Elegant black swans give their inimitable bottoms-up salute as you jog, cycle or walk the 5km perimeter of this artificial lake. Lakeside Dr was used as an international motor-racing circuit in the 1950s, and since 1996 the revamped track has been the venue for the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix every March. Also on the periphery is the Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre, with an Olympic-size pool and child-delighting wave machine.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Melbourne attractions

1. St Vincent Place

0.89 MILES

For a taste of Victorian-era finery, take a stroll in St Vincent Pl, a heritage precinct in Albert Park. Consisting of a long, arch-shaped street skirting…

2. Shrine of Remembrance

0.94 MILES

One of Melbourne's icons, the Shrine of Remembrance is a commanding memorial to Victorians who have served in war and peacekeeping, especially those…

3. South Melbourne Market

1 MILES

Trading since 1867, this market is an institution, its labyrinthine guts packed with a brilliant collection of stalls selling everything from organic…

5. Melbourne Observatory

1.04 MILES

Just outside Gate O of the Royal Botanic Gardens is the historic Melbourne Observatory. Built in the early 1860s, this was once a centre for weather…

6. Royal Botanic Gardens

1.1 MILES

Considered one of the finest examples of Victorian-era landscaping in the world, Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens draw over two million visitors a year…

7. Australian Centre for Contemporary Art

1.16 MILES

ACCA is one of Australia’s most exciting and challenging contemporary galleries, showcasing a range of local and international artists. The building is…

8. Government House

1.19 MILES

On the outer edge of the Botanic Gardens, this Italianate Government House dates from 1872. A replica of Queen Victoria’s Osborne House on England’s Isle…