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I moved to Melbourne, Australia in 2019 and having exhausted all the typical tourist sights and things to do, I began looking for more unique things to do in the city, the lesser known, but more unusual and fun things to do in Melbourne, Australia which makes the city so famous as the creative and alternative city Down Under.
Fun and unique things to do in Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne is such a vibrant city with so much to offer, so in this article I want to share those unique Melbourne experiences that you won’t find anywhere else. From world class sports matches and hidden restaurants in car parks, to incredible temples and floating bars to enjoy a drink on. Whether you’re visiting for a short time or you’re a local, there will be something on this list for you.
If you’re short on time, check out my 3 day itinerary for Melbourne.
25 unique and fun things to do in Melbourne, Australia
Eat at the cheapest Michelin Star restaurant in the world
Chef Chan Hon Meng’s secret soy chicken marinade earned him a Michelin star at his restaurant in Singapore and now he’s brought that recipe to Australia for Melburnians to try. Hawker Chan is in Melbourne CBD and while it doesn’t technically hold a Michelin star itself, the menu offerings are the same as Chef Chan’s restaurant in Singapore which does hold the Michelin Star accolade.
The restaurant is set up like a traditional hawker street-food style store, so no table service. But when you can get a dish of the famous soy chicken and rice for $6.80 and noodle dishes from $8.80, you can’t go wrong. These prices make it the cheapest Michelin starred meal in the world and definitely a unique experience you’ll only find in Melbourne!
Chinatown Melbourne
Sail on the Yarra with a Yarra River Cruise
Melbourne CBD from the Yarra River
The Yarra River runs through the heart of the city, so what better way to see Melbourne than from the water?
There are dozens of options to choose from, such as group river cruises of Melbourne highlights, cruising restaurants for a unique dining experience, a romantic gondola ride with Venice on the Yarra or just hire a private self-drive boat for you or your group to sail on the waters for an hour or two.
These experiences are especially affordable if you’re in a group and most accommodate groups for 4 - 12 people.
The Heavenly Queen Temple
Heavenly Queen Temple
I never expected to see such a grand temple in the city of Melbourne. Tucked away down a back road in Footscray, the Heavenly Queen Temple is located by a lake and is easily seen by the hundreds of commuters passing by on the train every day. Yet most Melburnians I’ve spoken to didn’t even know it existed, it definitely is one of the most unusual things to do in Melbourne, Australia.
The temple is free to visit during opening hours and there is a free car park available. The vivid red and intricate architecture make this an amazing place to photograph and somewhere that people won’t believe is in Melbourne when you show them the pictures!
Heavenly Queen Temple
Get your ice cream served by a robot
Niska ice cream robot, Melbourne
Robots are the way of the future right? Who knows, but you can certainly get your ice cream served by a robot here in Melbourne! Niska Robotic Ice Cream Bar is located in Federation Square, opposite Flinders Street Station and it really is one of the most unique Melbourne experiences!
You pick your ice cream and toppings from the interactive computer screen, then watch the robot behind the glass collect your bowl, scoop the ice cream, select your toppings then present your ice cream to you. With rainbow sprinkles, salted caramel ice cream, cookies and rocky road, you’ll have a tasty treat and an insight into the future of robot retail. Definitely one of the COOL things to do in Melbourne...sorry couldn’t resist the pun!
VIsit ArtVo - an optical illusions art gallery
ArtVo is an art gallery in the Docklands area of Melbourne that specializes in immersive, optical illusion art. The art pieces are huge so you can insert yourself into the image and make it look like you’re part of the art piece. From surfing huge waves to coming face-to-face with lions, or even being ‘trapped’ inside a huge glass jar in a magical forest, this artwork looks so realistic and you become part of the picture.
The gallery is self-guided and photography is encouraged, with staff on hand and ready to help you take selfies with these huge murals.
Tickets start from $28 per adult and $18 for children. Buy your tickets here.
Enjoy the famous Melbourne brunch experience but with a Japanese twist
The plant nursery and restaurant at CIBI
Melburnians love their brunch and the brunch culture here in the city is no secret. Whilst getting a brunch and coffee is one of the top things to do in Melbourne, a real standout experience is finding brunch with a twist.
