What's on in Melbourne

Melbourne is a hive of activity and has something for everyone, from the cafe lovers to the Louboutin devotees. With high end cuisine and hidden lane-way gems, a foodies paradise awaits.

With its dynamic and cutting edge arts and culture, Melbourne has an unmistakable buzz that will leave you wanting more.

Click here to download a list of what's hot in Melbourne from someone who knows all the right places to visit, a local.  

National Gallery of Victoria
180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
Ph: +61 3 8620 2222
Email: enquiries@ngv.vic.gov.au

The National Gallery of Victoria has two magnificent galleries located a short walk apart, both with free entry to the permanent collection. Victorians and visitors can now enjoy two public art galleries within one magnificent arts precinct. Stretching from the top of Saint Kilda Road across the Yarra River to Federation Square, this cultural heartland encompasses the transformed National Gallery of Victoria International on St Kilda Road, The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation Square, and The Arts Centre, all within a short stroll from each other.

A whole world of international art, displaying the National Gallery of Victoria's collections of European, Asian, Oceanic and American Art. Since the National Gallery of Victoria opened in St Kilda Road in 1968, the total collection has doubled in size to more than 70,000 works of art.

A truly iconic Melbourne building, the gallery has been totally redesigned to house one of the most impressive collections in the Southern Hemisphere. The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation Square. Home to Australian art with superb collections of Australian Indigenous and non-Indigenous art from the Colonial period to the present day.

Queen Victoria Markets
Corner Victoria & Elizabeth Streets, Melbourne
Ph: +61 3 9320 5822
Email: info@qvm.com.au

The Queen Victoria Market has been the heart and soul of Melbourne for more than a century. A historic landmark spread over two city blocks, this vibrant and bustling inner-city Market is where Melburnians shop for everything from Australian fruit and vegetables, and local and imported gourmet foods, to cosmetics, clothing and souvenirs.

The Market is open five days a week, Tuesday and Thursday to Sunday. Content: Queen Victoria Market

Koorie Heritage Trust
295 King Street
Corner of Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Ph: +61 3 8622 2600
Email: info@koorieheritagetrust.com

The Koorie Heritage Trust is a not-for-profit Aboriginal community organisation that aims to protect, preserve and promote the living culture of Aboriginal people of south-eastern Australia. The Trust cares for a diverse range of artefacts, artworks, crafts, oral histories, books, manuscripts, historical material and photographs and houses four gallery spaces.

The Koorie Heritage Trust has a permanent interactive exhibition that teaches visitors about their aboriginal history and culture, and a retail shop that sells authentic products. Some of the activities offered at the Koorie Heritage Trust include art workshops, educational programs, accredited training, cross-cultural training, cultural tours and touring exhibitions.

The Trust also provides a range of programs and services to the Koorie community and the general public including assisting community members trace their family history; youth projects designed to connect with Elders and culture, and an extensive research library dating back to the 1800's.

Melbourne Museum
Carlton Gardens
11 Nicholson Street, Carlton, Melbourne
Ph: +61 3 8341 7777

Melbourne Museum showcases Australian social history, Indigenous cultures, science and the environment. Located adjacent to the World Heritage listed Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens, and home to IMAX Theatre Melbourne.

Major features of Melbourne Museum include celebrating Victoria's local Koorie culture in Bunjilaka, Aboriginal Cultural Centre. Explore Melbourne's rich history in the Melbourne Story exhibition; be immersed in evocative stories and discover the icons and personalities that have shaped Melbourne since the early 1800s.

See Phar Lap, Australia's legendary racehorse, in the flesh. Walk amongst skeletons of amazing animals from the past; from dinosaurs, flying reptiles and megafauna.

Take a close look at bugs, from stick insects to red-back and funnel-web spiders in Bugs Alive! Wander through a living forest with resident wildlife inside the Forest Gallery. Journey into the mind and explore a world of emotions, thoughts, memories and dreams in The Mind exhibition.

Old Melbourne Gaol
377 Russell Street, Melbourne
Ph: +61 3 8663 7228
Email: info@oldmelbournegaol.com.au

Built in the 1800s to house Victoria's rapidly growing criminal population, the multi award winning Old Melbourne Gaol is one of Melbourne's oldest surviving buildings and one of the city's must-see attractions, especially their Crime and Justice Experience.

Step inside this imposing bluestone institution, a site of over 130 hangings, and enter a world where some of Australia's most infamous criminals were held, including bushranger Ned Kelly and notorious gangster Squizzy Taylor. View the cells where the prisoners were held, discover the life and death of Ned Kelly, be arrested by the Charge Sergeant in the Police Watch House.

You can also see the Old Melbourne Gaol by candlelight with one of their night tours!

Eureka Skydeck 88
7 Riverside Quay, Southbank
Ph: +61 3 9693 8888
Email: info@eurekaskydeck.com.au

Nothing you have ever experienced will prepare you for the awe inspiring views from the highest viewing platform in the Southern Hemisphere at Melbourne's Eureka Skydeck 88. Eureka Skydeck 88 is Melbourne's must see attraction. Two dedicated lifts propel visitors to Level 88 in under 40 seconds.

Only Skydeck 88 can take you to "The Edge", a switchable glass cube which slides out from the building, with you inside! Apart from the unforgettable panorama, Skydeck 88 entertains the entire family with a host of activities and fascinating facts.

Touch and discover 'Serendipity' the six metre long, interactive Table of Knowledge; follow the scrolling LED floor and wall displays; match the directional sounds to the Melbourne landmark or simply step on to the 'Terrace' and expose yourself to the outside elements. Located in Southbank, Eurecka Skydeck 88 will change the way you look at Melbourne and beyond!

Werribee Mansion
Gate 2, K Road, Werribbee
Ph: +61 3 8734 5100
Email: bookingswerribee@parks.vic.gov.au

Located 30 minutes West of Melbourne, Werribee Mansion is a living, breathing postcard of 19th century Australia. Wealthy sheep farmers built 'the mansion' and the Italianate-style architecture and its Victorian period interiors are as inspiring today as when it was completed in 1877. Werribee Mansion is surrounded by 10 hectares of formal gardens, widely attributed to W.R Guilfoyle, Curator of the Melbourne Botanic Gardens.

The gardens feature a parterre, which is a geometric garden design best viewed from the mansion balcony, pond and original grotto. The grounds are superbly maintained and there is no trouble finding a shaded spot to enjoy the peace and quiet. Situated behind Werribee Mansion in a separate wing is the Mansion Hotel and Spa.

Within walking distance of Werribee Mansion is the Victoria State Rose Garden. Winner of the prestigious World Federation of Rose Societies Award for Garden Excellence, this internationally acclaimed garden is shaped as a giant Tudor Rose and displays 5000 roses to perfection. Entry to Werribee Park Formal Garden is free.