21 BEST Things to do in Melbourne in Summer

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Looking for the absolute best things to do in Melbourne in summer? Look no further – we’ve got your list right here!

Melbourne is one of the best places to visit in Australia during the summer with temperate days and heaps of things to do. Daniel is from Australia and we know how hot it can get during the summer, so we love visiting coastal cities like Melbourne to beat the heat. 

Don’t sweat the details, simply check out our list of the best things to do in the summer. You can enjoy a rooftop bar, the outdoor cinema, a sunset dinner cruise, a day trip to see little penguins, and so much more!

Things to do in Melbourne in Summer

1. Go on a free walking tour

Is there any better way to explore a city than walking around? I don’t think so! Especially on a beautiful sunny summer day, it’s hard to beat a walking tour for your first introduction to Melbourne. 

Best of all, you can do this for completely free (my favorite word!). I’m Free Walking Tours offers two great tours, one at 10:30 am or another at 3 pm. 

The Melbourne Sights tour takes off in the morning and is 3 hours in total. Even though we’d both been to the city before, we went on this tour on our last visit to dive into its history and sights. We were taken around to the most popular spots in Melbourne, and our local guide gave us the inside scoop on the best places to eat, drink, shop, and some hidden gems!

The Culture Capital tour is 1.5 hours long and leaves at 3 pm. I’d recommend this option if you’ve been to Melbourne before because it skips some of the touristy spots and takes you to off-the-beaten-path areas. Or if you’re spending a few days in the city, go on both tours! They are actually quite different and show the whole spectrum of Melbourne.

Be sure to sign up online so the tour knows how many people to expect, but it’s still free. Although the guides accept tips, so if yours is as awesome as ours was, tipping is encouraged!

2. Enjoy a dinner cruise on the Yarra

Nearly everywhere you go in Melbourne, you’ll spot the Yarra River. If you’re like me, I was dying to get out on the water, and so I was happy to find out that there’s a luxurious dinner cruise on the Yarra. We quickly booked the Spirit of Melbourne dinner cruise and had the most relaxing evening, taking in the sunset views, warm summer breeze, and a memorable four-course meal – oh, and I can’t forget the bottomless drinks!

We had 3 hours to cruise along the river, which was timed perfectly to enjoy drinks on the deck during the golden hour, and then we dined at our table-side window for sunset. The skyline was so gorgeous and truly made us all in love with Melbourne! 

And of course, the food was excellent. The chargrilled beef filet was one of the best meals we had in the city. This is one of the highest-rated experiences in Melbourne for a reason – check out the 1,000+ glowing reviews here!

The cruise is $185 AUD, which we felt was well priced for the level of luxury and the amount of food and drinks included. This is a very popular cruise and is likely to sell out, so I recommend booking it in advance. If you need to change plans, they offer free cancellation 3 days before departure, so I love the flexibility! Be sure to message the tour operator on Viator and request a table by the window – it makes the experience all the better!

And for even more details, read our honest review of the Spirit of Melbourne dinner cruise here!

Secure your spot on this sunset dinner cruise here, before spots fill up!

3. Drive the Great Ocean Road

Looking for some outdoor adventure? Driving the Great Ocean Road is a fantastic way to spend a summer’s day (or two!) in Melbourne. This road is legendary, and honestly one of the most scenic drives in all of Australia. Plus, what’s more summery than beaches and road trips!?

The Great Ocean Road follows Victoria’s coastline and is full of unique stops. The Twelve Apostles are the famously large rocks in the Southern Ocean, and are an obvious highlight of the route! But I also enjoyed seeing koalas in the wild at Kennett River and Loch Ard Gorge, which is underrated in my opinion. 

If you have a rental car, you can jump on it and road trip by yourself. Check out our 1-day Great Ocean Road itinerary to find all the can’t-miss stops. 

However, we decided to take this full-day tour so we could enjoy the views and not worry about driving. I’d highly recommend this option because it took the stress out of planning, and it was a fantastic tour in general (check out the 4,500+ excellent reviews here!). 

