Welcome to the second largest city of the country of kangaroos! Stretching at the start of the Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne is the cultural capital featuring many suburbs, but not all are interesting from the traveling point of view. Among the main categories of Melbourne attractions, there exist Victorian-era structures, theatres, museums, parks, gardens, galleries, and shops. While in the city, most of the tourists like to visit the city centre featuring eclectic mix of the ancient as well as the modern.
Talking about the climate here; December, January, and February are warmest months with temperatures soaring up to 40 degree Celsius, hot winds, storms, and heat waves. June, July, and August are quite chilled. Therefore, it is wise to come in early spring or late autumn. Getting around is really not a problem as many Melbourne attractions are in the downtown. For the rest highlights, a train or tram is the feasible mode of transport. In this article, I will share with you some of the most appealing highlights of the city center, the business district as well as the historical center.
Start your trip with one of the most fascinating Melbourne attractions called the Docklands, the area loaded with restaurants, shops, family activities, and stadium along the waterside. Not that stunning as the London Eye, but still worth a ride is the AC wheel called Southern Star offering a half-an-hour flight for soaking in the great vistas of the city for $26. However, due to the heat wave of 2010, it was closed down, but until now, it must have been reopened. Just check that out!
Nobody can miss the southern hemisphere’s tallest residential structure called the Eureka Tower from where it is breathtaking to enjoy the panoramic vistas of the entire city. On the same line are the Rialto Towers at the King Street corner, which is the tallest durable office edifice in the southern hemisphere. On its 55th floor, the Observation Deck promises for a panoramic vista of the city for $11.80. In this list of structures, also add the Parliament House of Victoria that is initial Australian federal government seat, which is best explored on a weekday free tour.
Yarra River is of the utmost scenic importance where the cruises from Princes Walk accessible from the Southbank Lower Promenade are thrilling. However, the cruises run only during the favorable tidal conditions for $16.50 per adult as well as $8.80 per child. On the south bank is the beautiful promenade called the Southgate where you will come across restaurants as well as art & craft market on Sundays. If you want to explore on foot, take up the famous walk from the St Kilda Road and Batman Ave corner near the Federation Square and move along the riverbank, Morell footbridge, and Princes Bridge or pass via the Alexander Gardens as well as Botanic Gardens.
Federation Square is one of the most appealing Melbourne attractions, which is regarded as the modern meeting space and the hub of restaurants as well as cafes. Next, do visit the State Library if you are crazy of books as well as town architecture. And yes, you are also offered free Internet here. If you wish to explore a market, then I would recommend the fabulous and vibrating Queen Victoria Market offering an eclectic mix of fresh as well as dry produce, souvenirs, and many more interesting items.
Coming to the museums in the city center, there are many; but the most loving ones are the Immigration Museum as well as the unusual Police Museum. The former one on the Flinders Street exposes the tales of moving people, while the latter on the same street reflects more than 150-year-old legends of justice, crime, gallantry, and forensic techniques via which Victoria is a safe place today.
Eating is good at the Crossways, while staying is preferred at the Toad Hall Hotel from $25 and Victoria Hotel from $55.
