Melbourne travel guide: TOP-10 free things to do and see

Melbourne is the second largest city in Australia. Melbourne is the flag bearer of Australian culture. Although Sydney might debate this with its quota of museums and up and coming events. Melbourne, founded on the 19th century glimmer of gold and the rush to get a stake in the newly opened goldfields is a vibrant multicultural city with the Yarra River as its soul. Beguiling, seductive Melbourne wins the heart with narrow alleyways, sheer sandstone architectural splendor next to funky modern, intimate cafe bustle with coffee aroma tantalizing the senses,  languages folded into one another  in bustling markets and charm.  Intimacy with Victorian grandeur finds New Zealanders and overseas visitors falling in love with Melbourne.

Melbourne does not overwhelm the visitor, in fact it is actually a large city with a population near 5 million. Australians from the country towns, Western Australia, South Australia and the territories Melbourne is Australia, you can feel at home. The State Library has a great story about Ned Kelly, bushranger extraordire. What more could you ask for. For overseas visitors Melbourne has a familiar big city vibe yet still breathes an undeniable identity, Australia.

Awesome journeys and day trips from Melbourne

Melbourne is awash with slick, world-class museums covering interests such as fire services, individual artists, opal collections, medical history or sports history. The question is where to start?

Perhaps an overview of the past, contemporary life and influences on Australia. Dip your toes into what makes Australia… a good place to start are the  museums. It is not fussy or dull. There are great selfie moments against a sheet of water, a moment where you mentally shudder at the thought of being locked up in cold, dark stone cells and a reflection of how people arrived in Australia.

Top four must see museums

And if you are not museum-ed out check out another two museums

And Aboriginal stories are to be found at Appreciate Aboriginal history, Koorie Heritage Trust Cultural Centre. For an initiation into the practices of the traditional owners, the Wurundjeri people, and an introduction into contemporary Koorie history and culture, check out the Koorie Heritage Trust’s Cultural Centre  in Federation Square. City Circle tram stop one. Aboriginal artists are supported by a permanent social history interactive exhibition to provide context for visitors unfamiliar with Aboriginal culture. The Melbourne Museum also has excellent information on indigenous social and culture heritage but is only free for students and members.

Art galleries

Melbourne is an art and artisan destination.  Art spaces on sides of buildings, pubic sculptures and installations or underground galleries featuring art and craft are part of the Melbourne landscape.  And do not forget the buildings as an art form. There are over 100 galleries, both public and commercial to choose from. Together with listings in the museum guide I have simply picked my favourites.  As art is a personal choice, enjoy the process of selecting your favourite art space in Melbourne. Please let me know your thoughts.

Flinders Lane commercial galleries are worth a visit. Remember to check out Mailbox Art Space. The small size of a mailbox provides an interesting twist on the medium artists work on. Flinders Lane is convenient for short stay visitors however there are substantive galleries in the suburbs to be evaluated and pondered over.

Melbourne, with its balmy climate spring and autumn combined with its summer high temperatures has a number of water based activities.  Check out visit Melbourne outdoor water activities for ideas. A favourite of mine is the Melbourne City Baths,  located in a historic 150 year old public building.  The complex has a modern 30m indoor heated lap pool. There is also a wellbeing center inside with a gym and fitness studio.  People have indulged in water activities for a long time in Melbourne.

Playgrounds

Check out the link to Melbourne Gardens and Parks public playgrounds for moments when the adults need to get younger members of the family out and about. It is an excellent reference to playground.

Remember to check out the post on open air markets. Open air markets, craft markets headlined by the Queen Victoria markets (or QV).

And check out more market shopping ideas, second hand vintage clothing or car boot sales, detailed description of where to go and how to get there, click here.

YARRA RIVER is a favourite spot for river walks and people watching. A short stroll to the Yarra can start from Federation Square, walk along Flinders Street and over Princess Bridge to the Arts Centre and then back along the Southbank Promenade. You are in the area of the Southbank Precinct. There are photo moments of Melbourne, action on the Yarra River and the people. For longer walks including traditional Aboriginal gathering areas and the precinct’s public art installations check out Yarra River Walk website for details.

Eating Southbank style: Southbank, Yarra River is a maze of food courts, restaurants and eating establishments. It is a great place for reasonably priced food to go for a picnic or to take back to your accommodation. The range of food is from Subway to Italian, Asian of every description to vegetarian and classic fish and chips. It is a favourite place for office workers to grab a bit before heading to the railway station and home.

Laneway street art reflects Melbourne narrative.  Multicultural with urban slick, busy crowded places.  There are a number of guided tours, both by professional tour guides and/or artists as well as self guided tours.  

I recommend an early morning self guided stroll before the office workers and tourist crowds appear.  My Sunday morning at 8.00am was perfect, just a few people. Melbourne walks – City of Melbourne  

(check out blog on street art, laneway style for a detailed description of how and why we are enjoying Melbourne street art today)

Melbourne architecture tours could concentrate on traditional buildings, public buildings of significance, homes or contemporary buildings or a chronological mixture of styles. 

You could visit suburbs such as St Kilda or Prahan.  

While a number of generalised tour companies offer architectural tours as part of their portfolio there are two specialised tour groups that are dedicated to Melbourne buildings. Naturally these groups are managed by passionate architects with a deep understanding of their town’s building heritage.

Check out either E-architect Melbourne  or Melbourne Architours. Forward bookings are essential.

(check out photo architectural tour blog)

Melbourne, with its temperate climate has a love affair with all things garden. Since the 19th century European settlement gardens have flourished. Visitors focused on garden tours, from New Zealand as well as the drier parts of Australia or further afield have choices from English style formal gardens to gardens embracing all things Australian. Parks are where public artworks are often situated, or buildings of significance such as Cook’s Cottage, Fitzroy Gardens, Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Kings Domain and the Federation Bells in Birrarung Marr.

(check out blog Melbourne gardens)

• The Great Ocean Road (upcoming June post)
• Mornington Peninsula (check out post)
• Gippsland (check out post)
• Healesville native park sanctuary (check out post)
• Goldfields, Bendigo and Ballart (check out weekend in Bendigo)
• Dandenong Ranges exploration (garden focused tour)
• The Murray River 

Travel pack information

Oficial websites:

• Visit Melbourne
• VisitYarra 
• Victoria Tourism Board
• Australia tourism commission

The journey is worth it.

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