Melbourne is a city with many activities for visitors. The most important question is how much free hours or days you have to spare. Always do some research like browsing the " Visit Melbourne & Victoria " website. Make a list of your top 5 or 10 'must do' activities.
- Purchase a Zone 1 daily Metcard (A$6.50) (Sundays use cheaper A$2.90 Sunday Saver) for unlimited trips on trains, trams and buses but note that the Sunday Savers can only be bought from staffed railway stations or at a Metcard ticket agent (7-11 and so on) (refer to www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au for fares, timetables and a journey planner.)
- City Circle Tram ride (free) in either direction around Melbourne's CBD and Docklands
- Visit Federation Square Tourist Office
- Use your Metcard to travel to and from St Kilda (out on St Kilda Road's tram route number 16, back on the faster Route 96 light rail route into Bourke Street and enjoy European cakes in Acland St, Luna Park and the St Kilda beach and cafe scene
- Melbourne Observation Deck on Level 55 of the iconic Rialto Towers, or a similar observation deck in Southbank's Eureka Towers. Great views of city & suburbs on a fine clear day.
1 and 2. Make use of the free tourist bus shuttle, a narrated trip with the hop-on hop-off opportunity thru the city. A great way to get your bearings and all the stops are near city attractions thruout the city. The City Circle tram ride is also free and takes you to some locations that are not covered by the tourist shuttle. Both routes are available for view on www.thatsmelbourne.com.au Both tours are free and take about an hour if you were to stay on for the full tour. Of the two, the City Circle tram is far more iconic as most cities have buses: in the Southern Hemisphere, few cities now have trams.
3. See the best views of the city from the Melbourne Observation Deck. It offers 360 degree views from the top of the renowned Rialto building, right in the very heart of the city. Another option is the recently opened Eureka Skydeck 88 at Southbank. It is the highest viewing platform in the Southern Hemisphere and has a great view of the city and beyond. Visit their website at www.eurekaskydeck.com.au
4. The Queen Victoria Market is a lot of browsing for that shopper in your family. Sunday is a great day for extra entertainment, such as bands, camel rides and more. It is more a family day than the weekday hustle. Try the mini doughnuts that are hot and messy. Yum. This stop is part of the free bus shuttle route and close to the City Circle tram. The market has a cooking school as well.
5. The chocoholics tour is a way of seeing the older part of Melbourne with its arcades and a tasting of some of the best chocolate that Melbourne has on offer.. Sue is an interesting character and it is $30 well spent.
