Things to do in Melbourne

There are several things to do in Melbourne for tourists who visit this spectacular city. Melbourne is one of Australia's most vibrant and buzzing cities and has many attractions in store for you! You can definitely start off your Melbourne odyssey with a taste of The Eureka Skydeck which is one of the most hair raising and beautiful experiences you will ever have! This Skydeck is located at the Riverside Quay on Melbourne's Southbank and offers stunning views of the city and even beyond! This will allow you to take some awesome pictures and you can even experience a special attraction called The Edge which will take you right over the edge of the skywalk in a glass box and you will be able to get some unmatched views of the city. Tickets are available for this once in a lifetime experience at very reasonable prices and you can also opt for two entries in one day with a view towards experiencing Melbourne's beauty both at day and night. Sunset is sometimes considered to be the ideal viewing time. The Shrine of Remembrance is another hotspot for tourists and is located at Kings Domain Parkland on St Kilda Road. This majestic edifice is designed as a tribute and memorial to veterans and heroes from waters across the world and you will simply love the city views from the top of this monument. This is one of the biggest architectural landmarks in Melbourne and offers you lovely views of the Government House, Botanical Gardens and more! The Shrine of Remembrance can be visited by availing the City Circle tram service. These views also come absolutely free of charge. You will enjoy the beauty of the place along with the fastidiously maintained gardens. Every evening, the flags are taken down ceremonially and this is also worth a watch!

You can indulge the thrill seeker in you with a hot air balloon ride over the Yarra Valley and even over the Central Business District in Melbourne. You will love the views in addition to the sunrise and blue skies. You will be able to view the landmarks of the city including the Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Albert Park Racetrack and the Flemington Raceway among others. Early morning flights are usually offered. You can also opt for flights over the Yarra Valley which presents a pretty picture courtesy its vineyards and lovely natural greenery. You can also take a helicopter flight over Melbourne if you have limited time to explore the city. You should also visit the St Paul's Cathedral or Flinders St Station which lie almost adjacent to each other. The Cathedral is a beautiful and imposing building that bears Gothic flourishes while the neighbouring Station is also a work of art in its own right and is one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. The Cathedral will impress you with its colours, stained glass and lovely wall carvings while the station will hook you with its coffee shops and other retail outlets.

You can also visit the Dandenong Ranges which are located approximately an hour away from Melbourne city. This trip is a worthy choice for nature lovers on account of the majestic ranges and eye catching mountain ash trees. There are several quaint and charming villages in addition to eateries and cafes. You can also pick up beautiful hand crafted items from several stores and ride on the narrow gauge railway through the picturesque mountains or take a coach to visit the area. Winter is the best time to explore the ranges as the trees and other vegetation sparkles during this time. You can also take wildlife coach tours that take you through these ranges and the Yarra Valley in addition to the Healesville Sanctuary. If you're in the mood to pick up souvenirs and knick knacks and want a hot and piping meal to go with it, you're better off visiting the Queen Victoria Market. This is a fantastic outdoor hub which gives you several souvenirs from across the globe along with some delectable options for lunch and breakfast. The dine-in cafe experience is worth savouring here. You will also enjoy picking up local produce and fresh fruits at this market.

The Great Ocean Road offers a scenic and attractive drive down the Torquay coastline. This drive is one of the best and most picturesque experiences in the world. The Great Ocean Road stretches for about 243 kilometres and you will enjoy the lovely views here. Hiring a chauffeured car and exploring the entire route is the best bet in this case. You can also take group tours or coach tours. You should also check out the famous formation of the Twelve Apostles along the way. Phillip Island is another fabulous getaway within only a couple of hours from Melbourne city. You will love the cute penguins that inhabit the island and make their way to the shore to the little Penguin Colony at night. This entire journey is affectionately called the Penguin Parade. You will also enjoy the Koala Conservation centre here along with Churchill Island and the Nobbies headland which offers wooden boardwalks for unique exploration.

You can check out the Melbourne Aquarium at King Street riverside. The Melbourne Zoo is located near the central business district while the Healesville Sanctuary and Werribee Open Range Zoo are also easily accessible from the city. Wildlife lovers will savour the experiences offered by Melbourne's aquariums and zoos. The Aquarium is home to the 2.2 million lite Oceanarium and offers shark dive extreme experiences along with a chance to discover Antarctic penguins. The zoo is home to lions, gorillas, elephants and orang-utans. If you want to do something truly unplanned and offbeat, you can just let go and get lost in the charming lanes and alleys of the city with all the hidden indie theatres, shops, art galleries, shopping centres and coffee shops. You can take walking tours of Melbourne that are offered by several operators.