After visiting Australia at the end of 2012 and having an amazing experience there, we really want to go back and explore further. Our experience was restricted to the Eastern coast (Brisbane, Gold Coast and a day trip to Sydney) and the first place I would love to see when we return next time is the gorgeous city of Melbourne.
Despite being such a large country, much of Australia’s population is located around the coastal regions. Melbourne is the capital of the state of Victoria and is the second most populous city throughout the Land of Oz. With that being said, there are obviously plenty of amazing attractions here that folks from all corners of the globe flock to visit. Here are some of the top reasons for visiting this beautiful location.
Melbourne Cricket Ground
I am going to start out with one of the most famous stadiums in the world of cricket, the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Even if you have no interest or have no clue about cricket, the MCG is an iconic landmark in Melbourne and certainly worth exploring. Tours of the stadium are available and provide visitors with the opportunity to relive their great sporting memories through a comprehensive tour of this beautiful stadium.
Of course, the ultimate dream for a cricket fan would be to see an Ashes contest between Australia and England but given that this only takes place every few years at the MCG, you would need to time your visit around the Ashes schedule.
The Australian Open
Another of my dreams is to visit all four Grand Slam tennis tournaments and having already experienced Wimbledon, I think a visit to the Australian Open in Melbourne would be amazing. Held at the Melbourne Park tennis center, watching some of the world’s tennis legends participating in the opening Grand Slam of the year would be really cool.
I know that the temperatures get a little toasty in January (heart of Australian summer!) but I am sure it would be worthwhile to see the likes of Nadal, Federer and Djokovic in action.
Eureka Tower
When you love visiting skyscrapers and high-rise buildings, you are attracted to finding these when exploring a new city. Melbourne plays host to Eureka Tower, commonly known as Eureka Skydeck 88 which provides awe inspiring views of Melbourne city center and surrounding areas.
Standing at just under 1000 ft, it is not one of the world’s tallest skyscrapers but what it does offer are memorable views and experiences both on the glass deck ‘Edge’ and ‘Outside Terrace’.
Great Ocean Road
A trip to Melbourne wouldn’t be the same without taking some time to experience the Great Ocean Road which is often acclaimed as one of the world’s most gorgeous drives, and clearly with reason. Stretching over 240km, this stretch of road takes in beautiful Australian coastline with the iconic Twelve Apostles one of the key highlights along this route.
The Great Ocean Road is undoubtedly one of the most photographed areas in Australia, primarily because of the gorgeous marine and rock formations along the route but also because it is so ‘visitor friendly’ with plenty of spots to take a memorable shot.
Phillip Island
Another great day trip or short break within close proximity is Phillip Island which plays host to thousands of penguins which are an immediate tourist attraction. Of course there are plenty of other things to do on the island including exploring a Koala Conservation Centre and various hiking trails around the island that provide breathtaking scenery of the shoreline and beyond.
***This post is part of the 2014 A to Z Blogging Challenge (#DreamDestinations #AtoZChallenge)***
Chris, Melbourne is fantastic for all the reasons you list. We loved it. My favorite were the penguins…so cute!
We loved our time in Australia and regret not being able to get down to Melbourne but of course this allowed us to use this as one of our future Dream Destinations. Those penguins are adorable for sure and I am convinced it would be a breathtaking experience to see them in person in their natural habitat.
I’m going to Melbourne in March so thanks for this! I definitely will see the Great Ocean Road and thanks for filling me in on Phillip Island 🙂
Hope you have an amazing time there Ashley! Do you plan on traveling to other parts of Australia? I would be interested to hear what your plans are for the Land of Oz!
We are currently planning our trip to Australia for next year – maybe a visit to Melbourne needs to be added to the list! 🙂
I would definitely recommend this Tam! Is this going to be your first trip to Australia? If so, I would also definitely recommend the Eastern seaboard such as Brisbane, Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Of course it wouldn’t be Australia without a trip down to Sydney though we were only able to take a day trip there so for our next venture to Oz I imagine experiencing Melbourne and more of Sydney.
That great ocean road looks amazing! I’ve never been, but that makes me want to.
Same here Ann! Whenever I was researching the top attractions in Melbourne, the minute I saw the Great Ocean Road I knew that I wanted to experience this for myself. The views and scenery are so spectacular.
You’ve captured Melbourne well. Especially about the sports, they are crazy sports fans. I went to the Tennis once and it was like being a rock concert!
Thanks Sarah-Jane, is it weird that whenever I look at new places one of the first aspects I look at are the sports teams and sporting events that take place there? Maybe its just because I am a guy that loves sports but hitting up the Aussie Open and cricket would be such an awesome experience I am sure.
One of my friends went to a wedding in Melbourne last year. She has loads of photos of most of these things – loved it so much, she’s going back this year!
