Choose from 98 Fun Things to Do in Victoria
ShowingFilter 21-40 of 98 listings.
Dominique Portet Winery
Tucked into the serene and picturesque Yarra Valley of Victoria, the Dominique Portet Winery is renowned for its deep roots in French soil — Bordeaux to be exact. The art of winemaking has been passed down through the Portet lineage from 18th century France; a father and son duo (ninth and 10th generation) run this winery with experience that spans around the world. The modest space boasts an array of wines in a comfortable, Mediterranean-style setting. Get lost among the sprawling vines, or relax with a glass surrounded by oak barrels at Dominique Portet. Enjoy tastings from the cellar door, learn more about the Portet history and culture with a vintage tour, or stay for a leisurely lunch overlooking the valley.
Practical Info
Dominique Portet Winery is located about an hour away by car from Melbourne’s city center, at 870 Maroondah Highway in Yarra Valley. Visit daily, from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. for tastings and tours.
Address: 870 Maroondah Hwy, Coldstream VIC 3770, Australia
Hours: Daily 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. for tastings and tours
From $ 593
Great Otway National Park
Amid the sweeping coastal vistas and jagged sea cliffs of the Great Ocean Road, the Great Otway National Park serves up some of the most spectacular natural scenery along the famous drive. Stretching over 100,000 hectares along the southwest coast from Torquay to Princetown, the park encompasses a startling variety of scenery, from lush rainforest, waterfalls and lakes, to rocky bays, dramatic headlands and golden sand beaches.
The park makes a popular spot for hiking, mountain biking or horseback riding, with a network of waymarked trails and the 91km Great Ocean Walk running through the heart of the park. It’s also a hotspot for spotting native Australian wildlife, with key destinations including the Cape Otway Lighthouse, a prime spot for watching whales and dolphins along the coast; the Melba Gully, renowned for its glowworms; and the Otway Fly, where adventurous travelers can see the rainforest up close on the world’s longest treetop walk or a thrilling zip-line course.
Practical Info
Great Otway National Park is located on Australia’s south coast, around 200km southwest of Melbourne, along the Great Ocean Road.
Address: Great Otway National Park, Victoria, Australia
From $ 49
Loch Ard Gorge
The Great Ocean Road is one Victoria’s most naturally stunning sights, and Loch Ard Gorge is a dramatic highlight of an already dramatic journey. It was at this spot in 1878 where a ship carrying settlers from England to Melbourne was tragically wrecked on the rocks. Of the 54 passengers aboard the ship only two of the passengers survived—a teenage boy who heroically rescued a fellow teenage girl. After spending the night in a coastal sea cave, the duo found help with local settlers after scaling the rugged cliffs. Today those cliffs have a set of stairs that lead to the golden sands, where a protected beach is tucked beneath the towering, time-sculpted bluffs. Though the weather can be spectacularly stormy in winter, summer days are an invitation for picnicking, swimming, and sunbathing, and the striated cliffs form a natural amphitheater of coastal beauty around you. The gorge is located just a ten minute drive from the famous Twelve Apostles, which are arguably the most popular and visited site on Australia’s Great Ocean Road. At the top of the cliffs above the gorge, a modest cemetery has a memorial dedicated to the victims of the Loch Ard shipwreck—just one of an estimated 700 ships that have sank off this southern coast.
Practical Info
Loch Ard Gorge is located three hours from Melbourne and ten minutes from Port Campbell. Early morning hours are often calmest, and the waves in winter can sneak through the gorge entrance to create rough, dangerous waters.
Address: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, Australia
From $ 93
Etihad Docklands Stadium
Docklands Stadium, better known by the name of its current sponsor, Etihad, is a sports and entertainment venue in the Docklands area of Melbourne.
The modern cousin of Melbourne's famed MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground), the stadium was built to act as the new main venue for Australian Rules Football (AFL). It was once Colonial Stadium and then the Telstra Dome before becoming Etihad Stadium and today most commonly hosts AFL, rugby and soccer games, although a 2006 Robbie Williams tour drew the site's largest-ever number of visitors with 64,619 attendees.