We loved that this was a small group tour, so we had a comfortable minivan that let us get to areas that the large tour buses couldn’t get to. The tour stopped by the top sights along the road, including Torquay, the Great Ocean Road Memorial Archway, Kennett River, Apollo Bay, the Twelve Apostles, and Loch Ard Gorge. Our guides were a wealth of information, and there was actually a lot to learn on this route so that was an added bonus.

We appreciated that even though we were on a tour, we had enough time to explore areas on our own and enjoy the sunny summer beach day!

This full-day tour is $155 AUD per person and covers all national park fees and lunch, which we thought was a fair price for how long the tour was!

Book the same tour we did here and access FREE cancellation options!

4. See the penguins at Phillip Island

Another day trip that is a perfect addition to your Melbourne summer itinerary is Phillip Island. Home to the world’s largest Little Penguin colony, this is a perfect activity for animal lovers! Now, if you’re like me, you might associate penguins with snow and winter, but here in Australia, you can see penguins year-round. Little Penguins are seriously cute, and seeing them waddle off into the sunset on their daily Penguin Parade is such a unique experience.

Phillip Island is about a 2-hour drive from downtown Melbourne. If you are good at planning and want to explore on your own, you can do this trip on your own. Just note that you have to buy tickets to watch the Penguin Parade from the grandstands (there’s no other way). Tickets frequently sell out in advance, especially during the busy summer months of December and January. 

The exact time of the parade changes by season, as the penguins go at sunset. You can check the calendar here so you don’t miss it, and be sure to purchase tickets well in advance for $32 AUD. 

Honestly, we didn’t want to deal with all the logistics, so we took this fantastic full-day tour to Phillip Island. Not only did they organize everything for us, but we also got to explore other areas to break up the drive! 

My favorite stop was the Moonlit Sanctuary to see koalas, kangaroos, and even hand-feed wallabies! We also stopped by the iconic Brighton Beach Boxes, which sit on a lovely beach and are a classic summer activity around Melbourne. We then had 2 full hours at the Phillip Island Nature Park, which gave us time to explore and enjoy the penguin parade. It was the perfect amount of time!

This full-day tour is $175 AUD and you can check out our full review of Phillip Island’s best tour here for all the details. 

Book your spot on this 5-star tour in advance here, as it’s likely to sell out!

5. Visit some local breweries

Calling my fellow craft beer lovers! One of my absolute favorite summer activities is enjoying a pint of locally brewed beer on a patio, enjoying the tasty hops, sun, and lively energy. Luckily, Melbourne has a bustling craft beer scene, so this is not hard to come by. While there are heaps of breweries to choose from, I’ll list my top three for the perfect summer vibe!

Moon Dog World

Moon Dog World Brewing is an easy first pick, as the aesthetic and beers are the best in the city! In the middle of the brewery, you’ll find a lagoon with sun loungers and a fun party atmosphere. If you packed a Hawaiian shirt, this is definitely the place to wear it – think tiki bar meets brew house! There’s always a crowd at Moon Dog, great music, and just an overall fun energy.

As far as beers go, they have numerous award-winning brews and some unique creations. I love their classic Hazy IPA or lager, but you’ll also find fun blends like a cream soda-flavored beer! If you’re not into beer, they also make their own hard seltzers, which is great for a warm summer day.

You can find Moon Dog World in Preston for the lagoon, or in Abbotsford, which is closer to downtown and their original location. 

Stomping Grounds

I love the open-air feel at Stomping Grounds Brewery. It has a retractable roof over part of the seating area, so it has a great indoor/outdoor feel. It’s a massive warehouse converted to a brewpub, so there are a ton of tables, and great if you’re with a bigger group. 

They also have 30 taps, featuring their own brews and other local spots (such as the other ones on this list!). This is a great option if you’re short on time but want to try a variety of local Melbourne beers. Not to mention their extensive food menu too, which is perfect if you’re trying a few different beers. 

