Things To Do And Events In Melbourne
A weekend at the footy, a favourite band or a few days at a festival can be a good excuse for a Melbourne trip. There is plenty to enjoy between the main events too. Explore one part of the city at a time, leave room for a coffee or an unplanned stop, then make yourself at home with Your Place Your Space.
Plan Around A Melbourne Event
Melbourne In Spring
Our spring guide covers the AFL Grand Final, Melbourne Royal Show and Cup Week, alongside more sport, festivals and performances.
Event And Venue Accommodation
Coming for a game or a gig? Find a place to stay for your venue, starting with our MCG accommodation guide.
Find A Place To Stay In Melbourne
A place of your own gives you room to settle in between outings and come back together afterwards. Browse our short-stay homes by area, or tell our Melbourne team what brings you here and we can help you choose.
What to Do in Melbourne on a First Visit
If this is your first visit, choose one part of Melbourne and explore it properly. These three routes group nearby highlights together, with time for a coffee, lunch or whatever catches your eye along the way.
Option 1: Gardens, the Shrine and Southbank
Start the morning with a walk through Melbourne Gardens, then continue through the Domain to the Shrine of Remembrance. From there, walk on to NGV International and Southbank.
You will get green space, local history and art in one day, without needing to rush. Most of it is free. Tickets may still be needed for special exhibitions, tours or events.
Option 2: Fed Square, Art and Melbourne's City Streets
Start at Fed Square and choose the venue that interests you most: ACMI, Koorie Heritage Trust or The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia. Afterwards, follow the Birrarung Yarra or wander into the city for the arcades, State Library Victoria and Melbourne’s public laneways.
This plan is easy to adjust around the weather. Stay longer indoors if it rains, or keep walking when it is clear.
Option 3: A Day in St Kilda and by the Bay
Spend the day around St Kilda Pier, the foreshore and Acland Street, or follow the water towards Middle Park and Albert Park.
Little Penguin viewing runs as free, ticketed evening sessions, and bookings are essential. Return to the pier at your allocated time and follow the wildlife guidance.
Choose St Kilda if you would rather spend the day by the bay than in the CBD. For more local ideas, see our guide to St Kilda.
Visiting for a festival, show or match? Check What’s On Melbourne to see what is happening while you are here.
Free Things to Do in Melbourne
There are plenty of ways to see Melbourne without spending much. Choose a free gallery or museum, then add a garden, riverside walk or a few hours exploring on foot.
- Wander through Melbourne Gardens and the surrounding Domain parklands.
- Visit the Shrine of Remembrance and take in the view from its upper terrace.
- Browse the permanent collections at NGV International or The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia.
- Explore screen culture at ACMI and First Peoples art and culture at Koorie Heritage Trust.
- Step inside State Library Victoria for its reading rooms, exhibitions and remarkable architecture.
- Walk beside the Birrarung Yarra, through Birrarung Marr or along the St Kilda foreshore.
- Take your time through Melbourne’s arcades, city streets and ever-changing laneways.
- Pack a picnic for Carlton Gardens, Albert Park or a Port Phillip beach.
These ideas are currently free to enter, although special exhibitions, tours and events may cost extra.
Indoor and Rainy-Day Activities in Melbourne
Melbourne weather can turn quickly, but there is no shortage of indoor options. Many are close to cafés, shops and other places where you can wait for the rain to pass.
- Give yourself a few hours at NGV, ACMI or Melbourne Museum instead of rushing through all three.
- Visit Koorie Heritage Trust while you are at Fed Square.
- For children, try the hands-on exhibits at Scienceworks or spend the day at SEA LIFE Melbourne.
- Browse one of Melbourne’s covered markets on a trading day.
- Take an MCG tour or visit the Australian Sports Museum. Access can change on match days, so check the date-specific visitor information and book ahead.
- Save a theatre, comedy show, live gig or exhibition for the evening.
Gardens, the Domain and the Birrarung Yarra River
The gardens, Shrine, river and nearby galleries are close enough to combine in a full day or a relaxed afternoon.