The first stadium in Australia to feature movable seating, it also has a retractable roof and a grass-covered, oval-shaped playing surface of 205,080 square feet (19,053 square meters).
Practical Info
Docklands (Etihad) Stadium is located in the Docklands area of Melbourne, just west of the CBD and behind Southern Cross train station.
Address: Australia
From $ 51
Luna Park
Enter through the iconic mouth of Mr Moon to experience the innocent joys of Melbourne’s Luna Park in St Kilda.
This ultimate city fair has brightened St Kilda’s Lower Esplanade for more than a century, featuring a classic Ferris Wheel, the Jewel in the Crown Carousel, the Silly Serpent Rollercoaster and a haunted Ghost Train, as well as many other family-fun and thrilling rides.
The most famous Luna Park ride is the Scenic Railway Roller Coaster, which has delighted passengers with paramount views of Port Phillip Bay since the Park opened in 1912.
This ultimate city fair has brightened St Kilda’s Lower Esplanade for more than a century, featuring a classic Ferris Wheel, the Jewel in the Crown Carousel, the Silly Serpent Rollercoaster and a haunted Ghost Train, as well as many other family-fun and thrilling rides.
The most famous Luna Park ride is the Scenic Railway Roller Coaster, which has delighted passengers with paramount views of Port Phillip Bay since the Park opened in 1912.
Practical Info:
Unlimited Ride Tickets cost $49.95 for kids 13+ years or Adults, $39.95 for children aged 4 to 12, and $17.50 for children under 4 years old. The entry fee for anyone not wishing to enjoy the rides is $5.
The Park sells all sorts of wonderful carnival food, like fairy floss and hot chips, to keep patrons well fed between rides.
Getting there is a breeze, with regular trams and buses between central Melbourne and St Kilda.
The Park sells all sorts of wonderful carnival food, like fairy floss and hot chips, to keep patrons well fed between rides.
Getting there is a breeze, with regular trams and buses between central Melbourne and St Kilda.
Address: 18 Lower Esplanade, St Kilda, Victoria 3182, Australia
Admission: Varies
From $ 39
Hosier Lane
Appreciate Melbourne’s best street art and graffiti in Hosier Lane, one of the city’s ‘hidden’ laneways.
Once forgotten but now very much on the Melbourne cultural map, Hosier Lane is a small cut through between Flinders Street and Flinders Lane, filled with regularly changing graffiti and a series of light boxes that exhibit the work of up and coming contemporary artists.
Jutting out from the center of Hosier is Rutledge Lane; walk past the (graffitied) garbage bins until you hit the Until Never gallery, which displays work by emerging Australian artists (open Wed-Sat).
Hang out in Misty Bar or enjoy excellent tapas in the compact but excellent Spanish bar, Movida Next Door (Cnr Flinders St & Hosier Ln). If you want to eat at the more spacious and original Movida (1 Hosier Ln), you’ll need to book at least two months in advance.
Once forgotten but now very much on the Melbourne cultural map, Hosier Lane is a small cut through between Flinders Street and Flinders Lane, filled with regularly changing graffiti and a series of light boxes that exhibit the work of up and coming contemporary artists.
Jutting out from the center of Hosier is Rutledge Lane; walk past the (graffitied) garbage bins until you hit the Until Never gallery, which displays work by emerging Australian artists (open Wed-Sat).
Hang out in Misty Bar or enjoy excellent tapas in the compact but excellent Spanish bar, Movida Next Door (Cnr Flinders St & Hosier Ln). If you want to eat at the more spacious and original Movida (1 Hosier Ln), you’ll need to book at least two months in advance.
