A day out in Melbourne
Melbourne is in Victoria. Hopalong knows 124 things to do and 86 places to eat here, plus day trips to Dandenong Ranges, Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula and Phillip Island. Prices are approximate adult prices in A$.
Top things to do in Melbourne
Melbourne Skydeck
A$39 · Southbank · about 75 min
88 floors up, with the Edge glass cube. Best near sunset.
Old Melbourne Gaol
A$38 · CBD · about 90 min
Ned Kelly's final days, the cells and the watch-house experience. Last entry 3pm.
MCG tour + Australian Sports Museum
A$50 · Richmond · about 120 min
Walk the members' areas and the boundary of 'the G'. Not on event days.
Yarra River cruise
A$35 · Southbank · about 60 min
An hour on the river, from Southgate past the sports precinct or out to Docklands.
Sunrise hot air balloon flight over Melbourne
A$605 · CBD · about 210 min
About an hour drifting over the city at dawn. Meets around 5 am; weather permitting.
Melbourne Star Observation Wheel
A$35 · Docklands · about 45 min
Back spinning since October 2026 after five years closed. 30-minute rides.
Como House and Garden
A$12 · South Yarra · about 60 min
1840s mansion with lawns sloping to the Yarra. House by guided tour at weekends; gardens open daily.
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
A$45 · CBD · about 120 min
Penguins, sharks and a walk-through ocean tunnel on the Yarra.
Melbourne Zoo
A$50 · Parkville · about 180 min
Australia's oldest zoo. Don't miss the platypus and the butterfly house.
Melbourne Museum
A$15 · Carlton · about 120 min
Phar Lap, a living forest gallery and First Peoples exhibition. Kids free.
Coming up in Melbourne
- Australia v England T20 at the MCG (Sat 21 November): Men's T20 international under lights.
- Big Bash at the MCG (Fri 18 December, Thu 7 January, Thu 14 January): Melbourne Stars or Renegades under lights.
- Big Bash at Junction Oval (Mon 21 December, Thu 24 December, Sun 10 January): Big Bash at a small suburban ground, close to the action.
- Boxing Day Test: Australia v New Zealand (Sat 26 December, Sun 27 December, Mon 28 December): The Third Test at the MCG. Day 1 is Boxing Day.
- Big Bash at the MCG: Melbourne derby and New Year's Day (Fri 1 January, Mon 4 January): Renegades v Sixers on New Year's Day (4 pm); Stars v Renegades derby on 4 January (6:05 pm).
- Australian Open tennis (ground pass) (Mon 11 January, Tue 12 January, Wed 13 January): Opening week from 11 January, main draw 17 to 31 January. Ground passes cover the outside courts.
- Australia v New Zealand women's internationals (Fri 26 February, Mon 1 March): A women's T20 (7:15 pm) and ODI (2:50 pm) at the CitiPower Centre, Junction Oval.
- 150th Anniversary Test: Australia v England (Thu 11 March, Fri 12 March, Sat 13 March): Day-night Test marking 150 years since the first Test at the MCG.
From published fixtures. Check times and tickets with the organiser.
Free things to do in Melbourne
- Block Arcade & Royal Arcade (CBD): Mosaic floors and glass roofs from the 1890s. Gog and Magog strike the hour.
- Hosier Lane & laneway street art (CBD): Hosier, AC/DC and Croft alleys. The art changes every week.
- Shrine of Remembrance (South Yarra): Climb to the balcony for one of the best free views of the city skyline.
- State Library Victoria (CBD): Look down into the domed La Trobe Reading Room from level 6.
- City Circle tram loop (CBD): Heritage W-class tram with commentary. Free inside the Free Tram Zone.
- Carlton Gardens & Royal Exhibition Building (Carlton): World Heritage-listed 1880 hall in formal gardens. Good picnic lawns.
- Parliament House free tour (CBD): Weekday guided tours of the 1856 chambers. Book ahead; not on sitting days.
- Brighton bathing boxes (Brighton): 82 colourful beach boxes on Dendy Street Beach, with city views across the bay.
Where to eat
- Dumplings in Chinatown (CBD, around A$20): Little Bourke Street. Order the xiao long bao.
