The city of Melbourne is a trendy and vibrant metropolis that features an exciting city centre, inner-city districts that are full of distinct character, and lush green parks and mountain ranges where you can enjoy the most of what Australian nature has to offer at its finest. The city is well-known for its extensive network of alleyways, the variety of its cultural offerings, the high quality of its food alternatives that are accessible to those with varying financial means, and its spectacular street art.
In addition to this, it is renowned for being the coffee centre of the world and is consistently ranked as the city that is considered to be the most habitable in the whole globe!
Let's check out some of the top attractions and activities that Melbourne has to offer:
See the bizarre pink lake that pops up in Melbourne
Every summer, Westgate Park, which is situated on the outskirts of the city in Port Melbourne, transforms into a scrumptious shade of pink.
It's pink! And before you ask, the answer is yes, it is very normal. Since the summer of 2012/13, when a concoction of factors, including high temperatures, different types of algae, an absence of precipitation, and an abundance of sunlight, came together to create the ideal pink witch's brew, it has been turning pink every year since then.
The pink hue is not to be overlooked. It happens around the end of summer, and the hue might become more intense when the water evaporates due to the heat of the summer. The birds on the lake, which you can frequently see playing and flying about the coastline, is unaffected by the lake's pink colour, which is a blessing.
Underneath the Westgate Bridge is where you'll find this thriving wetland and natural refuge. The pink colour is a result of a natural occurrence that occurs when there are high quantities of salt in the water, a lot of sunshine, and a lack of precipitation.
The colour change is caused by the natural interaction of a harmless single-celled green alga known as Dunaliella salina with a harmless halobacterium known as halobacteria cutirubrum. The water can evaporate in the summer heat, which can cause the colour to become more intense. This process results in the production of a powerful red pigment known as beta carotene.
This is not the first time that the colour pink has shown in this lake. The end of summer is often when it occurs. Fortunately, the pink tint of the lake has little effect on the wildlife that lives there. If you are planning on coming to the lake, Parks Victoria recommends that you stay on the routes that have been marked out for you and steer clear of the area along the water's edge where you should not go since it might be unstable.
Even though there is no evidence that the bacteria are harmful, it is generally advisable to avoid coming into touch with the water just in case it is contaminated.
Day trip to the fairytale-like Alfred Nicholas Gardens
Deep within the Dandenong Ranges is where you'll find the Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens, which are about as near as you can get to a real secret garden.
Take a stroll around the park to admire the impressive canopy of mountain ash trees, or have a picnic by the lovely lake and the charming boathouse. Both of these activities are available in the park.
Don't miss:
The park is home to a diverse range of Australian indigenous vegetation, which undergoes seasonal shifts throughout the year. When spring arrives, the park is a riot of colour thanks to the blossoming azaleas and cherry trees. In the fall, however, the park takes on a golden hue thanks to the maples and beeches that have shed their leaves.
Take a stroll around the park to take in the breathtaking view of the forest canopy created by Mountain Ash trees, or enjoy a picnic next to the park's gorgeous lake and modest boathouse.
The park is home to the natural flora of Australia, which undergoes seasonal shifts throughout the year. When spring arrives, the park is a riot of colour thanks to the blossoming azaleas and cherry trees. In the fall, however, the park takes on a golden hue thanks to the maples and beeches that have shed their leaves.
Melbourne Museum
A trip to the Melbourne Museum will provide a deep dive into the culture of Victoria. It introduces you to Victoria's fascinating permanent collections and offers you spectacular temporary exhibits from close by and further afield. You'll get a multi-faceted look at the natural surroundings, cultural traditions, and historical landmarks of Victoria.
In 1997, the Melbourne Museum relocated from its previous location in the State Library Building to its current location in a building located in Carlton Gardens and built by Denton Corker Marshall. The remodelled Melbourne Museum had its grand reopening on October 21, 2000.
You'll discover the live heart of the museum inside, which is called the Forest Gallery, and it's filled with towering trees and wonderful creatures. The Science and Life Gallery is located at the west end of the museum, and within its walls you will discover a wide variety of things, including fossils, dinosaurs, and bugs.
The Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre is a location that has been imbued with the living traditions and knowledge of Koorie people in addition to other cultures from all across Australia. Te Pasifika Gallery is a light-filled, high-ceilinged hall that is stuffed with treasures from the Pacific Islands.
The Children's Gallery is stuffed with of things for young children to see and do, and the Touring Hall is where significant shows from all over the world are shown.
Accessibility:
Disabled access available, contact operator for details
Facilities:
- Café
- Car park
- Coach parking
- Lockers
- Picnic area
- Public telephone
Eat a dim sim from the South Melbourne Market
Fried or steamed, these little beef packages are about the size of a tennis ball and are stuffed with cabbage and just the proper amount of spice.
The dim sum in South Melbourne Market are, without a doubt, among of the best in the state. These enormous morsels are a significant step up from the typical dime bought at a convenience store, and the booth that sells them has become a symbol of the southside indoor market throughout the course of the six decades that it has been in operation.
Don't miss out: These dimmies were made to be drenched in soy and chilli sauce, so make sure to ask for some with your order and drench them to your heart's delight. Don't forget to ask for some! You won't get any judgement from anyone here.
The presence of many butchers, bakers, grocers, and fishmongers, as well as fortune tellers and snack shops making full use of the food at hand, makes this one of the greatest fresh markets in the city. If you're in the mood for a snack, stop by Evening Star for some freshly grilled scampi.
It is a touch more David Jones than Delhi (less shouting, more truffle oil), but come summer, rowdiness aplenty can be obtained at the night markets when music and liquor are on the agenda. David Jones is a department store in Australia.
Both the Queen Vic and the markets have been operating continuously for more than 150 years, and both serve as destinations for tourists in addition to being a source of fresh food. One of the things that makes this market so interesting to go to is called SO:ME, and it's a little room where local designers can show off their best work. It operates on a rotating designer basis, which ensures that there is always something fresh and intriguing available for purchase.
Go for a drinking tour of the Bellarine Peninsula
The Bellarine Peninsula, often referred regarded as "Melbourne's other peninsula," has secretly evolved into a heaven for wine lovers.
Since the 1980s, the Bellarine Peninsula has been making wine, and, to tell you the truth, we believe it is about time that the rest of the world found out about it.
Don't miss:
An excursion to the wineries Scotchmans Hill, Curlewis Winery, or Basils Farm to visit their cellar doors. In addition to this, there is the Queenscliff Brewhouse and the Whiskery for those who like beer and whisky, respectively.
We are aware that the Mornington Peninsula holds a special place in your heart, and this adoration is well-deserved. However, the eastern vineyards are not the focus of this narrative. We believe it is high time that the city had a taste of the excellent beverages that are being produced on the Bellarine. Since the 1980s, the Bellarine Peninsula has been engaged in the production of wine, and, to tell you the truth, we believe it is high time that the rest of the world became aware of this fact. There is something for everyone on the Peninsula, regardless of whether you are a wine novice, pressed for time, or are an expert who knows your pinots from your cab savs.
By taking one of the Port Phillip Ferries to the Bellarine Peninsula, you may avoid the traffic jam caused by the automobiles leaving Melbourne. Adult one-way tickets on the private boat service between Docklands and Portarlington cost as little as $29 and are available seven days a week.
For die-hard wine lovers: Scotchmans Hill
Given that Scotchmans Hill is both one of the largest and oldest vineyards on the peninsula, it is difficult to conceive of a scenario in which the Bellarine wine industry exists without it (it was established in 1982). A new cellar door was added to the vineyard not too long ago, and it was definitely something that was worth waiting for.
You should come here with a list of questions prepared, because the staff here are not green behind the ears; they are knowledgeable about wine. Furthermore, if you let them know what you enjoy, they may even prepare something unique for you to sample if you are a repeat customer.
For the time poor: Queenscliff Brewhouse
The Queenscliff Brewhouse may be thought of as a venue that resembles a Swiss army knife. There is a brewery there, but in addition to that, there is a pub, a cafe, a tasting room, a whisky bar, and soon there will even be a hotel.
Even if you don't have the time to visit all of the top producers on the Bellarine, you can still show your support for the local community by going to the tasting room at Queenscliff Brewhouse. It offers walls upon walls of local items such as jams, olive oils, spice mixes, honey, chutney, sauces, and lots of wine. There are also plenty of jams and olive oils. Grab a drink to enjoy in the courtyard beer garden, which is open no matter the weather, or cosy up by the fireplace on chillier days.
