Things To Do in Melbourne

Melbourne is a city of people and meeting places, of fashion and ritz, of cafes, restaurants and theatre, of cuisines and wines, of art galleries, museums and cultural events, of pubs and music, of parks and pathways, of the Yarra River and Port Phillip, of a blend of international cultures and festivals. And it is a city of sports worship.

Numerous tours escort you on shopping expeditions to the lanes, arcades and markets visiting stylish stores, fashion boutiques, cafes, bars and galleries. Others stroll you through the city’s splendid botanical parks, even to the door step of Captain Cook’s home.

Day coach tours show you the CBD, Docklands, the Yarra River, parks and onwards to the beautiful surrounding hills and valleys. Or view the city and tranquil river side parks and landscaped garden banks aboard a Yarra River cruiser.

The Dandenongs and Mount Macedon are garden viewer’s delights especially during autumn and spring. Grape vines line the rolling hills and vales of the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula with tours offering wine tastings and gourmet treats at many of the wineries. Steam train lovers will get a buzz aboard Puffing Billy on its trip down Mornington way.

Trips to the Melbourne Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary will win the hearts of animal lovers, especially when you hand feed and cuddle some of the native residents. A visit to Phillip Island to see the fairy penguins is a must, as is a tour along the Great Ocean Road viewing the Apostles and other fantastic cliff formations. Its one of the great scenic roads of the world. To the west from Melbourne lies Sovereign Hill, from the old gold mining days. Try your hand at finding the next “Welcome Stranger” nugget.

For the romantic at heart, a hot air balloon ride at sunrise over the CBD, river and parks followed by champagne breakfast at the Hilton then a horse drawn carriage ride past the sights of Melbourne is simply divine.

Interested in sports? You have multiple choices of tours introducing you to the cultures of the local football code while taking you to the great grounds, stadiums, tracks and museums. Learn about Aussie Rules, visit the World famous Melbourne Cricket Ground, drive around the Albert Park Formula One Australian Grand Prix track, or visit Flemington Race Course, where the Melbourne Cup is run and visit the horse studs. You might see this year’s winner.