If there is one city where everyone feels at home, that is Melbourne. This beautiful metropolis is made up of people from all over the world, 38% of its population was born overseas. Victoria’s vibrant capital is a wonderful city that is often ranked amongst the world’s most livable each year. It is a city that offers great hotels, excellent and diverse gastronomy, shows and entertainment for all ages and tastes, it has the highest number of restaurants and cafes per capita than any other city in the globe. Moreover, it is very easy to go from place to place in the city, Melbourne has the largest tram system outside of Europe, and the fourth largest in the world overall. Great weather, friendly and smiley faces everywhere, delicious food and more await you in Melbourne. WOW Travel shares with you The Top 9 Things To Do In Melbourne.
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Werribee Open Range Zoo
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Werribee Open Range Zoo is an African-themed zoo in Werribee with an amazing array of animals living on 225 hectares of wide, open savannah. On the Pula Reserve Walking Trail, come face-to-face with amazing gorillas, a pride of lions, see monkeys and cheetahs at play and feel the sand between your toes at the new Hippo Beach. No trip to the Zoo is complete without heading out on safari across grassy plains where you will find rhinoceros, giraffes, zebras and antelopes grazing together on the picturesque savannah.
Melbourne Central
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Melbourne Central is a stylish destination for shopping, eating and entertainment in Melbourne’s CBD, with over 300 stores to explore in a unique and modern architectural space. It offers the best possible shopping experience with shops range from international brands like Calvin Klein to Australian retailers like Cocolàtte.
Phillip Island Nature Park
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Only 90 minutes from Melbourne, experience Victoria’s wildlife island featuring spectacular coastal scenery, charming heritage and an abundance of Australian wildlife. Visit the Penguin Parade, Koala Conservation Centre, Churchill Island Heritage Farm, experience a spectacular Wild Ocean EcoBoat Tour to Seal Rocks, or drop by the free Nobbies Centre.
St Kilda
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Just 6 km (3.7 miles) from the city center, St Kilda is Melbourne’s seaside playground and is much-loved by residents and visitors. St Kilda is renowned for its expansive view of Port Phillip, safe sandy beach, palm-lined boardwalk, huge range of beach activities, parks and gardens, great restaurants, bars and cafés, fabulous old buildings, and its colorful past and present. St Kilda is home to many of Melbourne’s famous visitor attractions including Luna Park, the Esplanade Hotel, Acland Street and Fitzroy Street. It is home to St Kilda beach, Melbourne’s most famous beach, several renowned theatres and several of Melbourne’s big events and festivals. The main street in St Kilda is Fitzroy Street. It’s lined with outdoor pubs, cafes and restaurants serving a wide variety of cuisines showcasing Melbourne’s multicultural heritage.
Queen Victoria Market
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The Queen Victoria Market has been the heart and soul of Melbourne for more than a century. A historic landmark spread over two city blocks, it’s a vibrant and bustling inner-city Market where you can shop for everything from Australian fruit and vegetables, and local and imported gourmet foods, to cosmetics, clothing and souvenirs. The Market is open five days a week—Tuesday, and Thursday to Sunday.
Eureka Skydeck
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High up on the 88th floor of the Eureka Tower, 285 metres (935 ft) above sea level, you’ll find Eureka Skydeck: Melbourne’s greatest point of view, and one of the most stunning observation decks in the world. As the highest public observation deck in the Southern Hemisphere with spectacular visual panorama of Melbourne’s humming neighbourhoods. It’s home to the world’s first and only Edge Experience – a glass cube that projects out from the 88th floor and suspends visitors high above Melbourne city.
Great Ocean Road
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The Great Ocean Road is an Australian National Heritage listed 243 kilometres stretch of road along the south-eastern coast of Australia between the Victorian cities of Torquay and Allansford. Travel the Great Ocean Road for one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives, and see the 12 Apostles, iconic surf breaks and waterfalls.
Royal Botanic Gardens
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Attracting over 1.8 million visitors annually with its stunning vistas, tranquil lakes and diverse plant collections, the Royal Botanic Gardens are a place of continual discovery and delight. The Royal Botanic Gardens is home to amazing and diverse plant collections such as camellias, rainforest flora, succulents and cacti, roses, Californian species, herbs, perennials, cycads and plants from Southern China. Guilfoyle’s Volcano in the Gardens offers visitors a fabulous precinct to explore.
State Library of Victoria
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The magnificent domed reading room is at the center of the State Library Victoria in Melbourne. When it opened in 1913 it was the largest building of its kind in the world. Today it has space for 32,000 books and 320 readers at its desks.
Just So You Know…
- You spent your childhood thinking that Batman is from Gotham City? You were terribly wrong. Batman is an Aussie and he lives in Melbourne.
- A person who lives in or comes from Melbourne is called a “Melbournian”.
- Before Melbourne was Melbourne, it was called Batmania, after John Batman, the Australian-born colonist who was one of Melbourne’s founding fathers.
- Melbourne is known for its unpredictable weather, and it’s often possible to experience “four seasons in one day”.
- Melbourne’s famous tramway system is the largest outside Europe and the fourth largest in the world. It stretches along 244 km (152 miles) of track and has 450 trams.
- Melbourne is home to Toto’s, Australia’s first pizza restaurant, which opened in 1961 in Little Italy, Lygon Street, Carlton.
- Melbourne had the first gay and lesbian radio station in the world. It’s indeed a gay friendly city. Enjoy the best welcoming vibe at one of the Top 11 Gay Friendly Hotels in Melbourne.
- Until 1966, all pubs in Melbourne closed at 6pm.
- The car park for Queen Victoria Markets is built on the site of Melbourne’s original cemetery.
- Melbourne has the largest Greek-speaking population outside of Europe, a population comparable to some larger Greek cities like Larissa and Volos.
Get Some Culture:
- Melbourne Museum – A natural and cultural history museum. Explore Melbourne’s rich history in the Melbourne Story exhibition; be immersed in evocative stories and discover the icons and personalities that have shaped Melbourne since the early 1800s.
- National Gallery of Victoria – The oldest public gallery in Australia with collections ranging over European, Asian, and Australian art of all periods.
Grab A Bite:
- Maha Restaurant – Located in a sub-basement venue on Bond St, Maha is the signature venue for sought-after chef and restaurateur, Shane Delia create playful and full flavored Middle Eastern food like nothing you’ve tasted before.
- Arbory Bar & Eatery – a lively all-day outdoor bar and eatery located between Melbourne’s heritage listed Flinders Street Station and the world famous Yarra River, at the epicenter of Melbourne’s riverside arts and entertainment precinct.
- Entrecôte – An amazing Parisian steakhouse and bar near the Royal Botanical Gardens.
- Mastic – With great coffee and delicious breakfast served on a colorful seating at communal ping-pong tables.
