Introduction
Melbourne is one of the most livable cities in Australia, and it’s also a great place for travelers. The city has an excellent range of restaurants to suit every budget as well as some great museums, parks and attractions. So whether you’re visiting with your family or traveling on a budget, here’s our guide for what to do in Melbourne in just seven days!
Melbourne is Australia’s second largest city and a thriving metropolis.
Melbourne is Australia’s second largest city and a thriving metropolis. The city is home to over 4 million people, with its population expected to grow to 7 million by 2030. It has a diverse population, with more than one in five residents born overseas.
The cultural heritage of Melbourne has been shaped by waves of migration from Europe, Asia and North America throughout its history. The city has an abundance of museums that reflect this diversity, including the Immigration Museum where you can learn about how immigrants have shaped Australia’s past and present through interactive exhibits; or visit Federation Square which houses many galleries showcasing artworks inspired by history (including Aboriginal culture), science fiction films such as Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) or even contemporary issues such as climate change through photography exhibitions like “Sea Change” at NGV International until May 31st 2019!
Melbourne is known for its lively cultural scene, quirky cafes and bars, and lively art and music scene.
Melbourne is a cultural hub, with a vibrant coffee culture, art and music scene and quirky cafes and bars.
- The city’s most famous coffee shop is probably Toby’s Estate in Brunswick Street. This award-winning chain has branches all over Melbourne but this one is the best for its atmosphere as well as its coffee – it also has great cakes and pastries. If you’re looking for somewhere more central then try Barista Bene which serves up excellent flat whites but gets busy at weekends so plan ahead!
- If you want to see some art then head down to Federation Square where there are plenty of galleries including ACMI (Australian Centre for Moving Image) which houses an interactive museum about film production; NGV Australia – National Gallery of Victoria; Ian Potter Centre: NGV International & AGNSW Contemporary Galleries; NGV Australia Exhibition Space & Museum Shop; Anna Schwartz Gallery; Victorian College Of The Arts (VCA); Michael Reid Gallery Of Australian Art; White Rabbit Gallery/Offsite Projects & Australian Contemporary Art Foundation Incorporated
You’ll find some great museums in Melbourne, including the National Gallery of Victoria, which houses an excellent collection of world art.
If you’re looking for something educational, there are some great museums in Melbourne. The National Gallery of Victoria houses an excellent collection of world art, while the National Sports Museum showcases Australia’s sporting history through its collection of sports memorabilia and interactive exhibits. The Australian Centre for the Moving Image hosts rotating exhibitions that explore film and television culture, while Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) features both local artists and international artists who have exhibited there before it opened in 2011.
The Botanic Gardens are also well worth visiting if you have time during your stay in Melbourne–they offer prime views over Port Phillip Bay while also providing plenty of space to relax on one of their many paths through lush vegetation or picnic areas near ponds filled with water lilies or other aquatic plants
If you’re visiting in summer, visit the Royal Botanic Gardens and Birrarung Marr parklands to take in the colorful autumn foliage.
If you’re visiting in summer, visit the Royal Botanic Gardens and Birrarung Marr parklands to take in the colorful autumn foliage.
Birrarung Marr is a large park in the city center that offers many walking trails and bike paths as well as some great views of Melbourne’s skyline from its highest point (at least when it isn’t foggy). It’s also home to Melbourne’s largest lake, which makes for excellent bird watching opportunities. The park is popular with dog walkers because of its many off-leash areas; if you don’t want any doggy drool on your pants or shoes while admiring nature at its best–or worst–this might not be the spot for you!
In winter, stroll through the Queen Victoria Markets or head down to the beach to watch surfers catching the waves at Brighton Beach or St Kilda Beach.
In winter, stroll through the Queen Victoria Markets or head down to the beach to watch surfers catching the waves at Brighton Beach or St Kilda Beach.
The Queen Victoria Market is open every day of the week except for Christmas Day and Boxing Day (when it’s closed). It closes late at night on weekends so you can grab some food before heading home for a good night’s sleep!
For a glimpse into Melbourne’s past, check out St Patrick’s Basilica or St Kilda East Cemetery where you can see graves dating back to 1846 as well as tombstones belonging to some of Australia’s most famous people such as Dame Nellie Melba, Alfred Deakin and Dame Joan Sutherland.
If you’re interested in Melbourne’s past, there are a few places to check out. For example, St Patrick’s Basilica is an 1858 cathedral that was designed by the same architects as St Paul’s Cathedral in London. It’s also where Prince Charles and Camilla married in 2005 so it has some royal significance!
St Kilda East Cemetery is another great spot for history buffs who want to see graves dating back to 1846 as well as tombstones belonging to some of Australia’s most famous people such as Dame Nellie Melba (first Australian born opera singer), Alfred Deakin (the second Prime Minister of Australia) and Dame Joan Sutherland (opera singer).
With so much to see and do, you’ll want to plan your trip carefully!
With so much to see and do, you’ll want to plan your trip carefully!
As a general rule of thumb, try to spend about 2 hours at each location. That way, if you’re pressed for time or have a lot on your agenda, you won’t feel rushed or overwhelmed by too much information. Of course, this is just a guideline–if there’s something specific that interests you (like the museum) then spend more time there!
If possible, try not to spend more than an hour between places unless it’s absolutely necessary (e.g., if one location is far away). You can always come back later if needed!
Conclusion
Melbourne is a great city to visit. You’ll find a lot of history here, from its past as an important colonial outpost to its present status as Australia’s second largest city. The best way to get the most out of your trip is by planning ahead and making sure you don’t miss any of the highlights!