Check out Stomping Grounds event page before you go, as they frequently have something fun happening! Catch an AFL game, quiz night, holiday-themed events, or just great happy hour deals. You can visit Stomping Grounds in Collingwood in East Melbourne.

Molly Rose Brewing

Molly Rose Brewing is definitely more of a local spot, so you’re really getting the inside scoop here! This microbrewery specializes in small-batch brews and they are frequently rotating their taps. This means you can try something really special and unique when you visit, like the spiced beetroot and raspberry sour ale I tried last time. 

Similar to the other breweries listed here, it has an open-air feel and a great patio area, that is perfect for a sunny day in Melbourne! So grab a pint and head to the patio for a lovely afternoon of craft beer, good food, and a fun atmosphere. 

Molly Rose Brewing is located in Collingswood, so you can easily visit this one after Stomping Grounds.

6. Spend a day in St Kilda

St Kilda is a picturesque seaside town just about 15 minutes outside of Melbourne’s CBD. This truly is a summer-town, full of amazing coffee, waterfront activities, and a charming feel. So I recommend escaping the concrete jungle of central Melbourne and spending a day in St Kilda! 

You might have already learned that Melbourne is famous for its coffee scene. It has some of the best coffee in all of Australia, and St Kilda is home to a dozen or more cafes. If you spread out your day right, you can hit a few coffee shops as you explore! Beachcomber Cafe is famous for its sea-facing views, Wedge Espresso has some of the best coffee in town, and Galleon Cafe is a local favorite spot. 

If you’re traveling with the whole family, Luna Park is the perfect summer activity! I love Luna Park not just for its lively atmosphere, but because they have amusement rides for everyone whether you like a thrilling roller coaster or something the whole family can enjoy. There are family passes available, unlimited ticket options, or single ticket options and opening hours vary by season, so check it here!

The Esplanade Market is a great weekend market if you’re visiting on a Sunday! It has over 140 vendors selling locally-made crafts, jewelry, art, food, plants… pretty much anything you can think of! 

Last but not least, the St Kilda Sea Baths is an area full of beachside restaurants, bars, and cafes. I recommend just wandering around and stopping at whatever place looks the best to you – the views will be top-tier regardless of where you end up. You can even rent SUPs from KR SUP Centre here to get out on the water and test your skills! Or simply walk St Kilda’s foreshore, relax on the beach, and have a nice chill day by the water. 

7. Wander the Queen Victoria Market

The Queen Victoria Market is one of the most historic parts of Melbourne, dating back to 1878! It’s been a hub for fresh produce, meat, and handmade goods for well over a century, so we thought it was pretty cool to go explore. 

Inside, you’ll find tons of local vendors, selling handcrafted goods, jewelry, clothes, art, home goods, and more. But my favorite part of the market is all the food vendors and fresh produce. I was astounded at just how big the market was, there were hundreds of vendors. During the summer, you can see some of the best-looking produce, all fresh and locally sourced. 

If you stop in here for lunch, be sure to try the Mussel Pot. Since Melbourne is so close to the water, we had some of the tastiest mussels I’ve ever tried. 

We love eating local food when we travel, so this small-group food tour was our favorite way to experience the market. Throughout 2-hours, our guide took us to all sorts of vendors where we tried some classic Australian dishes, like peppered kangaroo, Coffin Bay oysters, Victorian olives, and even octopus. The exact menu can change from day to day, but you’re sure to find some amazing summer dishes. It costs $99 AUD and includes a good amount of food and your guide!

Book this top-rated food tour in advance here and get FREE cancellation options. 

Related Read: Looking for more tours? Check out the tours in Melbourne that made us fall in love with the city – they are all fantastic!

8. Go on a Yarra Valley Wine Tour

Wine tasting is one of my favorite summer activities, so I try to do this whenever I get the chance! The Yarra Valley wine region is one of the best in Australia, so you bet we booked a wine tour to spend a day tasting some of the best vines the country has to offer. 

