We have listed six great ways to explore Melbourne without having to spend a single dollar. So once you have booked your hotel in Melbourne, it’s time to start exploring this beautiful city!
1. Meander through Queen Victoria Market and try all the samples
With more than 600 traders, ‘Vic Market’ is the largest open-air market in the southern hemisphere. From shed to shed, from aisle to aisle, discover fresh produce, souvenirs, homewares and more scattered throughout the market. Make sure you join the queue for the American Doughnut Kitchen van. Their famous hot jam doughnuts are a traditional Vic Market treat and are often sold out before the end of the market day.
Did you know?
The market has been here for more than 130 years; before that, from 1837 to 1854, it was the old Melbourne Cemetery.
2. See the penguins on St Kilda Beach
Located six kilometres southeast of Melbourne, St Kilda is an idyllic seaside escape only minutes from the city. Enjoy the sunset while you stroll down the shoreline to St Kilda Pier for some penguin spotting and breathtaking skyline views. St Kilda Pier is the home of a colony of approximatively 1,400 little penguins which can be seen every night of the year. You can check the best time to see the little cuties here: www.whentobewhere.com/travel-listing/st-kilda-little-penguins.
3. Explore the laneways snapping street art
With over 40 small laneways and arcades that run through the city, no trip to Melbourne is complete without a stroll along one of the city’s famed laneways. There are many hidden artworks that await you at every street corner; little surprises waiting to be discovered. Approaching a new laneway you never know what lies around the next corner. Go for a self-guided tour of the Melbourne street art with the help of these two free maps selected from the Internet:
- https://whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au/visitors/Documents/Melbourne_ArcadesLanes.pdf
- https://walkingmaps.com.au/walk/106
Did you know?
The AC/DC lane was named as a tribute to the famous Australian rock and roll band AC/DC. It sits not far from where the band shot the film clip for their 1975 hit ‘It’s a Long Way to the Top’ (filmed on Swanston Street). AC/DC lane is also famous for housing Melbourne’s most famous rock ’n’ roll venue Cherry Bar.
4. Explore your creative side in one of the NGV’s free exhibitions
The National Gallery of Victoria is the oldest gallery in Australia. It is also the most visited gallery offering a significant collection of art on display for free. Aside from the permanent exhibitions, NGV is currently hosting free exhibitions :
- Designing Women exhibition, from 28 Sep 18 – 29 Sep 19. It highlights the ongoing role of female designers as a dynamic and critical force in shaping contemporary design practice and culture. Spanning the years 1980 to 2018, it showcases over seventy works of design from the NGV Collection across diverse creative fields; all works are united by their female authorship.
- From Bark to Neon: Indigenous Art from the NGV Collection, from February 4 to July 14, 2019. The exhibition explores major artists who have been at the forefront in creating new forms of expression and in maintaining and regenerating customary cultural practices and iconography.
- And so much MORE!
5. Take a ride on the City Circle Tram
Hop on the free City Circle Tram and travel throughout the city, hopping on and off as you wish. The fleet of historical W-class trams travels through La Trobe, Flinders, Spring, Nicholson and Victoria Streets, covering Melbourne’s central business district. There is an audio commentary on board as well; revealing the attractions at each stop, and interesting facts along the way. You will enjoy an authentic ride with wooden chairs, brass and leather hand straps like the originals from 1923.
6. Take a free tour of Parliament House
Victoria’s Parliament House is one of Australia’s oldest and most architecturally distinguished public buildings. You don’t have to have an interest in politics to enjoy this tour, which is very informative, providing information about the Parliamentary system of Victoria and Australia as well as information about the building. You will also find many opportunities to capture the beauty of this grand building.
No need to book –Public tours of Parliament are conducted at 9.30 am, 10.30 am, 11.30 am, 1.00 pm (Express Tour), 1.30 pm, 2.30 pm, 3.30 pm and 4.00 pm (Express Tour) on weekdays (excluding public holidays) when Parliament is not sitting.