For a boutique experience: Curlewis Winery
Prepare to be pleasantly surprised if you are anticipating a large-scale operation in which tour companies drop off buses full of people, since this will not be the case. There is just a tiny workforce working at the Curlewis Winery, and its cellar door is only open on the weekends.
The cellar entrance appears to be a barn from the outside, but once you step inside, it has the appearance of a hunter's hut that has been renovated by Queer Eye. At Curlewis, they are not afraid to do things a little bit differently. For example, their wine tastings are served in test tubes, which makes it easy to compare and contrast the various wines.
For those with kids: Basils Farm
Families may be seen at Basils on a beautiful day, regardless of the season, pouring out of the café and onto the expansive, green hillside while enjoying lunch, coffee, or just a glass of wine. Basils is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. Children and well-behaved pets are both cordially welcomed here. There is a sandpit and outdoor games for them to enjoy. Are you looking for a drink?
The cellar door is open seven days a week; however, due to the popularity of certain wines, the staff frequently needs to place restrictions on the amount of bottles that each customer can purchase.
If you prefer spirits: the Whiskery
Drinking a beverage at the Whiskery is an unpretentious event; it has the atmosphere of drinking a beverage in a verdant beer garden straight out of a storybook. Even people who normally look down their noses at G&Ts will change their minds once they try the Whiskery's version since it is silky, aromatic, and has just a hint of citrous flavour.
It is preferable to drink it while sitting by the fireplace at the venue, or under the trees on a beautiful day, where you can watch the crew busying themselves with gathering ingredients for the cocktail.
See Victoria’s two Californian redwoods plantations
The coastal regions of California and the southwestern part of Oregon in the United States are the natural habitats of Californian redwoods, as their name indicates. In the 1930s, a collection of redwoods were also planted in the Warburton Valley, which is located further inland from the shore than the Great Ocean National Park.
The great height of these trees (they may become up to 115 metres tall) and the somewhat horizontal orientation of their limbs are what set them apart from other types of trees. They are some of the earliest living species that have ever existed on this planet!
Don't miss out on the opportunity to get a sense of how little you are as you walk through these plantations. Over 1,400 trees, the tallest of which reach up to 55 metres, are spread out throughout the grid-like plantation in Warburton.
The appeal of a dense, verdant forest is something that no one can dispute. We are surrounded by them here in Victoria, whether it is the Grampians' drier inland bush or Wilsons Promontory's seaside health. Both of these environments are important to the state's ecosystem. But did you know that there are redwood forests similar to those in California right here in Victoria?
It is possible for California redwoods to reach heights of 115 metres, making them the tallest trees in the world. Additionally, their branches tend to grow in a horizontal direction. As the name implies, these trees are native to the coast of California and the southwestern tip of Oregon in the United States. The bark has a brilliant reddish-brown hue.
These trees are among the oldest living species on Earth; if that is the case, then one could reasonably wonder how on Earth they came to be located all the way over in Australia. It is said that redwood trees were initially planted in the Great Otway National Park in the 1930s as part of a softwood logging experiment. However, due to the abundant amount of healthy soil and water in the Otways, these trees have seen tremendous growth over the past 90 or so years.
Are you itching to get your hands on them? Take a trip on the Great Ocean Road towards Apollo Bay, and once you get there, head inland to check out the Beech Forest. Because the Aire River and Hopetoun Falls are so close by, you will have no trouble spending a whole day adventuring in the great outdoors.
There is a forest of redwood trees in the Warburton Valley, which may be accessed by those living on the other side of the city. Located only a few kilometres west of Warburton on Cement Creek Road, the redwood forest here was planted about the same time as the redwoods in the Beech Forest, and more plantings were done around 1960. The redwoods in the Beech Forest are considered to be an endangered species. Get out of the automobile and take a stroll around the plantation, which is laid out in a grid pattern; it has more than 1,400 trees and can reach heights of up to 55 metres.
