Striking public spaces, state-of-the-art museums and galleries, Australian wildlife, heritage sites and impressive architecture are all part of Melbourne’s cosmopolitan appeal. The city holds many first-class attractions as well as myriad hidden secrets just waiting to be uncovered.

Federation Square

Federation Square links the city centre with the Yarra River. It fuses art, architecture, events, culture, hospitality and open space into a striking public domain. Make your travel bookings and collect maps and brochures from the Visitor Information Centre here or wander through the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) and Champions racing museum. The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia is the world's first major gallery dedicated exclusively to Australian art. It is a spectacular showcase comprising over 20 galleries.

Visit the Federation Square Website

Queen Victoria Market

Queen Victoria Market is a 124-year-old icon of local trade and street life, selling everything from souvenirs to fresh crayfish. Add info here about fresh produce, deli hall and tours available at the market, eg foodie tours and Style Addict tours

Visit the Queen Victoria Market Website

Melbourne Aquarium

Conveniently located on the banks of the Yarra close to Crown Casino, the state-of-the-art Melbourne Aquarium harbours thousands of creatures from the Southern Ocean.

Visit the Melbourne Aquarium Website

Melbourne Museum

The modernist Melbourne Museum is the largest museum complex in the southern hemisphere. Spread over six huge levels, half of which are below ground level, the museum draws on the latest technology to give an insight into Australia's flora, fauna and culture. Next to the museum is the World Heritage listed Exhibition Building, built in 1880, and the lovely Carlton Gardens.

Visit the Melbourne Museum Website

Eureka Skydeck 88

At 253-metres high, the Rialto Towers building is the tallest office building in the Southern Hemisphere and one of Melbourne’s icons. For spectacular 360-degree views of Melbourne, take the high-speed lift to level 55 for the Eureka Skydeck 88.

Visit the Eureka Lookout Website

Melbourne River Cruises

Complete your Melbourne experience with an award-winning cruise on the Yarra River. With great information, a warming cuppa and the comfort of a Melbourne River Cruiser you will see the city from a whole different perspective. Cruises depart from Southbank promenade and Princess Bridge near Flinders Street Station.

Visit the Melbourne River Cruise Website

Victorian Arts Centre

A focal point of Melbourne's Southbank entertainment precinct, the Victorian Arts Centre hosts many of Australia's premier performing arts companies and international touring performances. The centre is open daily for guided tours, gallery exhibitions, and nightly performances. On Sundays, artisans and local producers sell their wares under market umbrellas lining St Kilda Road and onto the Southgate promenade.

Visit the Victoria Arts Centre Website

Old Melbourne Gaol

The Old Melbourne Gaol is Victoria's oldest surviving prison. Until it closed in 1929, it housed Victoria's most hardened criminals. Built between 1841 and 1864, the jail was used to accommodate short-term prisoners, the mentally ill and some of the colony’s most notorious criminals, including the outlaw Ned Kelly, who was hanged here on 11 November 1880. During World War II, the jail was briefly reopened as military detention barracks, and visitors can read about the experiences of Australian, German, Italian and American military prisoners. Russell Street, between Victoria and La Trobe streets

Visit the Old Melbourne Gaol Website

Melbourne Zoo

Gorillas, pygmy hippopotamuses, mandrills, tigers and otters live happily together at Melbourne Zoo. Of course, all of our Australian favourites are here too. Watch Orang-utans from a spectacular treetop viewing area. Take a Slumber Safari and sleep overnight with the animals in the comfort of luxurious safari tents. If you choose a Roar and Snore Safari, you will explore the mystery of the Zoo after dark. Hear, smell and see nocturnal creatures, big and small and share the passion, knowledge and stories of your camp hosts.

Visit the Melbourne Zoo Website

Think Melbourne. Think shopping. The rest of Australia does. For decades, the city has been known as the country’s shopping capital. Fashion, of course, is part of the appeal but there’s plenty more besides. While choice is a big attraction, the joy of shopping in the city is also about atmosphere. The web of narrow streets, beckoning lanes, wide boulevards and lovely old arcades make shopping a pleasure. Melbourne is home to leading fashion houses is home to the country’s top designers including Joseph Saba, Bettina Liano, Scanlan and Theodore, Alannah Hill, TL Wood, Georgia Chapman, Kirrily Johnston and Arabella Ramsay, all of whom have made their mark on the national and international fashion scene.

City

Walking is the best way to shop. Start at the ‘Paris end’ of Collins Street between Spring and Russell streets for international labels. Then head to Little Collins Street, where you will find many boutiques, cafes and restaurants. Don’t miss Flinders Lane between Elizabeth and Russell streets. The big department stores Myer and David Jones are located on the Bourke Street Mall. At the GPO, QV and Melbourne Central shopping centres you will find a mix of clothing, accessories, handbags and more from local and international designers.

