Choose from 646 Fun Things to Do in Australia
James Craig Tall Ship
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James Cook Museum
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Port Arthur
- The Port Arthur historic site is spread across 100 acres (40 hectares), so plan at least a half-day visit.
- Facilities at Port Arthur include a visitor center, restrooms, gift shop, and cafe/restaurant.
- Cell phone coverage is limited at Port Arthur, but free Wi-Fi is available on-site.
- Bring sunscreen, comfortable shoes, a raincoat, and plenty of water if you plan on taking a walking tour—weather can change quickly at the open-air site.
- Most of the Port Arthur historic site is wheelchair accessible, and a shuttle buggy service is available for those with limited mobility.
Melbourne Star Observation Wheel
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Powerhouse Museum
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Michaelmas Cay
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Melbourne Museum
Exhibitions include Science and Life, Melbourne Story, Evolution, Mind and Body, and many more. Get to see bones and displays of Australia’s mega fauna (giant animals), experience the Dinosaur Walk, Bugs Alive!, Amazing Animals and The Human Body.
Temporary exhibitions run about twice a year and cover a variety of themes. The Museum also houses a good café, an IMAX center and – the museum’s most popular object – a taxidermy original of Australia’s most famous racehorse, Phar Lap.
Housed in a striking building with a huge glass façade, Melbourne Museum is not immediately visible if you approach from the CBD as it stands behind the impressive Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton Gardens.
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Melbourne Town Hall
- Photographers will want to visit Melbourne Town Hall either early in the morning, for the best light with minimal crowding, or late at night early in the week, to capture the illuminations.
- If you’d like to see the interior but don’t want to book a tour, consider visiting for a concert, which allows access to the grand auditorium.
- Melbourne Town Hall is wheelchair accessible.
- The impressive portico was added to the building in 1887.
Menglers Hill Lookout
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Milsons Point
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Observatory Hill
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Museum of Sydney
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Jenolan Caves
- There is a minimum age of 6 or 10 years for some cave tours, which are graded according to their difficulty level.
- Temperatures in the cave average 60°F (16°C) year-round, so bring warm clothing. Sturdy, enclosed shoes and comfortable clothing are also essential.
- Most caves are not wheelchair accessible, but visits to Orient Cave can be arranged with prior notice. For those with reduced mobility, Imperial Cave is the most easily accessible.
- The Jenolan Caves complex has a number of hotels, restaurants, cafés, and on-site facilities for visitors.
Mindil Beach
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Migration Museum
- Entrance to the museum is free, but there is sometimes a charge for special events and temporary exhibitions.
- The museum is suitable for all ages, and children will enjoy the “Discovery Drawers” found throughout the exhibits.
- The museum is fully accessible to wheelchair users, and wheelchairs are available to rent.
Melbourne Cruise Port
How to Get to Melbourne
Your ship will dock at Station Pier in Port Melbourne. The tram station is about a five minute walk from the pier and, from there, it is about a twenty minute ride into the center of Melbourne. Taking a taxi is another option and should cost about $20.
One Day in Melbourne
Begin your exploration of Melbourne by hopping on the free Circle City tram, which makes an hour-long loop around the city center. Then, head to Federation Square, where you will find numerous galleries, shops and cafes surrounding the square, as well as the city’s Visitor Center. Spend an hour or two around the square and then head up to the Eureka Skydeck for jaw-dropping views around the city. If you’re feeling adventurous, step out on the Edge, a glass cube extending from the skydeck that will give you a view 935 feet straight down!
How you spend the rest of your time in Melbourne will depend a lot on your interests. You might get a taste of Australian and Aboriginal art at the National Gallery of Victoria before heading to the State Library of Victoria and the St. Paul Cathedral. Or, make your way to the quirky suburb of St. Kilda to ride the rollercoaster at Luna Park, stroll along the pier and soak up some sun on St Kilda Beach. Others may enjoy simply walking by the Yarra River and exploring the Royal Botanic Gardens or the Melbourne Zoo.
Shopping aficionados will also want to check out Little Collins Street, Collins Street, Brunswick Street and the Queen Victoria Market.
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Museum of Old and New Art (MONA)
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Nurses Walk
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Japanese Cemetery
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Melbourne Zoo
Animals from Australia and around the world have called the Melbourne Zoo home since 1862, making it Australia's oldest zoo. Surrounded by landscaped gardens, the zoo is a popular location for picnics and evening concerts during the summer.
Star attractions at Melbourne Zoo include the colorful inhabitants of the Butterfly House, families of gorillas at play in the Gorilla Rainforest, and native animals like kangaroos, wombats and koalas in the Amazing Australians exhibits.
Most famous of all is the Trail of the Elephants, the Asian village home of the zoo's five elephants, including recent addition baby Mali. Orangutans are viewed from elevated boardwalks, and penguins and seals swim in the Wild Sea display. Don’t miss feeding time and Meet the Keeper presentations.Practical Info
Melbourne Zoo is a couple of kilometers from central Melbourne, on the northern edge of town in Parkville. Catch a tram from the city along William Street, or a train from Flinders Street Station to Royal Park Station. The Zoological Gardens cover acres of different landscapes, including formal gardens, rainforest and jungle. Free guided tours highlight the zoo's star exhibits.