Hop-On Hop-Off Tours in Melbourne

Melbourne City Sights. Photo courtesy of t3rmin4t0r via Flickr.

Melbourne is one of Australia’s most visitor-friendly cities and it boasts two ‘hop-on hop-off’ shuttle services for tourists to enjoy: the City Tourist Shuttle Bus and the City Circle Tram.

Each service stops at designated points throughout the city and people are free to board the bus or get off at whichever stop they please (or simply stay put to enjoy the sights in air-conditioned comfort).  The bus runs past each stop approximately every 30 minutes and the City Circle trams run roughly every 15 minutes.

Unlike Sydney (where you need to purchase a ticket to ride the Sydney Explorer bus) the Melbourne Tourist shuttle and the City Circle tram are completely free!

Here’s an outline of some of the sights and stops you are likely to see on your bus tour:

1. St Kilda Road – Get off here for the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), the Arts Centre and the shops and cafes along Southbank.
2. Federation Square – This central hub across from the iconic Flinders St train station is where you’ll find the Melbourne Visitor Centre, Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), the NGV Ian Potter Centre and many more attractions.
3. Sports Precinct – Tennis and Cricket fans will love the MCG and the Melbourne Park tennis centre. You’ll find Fitzroy Gardens and Captain Cooks’ Cottage nearby.
4. Chinatown – Wander down Little Bourke St and enjoy a great value meal or yum cha.
5. Carlton Gardens – Get off here for the World Heritage listed Royal Exhibition Building and the fabulous Melbourne Museum.
6. Lygon St – Browse the shops, restaurants and cafes in Melbourne’s old Italian quarter.
7. Queen Victoria Market – Wander around Melbourne’s best market.
8. Docklands – Explore the restaurants, boats and wetlands in this newly developed part of the city.
9. Flinders St – Jump off here for the Immigration Museum and the Melbourne Aquarium.
10. Southbank/Spencer St – Visit Crown Casino, shopping, restaurants and historic Polly Woodside.
11. Royal Botanical Gardens – Leave plenty of time to explore these gorgeous gardens.

- Emma McMahon

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s Melbourne tours and things to do, Melbourne attractions, and Melbourne travel recommendations, or book a private tour guide in Melbourne for a customized tour!