Things to see in Melbourne
Attractions
Eureka Skydeck 88
Eureka Skydeck 88, located on the 88th floor of Eureka Tower, is a stunning observatory deck. It takes just 40 seconds in the lifts to reach the Southern Hemisphere's highest viewing platform boasting breathtaking 360-degree views of Melbourne and its environs including the CBD, the sports precinct, Port Philip Bay and Docklands. Thrill-seekers will delight in The Edge experience, a 3m (9ft) glass cube that juts out from the side of the building and is suspended nearly 300m (984ft) above the ground. The Terrace also offers an outside opportunity to view the world far below and is the perfect place to photograph aerial views of the city. Certainly not for the faint-hearted.
Address: Southbank, Riverside Quay, Melbourne, 3006Telephone: +61 3 9693 8888
Opening times:
Daily 1000-2200.
Website: http://www.eurekaskydeck.com.auAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Federation Square
An architectural icon in a city that loves modern design, Federation Square (or Fed Square as it is commonly known) is a city block that has become one of the most visited attractions in Melbourne, bringing together social, cultural and commercial activities. Highlights include The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, which showcases works of art by Australian artists (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art), and the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI). The odd-looking geometric buildings and the extensive rolling-hill sandstone paved plaza are attractions in themselves. Plenty of eating and drinking options are available here, including Chocolate Buddha, Taxi Kitchen and Transit Rooftop Bar.
Address: , Swanson Street & Flinders Street, Melbourne,Telephone: +61 3 9655 1900
Opening times:
Daily 24 hours.
Website: http://www.federationsquare.com.auAdmission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Royal Exhibition Building and Gardens
The only major 19th-century Palace of Industry Exhibition building in the world to survive substantially intact, the Royal Exhibition Building was designed in 1878 for the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1880-1881. Following Australia cutting its apron strings from mother England in 1901, this grand building hosted the inaugural opening of the Australian Federal Parliament. It was also the site of the inaugural unveiling of the Australian flag, which was first flown atop the building's magnificent dome. In 2004, it became the first building in Australia to achieve a World Heritage listing. Guided tours are available (booking is essential).
Address: Carlton, 9 Nicholson Street, Melbourne,Telephone: +61 3 9270 5000.
Opening times:
Guided tours take place at 1400.
Website: http://www.museumvictoria.com.au/rebAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: Yes
National Gallery of Victoria International
Founded in 1861, Australia's oldest art gallery showcases Australia's finest collection of international art, with over 68,000 works by both European old masters and contemporary artists. Among the paintings usually on display here are offerings by Gainsborough, Constable, Bonnard, Delacroix, Monet and Rembrandt. There are also excellent temporary exhibitions (see website for details). The building is a work of art in itself.
Address: , 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, 3006Telephone: +61 3 8620 2222.
Opening times:
Mon, Wed-Sun 1000-1700
Website: http://www.ngv.vic.gov.auAdmission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Melbourne Museum
Australia's largest museum boasts an indoor rainforest, the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre, a complete skeleton of a blue whale, an IMAX theatre and permanent collections in eight galleries including one specifically for children. The museum also houses temporary exhibitions and is the place to explore life in Victoria from the past to the present with assorted displays highlighting natural environment, culture and history. Located behind the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens, the museum is just a short walk from the free city circle tram stop number 10.
Address: Carlton, 11 Nicholson Street, Melbourne,Telephone: +61 3 8341 7777.
Opening times:
Daily 1000-1700.
Website: http://www.museumvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseumAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Immigration Museum
The Immigration Museum gives Melbourne's multicultural vibrancy a human face. There are six permanent exhibitions detailing immigrant stories, journeys and timelines, the history of the Customs Gallery and thought-provoking presentations on identity and leaving home. With a Discovery Centre and a range of educational guides, the museum's documentation of the real life stories of new arrivals to Australia is fascinating. Given Melbourne owes its cosmopolitan vibe to the many waves of immigration, this is a must see on any itinerary. Allow a few hours at the museum.
Address: , 400 Flinders Street, Melbourne,Telephone: +61 3 9927 2754.
Opening times:
Daily 1000-1700.
Website: http://www.museumvictoria.com.au/immigrationmuseumAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Old Melbourne Gaol
The Old Melbourne Gaol was established in 1841 and expanded rapidly during the gold rush. The jail was the setting of 136 hangings, most famously for that of Ned Kelly in 1880. Exhibits include a collection of death masks, the scaffold where Ned Kelly was hung, his gun, and a suit of armour worn by a member of his gang. The complex also comprises the historic Magistrate's Court and former Police City Watch House. The jail closed its gates to inmates in 1929 but still runs re-enactments of arrests and incarcerations for interested visitors, as well as various exhibitions, weekly performances and night tours that bring to life stories associated with the gaol's past.
Address: , 377 Russell Street, Melbourne, 3000Telephone: +61 3 8663 7228.
Opening times:
Daily 0930-1700.
Website: http://www.oldmelbournegaol.com.auAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Melbourne Zoo
The award-winning Melbourne Zoo, Australia's oldest zoo (it turned 150 years old in 2012), houses more than 300 animal species from Australia and overseas. Visit the gorilla rainforest, catch sight of orangutans, hippos, Asian elephants, Sumatran tigers, and Hamadryas Baboons and take a wander through a particularly impressive butterfly house. Take the children to see Growing Wild, a new interactive area where kids can burrow through tunnels and climb inside giant tortoise shells, or join the adults in a world-first interactive experience at the zoo: I, Animal, which is part theatrical experience, part multi-media tour.
Address: , Elliott Avenue, Melbourne,Telephone: +61 3 9285 9300.
Opening times:
Daily 0900-1700.
Website: http://www.zoo.org.auAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Heide Museum of Modern Art
The former home of John and Sunday Reed, patrons of Melbourne's art scene, was turned into the Museum of Modern Art following their deaths. Their home now houses admirable exhibitions of contemporary Australian art, a large portion of which was collected by the Reeds. It's the place to feast your eyes on figurative, abstract, expressionist and realist works by artists including James Gleeson, Inge King and Mirka Mora. The sculpture park, in the museum's grounds, is particularly impressive.
Address: , 7 Templestowe Road, Melbourne,Telephone: +61 3 9850 1500.
Opening times:
Tues-Sun 1000-1700.
Website: http://www.heide.com.auAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Melbourne Aquarium
The Aquarium is home to four different worlds of marine life; from Antarctica and Coral Atoll to the new Rainforest Adventure and Seahorse Pier (housing a vast collection of seahorse and sea dragon species). Sea turtles, hermit crabs, tropical fish, jellyfish and a colony of penguins are among the main stars of the aquarium, where it is also possible to take basic scuba training and plunge the depths to see sharks, in a 2.2 million-litre Oceanarium. Allow 2-2.5 hours to see everything the aquarium has to offer, longer if you plan on swimming with the sharks.
Address: , King Street and Flinders Street, Melbourne,Telephone: +61 3 9923 5999.
Opening times:
Daily 0930-1800.
Website: http://www.melbourneaquarium.com.auAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Tourist Offices
Melbourne Visitor Centre
Address: (corner of Swanston Street and Flinders Street), Federation Square, Melbourne,Telephone: +61 3 9658 9658.
Opening times:
Daily 0900-1800.
Website: http://whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.auTourist passes
The iVenture card (tel: +61 2 9263 1100; www.iventurecard.com) offers cash free entry to a variety of Melbourne attractions but you need to select one of several packages, including Melbourne Flexi Attraction Pass and Melbourne Unlimited Attractions Pass to use on the card, which can be bought at the Visitor Information Centre.
