Melbourne, Australia, is a vibrant hub for travelers seeking culture, food, and adventure. From street art to coffee culture, here are 10 must-do experiences for anyone visiting Melbourne. So, what can’t you do in Melbourne, the largest city and capital of the state of Victoria in Australia? The answer is nothing! There is no activity, no experience, no food, no culture that you cannot find in this glorious, diverse city. But there are at least 10 things that you must do, based upon two visits there in 2024.
1. Walk!
Melbourne’s heart is its CBD—Central Business District—and it’s extremely walkable. Streets are laid out in a grid, so it’s easy to navigate and is the best way to experience the sights, sounds and vibe. The only confusing thing is the two “little streets.” For reasons I never asked the question, there is the main high fashion street of Collins, often called ‘little Paris” for its abundance of Parisian, and other European, designer brands like Louis Vuitton, Celine and Gucci. Then a block over is Little Collins, which parallels Collins and is a major commercial street in its own right. The other pair of streets is Bourke and Little Bourke. They are also equally large streets with lots of shops and restaurants. Once you know this, walking is fun and easy.
2. Find the street art!
In addition to the big cross streets, Melbourne is filled with short and long alleys, which they call “laneways.” Sometimes there are retail establishments located on these, but almost always they are filled with street art. This is not your standard graffiti. It’s all colorful depictions of everything from graphic art to aboriginal themes to messages to Disney characters like Bambi. Sometimes the art is a mural that covers the entire side of a building, and sometimes it’s so small you’d miss it if you didn’t know what to look for.
The best way to explore is with a local guide, and I had a great experience with Fiona Sweetman, the owner of Hidden Secrets Tours. I took her Original Laneway Walking Tour, and in a couple of hours, enjoyed an amazing array of art, plus stops for coffee and cocktails. Fiona has a wealth of knowledge about Melbourne and will share wonderful stories as you explore her city on foot.
3. Paint your own art!
If you want to leave your own imprint on Melbourne’s street art scene, Wine Lovers Travel can make that happen. We have connections with local artists who will give you a brief lesson in painting, provide all the supplies and let you have at it to create your own street art. We can’t guarantee it will remain indefinitely, but we’ll video and take photos of you painting your creation. It’s a total Melbourne thing to do, and what a cool post to add to your social media! Contact us for more information.
4. Eat!
Melbourne is a true melting pot, and nowhere is it more evident than in the various types of cuisine you can find. Everything from “new Australian” cooking, to every type of Asian food, Italian, Middle Eastern, American, Mexican, and fusions of all of the above. Plus, it’s a drinking town, so there is no shortage of wine bars, speakeasies, Irish pubs and bars.
Places range from pop-ups to fine dining. There are neighborhoods devoted to different cultures, such as Chinatown (which has many Asian cuisines represented) and Little Italy. One way to get a great overview is another walking tour. I loved my walk with Himanshi Munshaw Luhar, who calls herself the Chief Foodie at Foodie Trails. Our small group of 10 started at a hot new wine bar, then proceeded to a hidden speakeasy, a delicious Asian-fusion restaurant and ended at a dessert palace with more pastries and homemade gelato choices than you can imagine. Along the way, our guide pointed out various historical sites, and unusual facts about her city and gave us a great overview of the local food scene. My only complaint was that when the tour was over, none of us could even imagine eating ever again after this night of food and drink.
5. Take a tram!
While walking is the best way to get to feel the pulse of the city, you’ve got to do as the locals and take a tram. These electric trolleys traverse Melbourne on several of the major streets. They offer a great respite when your feet get tired. And best of all, they are FREE! Just find a clearly marked stop and hop on. Wouldn’t it be great if every city offered something like this?
