Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Docklands

"This fenced garden is within the Royal Botanic Gardens and provides opportunities for water play and nature play in a popular picnic spot. You can also take your under 5s on a Punt Tour for free!. Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra"

"Melbourne’s iconic monument was built as a memorial to honour all those who served during World War I and all Australians who have since served in military conflict and peacekeeping operations. Open daily, visitors can wander through reflective exhibition spaces including Galleries of Remembrance, The Victoria Cross and Gallery of Medals and see over 800 objects including photos, uniforms and historical artefacts."

"The Shrine of Remembrance (commonly referred to as The Shrine) is a war memorial built in honour of the men that fought in World War I. It now functions as a memorial for all Australians who have been sent to war. The Shrine was built during the great depression and construction relied heavily on public contributions."

"Lookout north-westerly down the Ceremonial Avenue back toward the CBD as the light fades and the sun drops to the west and the twilight colours briefly fill the sky. Can you see someone staring back at you?. It’s the face of William Barak on the ‘Portrait Building’."

"One of the more lifeless buildings of Melbourne on the outside, the old Melbourne Gaol has quite a ghastly history to back it up. Sitting right on Russel street (another very famous Melbourne street) is an incredibly eerie, 3 story high former prison. While it’s no longer a prison (it was officially closed in 1924), it’s now a museum filled with relics of the past and the history of some of Australia’s most notorious criminals."

"For 87 years, Victoria’s Old Melbourne Gaol housed minor offenders and notorious criminals including gangster Squizzy Taylor. Among those executed were bushranger Ned Kelly and Jack the Ripper suspect Frederick Bailey Deeming. Today, the prison operates as a museum where visitors can see death masks, Kelly gang weapons and memorabilia from prisoners and staff."

"When you first take a look around Melbourne City, you’d be hard-pressed not to be able to see this towering over you. Standing 297 meters tall, it was Australia’s tallest apartment block when completed in 2006 and remains the tallest high-rise building in Melbourne. It’s hard to imagine what Melbourne looks like from the Sky Deck at the top until you actually experience yourself."

"Created to reach for the sky, nothing you have ever experienced will prepare you for the awe inspiring view of Melbourne from the Southern Hemisphere’s highest viewing platform. The Skydeck features thirty viewfinders that help visitors to pinpoint numerous significant landmarks around all parts of Melbourne, along with several free binoculars. Tommy Ooi’s Traveling Tips"

"As the birthplace of Aussie Rules Football and the site of such famous venues as the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Rod Laver Arena and Flemington Racecourse, a sports tour of Melbourne will let you get a behind-the-scenes look at these world class sporting venues. You'll visit famous sights including the MCG and Rod Laver Arena as well as the National Sports Museum to see memorabilia and learn about the city and the country's history and love of sport."

"Melbourne loves sports - and the Melbourne Cricket Ground is the sports capital of the nation. Commonly referred to as ‘The G’ it is the largest stadium in the southern hemisphere and the 10th largest in the world. Founded in 1853 by the Melbourne Cricket Club, the MCG has since hosted the 1956 Summer Olympics, two cricket world cups, and The Commonwealth Games."

"If your family loves sports then the Melbourne Cricket Ground needs to be on your itinerary!. If there are no matches on you can still visit. Just book the tour and also make sure you visit the National Sports Museum."

"Flinders Street Station is among Melbourne’s most recognizable landmarks & the busiest suburban railway Station in the southern hemisphere. The Melburnian idiom “I’ll meet you under the clocks” refers to the row of clocks above the main entrance, which indicate the departure time of the next train on each line"

"While Sydney has the Opera House (pfft), Melbourne has Flinders Street Station. Operating as the hub of the metropolitan train network, this city icon welcomes thousands of workers into the city every day. The station is also Melbourne's most popular meeting place."

"But on those amazing evenings when the setting sun really lights up the clouds, the colourful sky can add even more to your Flinders Street Station photos."