CIBI in Collingwood, an inner suburb of Melbourne, provides the best of Melbourne brunch culture but with a Japanese twist, run by a husband and wife duo who also have a sister restaurant in Tokyo. While there are the normal Melbourne breakfast staples of avo toast or honey granola on the menu, the standout dishes are their salmon fillet with Tamagoyaki omelette and veggies, rice and miso soup, this whole dish is huge, fills you up for the day and is just $21.50.
Their chicken Soboro Bowl and miso baked egg dishes are also great. The CIBI restaurant is part of a larger space which includes traditional Japanese kitchenware and a plant nursery.
The Melbourne Market you have to visit (and it’s not Queen Victoria Market)
Most people visiting Melbourne will visit the QV Market (Queen Victoria Market). While QV Market is great, the hustle and bustle is fun and its proximity to the CBD is helpful, there is a much better and more authentic market to visit.
QV caters to tourists with cheap souvenir stalls alongside the fresh fruit and veg stands. Instead, head to South Melbourne Market. This market is the real, authentic and local market experience in Melbourne. It’s just a short tram ride from the CBD on the 96 tram towards St Kilda.
Once you arrive, you’ll find local small businesses selling their wares, from home decor to clothing to cookware, plus much cheaper fresh produce options than those at QV. Amazing local food stalls, including one of the most incredible cheese rooms (yes, an entire room) in the food hall. There are great local coffee companies brewing fresh on site, my favourites are Padre and Clement Coffee.
The outdoor setting, lovely community atmosphere, rustic decor and string lights outside all make this one of the best market experiences in Melbourne.
Enjoy a drink at a bar in one of Melbourne’s famous laneways
Chuckle Park Bar in Melbourne CBD
Melbourne is famous for its laneways all over the city, full of street art, small tucked-away shops and cafes, linking the big bustling streets with smaller lanes are arcades.
The laneways in the city really do get transformed into anything and everything, including great bars. I have three favourites, White Hart Bar, Chuckle Park Bar and Section 8. All are in the CBD and an easy walking distance from public transport.
White Hart Bar is a large space tucked down an alleyway and is open air with industrial style containers and seating both under the covered area and outside. With local craft beers on tap and food trucks outside, this one is my go to in the city and is great for bigger groups as there’s plenty of space.
Chuckle Park Bar is much smaller, tucked away off Little Collins Street and you’d probably walk past and miss it if you didn’t know it was there. Head here for after work cocktails.
Section 8 is further north in the CBD and it’s grungy alleyway location, loud music and open air vibe is great to start the night at, plus you’re surrounded by incredible street art.
If you’re interested in seeing more of the laneways street art but don’t want to pay for a tour, check out my Melbourne Street Art Self-guided Tour.
Floating Bars on the Yarra River
Arbory Afloat bar on the Yarra River, Melbourne
If laneway bars aren’t your thing, you might want to try one of the bars floating on the Yarra River. Arbory Afloat is my favourite, located right behind Flinders Street Station with an area that extends onto a floating deck on the river, complete with Miami-vibe pinks and turquoise as well as pools to dip your feet into, this is the perfect summer bar hangout.
Ponyfish Island is a unique bar floating underneath the Evan Walker pedestrian bridge that crosses the Yarra River and is only accessible by the stairs from the bridge above. With great cocktails and incredible on-the-river views, you’re going to want to experience this when you visit Melbourne.
Burgers in a train carriage, on a rooftop
Easey’s burger restaurant in a train carriage, Collingwood, Melbourne
Ever wanted to have the best burger ever in a train carriage on a rooftop? Um…what?! Easey’s in Collingwood is not only known for its incredible burgers but also for it’s unique location. The restaurant can be found in the suburb of Collingwood, just a short ride from the CBD on the 11 tram and part of the restaurant seating is in a decommissioned train carriage which is perched on the top of a 4-story building.
If you go on a weekend, you’ll almost certainly need to make a reservation, but I promise the experience and the burgers are worth it, their Rowdy Cheeseburger is the best. This is definitely a unique Melbourne experience!
