Outdoors

Take a Walk

Melbourne has a long tradition of beautifully designed public parks and gardens. Get out of the grid for a breath of fresh air and explore the green spaces that encircle the city. Wander among the trees, playgrounds and public art at Fitzroy, Treasury and Flagstaff Gardens. North of the city centre, Carlton Gardens encircle the majestic Royal Exhibition Building, which was erected for the Great Exhibition of 1880.

Cycle or stroll around the lake in Albert Park, or along the Yarra River at Birrarung Marr, situated between Federation Square and the sports precinct. Explore Melbourne Zoo, located within Royal Park in Parkville, or wander through the Royal Botanic Gardens (RBC), a cool green oasis on the edge of Melbourne's CBD that boasts an impressive array of plants - from rainforest blooms and rare herbs, to majestic trees and exotic shrubs. There is also a cafe at the RBC, and plenty of lawns to picnic upon.

Take the Aboriginal Heritage Walk and find out more about the Boonwurrung and Woiwurrung (Wurundjeri) people who once lived in the Royal Botanic Gardens. Visitors are welcomed with a traditional smoking ceremony, followed by an introduction to traditional uses of plants for food, medicine, tools and ceremony.

For a walk with a culinary twist, take the Chocoholics Tour. Sample handmade Belgian chocolates, French pastries, and delicious hot chocolate as you learn the secrets of making chocolate delights from some of Melbourne's finest purveyors. Self-confessed chocoholic Suzie Wharton leads this walk around the CBD on Fridays and Saturdays.

Art and Heritage

Climb aboard the free burgundy and gold City Circle tram as it makes its way around the CBD, past parks, museums and historic sites including the State Library of Victoria, Parliament House, Federation Square and the Old Melbourne Gaol, where infamous bushranger Ned Kelly was hanged. Head out of the CBD to discover one of the country's best contemporary art collections at Heide Museum of Modern Art, or call in at Montsalvat, one of the oldest existing artist colonies in Australia.

The National Gallery of Victoria is the state's main public gallery and home to 70,000 artworks housed in two magnificent city buildings located within a short stroll of one another.

Melbourne's Waterways

The Yarra River winds its way from the Dandenong Mountains, through the suburbs and the city, eventually flowing into beautiful Port Phillip Bay. Its banks are lined with bike paths, historic boat sheds and cafés. Hire a paddleboat along the quieter reaches of the river near the Fairfield and Studley Park boathouses, or enjoy a coffee by the water at Riverland behind Federation Square. Wander over historic bridges to Southbank, Crown Entertainment Complex, or Docklands and find a table for dinner with a waterside view.