- Brunch in a CBD laneway café (CBD, around A$28): Smashed avo and a long black in Centre Place or Hardware Lane.
- Italian on Lygon Street (Carlton, around A$45): Melbourne's Little Italy. Pasta, then a gelato to walk off.
- Pho on Victoria Street (Richmond, around A$20): Steaming bowls on Richmond's Vietnamese strip.
- Riverside dinner at Southbank (Southbank, around A$85): Window seat over the Yarra as the city lights come on.
- Gertrude Street dinner (Fitzroy, around A$70): Small plates and natural wine in one of Melbourne's best dining strips.
- Fish and chips on the beach (St Kilda, around A$20): Grab a parcel and sit on the sand. Watch for seagulls.
- Lunch at the market food stalls (CBD, around A$18): Bratwurst, borek and dumplings at Queen Vic Market.
- Eat around Federation Square (CBD, around A$22): Plenty of quick options with river and square views.
- Café lunch in Albert Park village (Albert Park, around A$28): Leafy Bridport Street cafés near the lake and the beach.
- Vietnamese & Ethiopian eats in Footscray (Footscray, around A$20): Some of Melbourne's best cheap eats, around the Footscray Market.
- Higher Ground (CBD, around A$28): Brunch in a soaring converted power station on Little Bourke Street.
- Hardware Société (CBD, around A$30): French-style brunch on Hardware Street (walk-in) and Katherine Place. Expect a queue at weekends.
- Cumulus Inc. (CBD, around A$45): All-day dining on Flinders Lane, from breakfast to late.
- Seven Seeds (Carlton, around A$22): Roaster and café in a Carlton warehouse.
- Proud Mary (Collingwood, around A$28): Big brunches and serious coffee on Oxford Street.
- Top Paddock (Richmond, around A$30): Light-filled Richmond brunch spot known for its hotcakes.
- Patricia Coffee Brewers (CBD, around A$5): Standing-room espresso bar off Little William Street. Weekdays only.
- Brother Baba Budan (CBD, around A$5): Tiny Little Bourke Street café with chairs hanging from the ceiling.
- Pellegrini's Espresso Bar (CBD, around A$22): Melbourne's original espresso bar, pouring since 1954. Pasta, granita and strudel at the counter. Sunday hours vary.
- Lune Croissanterie (Fitzroy, around A$12): Famous croissants baked in a glass cube on Rose Street. They sell out.
- Babka (Fitzroy, around A$22): Russian-leaning bakery café on Brunswick Street.
- Chin Chin (CBD, around A$60): Loud, fun Thai-inspired dining on Flinders Lane. Walk-ins welcome.
- Supernormal (CBD, around A$75): Pan-Asian plates on Flinders Lane. Save room for the peanut butter parfait.
- HuTong Dumpling Bar (CBD, around A$25): Xiao long bao on Market Lane.
- Shandong Mama (CBD, around A$20): Fish dumplings in the Mid City Arcade.
- Tipo 00 (CBD, around A$55): Handmade pasta on Little Bourke Street. Book ahead.
- Gelato Messina (Fitzroy, around A$9): Inventive gelato flavours on Smith Street.
- Pidapipó (Carlton, around A$8): Italian gelato on Lygon Street.
- Brunetti Classico (Carlton, around A$12): Cakes and coffee at a Lygon Street institution.
- Monarch Cakes (St Kilda, around A$9): Acland Street cake shop since 1934. Try the kugelhopf.
- Hopetoun Tea Rooms (CBD, around A$20): Cakes and tea in the Block Arcade since 1892.
- Flower Drum (CBD, around A$150): Cantonese fine dining off Little Bourke Street, a Melbourne landmark. Book well ahead.
- Grossi Florentino (CBD, around A$130): Old-school Italian upstairs on Bourke Street.
- Stokehouse (St Kilda, around A$110): Seafood with bay views on the St Kilda foreshore.
- The Napier Hotel (Fitzroy, around A$35): Classic Fitzroy pub. Tackle the bogan burger.
- Supper Inn (CBD, around A$35): Upstairs Cantonese off Little Bourke Street, open past midnight. Congee and roast duck.
- Fairfield Park Boathouse (Fairfield, around A$25): Breakfast at an old boathouse on the Yarra, then hire a rowboat.