Wander Through Melbourne Gardens
Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne has broad lawns, lakes, shaded paths and quiet corners surprisingly close to the city. Drop in for a short walk or bring a picnic and stay for a while. Families can check the Melbourne Gardens visitor information for the Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden and seasonal opening details.
Visit the Shrine of Remembrance
The Shrine is both a memorial and a museum. Its exhibitions provide important historical context, while the terrace looks back towards the city. Admission is free, while tours and special programs may need a booking.
Follow the River Towards Fed Square
Follow the Yarra, known to the Wurundjeri people as Birrarung, towards Birrarung Marr and Fed Square. Walk a short section or follow the river all the way into the city.
Exploring the gardens and South Melbourne? Have a look at our Inner City South accommodation guide.
Art, Culture and Melbourne's City Streets
Melbourne’s galleries and cultural venues are close enough to combine. Pick one or two that interest you and leave time to wander between them.
Choose an NGV Collection
NGV International is home to international art and design, while The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia focuses on Australian art. Entry to the permanent collections is generally free, with tickets required for some major exhibitions. Check the NGV website for current exhibitions and visitor details.
Spend Time at Fed Square
ACMI explores film, television, videogames and screen culture. Close by, Koorie Heritage Trust shares First Peoples art, culture and stories. See what is showing on the ACMI website.
Step Inside State Library Victoria
You do not need to be studying to enjoy the grand reading rooms, exhibitions and architecture.
Explore the Arcades and Laneways
Melbourne’s arcades and public laneways are best explored without a strict checklist. Shops and street art change often, so wander, look up and see what catches your eye.
See What’s On in the Evening
Theatre, comedy, gigs and exhibitions change from week to week. Once you know your dates, check the city calendar and the programs for venues you would like to visit.
Sport and Major Events
On a game day or during a major event, Melbourne feels completely different. Allow extra time for public transport, road closures and parking.
Planning your dates around a match, festival or concert? Browse the event guides on this page for current dates and venue advice.
Go Behind the Scenes at the MCG
An MCG tour takes you into parts of the ground most visitors do not usually see. The Australian Sports Museum covers stories and memorabilia from across Australian sport. MCG tours and museum access can change on match days, so check the date-specific visitor information and book ahead.
See What’s On At Melbourne Park
Melbourne Park hosts the Australian Open, concerts and other major events throughout the year. Use the Melbourne Park events calendar to confirm the venue and event details.
Allow Extra Time Around Albert Park
Major events around Albert Park can affect roads, public transport, parking and park access. Check the organiser’s information for your dates.
For more about the suburbs north and east of the city, browse our Inner City North accommodation guide.
Melbourne Markets, Food Streets and Local Shopping
Melbourne’s markets are a good way to get a feel for different neighbourhoods. Pick one, arrive hungry and leave time to explore the surrounding streets.
South Melbourne Market
South Melbourne
Pair the market with the Domain, the Shrine, Albert Park or Southbank. See current opening hours before you head over.
Prahran Market
Prahran
Make a morning of the market, then continue along Chapel Street or through Greville Street, South Yarra or Windsor. See current opening hours.
Queen Victoria Market
City centre
Queen Victoria Market works well with State Library Victoria, the city arcades or a walk into Carlton. See current visitor information.
Check the market’s current trading days and any public holiday changes before you leave.
Follow Your Appetite
Lygon Street in Carlton, Victoria Street through Richmond and Abbotsford, Chapel Street through South Yarra, Prahran and Windsor, Acland Street in St Kilda and Carlisle Street in Balaclava all have their own flavour. Pick a street and see what appeals when you get there.
Shop While You Explore
Chapel Street and the city centre have a broad mix of shops. Bridge Road, Bay Street, Acland Street and Carlisle Street are easy to add if you are already exploring the neighbourhood.
Family Things to Do in and Around Melbourne
For a family day, choose one main activity that suits your children’s ages and energy levels. Check how much walking is involved and keep a wet-weather option in mind.
Melbourne Museum and Carlton Gardens
Melbourne Museum brings natural history, science, First Peoples knowledge and Melbourne stories together beside Carlton Gardens. There is enough here for several hours, and the gardens are right outside when everyone needs some fresh air. Plan your Melbourne Museum visit.
