Top things to do in Melbourne

Royal Botanic Gardens

From the air, these stunning, 38-hectare gardens suggest a set of giant green lungs in the middle of the city. Drawing over two million visitors annually, it's considered one of the finest examples of...

Attica is Australia's only restaurant on San Pellegrino's World's Top 50 Restaurants list. Ben Shewry creates contemporary dishes with native ingredients, like saltwater crocodile rib glazed with spiced honey,...

It took three years to transform King and Godfree, an Italian grocer since 1884, into this multi-venue wonder. There's Johnny's Green Room, with 360-degree rooftop views and a glitterati cocktail vibe; a deli...

Good things come to those who queue, and here they come in the form of unrivalled pastries, from innovative cruffins to plain croissants often dubbed the world's best. In the centre of this warehouse space is a...

Arguably Australia's best Japanese restaurant – if you care to empty your pockets and book two months in advance. It's hidden down a side street; the best seats are at the bar, where sushi master Koichi...

One of Melbourne's icons, the Shrine of Remembrance is a commanding memorial to Victorians who have served in war and peacekeeping, especially those killed in WWI. Built between 1928 and 1934, much of it with...

NGV International

Housed in a vast, brutally beautiful, bunker-like building, the international branch of the NGV has an expansive collection, from ancient artefacts to the cutting edge. Regular blockbuster exhibitions (prices...

Queen Victoria Market

With more than 600 traders, 'Vic Market' is the largest open-air market in the southern hemisphere. Visit early morning to shop for fresh produce, accepting tasters and dodging the booming cries of spruiking...

Melbourne Cricket Ground

With a capacity of 100,000 people, the 'G' is one of the world’s great sporting venues, hosting cricket in summer and AFL (Australian Football League, Aussie rules or 'footy') in winter – for many Australians...

Melbourne Zoo

Established in 1862, this compact zoo remains one of the city’s most popular attractions and continues to innovate, having become the world's first carbon-neutral zoo. Set in prettily landscaped gardens, the...

You could spend all day going from room to room now that the beloved 'Espy' is back, after a $15 million renovation. Antiques complement its Victorian bones and there's live music on three stages – best is the...

Federation Square

One of the city's newest public spaces and an urban focal point, Federation Sq is a place to meet, celebrate, protest, watch major sporting events or simply hang out on deckchairs. Occupying a prominent city...

The National Gallery of Victoria's impressive Fed Sq offshoot was set up to showcase its extraordinary collection of Australian works. Set over three levels, it's a mix of permanent (free) and temporary...

Royal Exhibition Building

Built for the 1880 International Exhibition, this Victorian edifice in Carlton Gardens symbolises the glory days of 19th-century Melbourne's economic supremacy. It was the first Australian building to fly the...

This former convent, dating back to 1863, is a rambling collection of ecclesiastical architecture that's home to a thriving arts community of galleries, studios and cafes – including Convent Bakery and vegetarian...

Within red Pompidou-style scaffolding – the work of artist Callum Morton – lies this buzzing, sophisticated spot, dominated by a grand marble bar and plaster-chipped walls behind lit glass. Waiters seemingly...

Striking contemporary architecture and floor-to-ceiling bay views set the tone at Stokehouse, a top draw for its waterside setting and modern, seafood-centric dishes (plus its devilishly good bombe: strawberry...

Hyped for all the right reasons, this is Andrew McConnell’s flagship Melbourne restaurant and its attentive, informed staff and joy-inducing dishes make it one of Melbourne’s top places for fine dining. The menu...

Food lovers travel to Melbourne especially for this festival, which celebrates the city's world-class food and wine scene with more than 200 unique events. From the sell-out 'World's Longest Lunch' – served on a...

You might spy Mörk in top cafes, restaurants and gift stores, but this is where the magic happens. Within a former 1950s bakery, this tiny chocolate cafe focuses on bean-to-cup drinks. Come for the 'campfire'...