paved tracks great for biking, while the other side of the river has more of a single-file trail that feels far removed from the city. Check out more things to do in Abbotsford here – I lived there and loved it!

Visit the Brighton Bathing Boxes

Brighton Beach (just south of St Kilda) is well-known for having a few dozen colorful bathing boxes lining its beach. These boxes are perfect for photos, visually pleasing, and perfectly complimentary to a day on the beach. The Mornington Peninsula Beaches are also known for having these bathing boxes if you have time for a trip down south.

Rent a Bike on the St Kilda Beach Boardwalk

If you want a bit of an outdoor adventure, rent a bike and ride it down the beach boardwalk that runs the length of the entire coastline going south from Melbourne. You can start it in Port Melbourne and quite literally end it at the tif of the Mornington Peninsula. But if you are just in it for an afternoon adventure, try riding down to Brighton Beach!

Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride at Sunrise

In for a real adventure and an awesome sunrise? Jump on a Melbourne Hot Air Balloon Ride! These balloons leave from a gorgeous green field in Yarra Bent each morning, and rise up above the city just in time for the morning sun to illuminate it in gold. This is absolutely one of the coolest adventures in Melbourne.

Try the 1000 Steps Hike in the Dandenong Ranges

Ready for a day trip and a hike into the mountains? Head just under an hour out to the Dandenong Mountain Ranges and check out a Melburnian’s favorite hike – the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk or 2000 Steps Hike. This hike will take you into a jungle-like landscape out in nature, and lead you to a fantastic view.

Do a Road Trip of the Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road is one of the best places to visit near Melbourne, and probably the most popular. Many people like to do a day tour of the Great Ocean Road if they don’t have too much time. I recommend this Great Ocean Road Day Tour with GoWest tours if you have to do a day tour.

However, if you have more time, I strongly suggest renting a car and doing the trip yourself! check out my ideal itinerary for a 2-3 day Great Ocean Road Self-Drive Trip here, and also my guide to the best accommodation on the Great Ocean Road for all budgets.

Take a Scenic Helicopter Ride Over the City or to the Yarra Valley

If you want a true adventure and one of the things to do in Melbourne that is more uncommon – try doing a Melbourne helicopter ride! There are a few companies that do helicopter tours flying over the city, some that fly to the Great Ocean Road, and some that do Yarra Valley wine tours by helicopter… cool, right? Check out my guide to the Melbourne helicopter tour options here.

Go Rock Climbing at an Indoor Gym

Melbourne actually has quite a few indoor rock climbing gyms, which is a fantastic idea for a bit of an adventure and something different. Check out Hardrock Climbing in Carlton or North Walls in Brunswick.

Go Skydiving Over the CBD

Did you know that Melbourne is one of the only places in the world you can skydive so close to an actual city? Skydive St Kilda has a drop zone right by the beach with an amazing view of the city, making it one of the most epic skydive views EVER. You can also skydive the Great Ocean Road or Yarra Valley, too. Check out my Melbourne skydiving article to look into your options with trustworthy Skydive Australia.

Road Trip to Phillip Island to See Tiny Penguins

One of the most popular day trips from Melbourne is visiting Phillip Island to see the ‘penguin parade.’ This is where a colony of thousands of tiny fairy penguins live, and many of them come out of the water each day at sunset to reach their burrows for some sleep. It’s quite a spectacle and I recommend it highly as one of the best wildlife displays around!

This Phillip Island Day Tour takes you to see the penguin parade and also to a wildlife sanctuary where you can see kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, and more too.

Book a Weekend Getaway

Melbourne is amazing, but Victoria as a whole is absolutely incredible. There are many amazing weekend getaways from Melbourne to oceans, mountains, valleys, and more.

Visit the Mornington Peninsula for Wine, Beer, and Beaches

The Mornington Peninsula is one of my favorite places to visit near Melbourne that somehow isn’t overrun with international tourists – yet. The Peninsula has some amazing beaches, from calm bay beaches with bathing boxes to turbulent surf beaches. Check out the best beaches here.

There are hundreds of Mornington Peninsula Wineries, as well as wine tours that will take you between them. If you are more into breweries, check out the best breweries I visited here. If you want to stay the weekend, check out the best Mornington Peninsula Accommodation here.

