Sights and experiences
During your trip to Australia, you needn’t worry about thinking of places to visit in Melbourne – we assure you there are plenty! To help you put your Melbourne sightseeing list together, you’ll find some great tourist attractions and dining options we recommend below.
Cook’s Cottage
Cook’s Cottage is the oldest building in Australia – so should be one of the places to visit while you’re in Melbourne. Amazingly, it was originally built in Yorkshire then brought to Melbourne in 1934 by Sir Russell Grimwade. It now resides in Fitzroy Gardens, one of Melbourne’s most beautiful parks and gardens. It’s a fantastic tourist attraction because not only does it provide an entertaining look into the life and adventures of Captain Cook, but it also chronicles the lives of the settlers who arrived in Australia throughout the 18th and 19th century.
Melbourne Star Observation Wheel
One thing we recommend you do in Melbourne is take a ride one the Melbourne Star. As Australia’s only giant observation wheel, it’s the only place that you can view the cityscape of Melbourne from above with an unparalleled, complete aerial view of the city. The Melbourne Star features three and a half kilometres of LED lighting, turning the wheel into a beautiful gigantic blue beacon dominating the horizon as dusk falls.
Old Melbourne Gaol Crime and Justice Experience
When it comes to things to do in Melbourne, a visit to the home of its oldest prison is exciting and interactive. Once the prison of some of Australia’s most notorious criminals, including the bushranger Ned Kelly, there are a lot of sights to see, such as the execution area and the cells. You can also get more hands on if you wish, and take part in a recreation trial at the Old Magistrates Court.
Philip Island
One of the optional tours offered by Distant Journeys during your stay in Melbourne is a visit to Philip Island. It’s home to some of nature’s greatest surprises, such as the world famous Philip Island penguin parade. It’s also one of the few places in the world where you can spot little penguins, as well as the Seal Rocks, home to Australia’s largest colony of fur seals. And at the island’s wildlife park you can get up close to the animals – you can hand feed the kangaroos and wallabies that roam freely around the park. This should be top of your list of places to visit in Melbourne.
Great Ocean Road
One of Australia’s most famous road-touring routes, this excursion is yet again an optional extra offered by Distant Journeys. This diverse stretch of highway passes miles of stunning coastline, pockets of rainforest, heathland, limestone cliffs and treetop canopies – and along it all, you’ll be able to admire the crashing waves of the Southern Ocean. At the end of the Great Ocean Road is the 12 Apostles rock formation, one of the finest examples of natural beauty that the Australian coastline has to offer and the best of Melbourne sightseeing.
Wining and dining
Syracuse
There are so many places to dine in Melbourne’s Central Business District and they’re all so appealing, it will be difficult to choose. Syracuse is just one of these such places, offering a sophisticated space and a high quality dining experience. After a day of sightseeing in Melbourne, Syracuse is a haven of escape from the bustle of Melbourne’s busiest district. The simple but mouth-watering menu is complemented by a fine selection of wines from the Australian vineyards.
Vue de Monde
The Vue de Monde is likely to be high on the list of places to visit in Melbourne for many tourists, as TripAdvisor has named it as Australia’s best restaurant. Exceptional and extraordinary, Vue de Monde is a theatrical experience from start to finish, from the food to the décor. You’ll find it on the 55th floor of the Rialto Building with a menu that features the very best gourmet French cuisine.
Flower Drum
A night at the Flower Drum – one of Melbourne’s best Chinese restaurants – will be a night to remember. The theatrical serving of the food makes a superb show while the food itself will not disappoint. Cantonese classics feature heavily on the menu, offering deliciously rich and satisfying renditions of duck wontons and honey-braised pork ribs among others, using the very best produce supplied by nearby local farms and suppliers.
