Have you been wanting to get out of the house on the weekend but always end up staying in? Melbourne is one of Australia’s most cosmopolitan cities, with loads of attractions to visit.
Whether you’re looking for more ideas, or simply planning a short weekend trip to Victoria’s capital, we’ve got a list of things you can do to fill up your time!
1. Explore The CBD
One way you can spend your weekend is by hanging out and exploring the Melbourne CBD, where many of the best-known sights and attractions are located.
You can get yourself acquainted with and admire one of the oldest and prettiest buildings – Flinders Street Station, which is the central transport hub of the city.
Simply cross the road from Flinders to get to Federation Square which houses some lively bars and eating areas, outdoor entertainment screens, and the museum ACMI.
You should also check out the local street art that Melbourne is famous for. You don’t need to do a tour, just follow this DIY street art tour and you’ll find all the local hot spots.
Within the CBD, you can also make your way to the Royal Exhibition Building and the Melbourne Museum which are both located in Carlton Gardens. These are both classic city landmarks that have interesting showcases of art, history, and culture.
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2. Take A Day Trip
A weekend in Melbourne can be greatly enhanced by a good day trip outside the city. Make your way to the famous Great Ocean Road, while briefly stopping at the Great Otway National Park before checking out Twelve Apostles on the way. You can also choose to stop at the Loch Ard Gorge near Port Campbell on your way back to Melbourne.
Another idea is to drive in the other direction to head out to Phillip Island to watch the penguin parade, or to go to the Yarra Valley which is known for its high quality food and wine.
3. Consider House Sitting
If you are travelling to Melbourne just for the weekend, you may opt to house sit instead of paying for accommodation. This process is great for those visiting Melbourne on a budget as it will allow you to stay in a wonderful home for free while the owners are away, provided you take care of their house and pets, should they have any.
You can find house sitting opportunities in Australia by connecting with homeowners looking for house sitters on a house sitting platform. Costs can also be kept absolutely minimal by cooking in the house and using the homeowner’s facilities.
4. Hit The Coolest Bars
It is no surprise that Melbourne has a pulsating night scene, with a number of cool bars littered across this vibrant city. You may even want to join a guided bar tour to find some of the best and up-and-coming spots in the city on a Saturday night.
However, if you’re planning to hit the bars yourself, here are some of the bars worth considering:
Berlin Bar: located on Corrs Lane which is a themed bar in the city where you can choose to sit in ritzy, upmarket “West Berlin”, or grungier “East Melbourne”.
Lui Bar: A high end bar located on Collins Street that sits on the 55th floor of the Rialto building with some grand views of the city.
Madame Brussels: Located on Bourke Street, this bar makes you feel like you’re drinking and dining at a fancy garden party, with a nice rooftop area.
5. St Kilda
Visiting St Kilda is one of the must-do weekend activities in Melbourne, especially on a bright sunny day. It’s easily accessible from the city via several trams.
Walk along the jetty to the historic St Kilda Pier, where you can grab a coffee and watch locals fish or walk their dogs.
You can also stroll around Luna Park and snap a picture under the giant face that serves as the entrance to the park while you’re at it, which is within walking distance from the pier.
6. Tour The MCG
If you’re a cricket fan, then you’re in luck! Don’t miss out on the opportunity to tour the largest sports stadium in Australia, and the tenth-largest in the world.
Melbourne is home to the Melbourne Cricket Ground, or the MCG. Apart from cricket being played on the grounds, it becomes the home grounds of Aussie Rules, the main league of which is called the AFL during the wintertime.
Tickets are less than $20 so opting for a tour won’t break the bank and you can always choose to throw in behind-the-scenes access to the Melbourne Cricket Ground or Australian Sports Museum to make the day even more memorable!
7. Stroll Through The Markets
One of the best weekend activities is exploring the ever-growing number of day and night markets that offer free entry, cheap food and beautiful handcrafted wares. Head to Queen Victoria Market, one of the best food markets in the city for some fresh produce, warm donuts, coffees, or other snacks.
Other markets you may want to explore when you’re on a budget are the South Melbourne Market which is another 19th-century gem, especially famous for its dim sims and the Sunday St Kilda Esplanade Market which features arts and crafts, and a chance to chat with its makers.
8. Yarra River Sightseeing Cruise
You can see Melbourne from a completely different perspective by hopping aboard a 1 to 2-hour scenic cruise along Yarra River by Melbourne River Cruises.
Plus, there are 3 different routes to choose from- each with different stops and highlights. Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, Westgate Bridge and the Royal Botanic Gardens are amongst some of the attractions covered during the cruise. If you want to visit them all, you can always just pick the 2-hour Melbourne Highlights Tour!
The capital of Victoria has a lot of hidden gems to explore, including the ones mentioned above that will ensure your weekend is jammed packed with fun.
Bio: Brittnay from Travelling House Sitters
Brittnay is one of the Travelling House Sitters. She has cared for 25 dogs, 35 cats 1 turtle, and 1 rabbit over 40+ houses in 15 countries over 5 years.
She is ready to teach you exactly how to become a house sitter! You can connect with Brittnay on Facebook or in their house sitting community on Facebook.
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