Food And Drink-Related Things to Do in Melbourne

Melbourne is known for its multicultural food. You can find amazing restaurants of every kind, and for every budget, too!

Try a “Feed Me” Set Menu at a Restaurant

Something Melbourne restaurants have started doing more and more is having a set-menu option for meals where you just say “Feed Me” and receive a huge selection of the chef’s specials and favorites for a set price. It’s not cheap, but it’s an awesome culinary adventure that’s way worth a try.

Some of the best places to try this are famous Chin Chin (asian fusion), Uncle (Vietnamese), and Mr Miyagi (Japanese), and Yeah Boy.

Try a Real Melbourne Coffee at a Laneway Cafe

Didn’t you know that Melbourne is known for having the best coffee in the world? Coffee was brought over in the 1800’s by Italian immigrants, and it has grown into the booming coffee culture the Melbourne knows today. There are nearly 1000 (yes, one thousand) cafes in the CBD today, and thousands more outside of it.

Some of the best small cafes to try are Chapter House, Patricia, and Duke Coffee Roasters.

Try Artisanal Cocktails from Professional Melbourne Bartenders

Bartenders at Melbourne’s high-end bars are not just working to get through college – they are what is called here ‘career bartenders.’ Bartending is their craft, and they love nothing more than to share that with you. Whether you choose from a crafted menu or tell the bartender the kind of flavor you want, you will surely enjoy your experience.

Some of the most incredible cocktail bars to try are: Beneath Driver Lane, Loch + Key, Little Lon Distilling Co, and Fall from Grace. For more amazing hidden and rooftop bars, check out my Melbourne Bars guide here.

Wander Chinatown Until You Find a Tiny Dumpling House

As I mentioned above, Melbourne has a FANTASTIC Chinatown. If you love delicious dumplings in a tiny hole-in-the-wall joint that is usually BYO, this is your haven. Chinatown is a perfect choice for a dinner and BYO drinks before going out. Visit my Melbourne CBD Guide for dumpling house recommendations – or just wander it yourself!

Taste a Delicious Melbourne Breakfast/Brunch at a Trendy Cafe

You didn’t visit Melbourne unless you has a trendy brunch in a rustic/industrial setting. Melbourne takes a simple smashed avocado to the next level with creative and beautiful dishes you nearly don’t even want to eat! Visit my Melbourne CBD Breakfast and Brunch Guide for the best places to go.

Do a Wine Tour to the Yarra Valley

The Yarra Valley is Melbourne’s closest and most visited wine region. Many visitors to Melbourne book a day tour to the Yarra Valley that will show off 4-5 wineries and a dairy and chocolaterie in one day. This is my recommended day tour with Autopia Tours. or if you would like to spend more time amongst the vines, check out some Yarra Valley Wineries with Accommodation.

Do a Chocolate Tour in the CBD

Yes, you heard that right… a chocolate tour! There are actually quite a few chocolateries and confectionaries around Melbourne and in the CBD, and this chocolate tour will take you amongst a few of them (while including samples, of course).

Try “Dans Le Noir” Dining in the Dark

If you haven’t heard of dining in the dark yet, it’s a phenomenon that has swept the world. This experience entails having an entire meal in COMPLETE darkness, and seeing how differently your senses react and if they perceive food the same way without sight. Dans Le Noir also employs a whole visually impaired staff, providing job opportunities that wouldn’t usually exist.

Sightseeing Things to Do in Melbourne

Yarra River Cruise – See the City from the Water

Taking a cruise on the Yarra River is a great way to see the city from the water. These tours are low-priced and include commentary as to what you are seeing as you sail along the river. Book one in advance here.

Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour

The Melbourne Hop On Hop Off Bus is loved by some and hated by some. It’s difficult for big buses to navigate the tiny laneways, so it’s limited where they can go. But there’s no denying that it’s a convenient way to get around.

Ride the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel

The Melbourne Star is like Melbourne’s smaller version of the London Eye. It’s definitely a fun experience to be had at least once. It’s a bit farther removed from the city, but the view is still great. Book in advance here.

Things to do in Melbourne at Night

Melbourne comes alive after dark! Here are things to do.

Get Amongst the Amazing Melbourne Nightlife

Melbourne has world-renowned nightlife. Whether you are looking for a dark techno club or a live band, from the CBD to grungy Chapel Street, it has it all!