Address: Australia
From $ 51
Eureka Skydeck 88
A signature Melbourne experience, Eureka Skydeck 88 is a 360-degree viewing platform set atop the 974-foot (274-meter) Eureka Tower. For the daring there’s the Edge, a cantilevered glass cube that slides out from the building, leaving you suspended above the city streets. Vertigo, a green-screen set-up, simulates falling from the building.
The Basics
Visitors can pre-purchase tickets to Eureka Skydeck 88, with the outdoor terrace and viewfinders included, or upgrade to include the Edge and Vertigo. Allow enough time to get views from every angle, and for wait times at the Edge. While it’s possible to walk in, pre-booking saves time. Many tours of Melbourne and the surrounding area include tickets to Skydeck 88; entrance is also included on the Melbourne Attraction pass, a feature of many tours.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Kids and families enjoy the drama of Eureka Skydeck 88, and family discounts are available.
- The Skydeck itself is manageable for people with a fear of heights. Vertigo sufferers will find it hard to tolerate the Edge.
- Both Eureka Skydeck 88 and The Edge are wheelchair accessible.
How to Get There
The Eureka Tower sits on the south bank of the Yarra River, less than five minutes’ walk from the National Gallery of Victoria. From Flinders Street train station, walk across the bridge to the other side of the river. It takes about five minutes, and the elevator ride to the 88th floor takes less than 40 seconds.
When to Get There
Eureka Skydeck 88 is open from morning to evening seven days a week, with early closure on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. Lines can be long at the Edge, particularly on weekends and during Australian school holidays, so visit on weekdays if you can. Clear days offer better views, and the sky lights up behind the cityscape at sunset.
The Eureka Tower
Eureka Tower, opened in Melbourne in 2006, is one of the tallest buildings in the southern hemisphere. The top few floors of the mostly residential building glisten in the sun—that’s because they’re plated in real gold. As well as Skydeck 88, Eureka 89, on the floor above, is open for events and dining.
Address: 7 Riverside Quay, Melbourne, Australia
Admission: Varies
From $ 15
Enchanted Adventure Garden
Dive into nature’s wonderland! The Enchanted Adventure Garden, situated on the Mornington Peninsula at scenic Arthurs Seat, offers 22 acres of outdoor thrills and adventures. Seasonal gardens bursting with vibrant colors set the backdrop for activities, as travelers can cruise through the treetops with a canopy walk, get lost in the hedge maze, or zipline through the greenery.
Adventure-seekers will love tree surfing and tube sliding. Other options include getting lost among the hedge topiary sculptures, wandering through the bushland obstacles and relaxing with a picnic at the onsite café and take it all in.
Practical Info
The Enchanted Adventure Garden is located at 55 Purves Road near Arthurs Seat on the Mornington Peninsula. The garden is open every day from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; there is a recommended minimum of three hours to enjoy all the activities.
Address: 55 Purves Rd, Arthurs Seat VIC 3936, Australia
Hours: 10 a.m.‐6 p.m. daily (closed Christmas Day)
Admission: $29 adults, $19 children (3‐17) and seniors (60+); activities additional
From $ 22
Kryal Castle
Expect the royal treatment on a visit to Kryal Castle—Australia’s top medieval adventure park and resort. Journey to the dark side on a haunting exploration of the Dragon’s Labyrinth and learn about the ancient history of torture and doom while wandering the Torture Dungeon and Museum. Tap into the thrill and excitement of a live dual during the Royal Joust, where travelers can pick their favorite knight and cheer him on in competition for the heart of a princess.
Whether it’s navigating the twists and turns of an epic royal maze, learning the essential of knighthood from an official knight, launching the Castle catapult or sleeping like royalty in one of the official castle rooms, Kryal Castle is sure to be a memorable adventure for travelers, families and history buffs alike!
Practical Info
The castle is located an hour from Melbourne, just outside of Ballarat. It is open on weekends, Gazetted Victorian school holidays and all public holidays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Admission tickets are $89 for families, $31 for adults and $19 for children. Tickets include entry to the grounds and all shows on the premise.