Dandenong Ranges National Park
In the southern Australian state of Victoria, the Dandenong Ranges National Park may be found in the Greater Melbourne area. This national park is the ideal location for anyone interested in observing a wide variety of tree and woodland species. It is stated that the Doongalla forest, which is home to Mount Dandenong, provides a breathtaking perspective over the city of Melbourne.
The Ferntree gully is the place to go for anyone who is interested in getting in shape since it contains stairs that can be turned into the ideal walking track. In remembrance of the fight that took place on the Kokoda railway, these stairs were constructed. In addition to these, there are a number of additional woods, such as the Sherbrooke forest, the Olinda forest, and the Mount Evelyn forest.
Mount Buffalo National Park
Mount Buffalo National Park is located in the alpine region. Mount Buffalo, which is a tall mountain plateau, is also situated in this park. The mountain is said to have some stunning rock formations and granite boulders at its top. The highest point that you can access goes by the name, the horn. There is a walking track that leads you up to the horn. Upon reaching there, you can get a beautiful view of the city. If you are visiting the place in winter, then you are in for some luck as Mount Buffalo is the destination for cross-country skiing.
Wilsons Promontory National Park
The Wilsons Promontory National Park is sometimes referred to by its affectionate nickname, "The Prom." It is stated that The Prom is the most extensive coastal wilderness region in all of Victoria. The park's history may be traced back to the time of World War II when it was temporarily shut down. Mount Oberon provides a stunning vantage point from which to see the scenery of the Tidal River, which is one of the rivers in the region. Camping is a wonderful thing to do in this area.
Alpine National Park
A national park known as the Alpine National Park may be found in the Alpine area of Victoria in Australia. It is the national park that takes up the most land in the entirety of Victoria. A number of animals that are in risk of extinction call Alpine National Park their home, including the broad-toothed mouse, the she-oak skink, the spotted tree frog, and the mountain pygmy possum. Walking and other forms of hiking are sure to be enjoyable in this location.
Churchill National Park
In close proximity to Stud Road and the Monash Freeway is where you'll find Churchill National Park. The national park is well-known for the extensive avian diversity that can be found within its boundaries. There are over one seventy-three different species of birds that may be found in this location. You are going to fall in love with the setting if you are someone who enjoys going on picnics with their families. The location features a multitude of paths that may be used for walking, jogging, and cycling. Even more fantastic is the fact that there are picnic areas that have been created and are equipped with gas grills. So if you're planning on having a picnic here, don't forget to take some tasty foods!
Yarra Ranges National Park
The Yarra Ranges National Park may be found right in the middle of Victoria. We all want to have a picnic in a lovely setting and take in some of the peace and quiet that nature has to give us, so we can all agree on one thing: If you have been looking for a place like this, your quest may now be considered over because you have found Yarra Ranges National Park. The park has a region that is known for its abundant vegetation and natural waterfalls. The kangaroo, possum, and wallaby are all members of the fauna. In addition, the Yarra Ranges National park is home to a diverse collection of avian species.
FAQs About Activities in Melbourne
- Take a Street Art Tour.
- Catch a Moonlight Movie in the Park.
- Wander Queen Victoria Market.
- Visit the State Library of Victoria.
- Take the City Circle Tram.
- Relax in Federation Square.
- Visit the National Gallery of Victoria.
- Wander the Royal Botanic Gardens.
- Drinking history tour.
- See a show at Southbank Theatre.
- Karaoke at Ichi Ni Nana Izakaya.
- Burgers And Beers At Rooftop.
- Hangman's Night Tour – Old Melbourne Gaol.
- Take a night stroll through Queen Victoria Night Market.
- Gaze at the Stars at Melbourne Planetarium.
- Take the City Circle Tram.
- Explore Flinders Street Station.
- Grabbing a morning coffee.
- Walk to Eureka Skydeck.
- National Gallery of Victoria.
- St Paul's Cathedral.
- State Parliament House.
- Lunch on Bourke Street or in Chinatown.
- Relax At A Hot Springs Spa.
- Watch An AFL Game.
- Shop At The Winter Night Market.
- Watch Fireworks At The Docklands.
- Try Skiing & Snowboarding.
- Chill At Pubs With Fireplaces.
- View The Masterpieces At NGV.
- Enjoy Ice Skating'