Melbourne

National Gallery of Victoria

NGV International

The premier venue for international fine art exhibitions in Melbourne, with a permanent collection and international collections. A must-see for art lovers.

Wed-Mon 10AM-5PM, except Christmas Day and Good Fri; 1PM on ANZAC Day · Free for the permanent collection · Free entry · Wheelchair accessible

Royal Exhibition Building

One of the few World Heritage listed buildings in Australia, it was completed in 1880 to host the Melbourne International Exhibition and was the site of Australia's first Federal Parliament in 1901. With its meticulously restored interior, expansive galleries and soaring dome, it offers a magnificent setting for trade shows, fairs and cultural events. Tours are available, although you need to call in advance to confirm dates.

$5 adult, $3.50 concession · Heritage listed

Melbourne Museum

Opened in 2000, the award-winning museum houses a permanent collection in eight galleries, including one just for children.

9AM-5PM daily except Good Fri and 25 Dec · $15 adult; children and concessions free · Wi-Fi · Wheelchair accessible

Shrine of Remembrance

War memorial in classical style opened in 1934. The memorial was designed so that the sun would shine on the word LOVE at 11AM on 11 November. Exhibition galleries under the memorial were added in 2014. A Last Post Service is held here every Sunday at 4.45pm to commemorate an important event in Australia's military history.

daily 10AM - 5PM (last entry 4:30PM), closed Christmas Day and Good Fri · free

Immigration Museum

Located in the restored Old Customs House, it covers customs and immigration history over the past 200 years. Details the stories and experiences of immigrations to Australia, both past and present.

Daily 10AM-5PM except Good Fri & Christmas Day · $6 adult, children/concession free · Wheelchair accessible

Queen Victoria Market

The largest open air market in the Southern Hemisphere, officially opened in 1878. The market has a mixture of outdoor stalls and indoor halls, selling food, clothes and crafts.

Tu,Th 06:00-14:00; Fr 06:00-17:00; Sa 06:00-15:00; Su 09:00-16:00 · Wi-Fi

State Library of Victoria

Built in stages beginning in 1854, it has an impressive classical revival façade. Includes a good newspaper reading room, genealogy room and an art collection, as well as the fantastic La Trobe Reading Room and its huge dome. Bushranger Ned Kelly's armour is stored permanently on display, along with a variety of galleries and exhibitions. Internet terminals are provided for research only, not email, and usually need to be booked because of high demand. Coin-operated lockers are available just off the lobby, where large bags must be deposited before entry. Free Wi-Fi and guided tours are also available.

Mon-Wed 10AM-9PM, Thu-Sun 10AM-6PM, except public holidays · Free · Wi-Fi

Carlton Gardens

Beautiful European-style gardens featuring a number of towering plane trees and majestic fountains, some of which date from the Victorian era. It's a World Heritage Site along with the Royal Exhibition Building there.

Luna Park

This St Kilda icon's famous mouth entrance continues to grace Melbourne's postcards and for good reason. Built in 1912, the historic amusement park is free to enter, with a number of rides to keep the young and young at heart entertained. The fabled Scenic Railway is the oldest continually operating wooden-framed rollercoaster in the world, and gives panoramic views over the nearby bay. Other rides include all the usual favourites, such as a Ferris wheel, dodgem cars and a ghost train. A great day out for kids and families. In poor weather, some rides may close, including the historic rollercoaster.

Opening hours vary, although generally open 11AM-6PM weekends and 11AM-8PM weekdays during school holidays; closed weekdays during school term · Single ride: adult (13+) $11, child (4-12) $9, infant $5; unlimited ticket: adult $49.50, child $39.50, infant $16.50

Old Melbourne Gaol

Built in 1841, it is now a penal museum, with a watch house and magistrate's court also on-site. Bushranger Ned Kelly was hanged here in 1880. The scaffold on which he and many others were hanged is displayed, as is Kelly’s death mask. There are other displays in many of the cells. Allow an hour or so for your visit.

Daily 10AM-5PM except Good Fri and Christmas Day. Night tours: Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat · $30 adult, $25 concession, $17 child (5-15yrs), family tickets available (free for National Trust members and members of reciprical trusts overseas)

Federation Square

The city's most popular meeting place. The striking architecture of its buildings create a nice backdrop to this open plaza, directly opposite Flinders Street Station. There are usually live, free performances from various groups, along with coverage of major sporting and cultural events on the huge television. A number of museums and organisations call the site home, as well as Melbourne's major visitor information centre in the 'shard' building.

24/7 · Wi-Fi

The Ian Potter Centre

NGV Australia

Houses over 25,000 works of only Australian art, including paintings, sculptures, photography and fashion. Famous artists such as Frederick McCubbin and Sidney Nolan are on display, along with a fine collection of Indigenous art.

Tue-Sun 10AM-5PM, except Christmas Day and Good Fri; 1PM on ANZAC Day · Free for the permanent collection · Free entry

Australian Centre for the Moving Image

ACMI

A museum, gallery and collection of cinemas dedicated to film, TV, video games, new media and art, both old and new. Regularly holds a number of interesting exhibitions.

