Melbourne: City Sights

Federation Square

Federation Square links the city centre with the Yarra River. It fuses art, architecture, events, culture, hospitality and open space into a striking public domain. Make your travel bookings and collect maps and brochures from the Visitor Information Centre here or wander through the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) and Champions racing museum. The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia is the world’s first major gallery dedicated exclusively to Australian art. It is a spectacular showcase comprising over 20 galleries.

• Federation Square

Queen Victoria Market

A world of new tastes and flavours is waiting for you at the Queen Victoria Market - an icon of local trade and street life. Take a two-hour Foodies Tour with an experienced guide and see the gourmet side of the market.

• Queen Victoria Market

Melbourne Aquarium

Take the plunge inside Melbourne Aquarium’s 2.2 million litre Oceanarium and come face-to-face with a shark. It’s all part of the Southern Ocean dive adventure, where you’ll also encounter other creatures of the deep.

• Melbourne Aquarium

Melbourne Museum

Spread over six huge levels, half of which are below ground level, this museum draws on the latest technology to give you an insight into Australia’s plants, animals and culture. The lovely Carlton Gardens and World Heritage listed Royal Exhibition Building, built in 1880, are right next door.

• Melbourne Museum

Eureka Skydeck 88

At 253-metres high, the Eureka Tower is the tallest residential building in the Southern Hemisphere and one of Melbourne’s icons. For spectacular 360-degree views of Melbourne, take the high-speed lift to the Eureka Skydeck 88.

• Eureka Skydeck 88

Victorian Arts Centre

A focal point of Melbourne’s Southbank entertainment precinct, the Victorian Arts Centre hosts many of Australia’s premier performing arts companies and international touring performances. The centre is open daily for guided tours, gallery exhibitions, and nightly performances. On Sundays, artisans and local producers sell their wares under market umbrellas lining St Kilda Road and onto the Southgate promenade.

• Victorian Arts Centre

Old Melbourne Gaol

Walk the path of the condemned to the gallows in this 19th century prison, be arrested in a modernday Police Station or put yourself on trial in court. A ticket to the Old Melbourne Gaol Crime & Justice Experience grants you visiting rights to the past, present and future of crime and justice in Australia. Melbourne’s most famous outlaw, Ned Kelly, was hanged here on 11 November 1880. During World War II, the jail was briefly reopened as military detention barracks. Read about the experiences of Australian, German, Italian and American military prisoners.

• Old Melbourne Gaol

Melbourne Zoo

Gorillas, pygmy hippopotamuses, mandrills, tigers and otters live happily together at Melbourne Zoo. Of course, all of our Australian favourites are here too. Watch Orang-utans from a spectacular treetop viewing area. If you choose a Roar and Snore Safari, you will explore the mystery of the Zoo after dark. Hear, smell and see nocturnal creatures, big and small and share the passion, knowledge and stories of your camp hosts.

• Melbourne Zoo

Melbourne River Cruises

Complete your Melbourne experience with an award-winning cruise on the Yarra River. With great information, a warming cuppa and the comfort of a Melbourne River Cruiser you will see the city from a whole different perspective. Cruises depart from Southbank promenade and Princess Bridge near Flinders Street Station.

• Melbourne River Cruises

• Photos
• Map

Melbourne City Skyline and the Yarra River. Courtesy of Tourism Australia

Melbourne CBD viewed from Federation Square. Courtesy of Tourism Australia

Melbourne Skyline. Courtesy of Tourism Australia

Melbourne Dining, Lygon Street. Courtesy of Tourism Australia

Federation Square. Courtesy of Tourism Australia

Melbourne CBD viewed from Federation Square. Courtesy of Tourism Australia