Melbourne Places of Interest

Here are the important sights and Melbourne places of interest that tell the story of this great city.

Following Melbourne Australia attractions are all within 1.5 km of the CBD and easily reached by foot, bike or on a tram.

You also get to see these taking one of the sightseeing Melbourne tours.

Melbourne Places to Visit in the CBD

A good place to start your Melbourne sightseeing is at Federation Square. It is a popular hub and meeting place, and houses the Ian Potter Centre and ACMI. This is also were many Melbourne events are televised on the big screen.

From Fed Square you can walk along the Yarra to the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne’s biggest stadium. You can tour the MCG, or visit the Sports Museum located inside.

Across the road from Federation Square is the well-known landmark of Flinders Street Station. Built in 1910, it is the oldest Australian station. "Meeting under the clocks", eg. under the picturesque row of clocks above the main entrance, is a popular place to meet friends.

Across the road is St Paul’s Cathedral. This monument was built in a massive Gothic style in the 1880s. Its size and design is impressive and it is also worth a look inside.

Just a little bit up Swanston Street is the Melbourne Town Hall. With its grand interiors, it has been at the heart of events that have shaped Melbourne Australia’s future since the 1880s, including Federation and the visit of the Beatles.

Walk up Burke Street to the 1855s Parliament House, a massive building that houses the State Parliament, and had been the seat of Australia’s Federal Parliament between 1901 and 1927.

Across the road, is the 1886 Princess Theatre, one of the world's grandest Victorian theatres, with a magnificent facade, domed roofs, cast iron filigree and marble staircase. It is home to international shows and offers exquisite dining.

Further up Collins Street is the St Patrick’s Cathedral, a massive Roman Catholics relic build in the 1850s.

In the Carlton Gardens there is the Royal Exhibition Building, one of my favourite Melbourne places. It is an impressive heritage listed 1880 structure. However, it is its interiors that are most remarkable, with delicately painted ceilings and columns. You are able to admire these when visiting an exhibition.

On the corner of Swanston and La Trobe Streets is the State Library, a landmark and cultural icon, interesting interior and some permanent exhibitions about Victoria.

The Queen Victoria Markets, in Victoria Street between Queen and Peel Streets, is an iconic Market for bargains and fresh food. Great atmosphere, delicatessen, and also entertainment under the iron gables in the original 1870s tinned roofed halls!

Melbourne Places South of the Yarra

Southgate is the leisure strip along the south side of the Yarra. It is popular with tourists and has great places for shopping and dining. There is also the Crown Casino Melbourne.

A bit further down St Kilda Road is the Arts Centre Melbourne with its famous Spire, a venue for world-class entertainment.

Across the road there are the well-known Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, established on prime city land before the gold rush. They are one of the world’s finest gardens, and encompass many “plant worlds”, from rainforests, to lakes and open areas, with tens of thousands of plant species.

At the highest point of the Botanic Gardens stands the Government House, the official residence of the Governor of Victoria and relic to Victorian times. There are some tours that will let you into this mansion with its great ballroom and staircase.

Then there is the Shrine of Remembrance, a massive monument in line with and easily seen from any point in Swanston Street. It is located at the south-western end of the Royal Botanical Gardens. It was built in remembrance of the soldiers who died in the First World War.

Yet, Melbourne is not a city that you can get to know just by sightseeing. Its real charm lies in the hidden Melbourne sights - the quirky corners, laneways, original shops, changing street art. This is where you'll find the real Melbourne soul.