Top 10 Things To Do, Activities and Attractions in Melbourne

"In 1844, Charles La Trobe, the colony’s first Lieutenant Governor, received a request from the Melbourne council asking for parks close to the town, ‘where they could conveniently take recreation therein after their daily labor.’. The 500 acres that La Trobe reserved included Royal Park, The Domain, Fitzroy Gardens, Fawkner Park and the Royal Botanic Gardens. The Royal Botanic Gardens is now one of Melbourne’s finest attractions; stretching over 89 acres, it is filled with 50,000 individual plants representing 8,500 different species."

"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"

"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."

"Another one of the cool activities for kids Melbourne has is the Eureka Skydeck. Get a bird’s eye view of the city from the southern hemisphere’s highest viewing platform. Travel up to floor 88 in less than 40 seconds and enjoy fantastic views of Melbourne."

"Eureka Tower – offers stunning views from the highest observation deck in the southern hemisphere, Eureka Skydeck at 297 metres/88 floors. I recommend going up just on sun down so you experience Melbourne by day and as it slips into night."

"With a capacity of 100,000 people, the 'G' is one of the world’s great sporting venues, hosting cricket in summer and AFL (Australian Football League; Aussie rules) footy in winter. For many Australians it's considered hallowed ground. Make it to a game if you can (highly recommended), but otherwise you can still make your pilgrimage on nonmatch-day tours that take you through the stands, media and coaches’ areas, change rooms and members' lounges. The MCG houses the state-of-the-art National Sports Museum."

"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."

"For over 30 years, Animal Land has made little one’s farm dreams come true, and it’s only a mere 30 minutes from the Melbourne CBD!. It gives children an authentic, hands-on farm experience where they can hold, pat, feed, ride and immerse themselves amongst a host of animals. Ride tractors, milk cows, ride ponies, collect eggs, feed ducks, and meet the beautiful Maggie the cow and Penny the sheep."

"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."

"Set in a two-level 19th-century brick house, The Johnston Collection seems right at home. There are about 1500 items in the permanent collection, with a focus on decorative and fine arts. These include ceramics, furniture, textiles, and glasswork."

"Stunning Australian Garden, which showcases the diversity of Australian flora, plus free water play. Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne, cnr Ballato Rd and Botanic Drive, Cranbourne"

"The Mission to Seafarers, Victoria, active from 1857, has operated since 1917 from the heritage-listed building, 717 Flinders St, on the banks of the River Yarra. The Mission is highly regarded for its long and continuing service to those who live and work at sea. Guided tours available or casual visits are welcome 365 days of the year, refreshments available."

"OKAMI is a great place to eat, combining a cozy atmosphere with fresh-made traditional Japanese food. OKAMI Japanese buffets Melbourne is the best choice of restaurants for both families and singles. The creation of the unique and innovative fine dining atmosphere as well as style will differentiate make it stand apart from the buffet restaurant in Melbourne."

"This Richmond café takes the ideal of local-sustainable eating, mixes it with chic design based on salvaged timber and found items, and delivers a moral good, channeling profits into developing communities. Feast of Merit is an initiative of YGAP, a charity that supports youth education and leadership projects in Malawi, Ghana, Rwanda, Bangladesh, Cambodia and Australia. Suppliers such as St ALi, Hopkins River Beef and St. David’s Dairy donate their products."

"Born from a spirit of mateship and a labour of love, Oh Loretta Wine Bar on High Street in Northcote invites friends, family and perfect strangers to share food, wine and old school vinyl."

"This hotel is located in one of Melbourne’s best neighbourhoods. It is close to excellent tourist attractions, bars, restaurants and shops. Comprised of 12 rooms, this charming hotel offers free wifi and a laundry service."

"Our Team at Sugar & Spice Cupcakes offers a personalised service, with our main focus being attention to detail. Established in 2009, Founder Stacey Anderson started a Hobby Business; which has bloomed into a full time passion. Illana Da Ros joined our team in 2011 & adds her own flair to our designs."

"A bakery is always a good option for breakfast, but Ned's Bake is so much more. Yep, you can pick up delicious fresh loaves of sourdough and mouth-watering baked goods, but it's well worth sticking around to peruse the brunch menu. We're talking marscapone pancakes, spanner crab salad, brioche french toast, or cured trout."