Melbourne, the capital of the state of Victoria on the south coast of the Australian continent, stands for culture, education and a hip lifestyle. With almost 5 million inhabitants, it is the second largest city on the continent of Australia after Sydney and has a wide range of sights, experiences and impressions in store for its visitors.
Since the population is largely made up of Chinese, British, Greek, Italian and numerous other immigrants, Melbourne offers an exciting mix of cultures that can hardly be found anywhere else in the world. Melbourne is currently only accessible from Germany by connecting flights, the travel time is between 22 and 30 hours.
Things to do in Melbourne
Federation Square
Melbourne’s main square is Federation Square, which is located in the middle of the city centre. It has an area of 3.2 hectares and there are a number of worthwhile destinations in its immediate vicinity. It is also probably the busiest square in the country, with over 2000 annual events, so it has a different surprise in store for visitors every day. Some of the most famous events include the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival in March and the Melbourne Festival in October. Federation Square is the best starting point for exploring the city.
Australian Center for the Moving Image
Located directly on Federation Square, the Australian Center for the Moving Image, or ACMI for short, awaits its visitors with interesting and interactive exhibitions on the topics of film, television, computer games and digital life. The house houses a permanent exhibition and a variety of changing exhibitions, so a visit is always worthwhile.
Skydeck in the Eureka Tower
The best view of Melbourne from above is from the Skydeck in the Eureka Tower. The view from the 88th floor of this high-rise building, which is one of the tallest in the entire southern hemisphere, is breathtaking and goes far beyond the city limits. For a special adrenaline rush, there is also “The Edge” on the observation deck, where you stand on a glass floor and can look down 88 floors. The Eureka Tower is centrally located on the banks of the Yarra River in Melbourne’s city centre.
Queen Victoria Market
Queen Victoria Market is a real highlight of any visit to Melbourne, as it is the largest open-air market in the entire southern hemisphere with 7 hectares of retail space. Here, locals and visitors alike can get all kinds of products from vegetables, meat and other foods to homemade beard oils or knitted clothes. From the city centre, Queen Victoria Market is just a few minutes’ walk away.
Shrine of Remembrance
The Shrine of Remembrance is located in a large green area right in the heart of the city. As the name suggests, the Shrine itself is a temple-like memorial commemorating the fallen soldiers of the Australian Army. Inside the building, there is a fact-packed exhibit and numerous volunteers are happy to answer questions about the Shrine. The steps in front of the Shrine also offer great views of the skyline, and the city’s botanical gardens are just a stone’s throw away.
Chinatown Melbourne
Melbourne’s Chinese Quarter is located in the city centre, not far from Flinders Station Station. Created by the many Chinese immigrants, Chinatown today really feels like a small part of China: all signs and advertisements are in Chinese, there are tons of Chinese restaurants and original Chinese products are sold in the shops. A visit to Chinatown is a great way to sample the delicious Chinese cuisine, and some of the city’s best restaurants are located here.
St Kilda
About 20 minutes by tram from the city centre is the hip and trendy district of St Kilda. Particularly popular with backpackers, this neighbourhood is known for its countless bars, cafés, boutiques and galleries and invites you to spend more than just a few hours here. In addition, St. Kilda is located directly on the sea and so visitors can also take a relaxing walk on the beach promenade.
In the Melbourne region
The region around Melbourne also has numerous great destinations and so it is well worth leaving the city and exploring the surrounding area during a longer visit.
Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Drive is the most famous destination in the vicinity of Melbourne and is regularly voted one of the most beautiful roads in the world. The B100 road starts in Torqay, southeast of Melbourne, and then runs 243 kilometres along an impressive and breathtaking coastline to Allensford. Special highlights of the trip are the numerous sandy beaches, which inspire surfers and bathers alike, impressive viewpoints and the picturesque coastal villages, which invite you to linger. Even though the route can be done in one day, it is recommended to plan several days of travel time for the Great Ocean Road in order to experience all the highlights.
Penguins on Philip Island
Not far from Melbourne is the Little Penguin Colony of Philip Island, which is one of the largest and most accessible penguin colonies in the world. Depending on the season, between 400 and 1000 penguins live here, which search for food in the cold waters of the South Pacific during the day and return to their roosts in the colony in the evening. This is also the best time to observe the 30 to 40 centimeter animals. Philip Island is also home to the Koala Sanctuary, where visitors have the opportunity to see koalas in a natural environment.