Collingwood Children's Farm
This working community farm beside the Birrarung in Abbotsford is a relaxed option for families. Children can see farm animals, explore the gardens and enjoy a bit of country life without leaving inner Melbourne.
Scienceworks
Scienceworks in Spotswood is full of hands-on science and technology exhibits. Check the day’s program before you go, as exhibitions and shows change.
SEA LIFE Melbourne
SEA LIFE Melbourne is an indoor choice beside the river in the city. Book a dated time slot online before you go, especially for weekends and school holidays.
Day Trips from Melbourne
A lot of Melbourne day trips look close on a map but still involve a fair bit of driving. Choose one direction and leave enough time to enjoy the place once you arrive.
Dandenong Ranges
Head to the Dandenong Ranges for Mountain Ash forest, fern gullies, gardens, picnic spots and walking trails. If Puffing Billy is on your list, book ahead and allow time around the train timetable.
The Parks Victoria guide to Dandenong Ranges National Park is a useful place to start planning.
Yarra Valley and Healesville Sanctuary
Plan a Yarra Valley day around good food, wine, galleries or native wildlife. Healesville Sanctuary can be the main stop, while winery visitors are better off booking two or three places instead of trying to fit in everything. Arrange transport or nominate a driver if you are wine tasting.
Healesville Sanctuary has current ticket and visitor details.
Mornington Peninsula
The Mornington Peninsula brings together bay beaches, rugged ocean coastline, walks, wineries, gardens and places to slow down. Pick one focus for the day, such as the coast, food or a slower afternoon, so you spend less time in the car.
The official Mornington Peninsula guide is a handy starting point.
Surf Coast or Great Ocean Road
Torquay and the Surf Coast suit an ocean day trip from Melbourne. The official regional guide does not recommend driving to the Twelve Apostles and back from Melbourne in one day, so leave that longer journey for a separate trip.
Where to Stay for the Melbourne You Want to Explore
Found a few places you would like to visit? Explore our Melbourne accommodation by area, then check each home’s location and availability for your dates.
Inner City North
Explore our stays in Richmond, East Melbourne, Carlton, Abbotsford and Fitzroy, with the MCG, Melbourne Museum and Lygon Street among the places to visit in this part of Melbourne.
Inner City South
Browse homes in South Melbourne, South Yarra, Prahran and Windsor. Spend a morning at the markets, wander Chapel Street or head towards the gardens and galleries.
Inner Bayside South
Explore Albert Park, Middle Park, Port Melbourne and St Kilda for time around the bay. Balaclava is another option inland, around Carlisle Street.
Practical Tips for Planning Melbourne Activities
Plan Each Day by Area
- Group nearby stops together. Melbourne Gardens, the Shrine and NGV work well on the same day. Fed Square, ACMI, Koorie Heritage Trust and the river make another easy group.
- Plan the full trip. Use Transport Victoria’s journey planner for your full route. Tram travel is free only when the entire trip stays inside the official Free Tram Zone. If any part goes beyond it, use a valid myki.
- Keep a wet-weather backup. Have a gallery, museum or covered market nearby in case the weather changes.
- Allow extra time for big events. Sport, concerts and festivals can affect roads, public transport and parking around the venue.
Check Before You Leave
- Check the details for your date. Opening hours, market days, exhibitions, performances and event entrances can change.
- Book limited or ticketed experiences before you go. Little Penguin viewing at St Kilda Pier is free and ticketed, and bookings are essential. Venue tours, major exhibitions and some family attractions may also need advance booking.
- Check accessibility directly with the venue. Look for current access, sensory and age information before you go.
- Look after the places you visit. Follow wildlife directions, stay in public areas and respect residential streets and private property.
Last reviewed 6 September 2026. Opening hours, events and access can change, so confirm the details that matter for your dates before you head out.
Need A Hand?
Tell our guest team your dates and what brings you to Melbourne. We can help you choose a home for your stay.
Accommodation and event tickets are booked separately.