Address: 121 Forbes Rd, Leigh Creek, Victoria 3352, Australia
Hours: Open on weekends, Gazetted Victorian school holidays and all public holidays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Admission: $89 for families, $31 for adults and $19 for children
From $ 26
Great Ocean Road
One of the world’s most famous driving routes, Victoria’s Great Ocean Road offers scenic surprises at every fork in the road. In signature Australian style, endless stretches of white sandy beaches are flanked by dense pockets of rain forest, charming coastal towns, and canopies populated by koalas. Read on to learn how to make the most of your Great Ocean Road tour.
The Basics
The best way to take in this spectacular stretch of highway is by car or coach, with the majority of driving tours departing from Melbourne and including a tour guide, roundtrip transportation, and a visit to the Twelve Apostles. Activities along the way may include wine tastings in Apollo Bay; spotting wild koalas in Kennett River; hiking along the shipwreck coast to witness the natural splendor of the Loch Ard Gorge; or pulling over at sunset to witness the Great Ocean Road at its most majestic. Day trips on the route tend to run upwards of 12 hours due to all of the driving and can be combined with a trip to Phillip Island for the famous penguin parade.
How to Get There
The Great Ocean Road is set 150 miles (240 km) southwest of Melbourne and 100 miles (165 km) from Geelong. It takes about three hours to arrive from Melbourne by road. Buses from these cities service major Great Ocean Road towns such as Torquay, Anglesea, Lorne, and Apollo Bay; however, a car is essential to take a road trip on the full 150-mile (243-km) route.
When to Get There
In December and January, the road’s small coastal towns are especially popular among Australians from New South Wales and South Australia cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide. Crowds can often dampen the tranquil atmosphere of the route; an off-season visit can help you avoid both traffic and the scorching summer sun.
Best Outdoor Experiences Along the Route
The crashing waves of the Southern Ocean are a paradise for surfers, who flock here from Melbourne in the thousands during the summer months. Seaside towns such as Geelong, Lorne, and Torquay (the undisputed capital of Australia’s surfing scene) offer whale watching and maritime history, while the monolithic rock columns of the Twelve Apostles are an iconic site known around the world.
For nature lovers, the rugged coastlines of Port Campbell National Park and the waterfalls and ancient forests of Great Otway National Park offer opportunities to see kangaroos, wallabies, fairy penguins, dolphins, and tiger snakes. Snorkelers and scuba divers can also experience the underwater wonderland of marine life at Twelve Apostles Marine National Park, an excellent place to swim beneath the rocks that rise majestically above corals and kelp forests.
Address: Torquay to Warrnambool, Victoria 3228, Australia
From $ 67
Flinders Street Station
Flinders Street Station is Melbourne’s most historic train station and a major transportation hub. Built in 1854, the station still features remnants of the past like the large clock on the facade, stained glass windows, and old-school flip displays for train departures. The station allows travelers to shuttle between the outer suburbs and the heart of Melbourne with ease.
The Basics
Flinders Street Station proudly stands as a reminder of the past in the middle of Melbourne. A majority of city walking tours commence here (or at the iconic Federation Square across the street). Explore Melbourne’s hidden gems, including nearby Degrabest Street, or take a step back in time with a historic tour to learn more about the station and city’s past. For those who want a more in-depth overview of Melbourne, consider booking a private tour.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Flinders Street Railway Station is a must-visit for those interested in Melbourne’s history.
- Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the station and on every platform.
- The station features wheelchair-accessible bathrooms and phones. There are also tactile paths for those with impaired vision.
How to Get There
Every train, and virtually tram, in Melbourne stops at Flinders Street Station, making it the most important transportation hub in the city. The station stretches for a few blocks from Swanston Street to Elizabeth Street, and is easily walkable from the main streets of Melbourne’s Central Business District (CBD). The station is located directly across from Federation Square, the city’s main meeting point.