- Mörk Chocolate Brew House (North Melbourne, around A$10): Hot chocolate brewed like specialty coffee on Errol Street.
- Miznon (CBD, around A$22): Stuffed pitas and whole roasted cauliflower on Hardware Lane.
- Mamak (CBD, around A$20): Roti canai made in the window on Lonsdale Street. Expect a queue.
- Shujinko Russell Street (CBD, around A$20): Tonkotsu ramen, most bowls about $20.
- Pizza Pizza Pizza (CBD, around A$10): New York-style pizza by the slice in Meyers Place.
- The Borek Shop (CBD, around A$8): Cheap fresh borek at Queen Victoria Market.
- Delhi Streets (CBD, around A$22): Indian street food in the Katherine Place archway.
- Gami Chicken & Beer (CBD, around A$22): Korean fried chicken and beer.
- Frenchie (CBD, around A$40): French bistro plates on Collins Street, all priced at $14.
- Manchester Press (CBD, around A$18): Bagels and coffee in a former printing house on Rankins Lane.
- The League of Honest Coffee (CBD, around A$6): Pour-overs and toasties in Exploration Lane. Closed Sundays.
- Little Rogue (CBD, around A$6): Tiny Drewery Lane window for small-batch coffee and matcha.
- Operator 25 (CBD, around A$26): Brunch in a former telephone exchange on Wills Street.
- Trippy Taco (Fitzroy, around A$18): Vegetarian tacos and burritos on Gertrude Street, all under $20.
- Sir Charles (Fitzroy, around A$25): Brunch on Johnston Street with coffee roasted on site.
- Napier Quarter (Fitzroy, around A$25): Corner café and wine bar in a quiet Fitzroy backstreet.
- Brewsmith (Fitzroy, around A$18): Smith Street café known for creative iced coffees and toasties.
- Good Times (Fitzroy North, around A$20): Cheap, cheerful pasta and carafes on St Georges Road.
- A1 Bakery (Brunswick, around A$12): Lebanese pies and pizzas fresh from the oven on Sydney Road.
- Tawooq (Brunswick, around A$15): Lebanese wraps and burgers in Brunswick East, all about $15.
- Osoi (Brunswick, around A$8): Matcha bar tucked beside the Upfield bike path.
- Ophelia (Northcote, around A$25): Westgarth café with galettes, cakes and pasta nights.
- Auction Rooms (North Melbourne, around A$25): Big brunch café in an old auction house on Errol Street.
- Laksa King (Flemington, around A$20): Curry laksa institution near Newmarket station. BYO.
- Stovetop (Carlton, around A$22): Weekday brunch café near the university.
- I Love Pho (Richmond, around A$18): Pho with every topping on Victoria Street.
- Pacific Seafood BBQ House (Richmond, around A$35): Cantonese seafood and barbecue, busy late.
- Ermou Gyros (Richmond, around A$18): Greek gyros and fries on Swan Street.
- Pillar of Salt (Richmond, around A$25): Church Street brunch with a covered courtyard.
- Three Bags Full (Abbotsford, around A$25): Big corner café in a converted warehouse.
- Au 79 (Abbotsford, around A$25): Huge café with its own roastery and bakery.
- Aunty Peg's (Collingwood, around A$6): Proud Mary's roastery and coffee bar on Wellington Street.
- ST. ALi (South Melbourne, around A$26): Specialty coffee pioneer in a laneway warehouse.
- Cheri (South Melbourne, around A$30): Courtyard café by the market, with pizza from mid-morning.
- The Kettle Black (South Melbourne, around A$32): Polished brunch in a Victorian terrace on Albert Road.
- Chevapi Grill Balkan Kitchen (South Melbourne, around A$25): Balkan grilled meats on Clarendon Street.
- Rustica Sourdough (South Yarra, around A$22): Sourdough bakery café on Chapel Street.
- Leonard's House of Love (South Yarra, around A$22): Burgers and fried chicken behind Chapel Street.
- Lamb on Chapel (South Yarra, around A$18): Kebabs and souvlaki, open late.
- Como Lane (South Yarra, around A$28): Indoor-outdoor café in the grounds of Como House.
- Middletown (Prahran, around A$25): Popular Prahran brunch café.