We loved our experience on this Yarra Valley wine tour and we even got to help select some of the stops. So even if wine isn’t your thing, you can opt to go to a distillery or cheese factory instead. But of course, we love wine so we stuck to the classic tour!

Oh boy did we get to taste a lot of wine! We hit five wineries and all the tastings were included. Our guide did a great job at making the tour light-hearted and fun, all while learning about the wines we were tasting. I also loved that it was a small group tour, which made the whole experience feel more relaxed and personalized. 

The Yarra Wine Valley is so beautiful, especially when it’s a lovely summer day. I think this experience boasts Melbourne’s absolute beauty!

This is a full-day tour and costs from $129 to $145 AUD, depending on the time of year and what day of the week you go! It includes transport, and all your tastings, and lets you decide if you want to change up the spots. Lunch is at your own expense, but we had so much wine included I really didn’t mind the extra cost. 

Book this tour with over 1,000 5-star reviews here, before spots fill up!

9. Take a walk down AC/DC Lane

The laneways of Melbourne are one of the most unique and famous aspects of the city, and none is more notable than AC/DC Lane! This is one of the many alleyways located off Flinders Lane that has been decked out in impressive graffiti and murals. But this one is famous because it’s dedicated to AC/DC, who got their start in Melbourne and Sydney. 

AC/DC Lane was once boringly called Corporation Lane but was given a makeover in 2004 to reflect the music-centric businesses in the alleyway. This is home to Cherry Bar, a legendary music venue where AC/DC and other bands got their start. Today, you can see impressive murals and street art of the band, their music, and other pop-culture references during their heyday. 

Wandering through AC/DC Lanes is a “must-do” Melbourne activity, no matter what season you visit! But, it’s best in summer, let’s be honest. 

10. Check out The Block Arcade and Royal Arcade

The Block Arcade

Along with the laneways, Melbourne’s arcades are another iconic sight. arcades are covered walkways, full of shops, cafes, and restaurants, and they are really beautiful historic buildings.

The Block Arcade is the most famous, and my personal favorite with its ornate mosaic floor. Be sure to stop by Haigh’s Chocolates for a sweet truffle snack, or the Tea Room 1892 for, you guessed it, tea! 

But my top recommendation for the Block Arcade is dining at Cafe Segovia! This is my favorite spot during the summer because it has a wonderful little patio tucked into the laneway. It has a cozy retro vibe and the food is too good to pass up. 

Melbourne is also home to tons of pretty arcades (basically covered walkways), but the Block Arcade is the best of them all. The mosaic floor alone makes it worth a visit, but we also loved exploring some of 

The Royal Arcade 

Another historic arcade is the Royal Arcade and it’s the oldest one in Melbourne dating back to 1870. It’s just down the street from the Block Arcade, so you might as well visit both while you’re out exploring. 

You can grab some authentic Italian food at Caffé E Torta or visit Paint n’ Powder to smell some rare perfumes! Or if you need a pick-me-up, grab some coffee at Kit Espresso – they have the best cold brew in Melbourne!

To take your arcade experience to the next level, you can join this Arcades Dessert Walking Tour. If you’ve got a sweet tooth like I do, you’ll love this tour because you’ll have a chocolate tasting featuring seven different chocolates and a chocolate and cheese pairing experience. All the while, you’ll explore the arcades with your local guide, learning about the long-standing history and the significance this place has had on Melbourne.

It’s really the best way to dive into this beautiful part of the city! This tour is $103 AUD, including all tastings and a three-hour walking tour. 

Check availability and book this unique dessert walking tour here.

11. Hit a rooftop bar (or two!)

When the warm days of summer finally arrive, Melbourne comes alive! Rooftop bars are a big deal in Melbourne – but who doesn’t love a rooftop bar!? I was surprised to find out just how many of these types of bars were in the city, but you definitely have options.

