Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Victoria

"In the afternoon take a stroll around the Royal Botanic Gardens or join a tour to see the inner sanctum of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). If you're visiting between March and September make sure you see a game of AFL (Australian rules football). For dinner head to Little Bourke Street and taste the flavours of Melbourne's Chinatown, or check out the vast dining hall at Cookie in Curtin House. Catch a live performance at Bennetts Lane, Australia's premier jazz venue, which hosts local and international musicians most nights."

"The Botanic Gardens are simply stunning and a joy to explore. Kids will love the Ornamental Lake where you can take them on a punt cruise around the bays and islands. Highlights include the stunning Guilfoyle’s Volcano and the Tropical Glasshouse."

"A museum, a landmark and an observation deck packed into one completely free attraction in Melbourne. Yes, entry to the Shrine of Remembrance nestled in the Melbourne Gardens won’t cost you a damn thang. Head down when Melbourne weather isn’t PMS’ing and roam the dimly lit corridors of the crypts, read up on Australia’s involvement in the World Wars, make a dash for the terrace to soak in views of the Melbourne CBD and take a stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens."

"Melbourne’s iconic monument was built as a memorial to honour all those who served during World War I and all Australians who have since served in military conflict and peacekeeping operations. Open daily, visitors can wander through reflective exhibition spaces including Galleries of Remembrance, The Victoria Cross and Gallery of Medals and see over 800 objects including photos, uniforms and historical artefacts."

"Spend the day hopping between eclectic cafes and small shops, and explore iconic places such as the State Parliament buildings, Shrine of Remembrance, Federation Square, Arts Centre, Yarra River, Fitzroy Garden and St Patrick’s Cathedral. Take advantage of the free tram service around the City Circle loop to get around!"

"This attraction is for those with a fascination for the morbid. Many of Australia’s most notorious criminals were executed here for a total of 133. This included killers who had become famous worldwide for the severity of their crimes, such as the serial killer Frederick Bailey Deming."

"Rising 297 metres (975 ft) above Southbank, is Eureka Tower, one of the tallest residential towers in the world. Named after the Eureka Stockade (a rebellion during the Victorian gold rush) the building's top is coated in 24-carat gold and split by a red stripe, representing the bloodshed during the battle. It’s here that you can access the Eureka Skydeck and enjoy an impressive panoramic view of the city."

"The Eureka Skydeck, located on the 88th floor of the Eureka Tower, is the highest viewing platform in the entire southern hemisphere and offers great views of the entire city and beyond. Suggested Post: Melbourne's 10 Must-See Sights"

"In the afternoon take a stroll around the Royal Botanic Gardens or join a tour to see the inner sanctum of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). If you're visiting between March and September make sure you see a game of AFL (Australian rules football). For dinner head to Little Bourke Street and taste the flavours of Melbourne's Chinatown, or check out the vast dining hall at Cookie in Curtin House. Catch a live performance at Bennetts Lane, Australia's premier jazz venue, which hosts local and international musicians most nights."

"As the birthplace of Aussie Rules Football and the site of such famous venues as the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Rod Laver Arena and Flemington Racecourse, a sports tour of Melbourne will let you get a behind-the-scenes look at these world class sporting venues. You'll visit famous sights including the MCG and Rod Laver Arena as well as the National Sports Museum to see memorabilia and learn about the city and the country's history and love of sport."

"If your family loves sports then the Melbourne Cricket Ground needs to be on your itinerary!. If there are no matches on you can still visit. Just book the tour and also make sure you visit the National Sports Museum."

"Firstly you don’t need a permit (yay!) and even if there are lots of visitors in the gardens, there is still lots of space. Our fave spots are the hedge wall and gazebo near the rose garden. Even the public toilets have a great stone wall!"

"Where St Paul's Cathedral sits is the site of Melbourne's first Christian service, held in 1835. The block was then used as a corn market until St Paul's Cathedral was constructed in 1891. Since then it's been a significant piece of Melbourne's identity."

"With such highlights included on the tour itinerary as St. Paul's Cathedral, Federation Square, Chinatown, Parliament House and much more, you're sure to get a true taste of the diversity that Melbourne is all about."

"A free City Circle tram runs throughout town, starting at Flinders Street Station, and takes in must-see attractions such as St Paul's Cathedral, Parliament House and the Royal Exhibition Building. Hop off the tram at Flagstaff Station and take a five minute stroll to Queen Victoria Market. The market has been a Melbourne landmark for more than a century and offers an incredible range of local and imported gourmet foods. Grab a coffee from Market Lane Coffee, in the Deli Hall, and a spinach and cheese borek from the Borek Shop."

"Built for the 1880 International Exhibition, and winning Unesco World Heritage status in 2004, this beautiful Victorian edifice symbolises the glory days of the Industrial Revolution, the British Empire and 19th-century Melbourne’s economic supremacy. It was the first building to fly the Australian flag, and Australia’s first parliament was held here in 1901; it now hosts everything from trade fairs to car shows. Tours of the building leave from Melbourne Museum (opposite) at 2pm."

"Sometimes it’s the subtle details that take an otherwise standard dining experience and transcends it to the exceptional. At Tao Tao House, if the plush purple chairs, polite and attentive staff and lavish Chinese décor don’t do it for you, the delights hiding under the bamboo lids will. Compared to other joints wielding the best Yum Cha in Melbourne the selection is not the most extensive, but you can be sure what does come out of seasoned chef and owner Jason Au’s kitchen is in a class of its own."

"Rippon Lea, cared for by the National Trust, is a beautiful historic mansion with gardens that are just wonderful to explore. The mansion was built in 1868 by a businessman who made his fortune selling soft-goods on the goldfields. Take a guided tour of the house, enjoy the lovely garden and finish up with tea and cake at the Gatehouse cafe."

"The long avenues of trees are gorgeous, and it’s also just a lovely shady spot to hang out with your bridal party. This can be a busy spot in November and March, but that’s for good reason. It’s got lots of open spaces as well as little hideaways where you can get away from the world too."

"Right in the centre of the city, Fitzroy Gardens is perfect for a leisurely family stroll. Tell the kids that they can visit the Fairy Tree and I am sure they will not mind the miles. Not far from there, they can then explore the mini Tudor Village which is simply adorable."

"For a really quirky interaction with Melbourne’s artistic scene, head to the eastern suburb of Kew to Lyon Housemuseum. The gallery consists of two distinct sections; the first being the original house museum, which is where founders Corbett and Yueji Lyon live and which can only be visited on pre-booked tours held on certain days of the year. The second space is the newly-opened public Housemuseum Galleries."

"This remarkable family home is also one of Australia’s most unique exhibition spaces. Lyon Housemuseum belongs to art patrons Corbett and Yueji Lyon, who open it up for pre-booked tours on select days of the year so that people can enjoy their exquisite private art collection. In 2019 they also opened a completely public gallery showcasing national and international exhibitions."

"What makes the Lyon Housemuseum so interesting is that it truly is both the things the name suggests – a house and a museum. It’s now made up of two adjacent sections. The first is the original Housemuseum that’s the private home of the founding patrons, with residential areas blending with exhibitions."

"If you have kids of varying ages and are looking for Melbourne things to do with kids, then you will love ArtVo!. ArtVo is an art gallery with interactive 3D art where you are encouraged to touch and interact with the artworks. The art is painted on both the floor and walls with various other sculptural elements so you can get among the numerous scenes, photographing yourself and becoming part of the artworks."