Melbourne Things to Do

Unlike the more tropical cities in Australia’s north, the change of seasons in Melbourne is quite distinct and thanks to its proliferation of urban parks and gardens and nearby countryside, autumn is one of the best seasons in which to appreciate the beauty of its transition.

Melbourne prides itself on being Australia’s cultural capital and has a thriving arts scene that is evidenced in galleries, street art and sculpture gardens across the city and beyond.

The mighty Murray River borders three states and flows past several Victorian riverside towns and holiday destinations. The third longest navigable river in the world after the Amazon and the Nile, the ‘Murray’ originates in the Australian Alps and extends 2520kms (1566mi) to the Southern Ocean.

Melburnians flock to the seaside towns, beaches and national parks of the Gippsland Coast during summer.

Just 90 minutes drive from Melbourne, you’ll find one of Victoria’s favorite country towns, Daylesford. Famed for its mineral springs and spas, the town also offers gourmet restaurants, heritage streetscapes, romantic accommodations, and a diverse and artistic community.

This undervalued and little known museum has the largest collection of Kelly Gang armour in Australia

Visitors are encouraged to make their own journey in search of gold and to relive the experience of the Chinese prospectors who undertook arduous journeys and risked everything in the hope of finding gold in the mid-1800s.

A huge outdoor museum, Sovereign Hill is a recreation of a ‘wild west’ town typical of the gold rush era. Ladies, gentleman, prospectors and craftsmen wander Main Street and Redcoat soldiers’ parade and drill as a show of their military might.

Starting in March and running for 17 days, the festival comprises of hundreds of events throughout Melbourne focusing on artisan producers, masterchefs, and winemakers along with the regions that grow Victoria’s internationally renowned food and wine.

January in Melbourne is all about lazy summer days, swimming at the beach and watching the Australian Open Tennis Championships.