One of the most popular options is Rooftop Bar – they are so popular they don’t even need a catchy name! Located in Melbourne CBD, Rooftop Bar sits atop the Curtain House, which is a historic building and each floor is something different. This top-level bar is known for its laid-back, open-air atmosphere with big juicy burgers and well-priced cocktails. 

For something a little fancier, head up to Ocean 12. This is a classy cocktail bar giving incredible city views from the roof. They serve Asian fusion tapas that pair nicely with their signature cocktails and have a large emphasis on whisky drinks. Best of all, the bar sits above 30 karaoke rooms so you can go sing for a bit and then get some fresh air! Ocean 12 is located in Southbank in central Melbourne.

I also love Loop Roof, which has an artsy, garden decor and is more of a quirky place to party! The panoramic views are definitely part of the draw, but I also love how laid back and unique this specific rooftop bar is. The cocktails are all pretty unique, featuring some creations I’ve never heard of before! Loop Roof is also located in the CBD, just a few blocks from Rooftop Bar – so maybe you can hit both!

12. Visit the MCG

One of my favorite summer activities is going to a big event, whether it’s a concert, a sporting event – you name it! The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is a staple in the city, and there is always something exciting going on. In fact, last time we were in Melbourne we managed to see Taylor Swift and it was crazy seeing the entire stadium jam-packed and alive!

You can check MCG’s events calendar to see if there’s anything happening during your summer visit. There are often cricket matches, football games, or concerts going on, so see what you can find!

If there isn’t an event going on, or you want the behind-the-scenes scoop, you can book this guided tour of the MCG. It’s only $35 AUD for a 1-hour 15-minute tour, in which you can learn the cricket-filled history, see the players changing room and the MCC Long Room, and more. This stadium holds a lot of history, so if you’re a sports fan of any sort, you’ll really get a lot out of this tour!

Don’t miss out on this insider tour – book your visit to MCG here!

13. Ride the free city tram around Melbourne

Explore Melbourne’s historic sights in style as you ride on the free city trams! These trams operate within the “free tram zone” and you can use them as a hop-on hop-off tour of the city. There’s audio commentary on board, and they stop by many of the historic city sights. I really recommend this if it’s your first time in Melbourne, plus the little green trams are too cute!

You can check out all of the stops in the free tram zone here. Some of my favorites include the Melbourne Museum, Federation Square, the Sea Life Aquarium, and Queen Victoria Market. But honestly, they are so easy to use that you can get on and off wherever looks cool to you!

While a lot of transport in Melbourne uses a myki card, the free tram zone does not. This is a great way to explore the historic sights of Melbourne! We loved this activity so much that we even added it to our 2-day Melbourne itinerary. 

14. See the city from the Melbourne Skydeck

Technically, you can do this activity in any season or weather, but I had so much fun seeing the city from 88 floors up that I had to include the Melbourne Skydeck! This is the tallest observation deck in the Southern Hemisphere and the views are simply incredible. 

This isn’t your average observation deck though, they offer different experiences to make your visit unique. We booked The Edge package, which let us stand in a glass cube that extends off the side of the building. Looking down at the glass floor and seeing the busy streets below certainly made my stomach do flip-flops, but it was also really cool. This experience is $43 AUD and includes general admission to the Skydeck.

There is even a VR Experience to explore Melbourne’s beautiful sights and thrilling experiences, like a zipline for $49 AUD. But, if I were to go again, I’d buy the Cocktails in the Clouds package, which includes your general admission to the observation deck, access to the VR theater, and a cocktail at Bar 88 for $50 AUD. Although we didn’t do this package, we still went and had a drink at the bar and enjoyed the panoramic views of Melbourne! Be sure to hit the bar between 4 and 8 pm to catch the two-for-one happy hour deal. 