The ultimate Viking dinner experience
If you like a more theatrical dining experience, do not miss Mjølner. This viking experience is an absolute must for fun things to do in Melbourne, Australia.
They have a drinking hall where you can order horns of beer and also a dining hall where you can expect everything from Gravlax and Roast Bone Marrow, to wagyu sirloin and Victorian pasture fed short rib. This Norse-inspired venue is well worth the price.
Visit the Shrine of Remembrance
The Shrine of Remembrance is a memorial to the Australians who have served in war and is located next to the Botanical Gardens, off St Kilda Road, just a short walk or a couple of minutes tram ride from Flinders Street Station.
The Shrine of Remembrance is not only a beautiful piece of architecture, but its impressive surroundings and views of the city also make it worth visiting. You can go inside the Shrine and climb the stairs for free to see amazing rooftop views of the CBD. This is one of the best views of the city that you can see for free.
Inside the Shrine you can learn about the history and meaning of it. Every Sunday a 15 minute memorial is held in front of the Shrine where the Last Post is played. It’s free to attend and is a very humbling and moving experience.
See an AFL game for free
Free AFL tickets?! Yes please! You’ve probably heard about Aussie rules football, but if you’re from abroad, you’re probably like me and feel completely baffled by the rules.
AFL was originally founded as a way for cricketers to keep fit in the off-season. It was primarily played in the state of Victoria from the mid 19th century. But the sport itself only became the AFL in the 1990s when it expanded from Victoria to incorporate teams from other states in Australia.
The AFLW (AFL Women’s) only started in 2016. So as a way to encourage spectators and provide bigger coverage of the sport, all AFLW matches are currently completely free. You can turn up and buy a ticket on the door at any of the women’s football stadium grounds (although you might need to book the finals in advance because they get popular!)
You’ll find matches all over the city so there are plenty of options to catch a game and you can check their fixtures here. The Melbourne FC Women’s home ground is Casey Fields in the city’s east, there are also games at the Docklands Marvel Stadium, Princes Park in the northern suburbs as well as in Collingwood and other areas.
Watch a cricket game at the iconic MCG
Same city, different sport! Seeing sporting events is one of the most fun things to do in Melbourne and definitely a unique experience, because did you know that Melbourne is the only city in the world with 5 international level sporting facilities?
Home of the famous Melbourne Cup, the AFL Grand Final, the Australian Open, the Australian Grand Prix and the internationally renowned MCG - the largest cricket stadium in the world with a capacity of over 100,000.
Cricket tickets can be very reasonably priced for games like the Big Bash League, we got tickets to see Melbourne Stars vs. Sydney Sixers in the BBL for just $30. International and test cricket will of course cost more.
Cricket runs during the summer and tickets can be bought from BBL or from the respective team websites.
Take a heritage tram ride around the city completely for free
Melbourne heritage tram
This is perhaps the most touristy activity on this list but many people don’t realise that you can ride the heritage trams around the city circle loop for free.
All trams in the CBD are free, but if you see the heritage trams, they follow a loop around the outside edge of the CBD and include a city guide commentary. It really is a fun hour or so to see the main sights in the city, learn about the history and ride one of these iconic trams in Melbourne.
Inside Melbourne's heritage trams
Visit a Melbourne brewery
If you’re a craft beer fan, you have to visit one of Melbourne’s many independent craft breweries. Every suburb seems to have its own independent brewery or tap room and the craft beer market here is definitely growing; you’ll see a lot of local craft beers in the liquor stores here.
Visit Stomping Ground brewery for a huge indoor eating and drinking space, a retractable roof, a great food menu, easy to understand beer types and even a family-friendly play area for kids. For the more industrial and smaller brewery, head to The Mill Brewery. Moon Dog has two locations, the OG is a great industrial unit set up of mis-matched furniture, while Moon Dog World is a huge warehouse where their brewing is based out of, you’ll find pokies (gambling area), an indoor lagoon, tropical sun loungers and a great atmosphere.
