Melbourne

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

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

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

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

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

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

Old Treasury Building and Gold Museum

Built in 1858 by a 19-year-old architect, it was the city’s first Italian Renaissance building and many consider that its elegance has not been surpassed by anything in Melbourne since. Contains displays on the history of Melbourne as well as the history of gold in Victoria, including the original gold vaults. Fun activities for children, including the chance to earn a novelty gold licence. The expansive Treasury Gardens behind the building are also worth a visit.

Sun-Fri 10AM-4PM, closed Good Fri, Christmas and Boxing Day · Free · Free entry · Wheelchair accessible

Italian Museum

Museo Italiano

Recounts the history of the tens of thousands of Italian migrants that came to Melbourne following World War II, including the impact that they've had on Australian culture. Also details the story of the Lygon Street precinct and how it has developed over time. Includes a number of permanent and rotating exhibitions.

Tue-Fri 10AM-5PM, Sat 12-5PM · Free entry

Brunswick Town Hall and Counihan Gallery

The historic Brunswick Town Hall contains the Brunswick Library branch of the Merri-bek City Council library, and the Counihan Gallery, a contemporary art space with changing exhibitions.

Library: Mon-Thu 10AM-8PM, Fri 10AM-6pm, Sat 9AM-4PM, Sun 1-5PM; gallery: Wed-Sat 11AM-5PM and Sun 1-5PM · Free

The Gin Palace

Serious cocktail aficionados should check out this place, for a welcome mix of knowledgeable bartenders, funky bordello ambiance and a laid-back crowd.

Mo-Su 16:00-03:00

Como House

House built in 1847 and gardens, run by the National Trust.

Gardens: Mon-Sat, Sun; House only on pre-booked tours on Sat Sun · House tour $15 · Free entry · Built 1847

Abbotsford Convent

This site is host to a number of historic buildings which were originally home to sisters from a Christian religious order. Traditionally associated with community service, the convent now houses a variety of community organisations, including restaurants, bars and two art galleries. Many visitors simply enjoy the ambience of the grounds and soak up the building's history. Guided social history tours run every Sunday at 2PM for $15/person, but must be booked. There are also occasional markets and rotating exhibitions.

7:30AM-10PM daily · Free entry

Alexandra Gardens

Ornamental gardens laid out in 1904, on south bank of the Yarra River. There is a row of historic rowing boathouses on the river bank.

Incinerator Gallery

Interesting gallery with exhibitions, art history talks, adult art courses, and workshops.

Tue-Sun 11AM-4PM · Free

Jewish Museum of Australia

An engaging museum that depicts the story of the Jewish community in Melbourne and Australia, in addition to the history of the strong local congregation within St Kilda and Caulfield. Houses a number of artefacts from around the world. Guided tours available on request.

Tue-Thu 10AM—4PM, Sun 10AM—5PM · Adult $10, child/concession $5

Royal Arcade

Built in 1870, it is a historic shopping arcade that runs between Little Collins St, the Bourke Street Mall and Elizabeth St. The carved statues standing guard next to the iconic clock are worth a look, along with the numerous small shops.

Mon-Sat 9AM-5:30PM, Sun 10AM-5PM

Rippon Lea Estate

A heritage-listed historic house and gardens.

Melbourne Aquarium

Home to over 10,000 aquatic creatures, there are four distinct areas of the aquarium dedicated to Antarctica, seahorses, the rainforest and the ocean, the latter of which includes a glass walk-through experience. Shark diving and animal feeding available.

Daily 9:30AM-6PM, last admission at 5PM · $35 adult, $21.50 child (4-15 yr), $29 concession, $92 family (2 adult+2 children); discounts online

Block Arcade

A historic shopping arcade built in 1891, lined with boutiques and cafés, housed within carved stone and wood walls with a glass canopy above.

Mon-Sat 8AM-5:30PM, Sun 9AM-5PM · Built 1891 · Wheelchair accessible

65 Degrees

The owners have a long history of accolades. Champion barista, world latte artist and award winning coffee blend, gridlock coffee. Fast, friendly service and some of the finest coffee around.

Mama’s Bưởi

Set in the modernised historic building of the Melbourne General Post Office, this Vietnamese restaurant offers quality meals at reasonable prices. As an indication, a set menu meal costs $25 each and includes a drink, entree and main, with four choices in each.

$25

Melbourne Central

It used to be the only shopping centre in the CBD, but now has a lot of competition. Sits above the train station of the same name, and home to a large variety of stores and brands. An old shot tower sits within the centre's iconic glass cone roof, along with a small museum display about the tower's history and a clock (The Marionette Watch) which plays Waltzing Matilda every hour.

Sat-Wed 10AM-7PM, Thu Fri 10AM-9PM

ANZ Banking Museum

Housed in the late-19th century Gothic Revival ANZ Bank building, it walks through the history of Australian banking from Indigenous bartering economies to finance of the future.

Mon-Fri 10AM-3PM except public holidays · Free · Free entry