Visit the Famous Esplanade “the Espy” Bar in St Kilda

“The Espy” is a famous huge white hotel/bar on the St Kilda Esplanade. It hosts hundreds of people on weekend nights between its multiple bars, dance floors, and floors of restaurants. It’s always a good time!

Visit Revolver Upstairs, the Infamous “Revs”

Revs is truly a Melbourne icon. This ‘lounge’ is a grungy club that hosts world-famous dj’s and has a true cult following among Melburnians and beyond. It only closes for an hour from Thursday/Friday to Monday afternoon – how long will you last?

Go on a Spooky Melbourne Ghost Tour

That’s right, the CBD has some haunted places and very old historical sites with spooky stories! There are ghost tours in Fitzroy also, but this ghost tour can also include a delicious dinner alongside the tour.

Visit a Rooftop Bar in the City

Melbourne is known for amazing rooftop bars. Some of my favorites are ‘peaches,’ aptly named ‘rooftop bar,’ and ‘goldilocks.’

Queen Victoria Night Market

On Wednesday nights, the Queen Victoria Market comes alive with food stalls of every possible kind. Join the crowds and try as many different kinds of food as your stomach will allow!

Find Some Elusive Hidden Laneway Bars

If you haven’t already, spend a Melbourne evening trying to locate more and more hidden bars. There are more to find than possible to visit in many months!

NGV Friday Nights

The National Gallery Museum (NGV) has a series where you can visit after-hours on a Friday night, see live music, taste special food, and visit their current exhibition without the crowds.

Try a Yarra River Dinner Cruise

If you want something a bit fancy, try taking your partner to a lovely dinner on the water on a Yarra River dinner cruise. These 4 course meals have beverages included and will present a unique view of the night city lights.

Catch Some Sports at an Aussie Pub

There are truly Aussie pubs around nearly every corner in the suburbs, and these are known for playing sports, classic dishes like chicken parma’s, draught beer, outdoor courtyards, and sometimes even pool. Fitzroy and Richmond are great places to fund Aussie pubs!

Check out an Outdoor Movie in the Summer

Melbourne has a few different sites for outdoor movies in the park during the summer. Look into Moonlight Cinema, Barefoot Cinema, and Rooftop Cinema to name a few.

Gamble at Famous Crown Casino

The Crown Casino is the largest casino is Australia and one of the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. Whether you are into gambling or not, it is always worth walking through the grandiose casino to see the massive games floors, food halls, bars, and clubs.

Catch a Live Theatre Show at One of Melbourne’s Many Theatres

Did you know Melbourne is one of the theatre capitals of the world, too? There are tons of theatres in and around the city which host plays that have been through Broadway and London. Visit the Princess Theatre, the State Theater, the Athaenium Theatre, or the Regent Theater to name a few.

Check Out a Magic Show

Yes, Melbourne even has magic shows! This Magic Show runs most nights, is affordable, and is one of the most fun things to do in Melbourne at night.

Try the Night Noodle Markets in November

In November, the grassy knolls of Birrarung Marr come alive with dozens and dozens of Asian food stands, bars, performers, chairs, and music. The night noodle markets are not to be missed in November in Melbourne.

Check out the Melbourne Planetarium

The Melbourne Planetarium is extremely underrated and is truly an awesome place to visit in Melbourne at night. They have even started doing special events and shows at night inside the planetarium.

Music-Related Things to do in Melbourne

Check out a Bush Doof

Melbourne/Victoria is home of the Aussie ‘bush doof,’ or a small colorful festival out in the middle of nowhere. Some of these small doofs have grown in popularity and size but still maintain their ethos. Here are some of the best doofs in Victoria and in Australia.

Check out a Candlelight Concert

Fever puts on incredible candlelight concerts throughout the year in Melbourne. These concerts are very special as they are truly lit up only by candles! They hold candlelight concerts at a few different romantic venues throughout the city like Meat Market and even the Sea Life Aquarium.

The concerts are mostly orchestras playing music from certain composers like Hans Zimmer or musicals such as The Nutcracker, or tributes to bands and famous artists like Radiohead, Adele, or Amy Winehouse. Check out upcoming candlelight concerts here.