Check out the events in Fed Square
Federation Square in summer
If you’re already in the area to see the iconic Flinders Street station then just across the road you’ll find Federation Square, also called Fed Square. Almost all year round you’ll find unique and fun things to do in Melbourne city right here, and often for free.
In the summer they have a city beach set up, complete with deck chairs and ice cream vans. During the Australian Open and other large sporting finals, you’ll find the Square full of people as the match is projected live and for free onto the big screen. In winter, there is the Winter Village set up here, with inflatable igloos and a skating rink. Check the Federation Square website for information on upcoming events.
Car park Thai
Another weird and wonderful restaurant and another unusual thing to do in Melbourne.
Not only is this a great Thai restaurant with authentic Thai food, but it was originally a street food vendor so all their food is simple, easy and fresh. Soi 38 is on the ground floor of Wilsons Car park, off Bourke Street.
Thai Boat noodles, tom yum noodles and dry soup are some of their specialities and they only stay open as long as their fresh food lasts, so visit early before 3pm to make sure you sample probably the best food you’ll ever eat in a car park!
Birrarung Marr
Birrarung Marr is a park area located behind Federation Square and along the bank of the Yarra River. This is another great area right in the city that most people don’t know about or skip visiting unless they’re local.
Not only is it a lovely setting with a walking track so you’ll see plenty of walkers or runners enjoying the scenery, but it’s often home to some of the city’s bigger festivals. Check the Melbourne government city website to find our what’s on.
During my first few months living here, I went to the Night Noodle Markets help here, I went to the Tennis festival area here when the Australian Open was on. I also went to the Moomba Festival which is in March over the Labour Day long weekend. This is a community festival with rides, food stalls and even watersports on the river, including the BIrdman Rally, where people make homemade flying apparatus without engines and jump off a high platform over the river to see if they fly!!
Go penguin spotting at St Kilda pier
Melbourne skyline from St Kilda pier
Most people know Penguin Parade on Phillip Island as the famous place in Victoria to see penguins. But actually, you can see penguins completely for free, almost every evening of the year, right here in Melbourne.
Go to the end of St. Kilda Pier around sunset, you’ll see a lower walkway behind the rocks which you can walk along to be closer to the water's edge (it will also probably be full of other people watching!) The penguins usually come out after the sun has set so be patient and wrap up warm if you’re here in winter!
This is one of my favourite fun things to do in Melbourne and it’s one of the best things to do in Melbourne, Australia that’s completely free. I always take visitors there to see them for their first time in the city. Also enjoy the view of the city from here at sunset.
You can see the penguin viewing information here.
See the free exhibitions in the stunning Victoria State Library
The octagonal La Trobe Room at Victoria State Library, Melbourne
If you haven’t been to see the Victoria State Library yet, go now, it’s a must visit place in Melbourne! The library is completely free and the building is architecturally beautiful inside and out. Make sure to head to the La Trobe Reading Room to see the real gem of this library though.
The La Trobe Reading Rooms is a huge, grand, white octagonal room, with a domed roof and filled with dark wood bookshelves and reading tables. The room itself is breathtaking, but what’s also worth visiting is the free exhibitions in the galleries around the upper levels 4 and 5.
Here you will find the permanent exhibitions World of the Book and Changing Face of Victoria. Both are fascinating, with World of the Book showcasing the history of book designs, printing and production from as early as the Middle Ages to today. You’ll also find rare manuscripts and books of importance, such as those that were censored or went against cultural norms.
The Changing Face of Victoria displays the people, things and historical moments that have shaped Victorian history here in Melbourne, Australia.
The Library has other exhibitions which change all year round and are also completely free. When I visited in January 2020, I was lucky enough to see the iconic Ashes Urn in a cricket display, the first time the Ashes Urn had left Lord's Cricket Ground in the UK in over a decade.
See the Library website for more information on what exhibitions are on display.
