5 things to do in Melbourne

Referred as the Cultural Capital of Australia, Melbourne was founded in 1835 by settlers from Van Diemen’s Land. In honour of the British Prime Minister of the day, William Lamb—the 2nd Viscount Melbourne, the place was named by Governor Richard Bourke in 1837 and was officially declared a city by Queen Victoria in 1847.

Although Sidney is more popular as an Australian city, there are lot of interesting things and places that you can enjoy when you visit Melbourne. The birthplace of Australia’s cultural institutions such as films, television, art, etc., this only proves that there is more to Melbourne that sunny beaches and football. With cheap flights to Australia now available there’s really no excuse not to!

Explore the City in a Tram

The best way to explore around Melbourne is by Circle Tram. A free tram service, it takes you around the central business district in the city and get off the tram at any of its stops, so you can visit particular attractions and catch the next one. The City Circle Tram will take you to several attraction sites such as the Immigration Museum, Federation Square, the Docklands area, etc. and has an audio commentary so you can learn all about the city as you ride around. The Tram is scheduled to arrive at designated stops every 12 minutes or so from 10am to 6pm daily and until 9pm Thursday to Saturday. It travels a rectangular route along Flinders, Spring, and LaTrobe Streets then in the Harbour Esplanade in Docklands, right around the Melbourne city centre. From the western end of LaTrobe Street, it takes the rail spur into Docklands Drive to the Waterfront City area before doubling back to re-join the rectangular route.

Night out at St. Kilda

For any visiting beach bummers, St. Kilda is the best place to go when you are in Melbourne. Just a tram ride away from the city center, St. Kilda is Melbourne’s closest beach town that has lots of cafés, shops, and restaurants lining the main streets. Also popular place to go out at night, you can visit Luna Park, an old amusement park built in 1912 that features a retro wooden roller coaster.

Visit Brunswick Street and Smith Street

To experience the alternative scene of Melbourne, visit Brunswick Street and Smith Street. Both based in the suburb of Fitzroy, this area is considered the mecca for hipsters where the cool and crazy conspire. Brunswick Street, home to the annual Melbourne Fringe Festival, boasts a seemingly endless supply of funky cafes, fine restaurants, local pubs and quirky shops. Offering multicultural cuisines, dining at Smith Street would be an eclectic experience. For anyone who’s into vintage, these streets would be the perfect place to hunt your treasures as second-hand shops and boutiques are quite common in this area.

Strolling at Southbank

Stretching along the Yarra River, you will find in Southbank the Southgate Arts & Leisure Precinct, which is Melbourne’s main entertainment precinct. Offering waterfront shopping, dining and an entertainment complex complete with Crown casino, you will find Southbank as an ideal place to spend some of your leisure time. Spend an afternoon strolling alongside the river and stop for something to eat or drink in one of the bars and restaurants. It’s a perfect spot for enjoying the sunshine and taking photos of the Yarra River and the Melbourne skyline.

Pump up some sweats at Melbourne

Melbourne wouldn’t be called a sports capital for nothing. Though the place is more known for football, Melbourne has lots of other sports activities that you can enjoy. Do you want to have an adrenaline-rush? Go kite boarding in St. Kilda or skydiving at Bendigo. How about going wet and wild? You can take lessons on stand-up paddle boarding, still at St. Kilda or surfing on the shores of Torquay. Or what about fusing something extreme with something wet – kite surfing!