When to Get There
Thousands of commuters flood the station every day for work, so visit outside of rush hour to avoid excessive crowds.
Flinders Street Station in the Past
With its iconic yellow facade and green dome, the station was built to be used for more than just transportation. The upper floors of the complex feature an abandoned ballroom with space for 400 guests, a now-neglected gymnasium, as well as a childcare facility used by mothers who were visiting the city. After the railroad romance ended in the mid-20th century, these facilities were closed off to the public
Address: Corner Flinders and Swanston Streets, Melbourne 3000, Australia
Admission: Free
From $ 20
Flagstaff Gardens
Established atop a hill in central Melbourne in 1862, Flagstaff Gardens is the city’s oldest park. Covering 18 acres, on a nice day you’ll see plenty of office workers lounging on the lawns during their lunch breaks. And given the park’s location next door to Queen Victoria Market, a picnic made up of goods from the nearby food stalls is a popular option.
Named after a flagstaff that was erected in 1840 to signal ships into Melbourne port, as you wander through the park you’ll see sculptures and memorial statues, flower and rose beds, leafy eucalyptus, paths lined with avenues of elms for shade, and Moreton Fig trees native to eastern Australia. Look out for local wildlife, including possums, too.
And in the northern corner, you’ll see the local bowling lawn and, for sporty types, along the William Street side of Flagstaff Gardens there are tennis courts which also double as volleyball, handball, and netball courts. Just next to the courts, the electric barbecues are especially busy come summertime. And for a fine example of Melbourne’s extravagant buildings built during the boom years of the Victorian Gold Rush, check out the Melbourne Mint building. Built in 1862 in the Renaissance revival style, it’s just across the street from Flagstaff Gardens and is now home to the Royal Historical Society of Victoria.
Practical Info
The closest station to Flagstaff Gardens is Flagstaff railway station, at the southeast corner of the park.
Address: West Melbourne, Victoria 3003, Australia
From $ 51
Flemington Racecourse
Melbourne’s historic racecourse has been the city’s premier horse racing venue since it first opened in 1840 and plays an important role in the history and identity of Melbourne and its people.
A hive of activity during Melbourne’s Spring Racing Carnival in November each year, Flemington Racecourse (or ‘Flemington’ as it is more commonly called) is best known as the venue for the Melbourne Cup, the city’s internationally renowned horse race that attracts over 100,000 visitors each year and is the world’s richest turf race.
Owned and run by the VRC (Victoria Racing Club), Flemington hosts racing events throughout the year and is recognised by the Victoria Heritage List as the most significant racing heritage site in Australia.
Situated on the Maribyrnong River, Flemington has clear views of the city skyline and a rose garden that is believed to be the biggest in the southern hemisphere. There is a heritage center and a shop onsite and walking tours are available daily during business hours.
Flemington Racecourse is located 6km northwest of the CBD on Epsom Road. The No. 57 tram (departing Elizabeth Street) provides the most direct access to the racecourse.
A hive of activity during Melbourne’s Spring Racing Carnival in November each year, Flemington Racecourse (or ‘Flemington’ as it is more commonly called) is best known as the venue for the Melbourne Cup, the city’s internationally renowned horse race that attracts over 100,000 visitors each year and is the world’s richest turf race.
Owned and run by the VRC (Victoria Racing Club), Flemington hosts racing events throughout the year and is recognised by the Victoria Heritage List as the most significant racing heritage site in Australia.
Situated on the Maribyrnong River, Flemington has clear views of the city skyline and a rose garden that is believed to be the biggest in the southern hemisphere. There is a heritage center and a shop onsite and walking tours are available daily during business hours.
Flemington Racecourse is located 6km northwest of the CBD on Epsom Road. The No. 57 tram (departing Elizabeth Street) provides the most direct access to the racecourse.