Ultra Australia

One event that you cannot afford to miss attending in Melbourne if you are a music lover is the Ultra Australia. This is one of the most happening music festivals in Australia where you will get to listen to some of the world’s best musicians, including DJ Snake and Afrojack. The event takes place every year in Melbourne as well as Sydney during February or March. Whether you are a Melbourne resident or a tourist, this event is unmissable.

Catch a Live Show on the Northside

Melbourne’s north side is notoriously hipster and known for live music. Pop up to Fitzroy or Brunswick to check out some pubs and dive bars with live music on most nights.

Attend a Concert in a Stadium

When huge artists come to Melbourne, they usually play in huge stadiums such as the Rod Laver Arena or the Marvel Stadium. It’s a pretty cool experience to catch one of these!

Explore Events During Melbourne Music Week in November

Melbourne Music Week is a big to-do in the city at the beginning of summer. Visit one of hundreds of events throughout the city during this week, celebrating and and ALL kinds of music in one of the music capitals of the world.

Dance Until Sunrise at a Melbourne Nightclub

Some of Melbourne’s clubs don’t close before sunrise – and rather, stay open much later! If you want to party until the wee hours, check out Revolver Upstairs, Storyville, or Circus.

Have the Best Monday Ever at Breakfast Club

Breakfast Club is Melbourne’s famed Monday day party. The capacity it strictly limited at 100, so you MUST arrive before 9am to be one of the first 100 in line to get up to the rooftop. Endulge in house and techno beats, crazy outfits, cocktails, and fruit slices until it gets dark again.

Find a Laneway Day Party

Laneway parties are also prominent in a city famous for laneways! Check out the Hatch Laneway Fiesta, Duke Street Block Party, and more.

Attend a Sunday Piknik Electronik

Sunday in the summer means daytime fun in the sun with house and techno music at Picnik Electronik. These are held Sunday afternoons in the grass with renowned dj’s at the Sidney Myer music bowl in the Botanical Gardens.

Amazing Events to Attend in Melbourne

Check out the Formula 1 Races

The Australian Grand Prix is held in Albert Park, just south of the city, each March. Many travel to Melbourne to spectate at this famous race with a beautiful backdrop.

Chinese New Year Celebration

Every February, Melbourne celebrates the beginning of the Chinese New Year. The celebration includes traditional food, live music, street performances, martial arts, firecrackers and traditional lion dance in the picture-perfect location in the middle of Chinatown in the CBD. This is a great time of the year to get together with family and friends, and exchange blessings for a prosperous year ahead.

Melbourne International Comedy Festival

If you are seeking a good laugh and a hilarious show to rejuvenate yourself, indulge into the world of comedy by attending the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. This show features a range of stage performances, acts and stand-ups that will keep you laughing all night long. Held at Town Hall, the festival showcases Australian as well as international comedians presenting a wide range of humor.

Melbourne Pride in St Kilda

Each February, St Kilda comes alive with a pride celebration like no other. Live music in Catani Gardens is followed by parties all over Fitzroy Street in St Kilda.

Melbourne Fashion Week

Melbourne fashion week is usually held in August-September at the beginning of Spring. This string of events includes 150 different fashion events all over the city for a week and lots of different displays.

Sports-Related Things to Do in Melbourne

Did you know Melbourne is also a center for sport?

Watch an AFL/WAFL “Aussie Rules” Footy Game

If you haven’t seen an AFL game yet, you must do so in Melbourne! This sport is completely unique to Australia and is adored the most in Melbourne (which is home to over 80% of the nation’s teams).

Celebrate the Aussie Grand Final Day in September

If there’s any Footy game to watch – it’s the grand final! Each September the nation stops to see which team will win the grand final, which is always held in Melbourne at the MCG Stadium. If you can’t score tickets, head to any pub – everyone will be watching!

Take a Tour of the MCG – Melbourne Cricket Ground Stadium

The Melbourne Cricket Ground is the largest sporting stadium in the southern hemisphere – located right in Melbourne (within 10 minutes walking from the CBD). Whether you catch a game or not, it’s worth checking out the stadium and taking a tour.

Take a ‘Melbourne Sports Lovers” Tour

If you love sports, you MUST take the unique ‘Melbourne Sports Lovers tour” which includes a tour of the MCG, the Melbourne Sports Museum, different stadiums in the Olympic precinct, and even the Flemington Racecourse.