But if you’re looking to experience these sky-high views and have a luxury dinner out, book a table at Eureka 89. This super fancy restaurant comes with a price – a 6-course tasting menu starts at $190 AUD per person but also includes admission to the Skydeck. If you’re in town for a romantic getaway or celebration, this is a fantastic experience!

Check out our blog on top things to know before visiting the Melbourne Skydeck for all the details!

Book your Melbourne Skydeck tickets here to secure your spot.

15. See a movie at an outdoor cinema

A classic Melbourne summer activity is the outdoor cinema! This is an iconic summer event and I look forward to this no matter where I’m at. So I’m happy to report that Melbourne has the Moonlight Cinema at the stunning Royal Botanic Gardens!

From December 1 through March 31, you can join the fun on the Central Lawn. This isn’t your average outdoor cinema though, they really bring the amenities! You can reserve bean bags, a picnic or full meals, gourmet ice cream, canned cocktails, or wine and truly elevate your experience. This makes for a phenomenal date night while in Melbourne. 

If you’re traveling on more of a budget, they also offer general grass seats and you can bring your own drinks and snacks. Regardless of which you choose, it’s a fun atmosphere for a movie! 

The movies range from old classics to new hits, so I recommend checking the program schedule before you go. Or show up and be surprised! I also recommend booking your tickets in advance here, as this is a popular event and spaces are limited. If you run out of time to buy before you go, you can purchase tickets at the box office – they just might be sold out and the box office closes 90 minutes before the show starts. 

16. Soak up the sun on a floating restaurant

“Summer” and “Afloat restaurant” are practically synonymous in Melbourne. This is a floating restaurant that is open during the summer months, and it changes themes each year. Locals love this concept, and even as we were passing through, we had a wonderful experience. It floats on the Yarra River so the views are amazing, you get a cool river breeze, and the cocktails and food are even better! 

There are always some fun events happening at Afloat, whether it’s a holiday party, a pool party, or a smokin’ happy hour deal. When we were there the theme was Viva Mexico, and I can’t tell you how tasty the tacos and margaritas were! Of course, the theme changes frequently, so who knows what fun atmosphere you’ll find when you visit? 

Afloat is typically open from September to June, 7 days a week from 11 am to 1 am. Check out their website here to see the latest events, theme, and menu!

Related Read: Need help planning your trip? Check out our ideal 5-day Melbourne itinerary to see all the highlights!

17. Take a trip to the famous Brighton Beach

Brighton Beach is not only a great way to spend a summer’s day, but you can also see the famous Brighton Bathing Boxes! These brightly painted beach huts are a historic sight. I was surprised to learn that they are all privately owned and worth hundreds of thousands of dollars – no joke! But, a piece of real estate that is over 100 years old and right on the beach, makes sense for the steep price tag. 

The beach is about 30 minutes from Melbourne CBD. If you don’t have a rental car, you can get there via train. Take the Sandringham train line from Flinders Street Station, or the 600, 922, or 923 bus routes. 

You can swim in the cool waters or walk the famous Brighton Beach to St Kilda Track if you have time. This 6.8 kilometer (4.2 mile) track hugs the coastline and is a flat and easy track, but quite scenic!

If you’re in more of a time crunch, you can do what we did and take this Phillip Island tour that also stops by Brighton Beach. To be honest, the beach was a bit overrated so we were glad that it was a quick stop on our full day of adventure, rather than the destination itself. 

18. Rent a boat and float down the Yarra River

Find yourself in the heat of the summer? Cool down by renting a boat and cruising along the Yarra River! I know this sounds like you have to be an expert captain or something, but it’s actually much easier than you’d think with On a Boat rental. The boats are electric and very user-friendly, you don’t even need a boat license. 

The appointed captain can’t be under the influence of alcohol, so if you want to get a little wild on your boat day, you can rent a boat with a driver as well. But, we chose to drive the boat ourselves and had a great time! We filled the cooler with food and drinks and spent the afternoon enjoying the city sights from the river. 