Address: Australia
From $ 27
Harbour Town
Everyone wants a gift from vacation, and the Harbour Town Outlets are a practical place for finding a really good deal. Here on the city’s bustling Docklands just outside of West Melbourne, visitors might find that special gift at one of the 90 outlets. Start the adventure with coffee or tea from one of the cafés on site, and peruse the sprawling retail maze in search of the perfect fit. If visiting Melbourne from overseas, swing by the center’s Tourism Lounge for a second round of deals, since tourists often receive bonus discounts not available to other shoppers. Additional features include a Ferris wheel and occasional outdoor ice rink, and Harbour Town can be a family outing—not just another shop.
Practical Info
Harbour Town is open from 10am-6pm on Saturdays through Thursdays. Fridays are open until 9pm, and many stores close at 5pm on Sundays. To visit, either take the train to Southern Cross Station and walk to the Harbour Town Esplanade, or ride tram number 86 until it reaches its final stop. If traveling by car, parking begins at $3 and is $10 for the day.
Address: 1/122 Studio Ln, Docklands VIC, Australia
From $ 27
Federation Square
Federation Square, just across from Flinders Street Station, is Melbourne's beating heart and favorite meeting spot. Numerous city events take place here throughout the year, making it a must-visit attraction for all travelers. The square is surrounded by many bars and restaurants, and is home to the Ian Potter Centre, an Australian art museum.
The Basics
Fed Square, as its known to the locals, is impossible to miss on your trip to Melbourne. A majority of tours, whether to explore the city or venture outside, dub the plaza as a central meeting point. The square itself features a number of interesting landmarks such as the historic Flinders Street Station, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), the Ian Potter Centre, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the placid Yarra River just behind it.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Every train coming from the suburbs reaches Federation Square from Flinders Street Station, so it’s a central meeting place for most people and tours.
- You’ll find public, disabled-accessible toilets next to the Time Out Cafe.
- Hearing loops are available for those with audio impairments to enjoy the various presentations on the square’s giant screen.
How to Get There
Located in the heart of Melbourne, Fed Square is just a few minutes’ walk from the main shopping districts of the Central Business District (CBD). There are many trams, trains, and city buses that stop at the square. Federation Square is also located within Melbourne’s Free Tram Zone, making it an easy and convenient meeting point for travelers.
When to Get There
Federation Square is Melbourne’s main transportation hub, so it is advised to stay away during morning and evening rush hour times. Visit during the mid-morning and early afternoon for a more relaxed stroll around the landmarks. The square also hosts more than 2,000 events throughout the year, most notably the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival in March, the International Comedy Festival in April, and the Melbourne Festival in October.
A Place for Community
Federation Square isn’t just for tourists—Melburnians gather there throughout the week for various activities. Free guided morning meditations happen every Thursday, while a massive book market held every Saturday in the atrium boasts over 5,000 new and secondhand titles. You can take the kids to an ArtPlay workshop, or jog with locals along the banks of the Yarra River.
Address: Corner Swanston and Flinders Streets, Melbourne 3000, Australia
Admission: Free
From $ 37
Grampians National Park
Grampians National Park offers more than 646 square miles (1,673 square kilometers) of rugged sandstone peaks, with wildflowers, waterfalls, fern gullies, and vineyards. The park is known for its stunning natural landscape and many ancient aboriginal rock art sites.
The Basics
Most Grampians National Park tours set out from Melbourne; long day trip highlights include a visit to Halls Gap, the park’s only town; lookout points, such as Reeds, Boroka, or the Balconies; or a short hike at MacKenzie Falls or the Pinnacles. Hike through valleys, see incredible lookout point views, or taste Wartook Valley’s chardonnay.
Spend more time hiking and camping on a multi-day trip. Tours often go one-way between Melbourne and Adelaide, including a drive along the Great Ocean Road, a night in Grampians National Park, or a visit to the nearby gold rush town of Ballarat.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Bring comfortable shoes, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and water.
- Weather can change quickly in the mountains, so pack warm clothing, even in summer.