Watch “The Race the Stops the Nation” Melbourne Cup

The Melbourne Cup is known as the race that stops the nation – and is held right in Melbourne. Visiting this famous horse race is one of the top 100 things to do in Melbourne as it’s a true Melbourne experience – dress up, drink champagne, and bet on the races.

Or, Attend any of the Spring Racing Carnival Races

If you can’t afford the Melbourne Cup, there are a few other races that comprise the ‘spring racing carnival’ that are cheaper and just as fun. Check out Stakes Day, Oakes Day, Caulfield Cup, and more.

Watch a Cricket Game at the MCG in Summer

The MCG hosts international cricket matches during summer. If you haven’t caught a cricket game, Melbourne is the perfect place to do it!

The Australian Open

If you are a sports lover, especially Tennis, watch some Tennis superstars battling in the Australian Open. This popular competition is held in the summer every year (Jan-Feb) where thousands of people gather to attend one of the largest tennis opens in the world.

While Australia is setting the stage for internationally popular events like the Australian Open, it is no wonder sports lovers from across the globe come to witness the fierce contest and world-class players.

Unmissable Melbourne Museums

The Old Melbourne Gaol

The Old Melbourne Gaol is a creepy museum that depicts all the different types of criminals held there until 1992. This real historic building has been preserved and can now be found on the RMIT campus.

The Ian Potter Centre

This is a ‘national’ art museum displaying only Aussie art in Federation Square.

The ACMI – Australian Centre of the Moving Image

The ACMI covers everything ‘moving image,” from video games, films, cgi, and video through the ages. It’s also in Federation square.

Koorie Heritage Trust Cultural Centre

The Koorie Heritage Trust is an aboriginal museum right in the middle of Federation Square. This is one of the best places to learn about Victoria’s aboriginal history (unless you can visit the Grampians)!

Melbourne Immigration Museum

Melbourne is a city founded on Gold Rush immigration, and the immigration museum traces this and elaborates on Melbourne’s multicultural history.

Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium

Melbourne’s SEA LIFE Aquarium is a tourist favorite, housing lots of different kinds of sea life.

More Melbourne Markets + Shopping to Check Out

Melbourne has heaps of markets – it would be hard to name them all! Here are some of my favorites.

South Melbourne Market

The South Melbourne Market is open three days a week and is a haven for everything food, clothing, trinkets, plants… you name it. This is a great place to visit to stock up on artisanal foods or just to stop for a fresh lunch – think fresh meat and seafood.

St Kinda Esplanade Sunday Market

If you visit St Kilda Beach on a Sunday, don’t forget to wander up the road to the Esplanade to check out dozens of market stalls with artisan crafts and really interesting trinkets, handmade goods, and art.

Fitzroy Mills Market + Rose Street Market Saturdays

Fitzroy has some amazing markets on Saturdays that are known for second-hand clothing and handmade art and crafts. Blend a visit to these markets in with some amazing meals and street art adventures for a great Fitzroy day.

Chapel Street Shops, Prahran/South Yarra

Chapel Street is the cultural center of Melbourne’s south side. The long street runs from South Yarra to Prahran, and has more different kinds of shops than you can imagine. From big malls to boutiques to massive thrift shops, you can have it all.

Prahran Market

While exploring Chapel Street, don’t forget to stop by the Prahran Market for fresh produce, delicious meals, and different specials depending on the weekend.

Shop at The Emporium Mall in the CBD

The mall in Melbourne CBD is perhaps the largest mall of all. This “Emporium” Mall actually stretched for 4-5 blocks, bridging over and under the streets and ranging from designer shops to cheap food stalls. Enter through the Myer on Bourke Street, head upstairs, and see how far you can get.

Things to Do in Melbourne Central Business District

I wrote an ENTIRE article about things to do in Melbourne CBD because it truly deserves its own article. With 1000 cafes, countless hidden bars, tons of museums, universities, squares, rooftops, and things to discover, it needed its own article! View the article right here.

Romantic Things to do in Melbourne for Couples

I also wrote an entire post about things to do in Melbourne for Couples. Click here for a list of 30+ awesome Melbourne date ideas. yep, that’s right, there are 30 things to do in Melbourne for couples, tipping my list WELL over 100 things to do in Melbourne!

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Well, that’s truly 100 Things to do in Melbourne! Which one is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!