Melbourne has a variety of things to offer when it comes to tourist attractions. It is known as Australia’s cultural capital after all. Previously, Highend Traveller listed places to go in Melbourne. As a continuation, this article will explore activities that might cater to visitors with specific interests. To explore Melbourne’s wide array of cultural attractions in some more detail, here are some of the top things to see and do:
Visit the Melbourne Museum
The Melbourne Museum features diverse exhibits depicting Australia’s social history and indigenous cultures. One of the museum’s highlights is the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre, where one can learn more about the local Koorie culture. The museum also has exhibits focused on animals from the past and other science-related topics.
Take a Wine Tour at Yarra Valley
There are several wine regions near Melbourne worth visiting, but the Yarra Valley is the most popular one, and is only about 50 minutes away from the city. In this area alone there are 70 wineries, each of which has a different specialization. For instance, you may want to try the chardonnay and pinot noir at TarrarWarra Estates. Meanwhile, the Domain Chandon is famous for its sparkling wine. Aside from wine tasting, there are also other activities to enjoy in Yarra Valley, such as riding a hot air balloon over the gorgeous expanses belonging of the wineries.
See the Penguin Parade on Phillip Island
Phillip Island is a seaside holiday attraction that’s only 90 minutes away from Melbourne. It offers pristine white beaches, water sport activities, and wildlife viewing. One of the more popular activities on the island is the Penguin Parade. Every day at the Summerland Beach on Phillip Island, a huge flock of penguins waddle their way to their burrows. According to local tourism resources, there are over 4,000 of these little penguins that have burrows in the area. Visitors can witness the Penguin Parade at around dusk. Be sure bring an extra layer of clothing though – the nights can get cold!
Watch the Melbourne Cup
The Melbourne Cup is a well-known thoroughbred horse race. In fact, articles covering the Cup have noted that it’s the biggest event of the year in Australia, with more than 100,000 fans flocking to the Flemington Racecourse on event day and millions of other spectators from around the globe tuning in to the live broadcast. Offices across Australia stop work early just so people can watch. If you want to experience the much anticipated sporting event, know that the Melbourne Cup is often held on the first Tuesday of November each year. For 2019, that means November 5.
Discover Melbourne’s Street Art
The art scene in Melbourne is very much alive, not just in galleries but also on the streets. There are plenty of street art hotspots, as enumerated by Time Out. You can start with Hosier Lane, which is the central hub for these incredible artistic displays. Plenty of its nooks and crannies have transformed into vibrant murals. For a touch of music culture, you can also head over to AC/DC Lane, which has street art that revolves around famous musicians.