You can choose between 1 and 4-hour rentals. Prices start at $149 AUD per boat for a 1-hour weekday rental, which is cheaper than I thought! You can fit 9 people in the boat, so if you split the cost between the group it’s not bad. What better way to enjoy the sun, the water, and the city?

There are even luxury picnic options if you’re in town for a special occasion. Bring your own food and drink, but the crew will make the boat all decorated and fancy before you go – it’s so cute! Prices for this experience start at $369 AUD.

And for special occasions, there’s a luxury picnic option for the self-skippered boats. You need to bring your own food and drink but a crew will set it all up for you beforehand so that it looks picture-perfect. Costs start at $369 AUD. 

19. Visit Grampians National Park

We are definitely more outdoors people than city people, so we jumped at the chance to escape the city and visit Grampians National Park! This rugged park is about a 3-hour drive from Melbourne, and like most day trips in a foreign city, we think it’s best to book a tour to visit!

We joined this full-day tour which took care of all the planning! They fit a lot into the day, such as visiting the gold rush town called Ballarat, taking a bush walk to the gorgeous Silverband Falls, and stopping by a quaint town for lunch. 

My personal favorite parts of the tour were going on a kangaroo-spotting walk (we were successful!) and also a 30-minute hike on the Wonderland Loop, which circles a canyon. MacKenzie Falls was yet another scenic part of this tour – I really can’t decide which was the best! 

It makes for a long day, around 13 hours, but we loved the outdoor sights and the chance to enjoy summer in Victoria. This tour is $155 AUD and is the easiest way to visit Grampians National Park, especially if you have limited time while in Melbourne!

Book this tour in advance with FREE cancellation options here. 

20. Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria – Melbourne Gardens

If you didn’t get to visit the Melbourne Gardens for the outdoor cinema, you can still experience it during the daytime in all its beauty! Actually, I prefer going during the day so I can enjoy the plant life, flowers, exotic flora, and native Australian foliage. These gardens bring in almost 2 million visitors a year for a reason! 

The Aird garden was my favorite part, full of cacti and succulents that do pretty well in Australia’s dry climate. We took the self-guided Flora and the Baron Walk to learn about the gardens and plant life here. This is also a great activity for families, as kids can run free through the gardens and enjoy the Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden. 

There are plenty of events that happen here during the summer, like the outdoor cinema we mentioned before! You can check out the Botanic Gardens event schedule here to see what other fun activities are happening while you’re in town. 

Admission is free so it makes for one of the best free things to do in Melbourne! The whole park is really beautiful and there’s nothing like strolling through the immaculate gardens on a summer day in Melbourne!

21. Melbourne Zoo

If you came to Melbourne in hopes of seeing some classic Aussie wildlife, you can find it at the Melbourne Zoo! One thing I love about Melbourne is how temperate the summers are, especially compared to other parts of the country. So it’s never too hot to spend a day outside, enjoying all of the animals and sights at the zoo!

Here, you’ll find the iconic Little Penguins, Tasmanian Devils, bandicoots, wallabies, and so much more! Kids love this zoo, but honestly, we really enjoyed our visit here too. You can easily reach the zoo from downtown Melbourne, it’s only about a 10-minute drive, and parking is only $2 AUD for 5 hours.

But, the zoo encourages visitors to take public transport to help cut down on the environmental impact of driving. This is also ideal if you’re out exploring the city anyway. You can take the Route 58 tram to Stop 26, the Upfield Line train from Flinders St. Station to Royal Park Station, or Bus 505. Any of these options will take you right to the zoo, it’s super easy. 

To make your visit even easier, I recommend buying your admission tickets online before you go to save time. Tickets are $53 AUD per adult, $26.50 AUD for kids 4 to 15, and free for children under 3. If you have a flexible timetable, I recommend going right when it opens at 9 am so you can beat the crowds, and avoid going on the weekends or school holidays if you can manage it. It’s much more enjoyable when it’s not super busy!

Purchase your zoo tickets in advance here and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go.

