Melbourne Outdoor sports

The Australian state of Victoria is full of incredible nature, towns, and culture — all just a few hours from its exciting capital Melbourne. A weekend trip lets you trade trams and urban city life for hiking trails and rolling hills with wineries.

Enjoy a scenic drive along the Great Ocean Road to discover the seaside town of Lorne or the rainforests of the Great Otway National Park. Hike through the trails of the Grampians or enjoy wine tastings and hot springs on the Mornington Peninsula. Don’t miss these activities and more on the best weekend getaways from Melbourne.

When traveling to Melbourne, you could find yourself strolling through the greenery of the Royal Botanic Gardens one moment and walking through a laneway covered in street art the next. If visiting Melbourne landmarks like Federation Square, make sure to catch the historic tram.

If you’re traveling to Melbourne alone, the city’s mix of quiet corners and social squares makes it the perfect place to customize your independent travel experience. From seeing the cityscape from Eureka Tower at sunset to shopping for local goods at Queen Victoria Market, this guide is filled with creative things to do alone in Melbourne.

1. Wander through the Royal Botanic Gardens

From rich wine tastings to spirited tennis matches and steam train rides, many of the fun things to do in Melbourne are also marvelous escapes from the rain. Families can have a blast riding the Puffing Billy Railway or climbing Eureka Tower, and couples can relish a rainy romantic day in Melbourne’s Yarra Valley, sipping their way through the high-end wineries. You’ll get a glimpse into local culture when you enjoy these popular things to do in Melbourne when it rains, from tasting local coffee to lounging in the State Library of Victoria to shopping at Queen Victoria Market.

If Sydney is the heart of Australia, then Melbourne is the soul. The best places to visit in Melbourne range from world-class museums and art galleries to the bustling Queen Victoria Market. Explore spectacular nature in the Dandenong Ranges, or take a trip up the Eureka Tower for incredible city views.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral is a must-visit for history enthusiasts, while nature lovers can find a peaceful sanctuary in the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Whatever kind of trip you seek, this guide leads you through the best sights in Melbourne.

Melbourne’s top places to visit at a glance

Best places to visit in Melbourne with kids: Federation Square, Eureka Tower, and Queen Victoria Market.
The best places to go for art in Melbourne: National Gallery of Victoria and the Australian Centre for the Moving Image.
Best attractions in Melbourne for nature lovers: Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria and Dandenong Ranges.
The top sights in Melbourne for history lovers: St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Cook’s Cottage.