Daily 10AM-5PM, except Christmas Day · General entry free; charges apply for exhibitions · Free entry · Wheelchair accessible

Grainger Museum

A small but fascinating autobiographical museum on the university's western side. Documents the life and times of Percy Grainger, a Victorian concert pianist who achieved international fame and success. In addition to the Grainger collection, there is a broad variety of items relating to music.

Sun-Fri 12-4pm · Free, tours $5 · Wi-Fi · Limited wheelchair access

Polly Woodside Maritime Museum

A maritime museum based aboard the restored 1885 Belfast-built, three-masted, iron-hulled barque "Polly Woodside". Various kids activities available, including Pirate Sundays.

Daily in Summer, July school holidays and weekends in Winter: 10AM-4PM · $10 adult, $7 child

Arts Centre Melbourne

The Arts Centre Melbourne is home to the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Australian Ballet, Opera Australia and the Melbourne Theatre Company. It has a variety of performance venues, exhibition spaces, bars and restaurants. On Sundays, it hosts an Artisans' Market.

Cooks' Cottage and Fitzroy Gardens

Cooks' Cottage is the cottage that belonged to Captain James Cook’s parents and was transported from Yorkshire to Melbourne in 1934.

Cooks' Cottage: Daily 10AM-4PM, closed Christmas Day · Cooks' Cottage: $7.20 adult, $5.50 concession, $3.90 child (5-15yrs)

Chinese Museum

Situated in the midst of Chinatown, it documents and explains the history of Chinese immigrants in Australia. The 'millennium dragon' is on display, the largest Chinese dragon in the world, along with an interactive underground exhibit highlighting the goldfields. Also on-site is a free visitor centre and a gift shop. The museum runs walking tours of Chinatown by appointment ($10 per person).

Daily 10AM-5PM, closed Good Fri, Christmas and New Year's Day · $12.5 adult, $10 child/concession

Government House

The official residence of the Governor of Victoria. The house opened in 1876 as the official residence of the Governor-General of Australia, before the capital moved to Canberra. The house is modelled to some extent on Queen Victoria's Osborne House, in Cowes, England. Combined tours with La Trobe's Cottage must be booked two weeks in advance. Free garden tours on third Thursday of the month, limited to 10 people so book well in advance. Visit on the Open Day on Australia Day (26 January).

Built 1873

Fawkner Park

Soccer, tennis, softball, and cricket in the summer. Local school Aussie Rules Football in winter. Popular dog walking area. Two large children's playgrounds and a BBQ area.

Governor La Trobe's Cottage

A prefabricated cottage imported from England in 1839 for Victoria's first Lt. Governor, Charles Joseph La Trobe. The cottage has been rebuilt and relocated. The cottage and garden is run by the National Trust.

Oct - May on first and third Sundays 11AM - 4PM · $5

St Kilda Beach

One of Melbourne's most famous and popular beaches, it is an enjoyable place to spend an afternoon. Apart from the omnipresent swimming, popular activities include sunbathing, sailing, beach volleyball, sandcastle-building, jetskiing and kitesurfing. The beach is regularly patrolled in the Summer by surf lifesavers.

Melbourne Tram Museum

Hawthorn Tram Depot

Housed in the historic Hawthorn Tram Depot, this museum holds 21 beautifully restored trams dating back to 1906, including the iconic W-class trams. Explore Melbourne’s tram history in a building with classic American Romanesque architecture.

11AM-5PM, 2nd & 4th Sat each month (only 2nd Sat in December) · $1-2 donation

Fire Services Museum

A largely niche museum, it is the largest fire service-related collection in Australia. Houses historical uniforms, vehicles, photos and other memorabilia.

Thu-Fri 9AM-3PM, Sun 10AM-4PM · Wheelchair accessible

Melbourne Town Hall

Built in 1870, the city's town hall is grand and historic. 1 hour tours allow visitors to see the ornate Council chambers, the richly-carved Grand Organ and sit in the Lord Mayor's chair. Bookings recommended.

Tours: Mon-Fri 11AM and 1PM · Free

Hawthorn Town Hall

Hawthorn Arts Centre

Built in 1890, this grand town hall showcases Second Empire-style architecture. It now functions as an arts and community hub with galleries and a performing arts centre.

Tue-Fri 10AM-5PM, Sat Sun 11AM-4PM · Free

Hotel Esplanade

The Espy

Open since 1878, for over 100 years the Esplanade Hotel has been one of Melbourne's and indeed Australia's premier live music venues. Since the early days of string performances in the late 1800s the Espy's hallowed stages have been graced by many of Australia's and the world's major musicians, as well as other acts such as stand-up comedians. On an average week the pub plays host to over 50 bands across 3 stages, much of it free.

Mon-Thu noon-late, Fri Sun 11AM-late

South Melbourne Market

A large food and retail market, with lots of shops selling fresh food as well as delis, cafes and clothes shops. It retains many of the features of yesteryear.

We, Sa-Su 08:00-16:00; Fr 08:00-17:00

Royal Botanic Gardens

Recognised as one of the world’s finest botanic gardens, with over 10,000 species and 50,000 individual plants in the 38 hectare gardens.

Daily 7:30AM to sunset · Free

La Mama Theatre

Contemporary theatre showing the latest in Melbourne's emerging theatre scene. In a front row seat you can literally see the actors sweat. Check their website for upcoming plays. Be sure to check if your play is at La Mama or La Mama Courthouse (see entry below).