22. Go on a food tour

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I love exploring the restaurant scene no matter where I travel. There is just so much unique food to try in the world, so I think taking a food tour is one of the best ways to do it! Especially in a city like Melbourne, which has too many good restaurants on offer. Walking around Melbourne on a summer afternoon, eating our way through the city, and learning about the local hot spots from our guide was one of my favorite experiences here.

We mentioned a few food tours earlier in this blog, such as the food tour of Queen Victoria Market or the dessert tour through the arcades, but I have one that really hits the city’s highlights.

To make the most of your summer vacation in Melbourne, I love this walking food tour that perfectly blends eating and sightseeing. You really experience a variety of sights and dishes on this tour, such as the best dumplings in Chinatown, Melbourne’s famous coffee, and charming little bakeries tucked within the lanes and arcades. It ends with a cocktail at a rooftop bar, so you’re really hitting all of the best summer activities in Melbourne! 

This 3-hour tour is kept to a small group of 10 people. We loved having a small group because it was easier to move around the city and intimate enough that we made some friends during it. Our guide was super laid back and loves Melbourne a lot – it felt like we got an authentic interpretation of the city and found plenty of local eateries. For $119 AUD, this tour was very inclusive and worth all the high ratings – check out 300+ 5-star reviews here. 

I will mention that this walking food tour hits some of the same spots as the arcade’s dessert tour I spoke of earlier. So I’d recommend choosing one or the other. You can still do this food tour and the market tour because they are both pretty different, but essential to fully understand Melbourne’s food scene!

Check availability and book this food tour here, before spots fill up!

Where to Stay in Melbourne

If you’re planning to visit Melbourne, let us help you find a great place to stay. There’s something to fit every budget, so check out our top picks from luxury hotels to budget-friendly hostels. Here’s what you need to know!

The Langham Melbourne – $$$

For an elegant stay – think marble staircases, fountains, and chandeliers – The Langham Melbourne is the perfect place. The hotel is in the middle of Melbourne overlooking the Yarra River. You’ll get beautiful city views from the hotel’s restaurant and from the indoor pool. It’s also within walking distance of a number of top attractions.

Rooms here start at $300 – $400 AUD per night. Check availability and reserve a room here.

Grand Hotel Melbourne – $$

Stay in the Melbourne Central Business District at this historic hotel that has plenty of character. The studios and apartments at the Grand Hotel Melbourne give you more space than a typical hotel and even include a kitchen. You can also take advantage of the heated indoor pool and the fitness center with a sauna. Plus, it’s just a few minutes’ walk to Crown Casino, Southbank, Docklands, and more.

A studio starts at around $200 AUD per night and can be reserved through Booking.com here.

Space Hotel – $

You don’t have to sacrifice style for money at this hostel. The Space Hotel is a modern hostel with lots of extra guest amenities like a gym, a hot tub, and even a mini-theater. You can head to the rooftop terrace to relax and enjoy the views. The hostel is conveniently located in the Central Business District and is not far from the Queen Victoria Market and Chinatown.

Accommodation options include both private rooms and shared dorm rooms. A bed in a dorm starts at $55 AUD and private rooms begin at $100 AUD. You can reserve a spot in advance through Booking.com or Hostelworld.com

Thanks for reading!

There is so much to do in Melbourne in the summer I could have kept adding to this list, but I think this will keep you busy enough. We love exploring the city, and there are some fantastic day trips from here too. Regardless of what you find yourself doing, I know you’ll enjoy your summer trip to Melbourne!

If you found this post helpful, be sure to check out our other Australia blogs! Daniel is from Perth and we’ve lived in and traveled to lots of parts of Australia. Here are a few other blogs that I think will be helpful as you plan your travels. Cheers!

Complete Guide to Renting a Campervan in Australia

5 Tours in Melbourne That Made Us Fall in Love With the City!

21 BEST Places to Visit in Sydney (including Hidden Gems!)