6. Go to a museum!
Melbourne is no Paris when it comes to museums, but it does offer some that are unique enough that they warrant a visit, even if you’re not a museum lover. My favorite is ACMI, which is the National Museum of Australia, located in Federation Square right on the Yarra River. It is a museum of Australian art, with a big focus on Aboriginal artists. And, like the trams, admission is FREE. Another unique museum is the Australian Performing Arts Collection (APAC), which houses over 850,000 objects collected from all sorts of performances, ranging from the circus to theatre to rock concerts. See memorabilia donated by Kylie Minogue and The Australian Ballet, amongst others, and learn about the historically famous performer who gave her name to the classic dessert Peach Melba. Contact them in advance for a guided tour, which does have a fee but is very fascinating.
7. Buy a piece of Aboriginal Art!
For me, the best souvenir from a trip is a piece of art or handicraft that was made locally and represents where I’ve been. Unlike ordinary home décor, these pieces remind me of the amazing places I’ve traveled and tell me a story. While ACMI does have a wonderful gift shop where you can find locally produced items, my vote goes to the Original & Authentic Aboriginal Art Gallery on Bourke Street in the CBD.
Aboriginal dot paintings call out to me, with their intricacy and use of wide spectrums of color. What I learned from director Alexis Hessen (who ironically does not have Aboriginal ancestry) is that their artists come from all over Australia and that each piece tells a story. She pointed out the symbolism related to men and women, to sitting circles, to hunting, to the sun and moon and more. Of course, I had to take a canvas home as a memory of this experience. What is especially gratifying about this gallery is that 45% of the price of the art is returned to the artist.
8. Find your favorite coffee!
Australians love their food, wine, beer and cocktails, but even more, they are passionate about their coffee! You will find independently owned coffee shops everywhere, and each has its own spin on what makes the best coffee. What you won’t find are many Starbucks, which are highly disdained by the locals. In my two visits this year, during which I walked a lot, I only saw two, and they were mostly empty.
The types of coffee you can get are pretty similar to what you’ll find in the US, with the addition of Flat White. Not very different than a latte, I asked and was told that Flat Whites have less foam, but otherwise are the same. Other terminology with is different from the US is the use of Long Black and Short Black. Short Black is espresso and Long Black is espresso with hot water, like an Americano. Melbourne has a special coffee called Magic, for those who love their caffeine strong and bold. It’s a double ristretto (an extraction of espresso) topped with steamed milk. For a glossary about Australian coffee, check out Barista Supplies.
9. Go Marketing!
Though I ran out of time, people told me you’ve got to visit Queen Victoria Market. This is a massive permanent outdoor market, which sells everything edible, from produce to meat to seafood to sweets. The deli section, which is in its own adjacent building, has a huge assortment of familiar and local meats. Even though I personally can’t imagine eating one of those adorable kangaroos, they are a popular staple on Australian menus. You can see how it’s sold. I also heard about a van called the American Doughnut Kitchen Van, which sells hot jelly doughnuts that are supposedly the best in the world. Check it out and let me know if you agree. It’s on my list for my next visit.
10. Rent a boat!
As mentioned above, the Yarra River bisects the CBD. What better place to leisurely enjoy the city and view the skyline than taking a boat ride? There are commercial tours, but if you’re a DIY kind of person, take a look at options for a self-drive boat or a kayak. No boating license is required, and I guarantee a fun time.
While you’re viewing the skyline, look for the Eureka Tower. It’s the one with the gold top and a vertical red stripe down the side. It’s a 91-story residential building with significant story. Opened in 2006, the building was named after the Eureka Stockade rebellion, which occurred during the Victorian gold rush in 1854. The gold and red were designed to represent the gold that was mined and the bloodshed that ensued.
After your boat ride, you may also want to visit the building, which has the highest Skydeck in the Southern Hemisphere.
This should be a great start to enjoying Melbourne!
More good news! Starting now in 2025, Wine Lovers Travel will also be helping individuals plan their custom trips to the destinations we use for our group wine trips. New destinations are coming, so be sure to sign up for our twice-monthly newsletter and watch this website.
Loved this guide? Share it with your fellow travelers planning a Melbourne adventure!