- Brambuk—the National Park and Cultural Centre offers maps, park information, park ranger tours and talks, cultural activities, restrooms, a café, and free Wi-Fi.
- Plenty of picnic spots and campsites in the national park offer basic amenities.
- Many walking trails and lookout points are wheelchair accessible, and all-terrain wheelchairs are available from the Cultural Centre (advance bookings recommended).
How to Get There
Drive along the Western Highway from Melbourne to reach Grampians National Park in West Victoria. Halls Gap in the east, Dunkeld in the south, and Wartook in the north provide access to the park. Trains from Melbourne run to Ararat, from where buses head to Halls Gap, but exploring with your own transport or joining a tour is more convenient.
When to Get There
Grampians National Park can be enjoyed year-round. Spring (September to November) offers the best time for hiking, while autumn’s mild weather is ideal for outdoor activities. Summer visitors might prefer to hike during the cooler hours of the morning; winter can be cold, but offers the best views of the park’s powerful waterfalls.
Grampians National Park Outdoor Activities
With more than 375 miles (600 kilometers) of roads and 100 miles (160 kilometers) of walking trails, hiking, cycling, mountain biking, and bushwalking opportunities abound. Hike Wonderland Grand Canyon route to the Pinnacle Lookout, the Mt. Rosea Hike, or Grampians Peaks Trail. Go rock climbing and abseiling in the mountains, explore by quad bike or on horseback, or canoe, fish, and join a boat cruise around Lake Bellfield and Lake Wartook.
Address: Victoria, Australia
From $ 96
Koala Conservation Centre
Koalas are iconic to the Australian experience, and the Koala Conservation Center gives visitors the chance to join them up in the trees. Walk through the treetops on wooden boardwalks to view koalas up close, and get eye-level vantage points you’d never experience if standing back on the ground. Koala bears sleep for about 20 hours each day, which means the chances of seeing them down from the ground is admittedly pretty slim.
By joining the koalas in the trees, however, you’re close enough to see the rhythm of their chest as they leisurely nap in the trees. Or, watch the breeze as it blows through their whiskers and tickles their soft gray fur. If you happen to find some bears on the move, this is an authentic way to watch koalas as they eat and play in the wild. Once you’re firmly back on ground level, look for wallabies and brown echidnas on a stroll of the forested walking trails, and while visiting the Koala Conservation Center only takes an hour, it’s a quick, memorable, and accessible way to get wild on Phillip Island.
Practical Info
The Koala Conservation Center opens at 10am daily, and closes between 5 and 6pm dependent upon time of year. Admission is $11.90 for adults, $5.95 for children, and you can combine tickets with the Penguin Parade and Churchill Island Heritage Farm for discounted admission.
Address: 1810 Phillip Island Rd, Phillip Island, VIC, Australia 3923, Australia
Hours: Daily, Winter: 10am-5pm & Summer: 10am-6pm
Admission: Adults $11.90, Child $5.95
From $ 10
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum
The Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum is home to one of Australia’s most prominent shipwreck collections and is set in a 19th-century village overlooking Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast. More than 180 shipwrecks have occurred along the coastline here, including the famous Loch Ard disaster. The Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum documents these, and educates visitors of the maritime heritage of both the Shipwreck Coast and the Great Ocean Road.
Come nightfall, the Flagstaff Hill village puts on a spectacular show using special effects to bring the tragic story of the Loch Ard wreck to life. ‘Shipwrecked' is an outdoor sound and laser show that sails nightly, with dinner and show packages available.
Practical Info
The Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum is located at 89 Merri Street in Warrnambool, Victoria. It’s open daily from 9am until 5pm with last admissions at 4pm. The ‘Shipwrecked’ evening show runs nightly at dusk, with show times varying depending on the time of year. The show runs for approximately 70 minutes.
Address: 89 Merri Street, Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia, Australia
From $ 13
Fitzroy Gardens
Fitzroy Gardens is one of several gardens established during the nineteenth century with a mind to creating and preserving green spaces within the city.
