As the capital of Victoria and second most populous city in Australia, Melbourne has everything you could want in a city. Beautiful beaches, an iconic skyline, a thriving nightlife, a rich, fascinating history— it's all here. Since you'll be spoilt for choice in terms of what to see when you arrive, here's ten of the things you shouldn't miss:
1) Federation Square
The fact that Federation Square totally polarised public opinion in Melbourne when it opened in 2002 makes it even more interesting to see. It opened in 2002 to mark 100 years of federation, and its sleek, geometric modern design is a huge contrast to the historical Victorian buildings around it. Events and entertainment are frequently …show more content…
It's collections are extremely diverse, ranging from its Aboriginal Centre (Bunjilaka) to its children's museum. The building itself is impressive to see from outside, and the sprawling gardens and parkland which surround it are a great pace to explore or stop for a picnic.
4) Eureka Tower
This impressive skyscraper is 91 stories high, crowned and plated with gold. Its gold plating is a nod to the prospectors of the Victorian goldfields, whose 1854 rebellion (The Eureka Stockade) bequeathed its name to the tower. Appreciate the glimmering facade from the ground, then head up to the Skydeck on the 88th floor for an unrivalled view of the city below.
5) The Melbourne Cricket Ground
Whether you're a sports fan or not, the MCG has hosted enough iconic sports events that it it's now considered a piece of history rather than just a sporting ground. It hosted the first ever Test cricket match in 1877, as well as the 1956 Olympic Games, the 2006 Commonwealth Games, and the 1992 World Cup. Sport is a big part of Aussie culture, so don't miss out on seeing …show more content…
Past this novelty, it offers an insight into Cook's exploration of Australia, and is set in beautiful well-kept garden land with a Spanish-style conservatory nearby.
7) The view from the Melbourne Star
Once you've soaked up some of Melbourne's history, head over to Docklands, the city's most modern district. Docklands is a waterfront village bursting with parklands and places to eat, so it's the perfect place to unwind with some gentle exploration before refuelling. It's also home to the Melbourne Star, an observation wheel which offers simply incredible 360 degree views of the city from a 40-storey height.
8) Royal Botanic Gardens
These gardens, spanning around 40 hectares, are popularly regarded to be amongst some of the finest in the world. You can see over 50,000 plants here, including a few rarities. Don't miss the opportunity to take a fascinating tour through the heritage of Australia's indigenous culture with the gardens' Aboriginal Heritage Walk.
9) Shrine of