MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA (2026) | 12 Awesome Things To Do In & Around Melbourne (+ Travel Tips)

27 places in this vlog

In the order they appear. Tap a time to play it here, or ↗ to open YouTube at that second.

1. 1:16

   Brighton Beach

   🏢 Landmark · Brighton

   The bathing boxes began as modest changing rooms and are now sought-after real estate used to store beach gear.

2. 2:21

   Shrine of Remembrance

   🏛️ Historic site · Kings Domain

   Free to enter, and the upper terrace gives a panoramic view of the city skyline.

3. 3:24

   The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia

   🏛️ Museum · Melbourne CBD

4. 3:52

   National Gallery of Victoria

   🏛️ Museum · Southbank · brief mention

5. 4:22

   Dandenong Ranges

   🚆 Day trip · Dandenong Ranges

   Can be combined with Phillip Island on a single guided day tour.

6. 4:27

   Puffing Billy Railway

   🚡 Activity · Belgrave · brief mention

   The ride from Belgrave to Lakeside takes about an hour.

7. 4:33

   Phillip Island

   🚆 Day trip · Phillip Island

   Watching hundreds of little penguins return to their burrows after sunset is the highlight.

8. 4:37

   The Nobbies

   🏢 Landmark · Phillip Island · brief mention

9. 4:43

   Penguin Parade

   🚡 Activity · Phillip Island

   Filming the penguins is not allowed.

10. 5:03

    Wilsons Promontory National Park

    🚆 Day trip · Gippsland · brief mention

    Involves a long drive or bus ride if returning the same day.

11. 5:07

    Yarra Valley

    🚆 Day trip · Yarra Valley · brief mention

12. 5:10

    Great Ocean Road

    🚆 Day trip · Great Ocean Road · brief mention

    Same-day trips involve a lot of time driving or sitting on a bus.

13. 5:45

    Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria

    🌳 Park · South Yarra

    Punt rides run on the ornamental lake, and there's a cafe by the water; allow at least an hour.

14. 6:47

    Hosier Lane

    🏢 Landmark · Melbourne CBD · brief mention

15. 6:47

    AC/DC Lane

    🏢 Landmark · Melbourne CBD · brief mention

16. 6:47

    Higson Lane

    🏢 Landmark · Melbourne CBD · brief mention

17. 6:47

    Duckboard Place

    🏢 Landmark · Melbourne CBD · brief mention

18. 6:47

    Presgrave Place

    🏢 Landmark · Melbourne CBD · brief mention

19. 8:42

    Queen Victoria Market

    🛒 Market · Melbourne CBD

    The food court has Sri Lankan food among its options.

20. 9:29

    Melbourne Skydeck

    🏢 Landmark · Southbank

    Arrive well before sunset; crowds at dusk make twilight photos through the windows difficult.

21. 10:19

    St Kilda

    🏘️ Neighborhood · St Kilda

    Penguins appear at dusk.

22. 10:31

    St Kilda Pier

    🏢 Landmark · St Kilda · brief mention

23. 10:46

    Acland Street

    🛍️ Shopping · St Kilda · brief mention

24. 11:13

    Southbank Promenade

    🏘️ Neighborhood · Southbank

    Best in the evening, when sunset and the illuminated skyline reflect on the river.

25. 11:46

    South Wharf

    🏘️ Neighborhood · South Wharf

    Worth extending a Southbank stroll to reach it.

26. 12:38

    Melbourne Cricket Ground

    🏢 Landmark · East Melbourne

    Footy runs March to September and cricket in summer; guided stadium tours are available during quiet periods.

27. 13:45

    Yarra River

    🏢 Landmark · Melbourne

    Self-drive electric boats depart from Banana Alley; timing the rental with golden hour is recommended.