Australia is one of the most unique places on the planet, due in no small part to all of the massive crocodiles, spiders and other assorted animals. But it’s not a country of things that want to eat you. It also has more than a few vibrant communities to visit such as Melbourne.
It is the capital of the Australian state of Victoria, and is second most populous city in the country. As such, it has no shortage of interesting things to do, some of which seem incredibly obvious but are still awesome.
Check out the Royal Botanic Gardens
The Melbourne edition of the Royal Botanic Gardens has a long history of delighting both locals and visitors from around the world. 2021 represents the 175th anniversary of the gardens, which should give you an idea of how much history is encompassed in this space.
More than 8,500 species of plants range across 38 hectares. But those are just the numbers. The Melbourne Gardens are stunning, offering anyone who stops by an intensely beautiful yet serene and peaceful experience.
Spend some time in the Royal Arcade
Melbourne is stocked with winding lanes and arcades that are filled with shops and restaurants, each of them demanding to be explored on any trip to the city. But if you only have time for one, make it the Royal Arcade in the heart of the Central Business District.
The Royal Arcade has several unique and interesting stops, such as The Games Shop and Dungeons of Magic. But as cool as this arcade is, try to take time to check a few others out if at all possible. They can be incredibly interesting.
Visit Melbourne Museum
Sometimes it’s nice to dig into the various historical aspects of the region you’re visiting, and the Melbourne Museum is a prime place to do that for Victoria. It is reputedly the largest museum of its kind in the entire Southern Hemisphere.
Located in Carlton Gardens just north of the CBD, the Melbourne Museum is near the Royal Exhibition Building. It explores the natural and cultural history of this part of the world, offering guests some expansive and unique experiences.
Experience the National Gallery of Victoria
There is an argument to be made that the National Gallery of Victoria is the top art gallery in the entirety of Australia. That’s mainly because it’s the biggest and the oldest gallery, not to mention the fact it gets the most visitors throughout the year.
The incredible collections of Australian art, Asian art and works by various other International artists make this a key stop on any trip to Melbourne. Pieces from Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, Paul Cézanne and Pablo Picasso can be found here.
Stop by Queen Victoria Market
When on the road in any new place, experiencing the local food is incredibly key. And when you’re in Melbourne, a prime spot to do that is the Queen Victoria Market. At seven hectares, it carries the distinction of being the largest open air market in the Southern Hemisphere.
Keeping in mind that it’s closed Mondays and Tuesdays, the Queen Victoria Market it is overflowing incredible places to find local produce, seafood, baking and more. On top of that, there are a great variety of retail spots with an overwhelming range of shopping opportunities.