Activities in Melbourne and Victoria cover an exceptional spectrum — from street art to penguins via wineries and skiing.
In Melbourne, the essentials: visit the street art laneways (Hosier Lane, AC/DC Lane, Centre Place — free, photogenic), walk in the Victorian arcades (Block Arcade 1892, Royal Arcade 1869), visit the NGV — National Gallery of Victoria (free for permanent collection — Australia's largest Australian and international art collection), Melbourne Museum (exceptional Aboriginal Heritage zone, AUD 15), Eureka Skydeck (88th floor, AUD 30, panorama). Federation Square and Flinders Street Station (1909 Victorian architecture) are the city's heart. The Royal Botanic Gardens (free) is one of Australia's most beautiful. St Kilda for the urban beach, Luna Park (free entry, paid attractions) and fairy penguins on the pier at sunset (free, mainly September to May).
Café and brunch: iconic addresses Patricia Coffee Brewers, Seven Seeds, Brother Baba Budan, Higher Ground (brunch in an industrial cathedral), Top Paddock. Melbourne is also lived through its cafés — count AUD 5-7 for a flat white, AUD 20-30 for brunch.
Great Ocean Road (2-3 days by car): Torquay (Bells Beach surf), Lorne (charming coastal village), Apollo Bay (recommended stop), Cape Otway (wild koalas in roadside eucalyptus — free observation, look up), Otway Fly Treetop Adventures (treetop walk 30 m high, AUD 25-30), 12 Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge (Port Campbell, 1h visit, ideally sunset or sunrise), London Arch, Bay of Islands.
Phillip Island (1 day or overnight): Penguin Parade (AUD 35-250 depending on formula, booking recommended), Koala Conservation Reserve (AUD 15, koalas visible in sanctuaries), Seal Rocks (cruise AUD 80-120 to observe Australia's largest seal colony, 25,000 individuals), Nobbies Centre (panorama, café, free). Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit hosts MotoGP in October.
Yarra Valley (1 day): winery tastings (Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, champagne method). Signature addresses: Domaine Chandon (founded by Moët & Chandon in 1986, champagne method, AUD 25/person tasting), Yering Station (Victoria's oldest winery, 1838), De Bortoli, Coombe Yarra Valley (former Dame Nellie Melba estate). Guided shuttle from Melbourne AUD 130-180/person with lunch.
Excursions: Mornington Peninsula and Peninsula Hot Springs (natural hot springs, AUD 60-100), Wilsons Promontory National Park (2h30, Squeaky Beach, hikes), Grampians (3h, hiking and Aboriginal rock art, 2-3 days recommended), Daylesford and Hepburn Springs (1h30, thermal villages).
Events: Australian Open tennis (January), Australian Grand Prix F1 (March), Melbourne International Comedy Festival (April, one of the world's largest), AFL Grand Final (September, Australian football final), Melbourne Cup (first Tuesday of November, horse race, public holiday).
Read also
- Melbourne — Australia's cultural capital: cafés, street art, gastronomy in 3-4 nights.
- Great Ocean Road — 243 km of panoramic road: 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, Cape Otway koalas.
- Sydney and the east coast — To combine with Melbourne for the signature big city duo.
- Australia — Complete guide: world's 6th country, eVisitor formalities, budget, best time.