Melbourne walking tour & city guide
Laneways, coffee, trams and street art.
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Melbourne is Australia's cultural capital, a city of hidden laneways, street art, Victorian arcades and a passionate coffee culture. Free trams cross the city center, and its parks, sports stadiums and food scene make it one of the most livable cities in the world.
The CBD and the laneways
Melbourne's center is laid out in a grid, but between the main streets runs a network of narrow laneways and arcades full of cafés, bars and boutiques. Hosier Lane and AC/DC Lane are covered with constantly changing street art. The Block Arcade and Royal Arcade are elegant 19th-century shopping galleries.
Federation Square, opposite the historic Flinders Street Station, is the city's meeting place, with galleries and events. The Yarra River promenade leads to Southbank and the Arts Centre, and the Queen Victoria Market has been running since 1878.
Parks, sport and the bay
The Royal Botanic Gardens are among the finest in the world, and the Melbourne Cricket Ground is one of the largest stadiums anywhere. Melbourne hosts the Australian Open tennis, the Formula One Grand Prix and the Melbourne Cup horse race.
St Kilda, by the bay, has a beach, a pier where little penguins return at dusk, and the historic Luna Park. Fitzroy, Collingwood and Brunswick are creative neighborhoods of vintage shops and live music.
Visiting tips
Melbourne is famous for having 'four seasons in one day', so bring layers. Trams are free within the central zone. The Great Ocean Road, the Yarra Valley wineries and Phillip Island's penguin parade are popular trips.
Top sights in Melbourne
- 1
Hosier Lane
A laneway covered with street art.
- 2
Federation Square
The city's cultural meeting place.
- 3
Flinders Street Station
A historic railway station.
- 4
Royal Botanic Gardens
Beautiful gardens by the Yarra.
- 5
Queen Victoria Market
A historic market since 1878.
- 6
St Kilda
A beach suburb with a pier.
Food markets & where to eat in Melbourne
Queen Victoria Market
Food stalls, deli halls and night markets.
Degraves Street and Centre Place
Laneway cafés.
Chinatown
One of the oldest Chinatowns in the Western world.
Lygon Street
Melbourne's 'Little Italy'.
South Melbourne Market
A local market famous for dim sims.
Food to try in Melbourne
Specialty coffee
Melbourne is Australia's coffee capital.
Brunch
Smashed avocado and creative breakfasts.
Dim sims
A Melbourne take on Chinese dumplings.
Hot jam doughnuts
A Queen Victoria Market classic.
Opening hours and prices change often. Please check with each place before you visit.
Plan your trip to Melbourne
Enjoyed the walk? Here is everything you need to see it for real.
- Hotels in MelbourneCompare places to stay and prices.
- Tours & ticketsWalking tours, museums and day trips in Melbourne.
- eSIM for AustraliaStay online from the moment you land.
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