The City of Melbourne CBD (Central Business District) is a great place to visit to have a mini urban adventure. There is enough to do whatever your interest, whether its coffee, food, recreation or culture. It’s no wonder why Melbourne is always ranked highly in the world as a liveable place.
So what makes the City of Melbourne, Australia a standout place to visit?
- Cultural Capital: Melbourne is often referred to as Australia’s cultural capital. It is renowned for its vibrant arts scene, including numerous theaters, galleries, and music venues. The city hosts major cultural events like the Melbourne International Arts Festival and the Melbourne International Film Festival.
- Laneway Culture: Melbourne is famous for its hidden laneways, which are filled with street art, boutique shops, and eclectic cafes. These laneways, such as Hosier Lane and Degraves Street, are a big part of the city’s unique character.
- Sporting Hub: The city is a major sports hub, home to iconic venues like the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and the Melbourne Park tennis center. Melbourne hosts major events like the Australian Open, one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments; the Melbourne Cup, a prestigious horse racing event; and the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix a global motor racing event.
- Multiculturalism: Melbourne is one of the most multicultural cities in the world. It has a diverse population, with a rich mix of cultures and languages. This diversity is reflected in the city’s culinary scene, festivals, and cultural events.
- Public Transport: Melbourne boasts one of the largest tram networks in the world. The city’s extensive tram system is a key part of its public transport network and offers a convenient way to explore the city. It’s also known for its distinctive, historic trams that contribute to Melbourne’s charm.
At here&there we believe that adventures don’t have to be a costly thing. The more free activities we do the more money you have to spend on things like that coffee, brunch or restaurant dinner.
So let’s jump into the list of the 5 free things to do in the City of Melbourne.
1. Get a little lost wandering through Laneways.
Believe it or not, not all of Melbourne’s laneways are interesting and worth visiting. But that’s what makes the experience so worthwhile is when you do stumble upon a gem.
The big laneways like Flinders Lane, Little Collins St and Little Bourke St all have something to offer as major destinations worth wandering through and exploring.
If culture and street art is more your scene then Hosier Lane is the major destination drawing large crowds in peak season. Hosier Lane is covered throughout with graffiti street art making it the spectacle it is. What makes the lane even more interesting is the constant rotation of art meaning one visit is likely to be different to the next. During the day Culture Kings plays loud music into the laneway which adds to the vibe of the place. If you’re looking to take a tour of street art hop across to AC/DC Lane, Higson Lane and Beaney Lane which are all nearby.
If you’re looking for coffee culture and food then Degraves Street is where you need to head. It’s got a hum and hustle which is what makes it special and a regular destination for locals and a must do for tourists. It’s a keen expression of Melbourne’s European migrant history and culture. Where Degraves Street joins Flinders Lane you’ll naturally walk across to Centre Place which has its own quirky character, eclectic mix of eateries and coffee spots.
For more food adventures wander across to Hardware Lane where you’ll find great architecture and restaurants for those larger gatherings.
2. Go for a walk, run, cycle or scoot along the mighty Yarra River Birrarung.
The Yarra River Birrarung flows right through the middle of the CBD. A number of bridges cross the river taking you from the north to the south bank of the river. Walking along any of these will give you a great view out across this major waterway that has become a major asset for the city. It hosts a number of floating restuarants and bars, tour boats, recreational rowers and self-drive hire boats.
The river offers a different experience between the north and the south bank and is a linear connector that takes you from one precinct to the next. The Southbank Promenade is a wide and busy space that is always lively and active with lots of restaurants and bars directly fronting the public walkway. Heading west from Princes Bridge will take you down to Crown Resorts, the Melbourne Convention Centre through to the South Wharf precinct, where you can experience a stroll along the river while catching that sunny northerly aspect. The Boatbuilders Yard is a great location for a Sunday session where you get to experience some of that historic wharf character with features like the Polly Woodside a heritage ship docked right next door.
3. Find a quiet spot of lawn in one of the city’s many Parks.
Melbourne is known for its network of parks and open spaces in the heart of the CBD. You’re never too far from the opportunity to have take it slow and relax on a nice patch of lawn.
Some of the best parks worth visiting in and around the CBD include:
- Birrarung Marr
- Alexandra Gardens
- Royal Botanic Gardens
- Flagstaff Gardens
- Treasury Gardens
4. Do some people watching at Bourke St Mall
Like every great city in the world the pedestrian only mall is alive and well in the form of Bourke St Mall. Nothing like doing a bit of window shopping and strolling through one of the central destinations in the CBD. This is what makes this a great location for a spot of people watching. The icing on the cake is that Bourke St Mall is also host to a number of permitted ‘busking’ performance spaces. Being a high profile stage it usually means the quality and calibre of performers is quite high. The corner of Bourke St and Elizabeth St is the place to be where you can sit of the steps of the old GPO building to watch a great performance.
5. Hop aboard a free Tram.
One of the best way to see the city when you’re after a bit of a break from walking is the City Circle Tram. You can catch any tram for free in the Free Tram Zone but there is nothing like hopping on an old tram. It’s a great opportunity to experience the city by light rail with all the rumbles and sounds you’d expect from an older tram. The sound of trams is a distinct part of the City of Melbourne character. Catch it from the tram stop outside of Flinders Station and it will take you to major landmarks in the city.