- Monk Bodhi Dharma (St Kilda, around A$22): Plant-based brunch tucked down a Balaclava arcade.
- Lenny 3206 (Albert Park, around A$28): Albert Park brunch café with outdoor tables.
- The Espressonist (Docklands, around A$22): Waterfront café on River Esplanade.
- Jimmy's Deli (Yarraville, around A$18): Loaded sandwiches and coffee off the Yarraville village strip. Closed Mondays.
- Darling Street Espresso (Moonee Ponds, around A$22): Café with a courtyard on Athol Street.
- Tamper Trap (Brighton, around A$25): Japanese-leaning brunch on Bay Street.
- Shanklin (Hawthorn, around A$25): Hawthorn East brunch café, open seven days.
Step-free and pram-friendly ideas
- Melbourne Skydeck · step-free
- SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium · step-free · pram-friendly
- Melbourne Zoo · step-free · pram-friendly
- Melbourne Museum · step-free · pram-friendly
- MCG tour + Australian Sports Museum · step-free
- Fitzroy Gardens & Cooks' Cottage · step-free · pram-friendly
Access information can change. Check with the venue if access is essential.
Day trips from Melbourne
Dandenong Ranges
- Puffing Billy steam train (A$61): Sit on the window ledge with your legs out as a 1900s steam train winds through the forest. About $61 return to Lakeside.
- SkyHigh Mount Dandenong lookout (A$10): Views across all of Melbourne from the top of the ranges. Car entry fee.
- Hike the 1000 Steps (Kokoda Track Memorial Walk) (Free): A steep, shady climb through tree ferns. Popular with locals for a workout.
- William Ricketts Sanctuary (Free): Clay sculptures set among tree ferns and rocks. Reopened in stages in August 2026 after storm damage; some paths still fenced off.
- Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens (Free): Maples, a boathouse and an ornamental lake. Stunning in autumn.
- Tea and scones in Sassafras (A$25): Devonshire tea in a cottage tea room among the mountain ash.
Yarra Valley
- Healesville Sanctuary (A$50): Koalas, platypus and the Spirits of the Sky bird show, all native wildlife.
- Yarra Valley Chocolaterie (Free): Free tastings, a huge chocolate shop and views over the valley.
- Yarra Valley Dairy cheese tasting (A$15): Farmhouse cheese tastings in an old milking shed.
- Healesville main street (Free): Bakeries, a distillery and gift shops in a pretty country town.
- Winery lunch in the Yarra Valley (A$75): Long lunch and a tasting flight at a cellar door. Organise a driver.
Mornington Peninsula
- Peninsula Hot Springs (A$75): Geothermal pools on a hilltop. Book ahead, especially on weekends.
- Cape Schanck boardwalk (Free): Lighthouse, volcanic rock pools and a boardwalk down to the ocean.
- Arthurs Seat Eagle gondola (A$30): Ride the gondola up for views across Port Phillip Bay.
- Mornington Main Street & pier (Free): Beach boxes, the pier and a busy seaside high street.
- Winery lunch on the Peninsula (A$75): Pinot and seasonal plates in Red Hill. Organise a driver.
Phillip Island
- Penguin Parade (A$35): Little penguins waddle ashore at sunset. Book ahead; times follow the sunset.
- Phillip Island Wildlife Park (A$25): Hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies, and see wombats and koalas up close.
- Koala Conservation Reserve (A$15): Treetop boardwalks put you at eye level with koalas in the gums.
- Churchill Island Heritage Farm (A$15): Cross the bridge to a working 1800s farm with sheep shearing and whip cracking.
- Go-karts at the Grand Prix circuit (A$50): Race a scale copy of the MotoGP track.
- The Nobbies boardwalk (Free): Clifftop boardwalk with seals offshore and blowhole views.
- Fish and chips in Cowes (A$22): Eat on the foreshore before the Penguin Parade.
- Pub dinner in Cowes (A$35): Quick dinner on the Esplanade before the Penguin Parade.
Typical weather in Melbourne
| Month | Low | High | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16°C | 26°C | 5 |
| April | 12°C | 21°C | 7 |
| July | 7°C | 14°C | 10 |
| October | 10°C | 20°C | 9 |
Approximate long-term averages, not a forecast.