Try out the vegan food scene at Melbourne’s famous Brunswick Street
Vegan meal at Vegie Bar, Brunswick Street
Melbourne isn’t the home of alternative culture for nothing and this city is really any vegan or vegetarian person’s dream. Enjoy the endless vegan food options in Fitzroy’s famous Brunswick Street, this street in particular is well-known for its vibrant restaurant, bars and cafe culture. But it’s also where you’ll find vegan and veggie restaurants, health food stores, vegan supermarkets and more.
Even if you’re not vegan or vegetarian, I really recommend trying at least one meal at one of these places:
Vegie Bar: incredible range of meals, all veggie or vegan. Burgers, pizzas, burritos, tacos and thai food. My favourite is the Pad Thai or the Laksa.
Fina’s 2 Vegan restaurant: the entire menu says the regular meat names but all meat is an alternative option. It’s hard to pick my favourite there but the Pho, crispy chicken with rice or the Vietnamese curry are amazing.
Smith & Daughters: your go-to for vegan burgers, yum!
Girls & Boys: right next door to Vegie Bar, this is an ice cream bar that’s completely vegan. You would never know though! The chocolate ice cream and peanut butter ice cream are both my favourites, so creamy and just like real ice cream!
See the beautiful seasonal floral displays at the Fitzroy Gardens conservatory
Fitzroy Gardens Conservatory
While the Botanical Gardens are a firm favourite in the city and well worth visiting, Fitzroy Gardens are lesser known but just as beautiful. Here you’ll see Captain Cook’s cottage which was built in 1755 and brought over to Melbourne in 1934. Cook never lived in it, but its significance made Sir Russell Grimwade decide to ship it over.
But the part of this park that I love the most is the Conservatory. The Fitzroy Gardens Conservatory opened in 1930 and is built in Spanish style, with a pinkish, orange facade. Each year there are 5 different seasonal displays, in keeping with the season flowers in the region. These displays are beautiful and completely free to visit.
Fitzroy Gardens is just a short walk from Melbourne CBD.
Enjoy a movie with a view at the rooftop cinema
Rooftop cinema in Melbourne CBD
This is definitely one of the most unique things to do in Melbourne and it’s also one of the most fun things I’ve done in Melbourne. Each summer, Curtin House in Melbourne’s CBD hosts the Rooftop Cinema. Here you can see new movies, the classics and Christmas movies (Christmas is in summer here in the southern hemisphere of course) and even horror movies, which is what I saw!
You can book on their website and prices are surprisingly reasonable at $26 AUD each (summer 2019-2020). There’s also a bar and food stalls so you can make an evening of it while you watch a movie as the sun sets over the city highrises.
I hope this list has inspired you to try out some of these unique and fun things to do in Melbourne, Australia. I’ve loved discovering all these places in the city and I hope by sharing them with you, that you can enjoy them too!
If you’re in a rush, pin this to save it for later and help you plan your trip in the future!
Flights: I use Expedia to find great flights and the best deals all over the world, they have regular sales and offers so I always check their website. I also check CheapOair to find cheap deals on round trip flights.
Car Rental: I love the customer service I've always gotten and the variety of options with Rental Cars. But for short notice rentals, I've been using Expedia for the last year, they always seem to have great one-day rates or last-minute rates from the main rental companies.
Accommodation: I prefer the flexibility of booking accommodation with Booking.com so I can cancel or change my reservation without a fee or only pay on arrival for most properties. For longer or more unique stays I prefer AirBnB because you can get the long stay discount, you can also find more unique properties and book experiences with talented locals and businesses. For my budget trips, I always stay in hostels and book through Hostelworld because they have great guarantees if anything does go wrong. If you arrive and your booking is not at the property, they refund the full deposit AND give you $50 extra credit.
Tours and organised trips Although I don’t use tours that often, I do like to book local experiences or day trips once I reach my destination. For that I use GetYourGuide because it has the biggest selection and variety of tour and experience options.
Travel Insurance: I currently use SafetyWing Nomad Insurance. Which allows me to pay a rolling monthly fee to cover my long term travels.
My camera gear and equipment: I use a Canon 77D with an 18-135mm lens or a 50mm lens. And a DJI Mavic Mini Drone. For all my gear including laptops, tripods and more camera accessories read my travel photography gear guide.