Eureka Tower looks really cool! Melbourne is a place I’ve always wanted to visit. I met a couple who had moved to Nashville from Melbourne a few years ago and they were trying to talk us into taking the long plane ride over there with them!
Stephanie Faris
http://stephie5741.blogspot.com
Go for it Stephanie, I am sure that you won’t regret it! Prior to heading to Australia in 2012, I really was under the impression that it would be a once in a lifetime opportunity to go there, simply because it’s so far but our experience there pretty much gave us the bug and I would go back there in a heartbeat regardless of the length of time it takes to fly out there.
Totally agree, I spent a year here and the Ocean Road was highlight of my trip. Just go!
Cheers Alan! I certainly agree with your idea which pretty much is a great travel philosophy to have – JUST GO!!!!
As a proud Melbournian, this is a good starting point to what to see in one of the best cities on earth 😉
Melbourne prides itself on being sports crazy!! My husband actually proposed to me at the top of the Eureka Tower and we are heading to Phillip Island next month!! My favourite part about Melbourne is the different neighbourhoods and eating precincts. It is definitely worth adding some of these to any must see list of Melbourne 🙂
I agree with Sharon…don’t forget Melbourne and it’s fun suburbs! I love going into the city for the fabulous street art in the laneways, excellent coffee shops and best of all, the great restaurants which are not only here but all around Melbourne. I’m in Melbourne quite often and love every minute of my time spent there…you will too when you visit!
That Great Ocean Road, and those penguins! I’d love to see them. (I’ll pass on the sports, though, smile.)
Donna On Palawan @ Quintessential San Diego From A to Z
I love Melbourne! I didn’t explore this side of the city. I mostly wandered on Swanston Street and Collins st. It’s a lovely city and Great Ocean road trip awesome too!
Seeing the little penguins on Phillip Island was probably one of the most amazing travel experiences I have had. They are just so cute and fascinating.
What an amazing experience that must have been for you Jen, I am very envious of you being able to do this! At the moment it’s just a dream for us but hopefully we can make this a reality.
Some great recommendations there Chris. Since 2002 I’ve visited Melbourne at least once if not twice a year and the city just keeps on growing on me.
I’ve been inside all those buildings/arena (except the Eureka Tower) and made some fabulous memories.
BTW The Great Ocean Road is a fabulous experience but make sure you have plenty of time, it takes a while to get there from Melbourne. You’ll also want to slow drive when you get there.
Thanks so much for the kind comments, its always nice when you put together a post and you receive positive feedback! It’s particularly difficult trying to pick spots in a destination you have never been before but we are taking the approach of sharing what we would love to experience if and when we are able to visit there. We both love experiencing skyscrapers so the Eureka Tower would be a must.
I also appreciate you sharing the inside scoop on the Great Ocean Road because I certainly would want to maximize this experience and the views along the way.
Some great recommendations Chris! We’ve yet to get to Australia but Melbourne looks like a must when we eventually make it there. I just keep seeing pictures of the enormous spiders in Australia which makes me question if I can hack it 🙂
Calli, I will say that I had a slight fear of seeing spiders and snakes before we went to Australia in 2012. But we were there for almost 2 weeks and I never saw anything out of the ordinary, at least nothing that increased my fears so I wouldn’t worry too much about that. Maybe if you plan on venturing out into the Outback you concerns would be heightened a little but apart from that, you will be fine!
I would like to agree to disagree, I can’t stand Melbourne, Have been several times as its a short, cheap flight from Adelaide, each time we find ourselves wondering around… a little bored… The food scene is great but you cant spend the whole say eating…
Nothing at all wrong with that Sam! Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I appreciate your honesty because it helps folks decide if visiting a certain location is for them. We all too frequently just see positive remarks which of course is great for an area but if there are truly negative aspects then it is worth noting them. One thing that is consistent though is the food scene which is apparently excellent in Melbourne, I guess we can all agree on that one 🙂
It is a great city and despite the affected rivalry between Sydney and Melbourne, pretty much everyone loves them both.
I love Melbourne even more so than Sydney – and I could live on the Great Ocean Road! Haven’t yet been to Phillip Island but I’ll openly admit that the main draw for me there would be accidentally bumping into Liam or Chris Hemsworth 😀 lol
Great Ocean Road trip is high on my priorities for Melbourne. When I eventually get to Australia 🙂
Don’t blame you at all Sammi, hopefully you will get there sooner rather than later so that you can begin exploring! Trust me when you get to Australia you won’t want to leave anytime soon 🙂
Wonderful advice! I’m going to Australia in February with the work and holiday visa and plan on living in Melbourne. This post makes me even more excited about the things to do there. And I agree, seeing a Grand Slam tennis match would be a dream!!
Melbourne is a fabulous city- which is very un- Sydney of me to say. Great shops, great restaurants and friendly people. Great Ocean Road is definitely worth a look too.