Chapel Street

Chapel Street in South Yarra is one of the swankiest shopping destinations in Melbourne. Here local designers mix with the international set. Another stretch of sophisticated shopping is at Toorak Road.

Brunswick Street

If retro home ware and funky jewellery and clothing are more your style then head to Brunswick Street in Fitzroy. There are also many good cafes to watch the eclectic crowd go by. It is especially worth a visit at weekends. Drop into Gertrude Street for cutting-edge fashion, books, retro gear and industrial furniture emporium.

Bargain Hunting

Bargain-hunters get your wallets ready. Factory outlets offer the best brands at hugely discounted prices. Shop on Bridge Road and Swan Street in Richmond for jeans, swimwear, trainers, tops and bags at heavily reduced prices. For something different, Melbourne’s many markets offer new and pre-loved shoes, clothes and accessories.

Visit Melbourne and your quest for the perfect meal will be over. Offering a dizzying spread of the world's great cuisines –from the simple to the truly exotic – the city serves up an unbeatable culinary experience in more than 3000 restaurants, cafes and bistros. Bars stay open late. There are plenty of clubs and the city bursts with music venues catering for all tastes – from grunge rock to jazz and from blues to the avant-garde.

City

Melbourne has many arcades and laneways housing cosy cafes and bars. Flinders Lane and Little Collins Street, Bourke St and Little Bourke St (Chinatown), are just some of the places to find great coffee, food, wine and entertainment. Still in the city, Southbank offers all-night entertainment at Crown Entertainment Complex, including Crown Casino, dozens of cafes and restaurants, cinemas and live music venues.

Lygon Street

Great Italian eateries bring food and classic Italian dining experience together on Lygon Street. Complement your Italian dining experience with some wonderful Victorian wines.

Chapel Street

Across the Yarra River, Chapel Street is a hive of activity, especially at weekends. It is home to the stylish set as well as some great cafes and bars. Sit at one of the alfresco cafes, sip a latte and invest some time in some serious people watching.

St Kilda

The seaside suburb of St Kilda is awash with dining experiences, from fine dining to relaxed, casual eating and drinking spots around Fitzroy and Acland streets.

Docklands

Docklands is a unique waterfront development in the heart of Melbourne. Set on spectacular Victoria harbour this development has stunning views, unique urban art, historic wharves, marinas, parkland, and a great selection of restaurants, stylish bars and cafes to enjoy. www.docklands.com

Sports fans will be right at home in Melbourne. Horse racing, motor sports, tennis, surfing and the Australian Football League (AFL) will keep you on the edge of your seat. Whether you come for the horses or the fashion, Spring Racing in Melbourne offers 50 glorious spring days of the world's greatest horse racing celebration. From sweepstakes to champagne and elaborate hats, this race stops the nation. The Australian Open brings the world’s hottest tennis players to Melbourne for two weeks of tennis thrills. Matches broadcast on big screens, beer gardens and live entertainment creates a vibrant atmosphere in and around the city The Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne is three days of non-stop racing action and off-track entertainment.

Victoria has four distinct seasons: spring (September-November), summer (December-February), autumn (March-May) and winter (June-August). Temperatures vary across the state from the milder coastal regions and inland waterways to snow in winter in the alpine snowfields. Snow commonly occurs above 600 metres between June and October (Victoria’s ski season). Northern and western Victoria are hotter and drier in summer and milder and drier in winter than other areas of the state.

Melbourne is easy to explore with the user-friendly tram, train and bus networks, or on foot. An excellent train and tram system knits Melbourne together. Flinders Street Station is the hub of Melbourne's train system, and all metropolitan trains begin or end their journey here. The city's trams travel along most of Melbourne's major thoroughfares, and into the suburbs. You can use the burgundy and gold City Circle Tram to get around the city centre, to attractions and other transport routes. Tickets for travel across train, tram and bus services are inexpensive and can be bought from vending machines, at train stations, on trams, and selected shops such as newsagents. Buses operate throughout Victoria, in country towns and in Melbourne. The after-hours Night Rider service operates from metropolitan Melbourne, providing a safe means of travel after a night out in the city. Buses leave from the corner of Swanston Street and Collins Street, or Crown Entertainment Complex from 12.20am on Saturdays and Sundays. Taxis are plentiful and easy to spot (they are all an eye-catching yellow). There are lots of tour operators to help make sightseeing in Melbourne a breeze or you could hire a car and head off on your own adventure. For great savings try the See Melbourne & Beyond card, which combines entry to over 60 attractions and tours. Melbourne Airport is about 25 kilometres from the city centre and there are plenty of public and private transport services, just ask at the information desk when you arrive.