"A perfect stroll for weddings held at Doyles Bridge Hotel and Windows on the Bay, although we’d suggest getting a lift back to Doyles if you can arrange it. White sand, flat blue water and some garden area to hide in – even the toilets are picturesque."

"For more than 150 years this section of central Melbourne, now flanked by five traditional arches, has been the focal point for the city's Chinese community and it remains a vibrant neighbourhood of historic buildings filled with Chinese (and other Asian) restaurants. Come here for yum cha (dim sum) or to explore the attendant laneways for late-night dumplings or cocktails. Chinatown also hosts the city’s Chinese New Year celebrations."

"For dinner head to Little Bourke Street and taste the flavours of Melbourne's Chinatown, or check out the vast dining hall at Cookie in Curtin House. Catch a live performance at Bennetts Lane, Australia's premier jazz venue, which hosts local and international musicians most nights."

"With such highlights included on the tour itinerary as St. Paul's Cathedral, Federation Square, Chinatown, Parliament House and much more, you're sure to get a true taste of the diversity that Melbourne is all about."

"A free City Circle tram runs throughout town, starting at Flinders Street Station, and takes in must-see attractions such as St Paul's Cathedral, Parliament House and the Royal Exhibition Building. Hop off the tram at Flagstaff Station and take a five minute stroll to Queen Victoria Market. The market has been a Melbourne landmark for more than a century and offers an incredible range of local and imported gourmet foods. Grab a coffee from Market Lane Coffee, in the Deli Hall, and a spinach and cheese borek from the Borek Shop."

"You may not want to attend a sitting but there are also tours that you can book when Parliament is not sitting. This way you can get access to some extra information on the building and the things that happen behind the scenes. The express tours take only 20 minutes, perfect if you have children that have the attention span of a goldfish."

"Spend the day hopping between eclectic cafes and small shops, and explore iconic places such as the State Parliament buildings, Shrine of Remembrance, Federation Square, Arts Centre, Yarra River, Fitzroy Garden and St Patrick’s Cathedral. Take advantage of the free tram service around the City Circle loop to get around!"

"Exuding style, sophistication and individuality, Valley Designer Cakes, Melbourne's favourite wedding cake designer, specialises in custom made, handcrafted wedding cakes and special occasion cakes that look and taste divine. We also bake beautiful cupcakes and cookies which can also be used thank you gifts or bomboniere. With over 12 years experience in cakes and cake decorating, you are in good hands when you choose Valley Designer Cakes."

"Bespoke Design Wedding Cakes that taste even better than they look!. The Icing Artist is a boutique company that specialises in creating bespoke wedding cakes, cookies and cupcakes. Head Chef and Owner Simone has been working in the cake industry in Australia and Europe for over 21 years."

"The old historic Princes Pier in Port Melbourne is both a fisherman’s and photographers favourite early evening spot. With the sunsetting to the west, (right as you lookout to Port Phillip Bay), the golden hour light just before sunset is an ideal time to be here."

"Melbourne is the coastal capital of the southeastern Australian state of Victoria. At the city's centre is the modern Federation Square development, with plazas, bars, and restaurants by the Yarra River. In the Southbank area, the Melbourne Arts Precinct is the site of Arts Centre Melbourne – a performing arts complex – and the National Gallery of Victoria, with Australian and indigenous art."

"Flinders Street Station is among Melbourne’s most recognizable landmarks & the busiest suburban railway Station in the southern hemisphere. The Melburnian idiom “I’ll meet you under the clocks” refers to the row of clocks above the main entrance, which indicate the departure time of the next train on each line"

"While Sydney has the Opera House (pfft), Melbourne has Flinders Street Station. Operating as the hub of the metropolitan train network, this city icon welcomes thousands of workers into the city every day. The station is also Melbourne's most popular meeting place."

"But on those amazing evenings when the setting sun really lights up the clouds, the colourful sky can add even more to your Flinders Street Station photos."