Hugging the eastern side of the CBD, Fitzroy Gardens is seen as the finest garden in the city’s large collection of green spaces, which include Flagstaff, Treasury, Carlton, Alexandra Gardens and the Kings Domain. Dominated by sweeping avenues of English Elms, and full of deciduous and native Australian trees, Fitzroy Gardens looks particularly beautiful in autumn (April to June).
Points of interest within the gardens include Captain Cooks Cottage (transported from England in 1934), a fairy tree, a model Tudor village and a conservatory that exhibits stunning floral displays throughout the year.
Free-guided tours of Fitzroy Gardens take place every Wednesday at 12.30pm. To get to the gardens on foot, walk east from Spring Street until you reach Lansdowne Street (which forms the gardens western edge) or alternately catch a tram along Flinders Street into Wellington Parade.
Hugging the eastern side of the CBD, Fitzroy Gardens is seen as the finest garden in the city’s large collection of green spaces, which include Flagstaff, Treasury, Carlton, Alexandra Gardens and the Kings Domain. Dominated by sweeping avenues of English Elms, and full of deciduous and native Australian trees, Fitzroy Gardens looks particularly beautiful in autumn (April to June).
Points of interest within the gardens include Captain Cooks Cottage (transported from England in 1934), a fairy tree, a model Tudor village and a conservatory that exhibits stunning floral displays throughout the year.
Free-guided tours of Fitzroy Gardens take place every Wednesday at 12.30pm. To get to the gardens on foot, walk east from Spring Street until you reach Lansdowne Street (which forms the gardens western edge) or alternately catch a tram along Flinders Street into Wellington Parade.
Address: Fitzroy Gardens, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia
From $ 41
Kings Domain Gardens
The Kings Domain Gardens are a free, soothing retreat from the whirling energy of the nearby city centre.
Within Melbourne’s Domain Parklands, the Kings Domain is well placed to take a relaxing wander through hectares of natural peace. Visitors can enjoy lush lawns perfect for napping upon, spread picnics beneath mature trees, and wander into a fern gully of serene green.
The Kings Domain Gardens border onto the Royal Botanical Gardens, and there are multiple gardens within the Kings Domain area. The Queen Victoria Garden features roses, manicured flower beds and a statue of the monarch after which is it named. The Alexandra Gardens skirts the Yarra River and Alexandra Avenue, and features some barbecue areas with impressive city line views.
Within Melbourne’s Domain Parklands, the Kings Domain is well placed to take a relaxing wander through hectares of natural peace. Visitors can enjoy lush lawns perfect for napping upon, spread picnics beneath mature trees, and wander into a fern gully of serene green.
The Kings Domain Gardens border onto the Royal Botanical Gardens, and there are multiple gardens within the Kings Domain area. The Queen Victoria Garden features roses, manicured flower beds and a statue of the monarch after which is it named. The Alexandra Gardens skirts the Yarra River and Alexandra Avenue, and features some barbecue areas with impressive city line views.
Practical Info:
The Kings Domain is located just off St Kilda Road, and is about 20 minutes walking from either Southbank or Flinders Street Station. You can also drive and park in time-restricted street parking, or reach the Kings Domain area by taking a five minute tram ride from the Flinders Street Station to the Domain Interchange (routes 3, 5, 8, 16, 64, 67 will get you there).
Although the King’s Domain Gardens offer a natural wonderland of its own, visitors can also take advantage of neighbouring attractions, including the Royal Botanic Gardens, Shrine of Remembrance, Government House, the Observatory, La Trobe’s Cottage and Sidney Myer Music Bowl.
Although the King’s Domain Gardens offer a natural wonderland of its own, visitors can also take advantage of neighbouring attractions, including the Royal Botanic Gardens, Shrine of Remembrance, Government House, the Observatory, La Trobe’s Cottage and Sidney Myer Music Bowl.
Address: St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
From $ 85